Going to take the ML 270 CDI 2001 for rust warranty inspection

[Tontastic]

I've had it long enough to take it in for inspection ... its in real good shape apart from ...

• Tailgate at lock
• Bottom of Doors have a rust line forming on one side
• Rust emerging from under the black seal on the front doors

What i am wondering about though is that there is bubbling starting under the hard black seal at the foot of each side window. Most of that area is smooth but there are definite bubbles forming in there which i am presuming is rust. Anyone had that covered by warranty or is that some other problem relating to poor finishing... perhaps its always been there.

Are there any other problem parts on the W163/ML that i should have a look at before i take it in?

 

[Xtractorfan]

Let us know how you get on ..

 

[FIBAMAN]

If it is bubbling then something is going on underneath the coating, and the most obvious answer is corrosion.
Corrosion can be caused by several scenarios, but usually, if the coating appears undamaged (ie no chips) then the possible cause is poor preparation of the steel, or possibly pin holes in the coating due to poor application.

Generally, if you get the prep right. you should get a result. I did hear from a Merc approved bodyshop that they witnessed poor material prep during a factory visit.(Was in for corrosion appraisal on my wifes C class, took three months to get a decision).

 

[Tontastic]

Took it in, and no problem (at first glance) with the tailgate corrosion which is the most obvious part. There is emerging from under the black seal between door and glass which he says they wouldn't touch, as lifting the seal shows a rusty clip, as opposed to body work.

He scratched his head over rust at the bottom of the doors as he's never seen that on an ML, but will ask Mercedes anyway, same as with the arches which they might approve, might not as it looks a little like surface damage from stones etc.

 

[Tontastic]

All approved ...

The rust at the bottom of the passenger side doors has been approved ... as has the very slight touch on the wheel arches which honestly looked more like stone chips not that I am complaining. They have had it 7 business days already, another 5 business days to go they say ... So there was nothing that they said no to.

 

[energysolutions]

The rust at the bottom of the passenger side doors has been approved ... as has the very slight touch on the wheel arches which honestly looked more like stone chips not that I am complaining. They have had it 7 business days already, another 5 business days to go they say ... So there was nothing that they said no to.

Excellent news

You have given me a little hope, I am currently awaiting a verdict from Mercedes regarding my unbelievably rusty Vito

It would be easier for me to list where rust has not broken out than it would be to list the areas it has................................

 

[hayleyd78]

Hi..
Im a bit clueless with cars so hope this doesnt sound stupid but my 2003 ML has rust also on the tailgate,
Im the second lady owner on it and brought this private.
Am i covered for rust warranty or is it only if you by from a dealer.

Please advise

Many thanks

 

[Xtractorfan]

You are covered under rust warranty providing the tailgate hasnt been repaired, repainted or replaced..and the rust hasnt been caused by object damage or neglect

 

[hayleyd78]

Hi thanks for answering that, would i just go to my local dealer or would they argue the fact that i never brought it from them?
thanks

 

[Xtractorfan]

It really depends on the dealer, try ringing up first and just mention the fact that you have rust and ask for advice. Just say I have some rust on my Ml could I bring it in for you jave a look at it and advise me on it.... and dont mention the war..that is about to take place.....

 

[hayleyd78]

Ive range the local dealership they didnt ask if i had brought it from them they just said to bring my log book in and service book and they will have a look so hopefully it can be done..
Im glad i found this site otherwise id never have known that warranty even existed!!!

Thanks again:-D

 

[energysolutions]

Hi thanks for answering that, would i just go to my local dealer or would they argue the fact that i never brought it from them?
thanks

I can see it from the dealers point of view if you did not buy the car from them but they are your point of contact for Mercedes and the paintwork warranty which they offer

As I understand it Mercedes pays all repair costs and whilst the dealer may not make anything, they dont lose anything either (except for a little time/paperwork) but if things go well then the customer leaves satisfied and that could perhaps make the difference when it comes time to upgrade.................

When I went to have my Vito inspected it began (badly) with the dealer saying they did not supply the vehicle (fair enough, but the original dealer has since closed) and was trying to insinuate that this was not their problem (I had been directed to them after contacting Mercedes Germany)

It was at this point I replied "Its got a Mercedes badge on the front hasnt it?" and proceeded to explain that I had been instructed by Mercedes to have the inspection carried out there. When he discovered that I wasnt gonna be brushed aside we started again and he was more than helpful - we get on quite well now

Sometimes its necessary to be firm.....................

 

[hayleyd78]

Are vans covered too in the Corrosion warranty?
My Partners Vito is covered in rust this is a 2000 model we certainly wont by one again as we have had nothin but problems with it,

 

[psmart]

In Nov/Dec 2005, we had reasons to contact Mercedes UK on our C-Class which was bought in Stuttgart new. We had issues with the Mobilolife amongst many things, but around the same time, I took my M Class to an Austrian dealer for a service and asked them to check rust condition. They reported a lot of rust, specifically a new drivers door was needed, arches,
drivers side pillar, bonnet and chassis needed doing etc. They needed to get permission from Mercedes Germany before they could repair it. Around the same time a letter arrived from Mercedes UK, mainly ignoring all points we wrote to them about on our Stuttgart sourced C-Class and instead focused on the M Class and stated amongst other things, they would not cover the very bad rust even though the car was sourced in the UK brand new. Their reason, it was not serviced at a dealership. Needless to say, Mercedes Germany had a different opinion and it was repaired in Austria.

As discussed last year regarding the Rust Warranty, its a fickle game as to wether they will/will not cover it and seemed like you had more chance if your vehicle was always serviced with a Mercedes dealer, but getting it repaired wasnt guaranteed.

So, onto this year,with a different Austrian dealer, I asked for a rust inspection as part of a service because the car was nearing its 8th birthday, (ie. cut-off point for any warranty claim as discussed in earlier threads). The dealer reported serious rusting on the chassis. Car came back to the supplying dealer in the UK for an MOT and verification of the rust,
which they couldnt find and they confirmed a massive list of rust warranty 'work' had been done last year. They got the car on the ramps, and indicated that the rust wasnt serious enough to be covered, but I could, at my expense, get it scrubbed off and wax-oiled. So, Im just debating wether to take the car back to the Austrian dealer, or just let it ride.

So, to summarise:
1) These cars rust quite badly, often in areas not seen, so get them checked, possibly by more than 1 dealer and put in a claim as soon as possible.
2) If your dealer says no, as discussed in other threads, try another dealer (and if you go outside of the UK, try a foreign dealer).
3) These cars rust badly on the doors and sills. Water can get logged into the sills, especially if the drain plug gets blocked up (very easy) and also the inside bottom of the doors as they arent correctly protected and water gets in to them easily and rusts. The new door which was placed on my car had copious amounts of waxoil squirted into the cavity, as it probably still is a problem on new body parts.

 

[Tontastic]

3 months ownership

Hi..
Im a bit clueless with cars so hope this doesnt sound stupid but my 2003 ML has rust also on the tailgate,
Im the second lady owner on it and brought this private.
Am i covered for rust warranty or is it only if you by from a dealer.

Please advise

Many thanks

A piece of advice i would offer is that you need to have owned the car for at least 3 months before you get this warranty work covered. Reasonable enough, as dealers could get the work done then sell them on otherwise.

 

[hayleyd78]

Thats a good point never thought of that!
The guy has asked that i bring the log book and service book so that may be why he asked for the log book to seehow long id owned if for.
Ive had it since Oct so im safe there.