W212 E220 2009 rear subframe

[occurs_to_me]

Filled up with diesel and headed off on a 250 mile journey. About 1 mile in, pressed the brakes going round a bend and the car nose dived towards the hedge on the near side. Happened every time I pressed the brakes, so had to nurse the car home, and get mechanic to trailer it away, while I made other arrangements. He sent me some photos of the problem.

It appears the rear subframe no longer wants to be part of the car anymore.
Is this common for the subframe to corrode so badly?
Ps. Only 80k on the car.


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[Blobcat]

Quite common on C Class and SLK, I’ve not seen one on an E Class but same vintage so same steel preparation issues.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Wow! Must get out there and have a look at mine. Bit disappointed to see this obviously down to either poor steel or too thin metal allowing surface corrosion to weaken that section, first one I’ve heard on a 212. I assume the only remedy is a new subframe. I have heard the rear bushes are prone to need replacement but this is on another level

 

[occurs_to_me]

Yeah, new subframe I guess. Or perhaps a good used one, if it could be sourced.
Funny, (or not as the case may be) it wasn’t picked up at the last dealer service inspection in October, I think.


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[Blobcat]

Yeah, new subframe I guess. Or perhaps a good used one, if it could be sourced.
Funny, (or not as the case may be) it wasn’t picked up at the last dealer service inspection in October, I think.


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If it was last serviced at a Mercedes dealer then I’d be approaching them and advising that such a structural piece of the car shouldn’t be failing at this age. Quite a few owners have had subframes replaced by Mercedes

 

[Jim2]

If it was last serviced at a Mercedes dealer then I’d be approaching them and advising that such a structural piece of the car shouldn’t be failing at this age. Quite a few owners have had subframes replaced by Mercedes

100% + in agreement !!! Maybe it was missed during the MOT inspection because while the surface rust would be visible, the real deterioration was hidden, and then all it took was any kind of jerk, pothole, sudden hard braking and it snapped. Not a pleasant experience. It can happen too that mechanic's when carrying out MOT's,will be looking for specific fault's associated with certain makes...and if rusty subframes on a E class of that year was extremely rare, then might only give it a cursory inspection, which is what happened here, I think. Had he even tapped the frame with a hammer, I'm pretty sure that the extent of the rust would be revealed. Now I will check mine out too, ( just in case )

 

[M80]

Is this common for the subframe to corrode so badly?

We drove down to Aston, B'ham last month to view a 2010 Viano at an MB outlet.
The prep of the vehicle was near non existant but I like to see a vehicle raw so no problem there.
I take a mat and torch and crawl beneath which surpises sellers as they don't expect that.

"The rear sub frame is suffering advanced rot", this being the box section that the overhanging estate area sits on. I don't see how that would be a bolt on replacement.

The sellers salesman responded by saying they had had 2 E classes with rotten sub frames on the ramps, he didn't say what age they were.

While I don't think the Viano rot would affect the beam integrity, yet, it's sad to see that on an MB.

I can only think it's down to the rear wheels spraying the winter salt at the back end.

 

[sonic]

A friend of mine has just part exchanged a 2007 C class with the same problem.

 

[Jim2]

We drove down to Aston, B'ham last month to view a 2010 Viano at an MB outlet.
The prep of the vehicle was near non existant but I like to see a vehicle raw so no problem there.
I take a mat and torch and crawl beneath which surpises sellers as they don't expect that.

"The rear sub frame is suffering advanced rot", this being the box section that the overhanging estate area sits on. I don't see how that would be a bolt on replacement.

The sellers salesman responded by saying they had had 2 E classes with rotten sub frames on the ramps, he didn't say what age they were.

While I don't think the Viano rot would affect the beam integrity, yet, it's sad to see that on an MB.

I can only think it's down to the rear wheels spraying the winter salt at the back end.

Yes I'd agree 100% with you there, the salt spray is lethal to metal, no matter how well protected, and especially in box sections or any nook's and crannie's where it can lodge begin eating away at the metal.

 

[Wighty]

Just ordered a can of Dinitrol , going to have to get under the car and fill the 2009 E class rear subframe

 

[Jim2]

Just ordered a can of Dinitrol , going to have to get under the car and fill the 2009 E class rear subframe

Would be a good idea Wighty if you have a Karcher or other power washer, and give it a good clean underneath first. Then apply the Dinitrol, it's a good move.

 

[Wighty]

Would be a good idea Wighty if you have a Karcher or other power washer, and give it a good clean underneath first. Then apply the Dinitrol, it's a good move.

That’s how i roll buddy

 

[occurs_to_me]

Would be a good idea Wighty if you have a Karcher or other power washer, and give it a good clean underneath first. Then apply the Dinitrol, it's a good move.

Yep, sounds like a good idea.
To be fair, I think I have more mechanical sympathy to my other cars (rover 75s), as I always believed the Mercedes was “out of my league and comfort zone”.
Please don’t laugh...the 75s are older and have faired better!!!


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[V6Matty]

Yep, sounds like a good idea.
To be fair, I think I have more mechanical sympathy to my other cars (rover 75s), as I always believed the Mercedes was “out of my league and comfort zone”.
Please don’t laugh...the 75s are older and have faired better!!!

Wouldn’t disagree with you there, the 75’s are still wonderful cars even now if they have been well cared for, if I could find a good one for little money I’d love the 2.5 V6

 

[bertb1]

Hello
Did Mb ever sort this out on later models I’ve got a c class on a 63 plate and this as got me pretty worried
Is this fault around a certain period of the c class ?
Thanks


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[Blobcat]

Hello
Did Mb ever sort this out on later models I’ve got a c class on a 63 plate and this as got me pretty worried
Is this fault around a certain period of the c class ?
Thanks


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~2009 appears to be quite common, not seen any 2013 issues (as yet...)

 

[Severnless]

Just ordered a can of Dinitrol , going to have to get under the car and fill the 2009 E class rear subframe

I’m sure the rear subframe on the W211 is aluminium not steel, on your car Wighty, so shouldn’t be effected by the mb rust issue
At least on my 211 estate it’s aluminium it’s just the rest of the car rusts away! (Like my brake lines!)

 

[Wighty]

I’m sure the rear subframe on the W211 is aluminium not steel, on your car Wighty, so shouldn’t be effected by the mb rust issue
At least on my 211 estate it’s aluminium it’s just the rest of the car rusts away! (Like my brake lines!)

That is very good news , Thanks . Now I think of it , that does ring a bell . I’ll have to spray the Dinitrol over something else rusty

 

[Wighty]

Hello
Did Mb ever sort this out on later models I’ve got a c class on a 63 plate and this as got me pretty worried
Is this fault around a certain period of the c class ?
Thanks


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Get some preemptive spraying inside and outside of the subframe ! Cheap job to do and may knock the potential problem to the outside of your ownership

 

[Oldspanners]

Get some preemptive spraying inside and outside of the subframe ! Cheap job to do and may knock the potential problem to the outside of your ownership

A real rust doctor like you fully equipped and said "I’ll have to spray the Dinitrol over something else rusty" would obviously offer his services there and you did say it was a cheap job
Happy New Year.