Corroded brake lines on W211

[TwoWells]

Hi All
I just had my 2008 W211 E280CDi estate MOT'd.
An advisory is that the rear brake lines are corroded.
This is the second time it was flagged up - the first time I told the garage I'd bought it off because it was still under warrantee and they fobbed me off saying every car gets that, just wire brush them and they'll be fine. Trouble is, I've discovered the hard way that I have no reason to trust a single word that anyone says at the garage where I bought the car but equally I don't want to spend several hundred quid replacing something due to surface rust. I've read elsewhere that other Mercs get this advisory every year. Is there a check I can do? Also, would it only be the rear section of these pipes that corrodes? Is this section particularly exposed to the elements/salt etc or does the whole thing need doing?
I've got to admit, as soon as I'm in a position to do so I'm trading the car in for something else so I want to avoid unnecessary expense but equally I want to get an idea about how big a risk this is. If anyone can shed any light, I'd be grateful.
Thanks in advance for any helpful input.

 

[AMGeed]

As the tester doesn't remove any covers, it will only be the rear brake pipes on view that have been given the advisory.
It is true that often the rust is only on the surface and a clean up and waxing can bring them back to decent condition.

In an ideal world, the covers either side under the car that hide the brake pipes should be removed for a proper inspection and those deemed past cleaning up replaced. Guess its up to you how far you want to maintain the car.
Anyone buying it from you would look to any advisory being dealt with before parting with any money. Well I would anyway

I'd take it to someone with MB expertise and ask them to give the car a once over for safety checks, especially brake lines, before selling. Then you can sell on with a clear concience. It would probably cost less than £50.

 

[GordonTarling]

The rear section of those pipes gets all the road salt from the rear wheels - further forward, the pipes are protected by the plastic undertray. My last 211 had similar corrosion to yours and Terry at Wayne Gates put new pieces in as far forward as necessary - changing the whole pipe is not usually required. The new pipes are protected by some sort of black goo. Sorry, I can't tell you the cost as I've now sold the car and all the paperwork went with it. If the pipes are pitted, then they need replacing, but if it's only light surface corrosion, then a wire brushing followed by application of a protectant ought to suffice. However, do be aware that these pipes can fail due to rust, so don't take chances.

 

[GlosRichCLK]

On any older car, its wise to do some maintenance on the underside to prevent MoT fails for issues like this.

During the summer, wheels off, a good pressure wash, let it dry, then spray some clear waxoyl on the brake likes and any other rusty areas.

Will keep it good for years.

 

[mersum1es]

I cleaned and sprayed some CRC/WD40 over brake pipe every time I changed winter/summer tyres. At same time I also emptied stupid mud filled 'shelf' located above front spring.

 

[Botus]

if you buy a ford the brake lines will last 15 years, if you by a Mercedes they will do 5 years...
and if you drive in heavily salted roads in winter and don't regularly clean under the car make that 3 years

 

[V6Matty]

My 211 had 4 years worth of this advisory, my Indy just cleaned the lines every service, inspected and then reapplied a generous coat of grease, even when I sold the car there were in good condition

 

[rf065]

if you buy a ford the brake lines will last 15 years, if you by a Mercedes they will do 5 years...
and if you drive in heavily salted roads in winter and don't regularly clean under the car make that 3 years

My CLK has been used in heavily salted roads without cleaning under the car every winter for 12 years now. The rear brake pipes lasted 10 years before being replaced and the fronts almost 12 years before they too were changed. I'm sure I could have got another two or three years from them but changed them anyway as I've heard of a few burst when brake tested at MOT time.
I'm pretty sure any brake pipes replaced at 3 years old would be due to a manufacturing defect, not road salt.

Russ

 

[mersum1es]

It is because of poor design in W211, this will collect nicely all dirt/salt and stuff
(hope you will be able to see pics)
http://www.mese.fi/forum/userpix/5_Kuva1526_1.jpg
http://www.mese.fi/forum/userpix/5_Kuva1528_1.jpg
http://www.mese.fi/forum/userpix/5_Kuva1531_1.jpg

 

[Wighty]

Better get under my E class and CLK soon , they are both 9 years old