E class disapointment

[R W]

I have spent the past 4hrs reading through the rust issues with E Class. It is very dissapointing reading about all the rust problems people have with there cars. Most manifacturers are improving there products & service over the years,MB however seem to be doing the opposite.
I was considering buying an E Class but after reading about the rust problems that so many people have I am going off off the idea.
Are the C class any better?.The 2001 onwards,as most of the rust issues in this forum seem to be the EClass.I looked at a 2001, C 220CDi at the local auction & it didnt look like any rust problems with it.Admitedly I wasnt looking to close at it as I was looking for an E Class.
Can anyone advise me of how good or how bad the C Class is.Preferably a diesel..
Thanks

 

[nick100]

Hi
I bought a 99 w210 6 months ago, even after reading all the doom and gloom about rust. There is a small bubble on my bonnet. Thats it. I figured that if it was gonna drop to bits it would have done so by now.

Just make sure you get a good one.

Regards

Nick

 

[television]

No matter how well a car has been resprayed a trained eye can always tell.
if you look at the finish its always has an orange peel look (slight) go from panel to panel, any variation in shine or texture would show. every MB gets stone chips on the front.
Any blister has rust underneath, never buy a car in artificial light or in the rain.
There are many MB's at good prices from the BCA group, very much so when they have one of their prestige sales from banks, etc.

Malcolm

 

[jberks]

my view is that 01 on things were starting to improve. In their defence, MB recognised their stupidity and repair any offending corrosion FOC so provided any car you get has a decent history you should be ok. I'm not sure why but it does seem you are right about the C being better in this area. You know where to look from other threads and I don't think I would be immediately put off if a car is clean and has a decent history. As I have written elsewhere, the areas repaired FOC by MB never returned in the years I owned my 210. As the corrosion was light, if blasted back properly and well treated with modern products, any properly repaired area should be fine. If its worse, then MB tend to replace panels so they do seem to be taking it seriously.

 

[R W]

Thanks for the advice gents. I suppose your right as long as I buy a car with MB history & keep it up they should repair it if the rust does show up. Some of the auctions as you say have ex lease cars from reputable companies, banks ect that will no doupt have MB history. I would prefer a E Class to the C but if the C has a better build quality then I will choose the C.I am in no hurry to buy. I am disapointed though with the way MB have gone with there products as the old 260 I have has been very reliable & still in good condition considering it is 18yrs old.I thought buying a newer model E would also last for years but that doesnt seem to be the case.
Thanks again
R W

 

[clive williams]

Hi All,

I've just had a thought - careful (hold him down)

Conspiracy Theory "MB have a pretty low opinion of their customers and therefore don't care that their reputation is damaged but they need the business. Solution - create a car that is poorly rust protected and repair any rust problems FOC for up to 10 years PROVIDED that the car's got a full MB history. It costs MB one(?) warranty claim for rusting in 10 years @ say £500 max. BUT it generates 10 years worth of £500 average services." Hey this is worthy of the Brown school of stealth.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

Political Comment let me start that again - "Labour have a low opinion of their electorate..........."