1999 230 clk Rust Problems

[24678208djt]

Hi,
Just bought the above and it appears that this model is very prone to rust blisters? I have a number over the bonnett and as it seems with all models of this age a blister near the key hole in the boot and a bubble under the N/s of the rear plate cowling? Have spoken to my local dealership in Norwich who have invited me there on Wednesday (11/04/07). They tell me that as I have not owned the car for 6 months Mercedes will not be interested. Strange that you should have to wait 6 months for the blisters to get worse before they are interested/ Anyone any ideas - or am I being bamboosled by the dealership?? Cheers Dave.

 

[Daeths]

I had my 2001 210 done under warranty after owning it 3 months. You will see under various threads the different stances adopted by different dealerships.

If I was a doubting Thomas, couold the delaying tactics tip you outside of the 8 year warranty and leave you in the hands of the goodwill ???.

If I were you I would see how you get on and if no joy keep trawling through the dealers until you get the right answer.

One point to raise is that my boot doors, wings and arches have hall been done under warranty, HOWEVER, the bonnet has not as this is due to stonechips which is an absolute no no from the warranty perspective.

Secret to sucess on this one is perseverence. Good luck

Adam

 

[redmilly7]

I printed out all the threads relating to the rust on this site and showed the dealer all the same problems that other people were having with rust, it was just another tool incase they said that there wasnt a rust problem on that make of car.!!

 

[glenluceblue]

I booked my W210 in for a dealer inspection after owning the car 3 days - I got 2 new front wings and the boot lid repainted

 

[24678208djt]

Thanks all for the information will keep you updated following my visit to the main dealer Robinsons Norwich.

 

[24678208djt]

Having just returned from the Dealership who initially appeared very helpful; they measured the depth of the paint and it would appear the depth of the paint on the bonnet was too thick therefore they are uninterested as it wasn't original spec!! Although the boot area did fall into the scope and therefore fingers crossed.

 

[FELLOW]

Hmmm!

The intial garage I took mine to told me it had been resprayed!
I took out the log book and call the last owner on speaker...he told me the car was fine and he'd traded it in at their dealership for a new one..then I showed them their sister branch's body work report when they sold it to me 6 months earlier.

Mines now had 2 re spray's under gt - the first MB re spray rusted through - remember you may need new pannels. Think searching the internet - printing out all these ref' and approach them again.

CLK 320 1999

 

[JONRW]

I went to London Road Garage, Romford today about two small rust spots.
Two warranty staff came down to see the car, guy and a girl. The guy was easy going and took photos of the rust spots, noted the milage, reg number and chassis number. The girl had some gadget that supposedly measured the depth of the paint, she took readings of serveral places all over the car and then went on to say that the rust spots/blisters were probably caused by stone chips which had let water in which had caused the blister and therefore not covered, I mentioned that the paintwork had not been marked it was clearly a blister, which was frustrating ! The guy said that they should be in touch once head office in Milton Keynes had been informed, which should be within 7 days.
Watch this space.... !?!?

 

[craig.douglas]

I have a 2001, C320, it's silver and there are rust blisters on all the wheel arches and along the bottom edge of the doors. I have seen this on quite a few models of a similar age. It looks to me like MB had an issue with thin paint on cars of this age,particulalry silver. Does anyone else agree, or am I just blowing it out my tail pipe?
What is the merc warraty for anti-corrosion? Does it mater if you are the second or third owner?

 

[jberks]

I have a 2001, C320, it's silver and there are rust blisters on all the wheel arches and along the bottom edge of the doors. I have seen this on quite a few models of a similar age. It looks to me like MB had an issue with thin paint on cars of this age,particulalry silver. Does anyone else agree, or am I just blowing it out my tail pipe?
What is the merc warraty for anti-corrosion? Does it mater if you are the second or third owner?

Yes they had problems between 1998 and 2002 ish. THey admit it, which is why the have done millions of pounds worth of rust repairs FOC.
How long you've had it may matter if you've just bought it as they are touchy about people who have bought cheap due to the rust. 2nd, 3rd owner etc doesn't matter though. They really just want to know that it's your car and youy intend to keep it, hence they sometimes ask you to wait a few months. I think it's also to avoid doing up used car dealer's stock for them! It's the age and history of the car that really matters, not the number of owners. Take it to your local dealer, you may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[JONRW]

MB contacted me todayand accepted one of the two rust spots will be treated FOC, they considered the one not under warranty because it was a stone chip and touch up paint had been applied by the last owner - who had made a very bad cover up job of it.

So.... at least I have one blemish to be removed for me.

Although I'll lose the car for 3 days and they say they'll replace it with a courtesy SMART car !!!! I will be a laughing stock !

 

[daveenty]

Although I'll lose the car for 3 days and they say they'll replace it with a courtesy SMART car !!!! I will be a laughing stock !

Don't knock the SMART until you drive it a bit Jon, more fun than most things on the road

I use them quite often as hire cars when I'm away on business. Cute, and dead easy to park (well OK abandon)

Best of luck with the repairs though

 

[JONRW]

I really hope I don't fall in love with a SMART, its just so not me !

But I'll give it a try if offered just for the fun of it.

It makes me smile with the thought of it.

 

[ITSACLK320]

Hi all,

Im new to this forum and the reason I came is because I bought a 2000 CLK 320 in December last year, it has 78,000 miles on it and has full service history which I intend keeping up. I too, like many others it seems, have got some slight rust on my rear arches. I have noticed on several other posts about taking the car back to Merc do see what they can offer. Do all Mercs come with the warrenty that I have read about in different threads?

Any advice on what I should be saying when I take my car? Any help gladly accepted!!

PS. Dont know if this makes any difference but my car is going in for a service and MOT in mid May.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome, The corrosion warranty as it applies to your car is listed in the start of your service book. It dos depend upon a few variables, dealer service history, how long you have had the car and what if any work has been done previously.

 

[JONRW]

Hi ya ITSACLK320, are you taking the car for its service to a MB dealers ?
If so thats the perfect opportunity to get them to take the photos they need and measure the paint depths for head office in Milton Keynes to approve.

Personally, I think your covered by the sounds of it. Its the right year car for the problems of thin paint and full service history is a bonus, as long as some has been done by an approved MB dealership.

As some of the posts read, the MB dealers in Dartford, Kent has a very helpful warranty guy.

All the best.... JON

 

[ITSACLK320]

Yeah, I am taking it to a MB dealer for its service and all the previous services have been done by MB. The screen on the dash says service overdue by 3000 miles, does this matter?

Also, has anybody had any problems with rust around the back windscreen?

Thanks for the advice!