2004 C180 Kompressor

[L4PPN]

Hope someone can help..... Just had to pay £350 to have the calipers on both sides changed as they had both rusted and the brakes were siezing. I have been told by the mechanic that he was advised this was a common problem with the model/year. Can anyone confirm this? Car was fully services March 07 and MOT'd April 07. Surely this much corrosion could not have occurred in such a short space of time on such a new car? I have not been very technical as I am not very technically minded so apologies if I have not given enough information. Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

[type49]

I have never replaced, or seen anyone else replace calipers on any 203. They do pick up a lot of surface rust but I have never heard of one seizing, let alone both!

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

The only troubles i have seen is when the nipples sheer off because they had been done up too tight the preivous time. The sports cailpers are the worst for this as they are very open to the emements.

 

[jibcl500]

Sounds like bolox to me.

jib

 

[L4PPN]

????

Thanks for the responses so far. Do you think I have just been unlucky? Should have said previously that only the right side was siezing on. Thanks. Ann Marie.

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

Well in that case only one should of been changed.

Come to think of it, i have changed a few Rear cailpers on 202, 208's because the cailper has rusted and is sticking because the corriosion is so bad the pad carrier which is part of the cailper has been eaten away. But not on a 2004 203.

Was if front or rear which was replaced?

 

[television]

Could it be that the pads are too tight a fit, and it is the pads that are causing the problem. I have seen cars where they have been hammered in

 

[BlackC55]

Was it the sliders not the calipers seized?

 

[jberks]

Who did this work?
Corrosion issues simply shouldn't arise on an 04 car yet. If they did, I'd be taking it up with MBUK, though if you've paid a non MB garage to do the work, you're probably too late.

We recently had corroded brake pipes on a 2003 E class. When pressed on the fact that a 2003 Merc shouldn't be failing MOTs on corrosion issues, MB replaced them FOC, despite not being under warranty and not having FMBSH.

 

[L4PPN]

Response

It was the front drivers side which was seizing. I did not want to to drive the car for fear of an accident and a Mercedes trained mechanic came and collected it. It was not a major franchise although he is a Mercedes mechanic with his own garage. I hope I have not made a mistake with this. I am just amazed that rust to this degree was present on an 04 model...Waiting a response from MBUK as I am posting this. Thanks for all your responses. Keep them coming. Ann Marie.

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Have you been given the old parts ? or have they disapeared into the skip.............

 

[jberks]

As the dealer didn't do the work, I suspect you're going to have to let this one go. MB aren't going to offer to pay for an indie to replace parts that they haven't seen or had inspected by one of their dealers.

Its a quandry we all face. Take it to the dealer and face a potentially massive bill, or use an indie and lose the protection of the dealer network and any potential comeback against the manufacturer. None of us get it right every time. On our claim, we were turned down first time and had to get written confirmation from the dealer's MOT station that the car would fail, and even then had to appeal before MBUK paid up. As it was still safe, we had time to jump through the hoops, but with a car effectively off the road, we may not have had.

To be fair, your mechanic should have suggested the dealer takes a look but its all too late now.
Chalk it up to experience and move on.