E430 - Advice on Rust repair

[Brady_family]

Hi,

Seeking a good body shop that will fix the surface rust on my 1998 E430 Estate.

Just purchased it and it needs some rust repairs in one wheel arch, a few door handles and the normal areas of need on these versions of MB.

Living in Hammersmith SW London, so need something local.

Regards,
Brady's

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Seeking a good body shop that will fix the surface rust on my 1998 E430 Estate. Living in Hammersmith SW London, so need something local.

Hi and welcome to the forum. I have put out feelers with a friend in the trade not far from you - I would expect a reply in the next couple of days.

 

[Multi-Tech]

I have a paintshop in Leatherhead Surrey. Not to far way about a 25 min drive

 

[mikestrivens]

Your name "pricey" might put people off.

 

[television]

Your name "pricey" might put people off.

And do not change it to "toocheap" that does not go down well

 

[television]

Hello and welcome brady family. It is just a matter of finding a small body shop that can do it, at least if it is a small outfit you can talk to the man incharger

 

[Brady_family]

Alex,

Thanks for the note and i look forward to the update on your feedback.

Pricey,

Thanks for the note, can you send me your contact details and i will get in touch.

General:

The E430 has a touch of surface rust on a few door handles, rear door sills and tail gate, nothing major, just surface rust coming out.

I understand that this is an open question, but may i ask generally what is the best long term solution on MB's to surface rust (treat affected areas and patch and paint, replace panels?)?

What would a normal cost range for doing surface rust?

 

[television]

The worst of it is removing the door handles, you could lower the cost by removing the door panels on the inside. probably etch priming would be the best, but rust is very hard to keep away in the very long term.

Have a word as you say with pricey

 

[Multi-Tech]

You could have a point mikestrivens but its only because my surname is price

Brady Family you have a PM

Television is right with regards to etch as a good starter, i have just done a W208 CLK55 with all the same signs.

The handles are fine to take off and you dont need to remove the door panel as it has a 20 torx under the door seal which will undo the handle, you just need to make sure you put a 8mm nut on the end after or it may drop inside the door then you will have to remove the door card.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I have put out feelers with a friend in the trade not far from you - I would expect a reply in the next couple of days.

Answer arrived today.

"Nearest is Vanleigh at West Molesey, near Hampton Court, tel 0208 783 1212, good but slow".

The advice comes from a good source. I infer that slow implies thorough.