I wish I found you a few days ago !

[glenluceblue]

Hi, I've just joined after finding your site. I bought a late 2000 E200K a few days ago and only now know about the rust problems (I feel a right tosser). I've traded in a spotless, newer, lower mileage Alfa 156 for the E class and to be honest I adore the car already. However, after reading the posts on here I've discovered very light bubbling around the boot lid lock ! (I missed it on initial inspection of the car). So I've already contacted the local Merc dealership and been told to speak to the approved bodyshop they use. I was informed by the bodyshop that Merc warranty claims are dealt with on Wednesdays and that they are fully booked for a couple of weeks so early February it is then. The car has done 65k with full dealership history so can I pose a few questions to the enlightened ?
1. Will the dealership/bodyshop inspect the car for other problem areas or is that my responsibility ?
2. Can you make multiple claims against corrosion i.e boot lid then later wings etc ?
3. If they repair the boot and te rust reappears will it again be sorted under warranty ?
4. Does this Mobilla (sp) warranty cover me even though I am now the 3rd owner ?

Any help would be much appreciated and kkep up the good work as this site is invaluable to Merc novices like me.
Cheers,
Jim

 

[Blobcat]

The dealership will inspect for other corrosion, although it is easier if you know where to ask them to look
Yes multiple claims are fine
Yes they will repair again
OK if you are 3rd owner - however a note of caution some MB dealers don't entertain warranty claims to new owners as assume that it was bought cheaply because of the corrosion. Keeping up the MB service history and going back after 6 months of ownership was a recommendation from my MB bodyshop. They do take a copy of the V5 document.

 

[Merc pilot]

Hi Jim. I was in a very similar situation a few months ago, although I knew about the rust when I bought it (1999 E200 Estate - 93,000 miles). After I'd had it a few weeks, I took it in to the Merc bodyshop to inspect. I wasn't too optimistic as the MB service history was only up to about 50K. Nevertheless, they agreed to replace a whole wing and repair the tailgate.
I'm also in Tyneside, and I took it to Carr & Ellison on Barrack Road - I hope you have the same luck as me!

 

[glenluceblue]

Thanks for that Blobcat and as you have pointed out the bodyshop have told me to bring the service book and V5. But can they actually refuse the claim as I thought the warranty would be valid regardless of how long I was the owner as long as I did actually own the car ?

 

[glenluceblue]

Hi Mercpilot. That is the same bodyshop I've to take it to. What was the procedure for you ? Did you take it in and ask them to check out the entire car or just one specific area ? Are they ok to deal with or are they awkward ? Is that enough questions in one post ???

 

[Blobcat]

Most common areas - Peel back the rubber at the top of each door as this is a very common place, the trailing edge of the front wings and the leading edge of the rear wings, inside the bonnet and the boot lid.

 

[type49]

It does seem to be common practice that you have to own the car for 6 months before rust warranties are carried out. Also check the tops of the doors. Open door, gently peel back the very top outer rubber & have a good look.

 

[Merc pilot]

No problem. Basically, I phoned them having learned about the goodwill warranty on this forum. Booked it in for inspection at Carr & Earl (sorry not Ellison). When I brought it in, they asked me to point out the specific problem areas. They rang me back that afternoon to advise that they would fix the major problem areas, ie osf wing to be replaced, and they'd shotblast and repaint tailgate, free of charge. They didn't want to repare some minor bubbling near the badge on the bonnet. They booked it in for a few weeks later to do the work, it had to be in from Mon to Fri, so I hired a car from them for £10 per day.
I have to say they were good to deal with, although I still can't help feeling l was fortunate.

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

I haven't actually got my paperwork to hand, but does it actually say anything about how long you need to own it before they pay up in the warantee? If not, I'm not sure they would be able to turn it down based on time owned.

 

[Merc pilot]

Neil, I'd only owned mine for a few weeks and they were happy to do free of charge!

 

[Speedmaster]

Is this an independant bodyshop you are talking about? Or does it have to go to the main dealer?
I will be taking my Clk430 in next week as it is showing now around the wheelarches -

 

[Blobcat]

Is this an independant bodyshop you are talking about? Or does it have to go to the main dealer?
I will be taking my Clk430 in next week as it is showing now around the wheelarches -

If it is MB warranty work then you will need to go to MB. If they don't have their own on-site bodyshop they will point you in the direction of the MB approved bodyshop that they use.

 

[jberks]

Whilst they have it, ask them to do a full inspection. Some areas such as the cross member are not visible from the top. I asked for a full corrosion inspection which they carried out and then booked it in for the necessary work.

 

[D3Less]

Whilst they have it, ask them to do a full inspection. Some areas such as the cross member are not visible from the top. I asked for a full corrosion inspection which they carried out and then booked it in for the necessary work.

Do they charge for the inspection?

 

[Blobcat]

Do they charge for the inspection?

No they should not charge.

 

[D3Less]

Cheers, I spoke to an MB bodyshop today about the very small amount of corrosion on the inner rear arches.
They said to bring the service book down.
Did you need to book for the inspection?

 

[Blobcat]

Cheers, I spoke to an MB bodyshop today about the very small amount of corrosion on the inner rear arches.
They said to bring the service book down.
Did you need to book for the inspection?

Usually not although that is really dependant upon the bodyshop.

 

[glenluceblue]

When I spoke to the girl from the bodyshop regarding a full inspection she told me they would only inspect the areas pointed out to them. I'm thinking about getting an independant local bodyshop to have a good look and get an report to hit them with. I've still not checked under the door seal (I'm scared now) and cannot see anything on the wheel arches but probably not looking hard enough. As for the the underside - would corrossion not be picked up on the MB services ?. I love this car but hope I've not traded a great car for a rusting shed.
On another slight negative - the temperature and gear/time displays which were fine yesterday have become corrupt and looking at previous posts this is also a common fault. Apart from the obvious the car still exudes quality and even the wife, who hated my Alfa and 5 series BMW, loves it.

 

[Blobcat]

Apart from the obvious the car still exudes quality and even the wife, who hated my Alfa and 5 series BMW, loves it.

If the 'Management' like it you are onto a winner

 

[television]

When I spoke to the girl from the body shop regarding a full inspection she told me they would only inspect the areas pointed out to them..

When I saw the headline " I wish I found you a few days ago " I thought we had a lonely hearts section, to be endorsed by the lines above, further reading just showed it to be a rusty subject.

Malcolm