Merc Kompressor 180 C CLASS -2008 Subframe problems

[Drmacf]

Hi There,

A newbie here, not an expert in cars. Have a 2008 C class Kompressor, petrol .
Seems to be doing fine, until I noticed the windshield washer leaking. So dropped it for repairs. They got back to me stating that the pump has broken and besides that front and rear brake pipers need replacing. Total cost of about 470 quid
Got another call today. Apparently the tech took the car out for a drive(I never asked or was informed) and it didn't feel right. So checked it out and found that that rear sub frame is damaged and the car is in a bad shape! Strange it might sound,as the last two MOTs were done by the same garage , including an A service. The MOT being in March. So am surprised that the car is nearly falling apart in 5 months time.
I am no expert in cars, so will go and have a look. They are quoting one grand, to repair the sub frame plus 470 for other repairs. Feel like cr@p to tbh

 

[00slk]

Hello and welcome

I'm sure someone will ne along shortly with good advice for you

 

[Blobcat]

Subframe failure is quite common unfortunately there’s quite a few threads on here about it.
The possible good news is that Mercedes have changed some FOC for owners. A repair is unlikely to last long as the whole thing rusts (badly)

 

[Drmacf]

Visited the site, very helpful techie
Please have a look at the pics, only the first one seems focused on the area he was talking about, rear right sub frame. He said that the right wheel was wobbling all over.
Please do advise and thanks for all your help

 

[Drmacf]

Hi There,

Pic of my right rear sub frame
Merc c class 2008 Komp[ressor 180
Any advise or comments?

Mel

 

[Blobcat]

As per my post above, try Mercedes and see if they'll replace the subframe for you FOC - just be aware they'll charge a diagnostic fee ~ £170

 

[Drmacf]

My mechanic claims that the Mercedes C class rear right sub frame is in short supply. They can/t get it from any dealer in the UK and have now trying in Germany
He claims it may take a 'good few days'
I did a search and could find rear sub frames on ebay for 470 quid
Is this something I could consider as an option?
Please do advise
Kind Regards

Mel

 

[Blobcat]

My mechanic claims that the Mercedes C class rear right sub frame is in short supply. They can/t get it from any dealer in the UK and have now trying in Germany
He claims it may take a 'good few days'
I did a search and could find rear sub frames on ebay for 470 quid
Is this something I could consider as an option?
Please do advise
Kind Regards

Mel

You could do... however they could be in as poor a condition as your own...

 

[Drmacf]

I could get the mechanic to inspect it and if it's in a poor condition, return it
It's protected by paypal and all I would lose is the return postage
Worth a try?

 

[Wighty]

Hi There,

Pic of my right rear sub frame
Merc c class 2008 Komp[ressor 180
Any advise or comments?

Mel

Have a look at “eurosubframes” online site buddy

 

[Drmacf]

As per my post above, try Mercedes and see if they'll replace the subframe for you FOC - just be aware they'll charge a diagnostic fee ~ £170

Many thanks
Any email or
contact details? To write to?
KR

Mel

 

[mioba]

Just go to your local MB dealer re contact details.

I would avoid a used one. They rot over TIME, so a used one has been subjected to the time factor.

 

[star]

Fit new, they rust from inside.

 

[Drmacf]

Response from Mercedes dealership
Thank you for your email.


If your mechanic ordered the subframe today, the part would arrive with us by Friday/Saturday next week.

If you have full Mercedes Benz dealer service history then please call Mercedes roadside assistance on 0207 975 7077,the car will be recovered to a Mercedes dealership, and you will be provided a car for the duration of the repairs.

Unfortunately, the bodywork warranty covers the main bodyshell of the vehicle and is subject to the vehicle having a full Mercedes main dealer history. The rear axle is a part that is bolted to it and is subject to environmental influence's.

If you send me your accurate mileage and what Mercedes dealerships have serviced your car, I am happy to send a report to Mercedes for any contributions.


I have included an estimate for us to carry out the repairs, should you accept the costs we can provide you with a loan car while the parts are on order, we would need the vehicle to be here on site, the parts are a special-order item so a deposit for the parts would need to be paid first to secure the order. It is purely an estimate and not a quote as vehicles of this age can have seized/corroded bolts, bushes may be perished and split which all takes more time to repair so the costs could increase.

Having the service carried out a main dealer would have highlighted the need for the subframe to be repaired long before the vehicle was deemed unusable thus saving you the additional costs you will incur while the parts are on order, as this is an item that is checked as parts of the service scope. (across all vehicles)

Also, your car passed an MOT on the 2nd of March, and corrosion does not take a few months to take hold but is progressive over a long period of time. A question needs to be asked as to why this wasn't picked up at your MOT test in March?

Please let me know what route you would like to take, and should you accept the estimate we will support you as best we can
------
Estimate
Parts 943.55 Rate
Labour 549.45

total - 1493 , with vat =1791
---------------------------
Just wondering , where could I get an original sub frame and just fit it and get my car back
that's all

 

[star]

Thanks, does that include the initial diagnostic/look at charge? Labour is cheap ish as it’s over 7 hours to do. Subframe costs 695 +.
we have stock of a few subframes as they went on back order, even Germany had none. But I think they are all allocated to jobs now

 

[Drmacf]

Thanks, does that include the initial diagnostic/look at charge? Labour is cheap ish as it’s over 7 hours to do. Subframe costs 695 +.
we have stock of a few subframes as they went on back order, even Germany had none. But I think they are all allocated to jobs now

Thanks, not discussed it but it looks like the total quote
So will just have to wait for this sub frame which may take weeks? months

 

[Drmacf]

Any ideas or theories on why MB cars, specially C class, have corrosion issues?
I read somewhere that it may be due to inferior metal they started to use, imported from China.
I grew up thinking that Mercedes is the gold standard in reliability and was like a bullet proof car. Now looking at those pics, I shudder to think that just a couple of days ago I drove down the motor way with my daughter in the backseat!
May be the C in C class stands for C-orrosion

 

[Drmacf]

Thanks to all who responded, it really helped me.

Just an update, from my side. MB Lincoln have basically said to pay up for the replacement and get the job done. When I refused, they have stopped replying to my emails.

The car is currently at an Indy Garage, who have ordered the sub frame. No exact time frame has been given on when it would arrive and the job be done. Costs wise it will look like the subframe is 695 + vat and labor around 600 quid. Will be out of pocket for about 1500-1700. Tough luck, but I like this car, so will hang to it.
Currently renting out a Ford 500 from Euro Car, hope its sub frame is intact!

After this is all over, I would make a complaint to the DVSA. Not sure if it’s worth but just for the record would write to them. I would also open a FB page about this MB C Class or Corrosion class and collate all the information available, both on line and on MB forums. I have come across at least 100 posts, some going back to 2004! So there is something out there. At the least, if people are informed, then they might pay more attention to details, such as getting the mechanic to check the underside more vigorously as well as taking anti rust measures. Something which in hindsight I would have done.

Another thought I had, was to get the car up on a ramp and spray the underneath with ACF 50. I have been warned not to use it on the brake pads and liners. About the engine, I could spray some on a piece of cloth and lightly wipe it around. Hope this is the right way as I can no longer rely on the MB brand name.

Thanks once again

Have a lovely bank holiday weekend



Mel

 

[sonic]

Two years ago a friend of mine had exactly the same problem with the same model of car & age, picked up on a MOT at a local garage.
It had a full MB service history, so went to his MB dealer & did a part x on a nearly new one.
He didn't mention the rust & neither did MB.

 

[Drmacf]

Another response from some MB Customer Service-- cut and pasted below

Thank you for contacting Mercedes-Benz Customer Service. As I do not have a contact number for you on file, I am following up with you in writing.

I was deeply sorry to learn that your car has subframe corrosion. Mercedes-Benz provides a 30-year Anti-Perforation warranty. This warranty is specifically intended to provide assistance and protection should your vehicle develop perforation corrosion. This is a form of corrosion that develops from inside the vehicle itself, starting in a hollow section or cavity and continuing through to the outer layers leading to perforation of the exterior sheet metal.
Please note that this warranty is not applicable in respect of the occurrence of any other form of corrosion. Therefore, surface corrosion caused by any external influence, such as stone chips or precipitation, is specifically excluded.
In addition, for this warranty to be applicable the vehicle must have a complete service history with Mercedes-Benz. Therefore, the vehicle must have been serviced in accordance with our recommendations by a Mercedes-Benz Retailer. Please note the correct service intervals for your car is once every 12 months, or once every 15500 miles, whichever comes first, and the services must be completed by Mercedes-Benz, not a third party.
Our records show your car has not been serviced by Mercedes-Benz since 2013 and therefore void any applicable warranties.
I apologise if I have not matched your expectations regarding the complaint, you have raised and if you wish to escalate further, I advise you seek council from the Motor Ombudsman. I have included their contact details below for your own records.
Should you have any other requirements please do not hesitate to contact us.
If you are unhappy with this final decision or feel this matter is unresolved, you can seek advice with a CTSI Certified Alternative Dispute Resolution provider, including The Motor Ombudsman who may be able to resolve your complaint in appropriate circumstances. Details can be found at www.themotorombudsman.org, or alternatively their telephone number is 0345 241 3008 selecting option


------
Forget the Ombudsman, I intend to write directly to the DVSA. Has anyone written to them? Is thee any specific department or person?
Also, are there any magazines, or news papers, that may take this up as a safety re-call issue?
Kind regards

Mel