E-Class Rust, Just How Bad Does it Get?

[johnmc]

:cry:

Hi!
Does anyone have experience of just how bad the
rust problem on the 96-2002 E-Class gets? Just today
I spotted rust coming through the offside front wing.

At Xmas I had to replace the bootlid for the bootlock
and number plate surround problems. Done under
warranty but not got me smiling! My car is a year 2000,
and a friend at work has a 1997 car with the following
problems:
- Bootlid replaced (this year)
- Both front wings. (a couple of years back)
- Both rear quarter panels (this year)
- All four doors (this year)

At least Merc keep fixing it as he's kept his service
record up to date.

Spotted a '99 at the local car auction with most of the
above, and the bonnet peeling!! Anyone want to challenge
my work mate for the world record of rusty Merc?? I was
hoping to run my car for another 10 years, I'm sure
it will run, but don't know what bits will flake and fall off while
doing so...!

Last car I had like this was a 1981 Austin Metro.

Take Care,
John

 

[maddog]

I've noticed the trim above the windscreen on my 2001 W210 starting to rust which is a bit disconcerting

 

[Arnie]

Quite simply, most mercs from about 1995 onwards are not as well protected as they should be. There is little or no eveidence of cavity-wax protection. The amount of primer on the metal is very little, especially on internal panel surfaces. And, of course, Mercedes changed to brittle water-based paints applied in extremely thin coats.

Part of some general cost-cutting, which also included a downgrade in material quality, fit and finish of the interiors. I think it's only now with the new 2003 E-class that MB seems to have realised the error of their ways.

All this is OK for sunny California, but in the UK and most places where salt is used on winter roads, it's very bad news.

I was surprised to see just how much rust had formed on a nearly new SL320, just after 18 months. Even the brite-metal galvanise that MB use on most engine fittings, including nuts and bolts is not up to the job.

Sorry to say this but if you compare with a BMW of similar vintage, you will see a different story.

 

[rust-E lawyer]

E class rust

I have a Feb 96 E300D, which I bought as a Merc approved used car in 1998. I've had Merc E's or their predecessors since 1981. It's low mileage, regularly serviced, and garaged. It's an excellent car, except for rust. Like so many other correspondents, it first appeared on the bottom edge of the boot lid and lock, then on the door bottom edges, and now it's appearing on the front wheel arches and wing seams, and around the protection strip on one door.

In recent years it's been serviced by a good independent, not by a Merc dealer. Two years ago, I got a few bubbles treated and repaired by a decent coachbuilder, but it's returning, and apperaing in ever-more places.

What are the prospects of repairs being done under warranty / goodwill?

 

[wiggy]

Oh Bugger!

Hi all, just bought myself a w210 E320 aventgarde, noticed most of the above but thought it was isolated! it does have a full merc history but both the boot lock surround and the front wings are showin signs of gout. I thought I would just get it sorted and be happy for a few years but after seeing this thread I am starting to panic!!!! Because it has a full merc service history can I claim under warranty???
P.S. If any one is looking for an E220 coupe I have a very nice one on E-bay.........on second thoughts should I unload the w210 instead....spike you arent allowed to answer cuz you are biased... :lol:

 

[Geoff2]

How good is the Merc body corrosion warranty?

 

[johnmc]

Hi Folks,
I don't know how long Merc will honour the warranty. Here's
the process I followed to get the bootlid issue resolved:

1. Visited the bodyshop (Edinburgh) expecting to get sent
packing.
2. The assessor I met immediately commented "oh yes we get
lots of these, it'll take a few weeks to get it approved".
He took a photo of the rust and sent it off. Worryingly for me
is that his next comment was "let me just check your front wings..."
At that time they were fine.
3. I had to chase a little, it did take a month to get a reply but
they agreed to fix it without a fight about it.

The problems are widespread and a known design and manufacturing
defect. For that reason alone Merc should be fixing them until the
car is at least 6 years old, with your chances higher if you keep it serviced. Apparently consumer rights entitle you to 5 years protection
from design defects in Scotland and it's 6 years in England and Wales.

Check out this webside, and read the car by car breakdown. If you
read the telegraph on a Saturday you'll recognise the guy that runs it.

"www.honestjohn.co.uk" (no relation!!)

This site reckons:
"1995 to 1997 cars have had paint and rust problems, particularly around the numberplate area on the bootlid in the bottoms of doors and now developing in the front wings. This is well known in Germany. Daimler Chrysler has now admitted to another rust problem on all W210 E Class up to June 2001 build - apparently due to using stretched steel construction. Affects areas around door window seals and suspension mounting points. May be a problem with the engine mounts of the E320CDI"

If you have a problem take the car to Merc, be patient and you may be
lucky. I'm taking my rusting offside wing in to the bodyshop this week
to ask for a warranty fix, and will let you know what happens. Probably four weeks to get an answer.

Cheers!
John

 

[rust-E lawyer]

E Class Rust

Following my last message, I had my car inspected. Not only the obvious stuff, but also the tops of the doors, under the seals, were inpected, and concealed rust was found. They'd obviously seen all this before. I had complete co-operation from the dealer, and now hope that Merc's response will be positive, after 20+ years owning their cars

 

[JimmyTD]

I have a 1998 C250 Estate with a serious corrosion problem around the tailgate release, just above the number plate and also around the inner rear wheelarches. I am in the process of a warranty claim with MB but I don't hold much hope.

I have found the dealers and MB's attitude quite unacceptable. I have been told by two different people at MB HQ 'what do you expect from a five year old car'. I expect much better from MB or indeed any make of car these days.

I must say the dealers are a little more sympathetic, when they see the corrosion they agree that it should be sorted under warranty. I have taken the car to 3 independent bodyshops, they all said that it is an obvious warranty case and one even suggested contacting Watchdog.

I would like to hear from anybody with similar corrosion problems with C-class 202 estates, I plan to put together a case to MB, I already have 5 people so don't feel you have an isolated case.

Please send me a message for my email address.

 

[Fritz]

Auto-Bild Mag Nr 5 of 30 January 2004 covered E class rust horrors on page 45 with disturbing pics.................and what M-B (Gerd Esser of Globale Produktkommunication Mercedes Car Group) said they were doing about it.

Auto Bild Mag Fax is(Germany) 0 40-34 72 49 68.

I hope you have more luck with M-B than I had within a year of buying a new one!

Fritz

 

[johnmc]

Hi Again,
I took the car into Merc's new bodyshop in Broxburn near Edinburgh
and got the offside wing checked out. The guy that checked it also
spotted that the nearside wing had some early signs of rust and
He reckons it won't be a problem getting both repaired under warranty,
should hear in 3-4weeks. Look very closely at your wheel arches
and indicators if on the wing. They moved the indicators in the facelift
during 2000 and put them in the mirrors to help resolve the rust issue.

rust-E lawyer, I noticed that you got your car inspected, I'm
now tempted to do the same and see if I can put this to bed without
repeated visits to the bodyshop. Any recommendations for a
inspector or process that you're following? Did Merc inspect it
for free?

I got the guy at Broxburn to measure the paint thickness. The paint
thickness varied from 60microns to 110microns on all panels, except
the boot which was 230microns. They replaced the boot last year and
clearly put a decent coat of paint on it. Should be closer to 200microns over the external bodywork. I am tempted to get an inspection made, couple this to the paint thickness and ask for all issues to be resolved, and the car resprayed. Maybe asking for too much, but if you don't try....!

I noticed the comments from Fritz about Autobild and jimmyTD about the
C-class. I had a 1997 C-180 Elegance, and noticed when trading it in 2001
that rust had started to appear on the boot. I didn't pay any attention to
it and a spot of touch up got it traded in. Looks like there's more to that story too! Fritz, I may follow up on your comments with Auto-Express the
UK sister magazine for Autobild and see what I can find out.


Cheers!
John

 

[rust-E lawyer]

Just to be clear, I've not had an independent inspection, simply an inspection by the MB dealer's body repair department. I'll give MB then benefit of the doubt pending their response.

I've also looked closely at three C classes belonging to friends. A 99 model definitely has failure on the bootlid, around the lock and under the number plate light. Both that one and another 99 model have bubbling around stone chips, which certainly didn't happen with my previous Mercs nor, indeed, the current one. The 97 C class, with 72000 miles, like mine, appeared to be in good nick, so not all cars are affected.

 

[Seight]

I get no rust....

Maybe it's true about MB quality on later cars not up to the level of materials and build of earlier cars. I owned a 300E-24v W124 for 8 years. It was a 1990 car which I bought in late 1995 and sold about a month ago. This car has absolutely no rust on it anywhere. I have now bought myself a W140 S500 which also has no rust anywhere nor would I expect to see any! I'm really surprised to hear about rust problems on all your E class Mercs!

Seight

 

[reefer]

i have a 1997 E320
it is my first merc after owning bmw's
i must say i am disgusted in the quality of the paint work too!
the boonet has been resprayed by merc before i bought the car..which is now rusting everywere again
the boot is rusting around the lock..not caused by keys or anything
the back wing is rusting at the start of the bumper by the rear door
the rear door now has a small hole of rust showing through..and upon closer inspection the bottom of the door is crumbling with rust and ive had the car for only like 9 months!
THIS HAS REALLY ****ED ME! I AM NOT MADE OF MONEY AND THIS CAR WAS A ONCE IN A LIFTIME OUTLAY FOR ME AT JUST OVER 10K!!!
my previous car was a 520i which had no rust on it after owning it for 6 years!
i have done some of the servicing myself to, now i guess i have kissed good bye to any sort of warrenty as far as mercs goes, and im know stuck with a ten grand bucket of rust!
makes me wanna start spraying text all over it saying look at the merc rust with arrows pointing to it all
so do i cut my losses, flog it and go back to BMW for a car that will last :cry:

 

[duncanda]

johnmc

I live in Edinburgh also and would like to know if you took your car to Westerns Straiton bodyshop first for examination and approval for work. My 1999 E240 has rust on both front wings and a couple of spots on the rear by the lamp cluster. It certainly wasn't this bad when I bought it 16 months ago, otherwise I wouldn't have bought. This is my 4th Mercedes so will be miffed if they decline to replace/respray the wings.

Interestingly, a chap nearby has a W210 E320 with rust on all the wheel arches, front around the headlamps, doors etc. etc. It has a private plate so can't tell what year it is. He doesn't appear to wash it, so maybe that's his way of protesting, or at least trying to hide the rust. The rust is so bad that you actually do a double-take to confirm what you've just seen.

 

[rizal]

Hi!

I've just got my 5/98 W210 rust issues fixed under warranty. Got both front wings (blisters + rust the size of a penny!! )and 4 doors + respraying of the sides. Did not noticed prior to buying the car otherwise would have walked away. Upon sending the car, also noticed that the rear wings and bootlid keyhole also has some symptoms and submitted a claim again. Not really happy about it as a 6 years old car has this sort of problem. Definitely would consider getting an MB again.

Also noticed some spots on the doors of my W202. Will do the claim once the additional claim for the W210 has gone through.

 

[rust-E lawyer]

Rust

Rizal
I note you're in Glasgow. Did you get your car fixed by Vardy Continental? I'm awaiting a response from them and MB(UK). I'd be interested to know if you were required to contribute to the repair cost. Mine is a '96, so I think it may not have the 30 year warranty introduced around '98.
On mine, rust first appeared on bootlid at keyhole and bottom edge about 3 yrs ago, then door bottoms (I got all those sprayed two years ago but it's returned in the original and additional places), then front wings after last winter, and now appearing on back wheel arches.
If you don't want to put this out on the forum, if you reply requesting contact details, we can get in touch privately.

 

[duncanda]

Hi

Visited the local dealership bodyshop to get my rust inspected with a view to a warranty claim. I got the anticipated first question; "Has it a full main dealer service history", answer no; one done before I bought the car and one I've just had done. "Oh Mercedes will probably reject the claim". To which I asked, how does a mechanical service affect the poor condition of the bodywork, to which he agreed.

Anyway the shocking news is that the front wings and bonnet have already had a respray. He measured the paint thickness, around 220 - 250, which indicates a respray, given factory thickness is around 190. So not only do I have a "prestige" car under 5 years old with rust, but I unknowingly have bought a car which has had a respray. The chap's putting through the claim, which should take 3 weeks for a response. Interesting to see what MB says if it's already had a claim, etc. etc.

 

[funmobile]

I've got a 1996 E320 too - and the same story is emerging.
Paint bubbling on both front wheel arches and round the remote central locking transponder thingy under the bootlid.
Take it in to Mercedes Benz West London this morning for a paint thickness check. Readings are generally around 140, though higher readings on one rear wing and along the panel below the boot lid.
My dealer says he is "certain" car has been repaired/resprayed, the thickness should be only around 90, and therefore he won't even put forward to Mercedes for a warranty claim.
I then ask him to check the V reg car parked alongside. Thickness is 90. Then we check a H-reg W124 - thickness generally 140 - like mine.

I bought my car last year from one previous owner, who always kept it garaged, it's only got 42k on the clock, with FMBSH, and previous owner's dealer who serviced it from new confirms it never went there for paintwork. As does the previous owner.
So - is it true the paint thickness of a 1996 car should be 90 - or was it laid on thicker on older vehicles?
How do I get the dealer to think again?
And if he does - what chance Mercedes will entertain a claim?
Any thoughts?

Funmobile - except it's not so funny at the moment

PS My previous car was an eleven year old Peugeot 205 - with not a spot of rust. Which makes the Mercedes pretty unimpressive.

 

[rust-E lawyer]

E Class Rust

I don't know how much other correspondents have been looking back to previous threads in the forum, but there is a lot more about rust on W210's e.g "Body Work Corrosion Claim", "W210 - rust underneath", "Warranty Dishonour - Rust", "Rust!!!" and another one about paintwork that I can't find again just now. These are going back to 2001, so there is massive evidence of a serious problem with E-classes. It would be useful if the forum organiser could tie all this lot together.
One correspondent suggested referring this to a consumer affairs TV programme, but I suppose the problem with that is that most of us own 210's and resale values would drop like a brick. In fairness to MB, a lot of owners do seem to have been successful (after overcoming initial resistance) in getting their cars fixed, even pre 98's with the older warranty and a non-MB service history. I'm a bit worried by some correspondents reporting corrosion underneath and in the engine compartment, so even if the outer panels are replaced, the cars may still be crumbling away.