Is it worth fixing the rust? (W202 C220)

[David Pemberton]

Hello

I have a W202 C220 CDI estate from 2000(W), just done 96,000 mile. I did the B service this weekend and cleaned and polished the car.

Lots of rust now: front wings (wheel arch tops & indicator repeators), trailing edge passenger door, plenty of chips that I and previous owners should have touched in but didn't. Floor pan sound. Mechanically very good and maintained much better than schedule.

I'd like some advice/views on what I should do. My long term plan is to replace it with a similar W203, but I want a late post-facelift model and frankly I can't afford one for at least another two years.

1. Should I let it get scruffy and scrap/auction it in two years (at about 130,000 miles). It will offend my pride but may save my wallet.

2. Get the rust fixed and keep it longer. Who can a I trust to repair it well? (I live in Nottingham).

3. Is there something big likely to go wrong anyway before it gets to say 150,000 that makes the condition of the bodywork irrelevant?

Best wishes

David

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
Your car is covered by the 30 year rust warranty, could try to make a claim do a search on the forum many post regarding claiming on it.
Even if they don,t pay it all they may pay for some.
Worth a try, they can only say no.

 

[David Pemberton]

It's not been near a franchised dealer since 17/11/2004. So I guessed (perhaps wrongly) that they'd tell me to go away.

 

[John Kerr]

Hi David. Try a letter to Mercedes pointing out you would not expect a quality car to show rust at this age,no modern car on the road now rusts as bad as this.I did and I got a result from Mercedes,give it a try it's only the cost of a couple of stamps

John Kerr

 

[Pipemaster]

I agree with John. MB resprayed my detachable hard top as the paint was bubbling and it does not have full MBSH. They test to see how thick the paint is and if its factory depth then they know it hasnt been played with already. If it has been repainted previously they won't touch it.
After inspection they write to MB to get clearance. Hope this helps

 

[jberks]

It's not been near a franchised dealer since 17/11/2004. So I guessed (perhaps wrongly) that they'd tell me to go away.

they may well not - I'd start with the dealership before writing any letters. You've no chance with the stone chips but wheelarches may be a real possibility. Costs nothing to pop in and ask.

 

[David Pemberton]

Hello

Thank you for the advice. My dealer has a car body "clinic" every Thursday between 0900-1200; I'll take it along next week.

Best wishes

David

 

[42847]

rusty w202

my w regd c200 with 152,000m has just had 2 new front wings and one rear arch repaired free of charge by mercedes benz even though mb history finished at 90,000m but 5 reciepts from local garage since to make it full history....i thought i had a 50-50 chance without mb history but merc still did it...so take it to your nearest merc bodyshop before its 8th birthday and you might be suprised

 

[42847]

rusty w202

....ps i live in doncaster but deal with guy davenport at mb nottingham....have a word with him..mention mustang angela from doncaster