W210 Rust

[Merc pilot]

I bought my 1st MB a few weeks ago, a 1999 200E Estate with 93K on clock, with some rust in the usual places, ie drivers side wheel arch, and tailgate.

I wasn't massively optimistic, but took it in anyway to MB this morning for its appointment with the bodyshop. Their good people have just phoned me back to advise they will do the work. I'm a happy man!

On another matter, this may be a dumb question, but, can the badge on the front be damaged in a car wash? is it best to fold it down as far as it'll go?

 

[bishopcw]

Well I have had a 2003 E-Class and previously a 98 C-Class currently moved into a S-Class 430 and as long as you fold it down its never damaged the badge or the bonnet on any of those models.

but its always a risk! dependant on the car wash itself.

 

[alexspurs61]

I bought my 1st MB a few weeks ago, a 1999 200E Estate with 93K on clock, with some rust in the usual places, ie drivers side wheel arch, and tailgate.

I wasn't massively optimistic, but took it in anyway to MB this morning for its appointment with the bodyshop. Their good people have just phoned me back to advise they will do the work. I'm a happy man!

Hi - do you have full MBSH on it or is some of it non MB?

 

[Merc pilot]

It's had full MBSH up to 64K and it's been non MB since.

 

[rugger2007]

Under warranty?

I bought my 1st MB a few weeks ago, a 1999 200E Estate with 93K on clock, with some rust in the usual places, ie drivers side wheel arch, and tailgate.

I wasn't massively optimistic, but took it in anyway to MB this morning for its appointment with the bodyshop. Their good people have just phoned me back to advise they will do the work. I'm a happy man!

On another matter, this may be a dumb question, but, can the badge on the front be damaged in a car wash? is it best to fold it down as far as it'll go?

Was the rust fixed under warranty. Only ask because my 1999 E300 TD Estate has rust on underside of the handle of the boot. Car has full MB history except for the last service done earlier this year.

I don't use a car wash cos it just as cheap to drive to a hand wash place that charge a tenner to wash and clean the inside of the car

Up or down there is a small risk of it being yanked out.

Thanks

 

[Merc pilot]

Yes, they're doing the repairs under warranty.

 

[Axcontrols]

What?

What's this? MB do rusty bodywork for free on a 6 year old car ?

 

[Merc pilot]

Provided the car has sufficient MB service history, MB are known to provide a 'goodwill' warranty on body rust, subject to an initial inspection, and provided they are happy that the car has not had treatment from a non MB bodyshop, they will repair free of charge. The only bits they declined to repair were those caused by stone chips.

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

upto 30 years old if the car has a decent service history. Seems to be a little patchy though, some dealers are better than others at honouring the warantee.

 

[Blobcat]

upto 30 years old if the car has a decent service history. Seems to be a little patchy though, some dealers are better than others at honouring the warantee.

That came in in 99, prior to that 8 yrs (I think)

 

[big x]

Mobilolife came out in oct 98. If you have FMBSH insist the work is done.
Any other circumstances and it's a crap shoot whether they help or not.

adam

 

[khanie]

That came in in 98, prior to that 8 yrs (I think)

Yep. If your car is pre-98 then its 8 years anti-corrosion warranty. They also like you to have owned the car for about 6 months before they will generally do the repairs.

The 30 years on pre-98 is for "serious internal structural rust only".

Which dealership was this Merc pilot? Stratford-Upon-Avon MB flatly refused to fix any rust whatsoever as it was 6 months past its 8 years anti-corrosion warranty.

 

[Merc pilot]

Khanie, it's Carr & Earl, Hunters Road, Newcastle upon Tyne.

 

[Glenn Smith]

On another matter, this may be a dumb question, but, can the badge on the front be damaged in a car wash? is it best to fold it down as far as it'll go?

Hand wash only!! i think it says on the label.

 

[Merc pilot]

Thanks Glenn - does the badge unscrew off?

 

[Glenn Smith]

That came in in 99, prior to that 8 yrs (I think)

Fairly sure it was 1998, mine has just had a fair bit of work done, 3rd time it,s been in, last mb service was 3.5yrs ago, since i've done it myself except one independant from dealer i bought it from, well done DCUK, at this rate i may buy another (2003 onwards are galvanized, so i'm told), but really, how did MB get it so wrong in the first place???


PS, try writing to DCUK before submitting a car for examination, and insist that the dealer pass the claim to DCUK, they are the ones who say yey or ney as far as warranty goes.

 

[jberks]

Thanks Glenn - does the badge unscrew off?

If you're talking about the chrome star emblem, its actually very resilient. I've never heard of a car wash damaging them, though car washes aren't too good for your paintwork.

 

[Merc pilot]

Thanks jberks.