Dreaded tin worm

[TheJim]

Well, I thought rust was going to be the last of my troubles on the 190e. Wrong.
I was poking about in the boot and noticed a flake of rust on the boot liner. Funny, I thought. I then noticed the rust had come from behind the plastic liner round the boot lock. I sucked my breath in and removed the liner. I wish I hadn't. The whole panel is rotten. It is not structural, the bar underneath is solid, but it gave me a bit of a sinking feeling. There is not much to hold the lip seal on with either.
I then went round the car looking thoroughly, the only other rust I can find is the heat shield on the catalytic converter. It is flapping about (and also explains the dodgy noise when pulling away).
Are these things that will become an issue come MOT time?
Or am I being overly concerned?
Does anyone else feel the need for horse tranquilisers after buying an old Merc?

 

[johnmc]

Hi Jim,
you need the horse pills for new ones too these days......! The exhaust might give you problems at the MOT, rest should be OK.

John

 

[TheJim]

That is kinda what I was expecting to hear. I don't know if an exhaust needs to have an actual hole in it to fail?
It seems to only be the heat shield on the cat, which is not in contact with the exhaust gases but just stops the very hot cat from getting splashed with water or setting fire to things.
Trouble is, MOT centres are pretty random as to what they think warrants a fail!

 

[190]

Are you sure your car has a catalyst converter fitted and if it has it will not fail an MOT if you remove the heat shield, the only time it will fail an MOT for the exhaust is if it has a leak or it is insecure.

 

[TheJim]

I presume that it is the cat, it looks like one (whiskers and pointy ears that do it).
It is a 1990 2l 190e manual. Would one of these normally have a cat?

 

[mike65]

I thought the cat only arrived after 90 (mines an early 1990 2.0 model no cat)

Mike.

 

[louisjames]

pre 93 cars dnt need cats for mot wether it came with one or not.

 

[stwat]

No cat. Its the middle box your talking about. Mine looks like a cat too, but i assure you it aint.

Stu

 

[TheJim]

Thank Bejebus for that. Cats are rather expensive.
Looked around for more rust (Bad habit- must stop it) and the bottom of a door is starting to go on one corner. Looks like I am going to be busy come summer! Just as well I like the smell of Waxoil!

 

[190]

Rust

You are lucky that it?s not an E class of that age or you would be really busy, because When they become the age of your 190 they will require a new body shell.

 

[TheJim]

Blimey.
You know, it's weird but before I bought a Merc I never thought of them as being prone to rust, quality car and all.
But now I have have had time to come to terms with the fact that I am going to be very hands on with this car, I have started noticing many cars that are older than mine that are from somewhat less prestigious brands and are in really good nick.
Mk 1 Nissan Micra- I would rather tatoo Jeremy Beadle on my forehead than drive one- but how many 20yr old micras are still rolling around in rust free condition? I wonder what they made them out off?

 

[philharve]

Hi TheJim

I could have written your inquiry.

I, too, thought MBs were rust free, virtually unbustable and would last 20, 30 years or more.

The reality is quite different. Rust/corrosion has become a problem and you will find a number of loonnnggg threads that demonstrate that MBs also succombe to the tim worm. It didn't used to be like that.

You are quite correct, there are a great many less prestigeous models, including aging Micras, that have better paintwork than MBs. My previous car, a Toyota, was well over 10 years old before even the hint of rust appeared. My sub 5 year old MB is not so fortunate.

I wish I could be the bearer of better tidings. The next hurdle you might like to attempt is getting MB to accept a claim. It can take months to process a claim and there is no garranty that it will be granted.

I am compiling a file of MB quality issues and carefully monitoring the threads in this and other MB forums.

REGARDS Phil

 

[pascal]

Funny,
I had two w124s and Zero rust:

88 230E sold in 2001
93 300Ce deceaced in December
Neither Garaged

Could it be that its got to do with the amount of road salting in the UK
Although Olafs 210 would suggest otherwise. But i have concluded that he in fact got a Lemin.
My Dad had 2 W202s & has now got a W203...... No problems whatsoever
My friend and his dad have both got W210s 99 & 00......... Zero rust

Why is this?
Is it geographic?
Is it down to luck?
Is it variable Q Control?

I have no doubt that there are several 'prone to rust' model years that a totally rust free.