E300 W210 '97 Rusty bodywork

[paulquinlan]

I recently purchased a E300 '97. Car drives superb, but the bodywork is poor. Bonnet, wheel arches are the worst in fact there is rust on almost every panel. Did MB recall this model because of this problem, if so would they be likely to look at this car even though it is '97?

 

[maddog]

I recently purchased a E300 '97. Car drives superb, but the bodywork is poor. Bonnet, wheel arches are the worst in fact there is rust on almost every panel. Did MB recall this model because of this problem, if so would they be likely to look at this car even though it is '97?

theres no recall in the UK as such but you need to do a search its a well documented problem

 

[Impaler]

It seems it's just RHD W210's that rust badly. I think they weren't built in Stuttgart but in a third world country with the cheapest steel they could find.

 

[television]

It seems it's just RHD W210's that rust badly. I think they weren't built in Stuttgart but in a third world country with the cheapest steel they could find.

I think you will find that they are all rusty RHD and LHD

Malcolm

 

[jberks]

would they be likely to look at this car even though it is '97?

If it had FMBSH then yes but I assume it doesn't. I believe they have an 8 year goodwill warranty too but your outside that as well. Worth a chat with the dealer but don't hold your breath as I suspect you are on your own.
And Yes, corrosion was a major problem in the US too, so LHD/RHD makes no difference. It wasn't the steel specifically, but the lack of galvanisation and use of water based paint.

 

[paulquinlan]

theres no recall in the UK as such but you need to do a search its a well documented problem

Will do thanks. Paul

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I've heard that some dealers will repair this FOC even if it doesn't have a full MBSH, so its probably worth checking up on.

Mine is a 97 and has definitely been resprayed at some point. There are various spots of rust poking through here and there, nothing really serious though. I'm going to sort it out next summer.

Check behind the rubber seals at the top and bottom of the doors - my driver's side door has plenty of rust under the top seal. For now I've just sprayed it with silicon lubricant to keep the water away from it until I sort it out. Its also worth checking out the underside of the car, a good treatment is POR15 available from Frost's in Rochdale. Expensive, but very good (I used it on my TVR).

 

[maddog]

For now I've just sprayed it with silicon lubricant to keep the water away from it until I sort it out.

They will love you when it comes time to paint it, silicon and paint are like oil and water.

 

[johnmc]

Hi,
The front part of the chassis is also very susceptible to rust, be amazed if it's not rusted badly given the rest of the car.

Open the bonnet, look straight down between the radiator and the engine. There's a metal panel running from left to right, part of the chassis (front cross member). Is it rusty? Should be an easy warranty repair, comom on the W210.

Expect every panel to go on your car, including the rear quarters. My pal has had everything replaced except the roof over four years. He got a full respray free from Merc on a P reg as part of his work to the doors and rear quarter panels this year.

John

 

[Impaler]

I think you will find that they are all rusty RHD and LHD

Malcolm

I live in northern Spain (which is rather humid) and I've yet to see a rusty E-class.