Mercedes C Class buying worries

[Dogday]

Hello all,
I am looking to buy a Mercedes C200,220, 250 cdi saloon or estate for under £10,000 (from a dealers with good reviews etc) but have been halted in my tracks by the number of stories regarding serious rust issues with the rear subframe and the potential for expensive suspension repairs.

Rear subframe issues

From what I gather the rear subframe rusts from the inside and is often missed at an MOT. I have read that people have successfully claimed a free repair from Mercedes but only because they are regular customers and that the car has been serviced by Mercedes in the last two years. I think it's fair to assume that Mercedes will not cover the work. So;

1. How common is the problem?
2. What years are affected ? Would a 2012 or upwards model be OK?
3. Is the likely cost from an independent garage likely to be around £1500 ?

Also, to mitigate against the potential for a large repair bill what are your thoughts on the following:

1. Get the dealer to confirm that the car has no structural rust issues with the subframe so that I might have some 'comeback'.
2. Get an independent inspection carried out before purchasing. Would an AA inspection jack the car up and do a thorough check of the subframe though?
3. Get my local garage to check the subframe within 14 days if have home delivery, so can return car if there is a problem?

Sports and AMG suspension issues

1. Do the Sports and AMG models have complex (expensive) suspension problems or is that more of an issue with the air suspension fitted as an optional extra?

Many thanks for any advice.

 

[JBell]

Mercedes are more often than not replacing them FOC now.

No particular model, it affects C class, SLK, E Class and others

 

[Dogday]

Mercedes are more often than not replacing them FOC now.

No particular model, it affects C class, SLK, E Class and others

Thanks for the reply and I don't doubt what you say but unfortunately I have read too many people have had to pay. Something to do with MB only covering the cost if the rust originated from the surface and if the car has had proper MB servicing that includes a paint depth inspection every 2 years? So, the glass is half empty if there is the possibility of huge repair bills.

 

[JBell]

Thanks for the reply and I don't doubt what you say but unfortunately I have read too many people have had to pay. Something to do with MB only covering the cost if the rust originated from the surface and if the car has had proper MB servicing that includes a paint depth inspection every 2 years? So, the glass is half empty if there is the possibility of huge repair bills.

Threads here:

Massive rust problem on 2010 W212

Hi, I have a lovely (!) 2010 W212 with just 76K miles on it! When it went for the MOT I was told that the rear sub-frame is rusted to hell! I understand that Mercedes has a 30 year corrosion warranty! It seems that this is due to a change of paint spec! As an OAP this is a really big problem! I...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

Subframe Failure

Hi everyone, First post for me. I have a CLS55 C219 from 2006. Had it for over 10 years with little issue. Last week, driving it on highway, heard this bang from rear passenger side. Thought I had been hit. Long story short, left rear sub frame failure. Vehicle is with Mercedes dealer. Done...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

some good advice on them

 

[JBell]

Thanks for the reply and I don't doubt what you say but unfortunately I have read too many people have had to pay. Something to do with MB only covering the cost if the rust originated from the surface and if the car has had proper MB servicing that includes a paint depth inspection every 2 years? So, the glass is half empty if there is the possibility of huge repair bills.

You will always hear the worst on forums

 

[Dogday]

You will always hear the worst on forums

Yes. Unfortunately they prey on the minds of 'the worried' Maybe, a call to the local MB dealership in Sheffield could clarify the situation. Thanks for the replies

 

[Dogday]

Threads here:

Massive rust problem on 2010 W212

Hi, I have a lovely (!) 2010 W212 with just 76K miles on it! When it went for the MOT I was told that the rear sub-frame is rusted to hell! I understand that Mercedes has a 30 year corrosion warranty! It seems that this is due to a change of paint spec! As an OAP this is a really big problem! I...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

Subframe Failure

Hi everyone, First post for me. I have a CLS55 C219 from 2006. Had it for over 10 years with little issue. Last week, driving it on highway, heard this bang from rear passenger side. Thought I had been hit. Long story short, left rear sub frame failure. Vehicle is with Mercedes dealer. Done...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

some good advice on them

Just copied this from Uncle Benz in the forum link above,

"A good result. I always send my customers to mercedes first. Most of them get done, regardless of whether the service history is main dealer or not. Only a few get turned away, and I have replaced them at customer expense when that happens".

If the car was purchased from an independent dealer and the car was, a few months later, found to require a new subframe, would you contact MB directly or would the independent dealer sort out the repair?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

If you are concerned have the car you are going to purchase inspected, like everything there will be good and bad out there

Mercland are MB specialists and offer a good selection of used and will no doubt talk to you about your concerns

Mercedes C250 for sale in Warwickshire | Mercland

Mercedes C250, Diesel, Automatic, 30,190 Miles, Silver at Mercland for £10,990

www.mercland.com

This particular car has had 8 oil changes in its 30k miles

 

[Dogday]

If you are concerned have the car you are going to purchase inspected, like everything there will be good and bad out there

Mercland are MB specialists and offer a good selection of used and will no doubt talk to you about your concerns

Mercedes C250 for sale in Warwickshire | Mercland

Mercedes C250, Diesel, Automatic, 30,190 Miles, Silver at Mercland for £10,990

www.mercland.com

This particular car has had 8 oil changes in its 30k miles

Thanks for the reply.

It's interesting to see that MB dealerships also sell older cars. I was under the impression that they got rid of all their part ex's through auctions or smaller independent dealers.

Only 30k miles is great. Looking at the MOT history it looks all genuine. It does highlight the issue of carbon build up in the engine and DPF. I haven't read about any DPF issues with Mercedes ??

Another potential expensive issue is with the suspension. Does this just apply to the AMG models and the Sports models or is it just an issue with 'air suspension' upgrades?

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks for the reply.

It's interesting to see that MB dealerships also sell older cars. I was under the impression that they got rid of all their part ex's through auctions or smaller independent dealers.

Only 30k miles is great. Looking at the MOT history it looks all genuine. It does highlight the issue of carbon build up in the engine and DPF. I haven't read about any DPF issues with Mercedes ??

Another potential expensive issue is with the suspension. Does this just apply to the AMG models and the Sports models or is it just an issue with 'air suspension' upgrades?

I wouldn’t discount an MB dealer, prices are still very strong (unfortunately) however they do have some good cars with a decent warranty. I bought my SLK from MB Derby, it was cheaper than similar cars going through my local BCA auction site and cars at non MB Dealers that I went to look at.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Thanks for the reply.

It's interesting to see that MB dealerships also sell older cars. I was under the impression that they got rid of all their part ex's through auctions or smaller independent dealers.

Only 30k miles is great. Looking at the MOT history it looks all genuine. It does highlight the issue of carbon build up in the engine and DPF. I haven't read about any DPF issues with Mercedes ??

Another potential expensive issue is with the suspension. Does this just apply to the AMG models and the Sports models or is it just an issue with 'air suspension' upgrades?

I wouldn’t worry too much about DPF issues on C/E class cars very few issues posted on here and as BC comments some older known cars do appear on MB franchise forecourts so always worth having a look.

The only issue I can see with the Mercland car is a bit of paintwork on the nearside there isn’t a full side on shot so difficult to be absolutely sure. The smaller engines in particular do benefit from regular oil changes so it ticks that box.

The suspension is robust which ever model you choose

 

[Dogday]

I wouldn’t discount an MB dealer, prices are still very strong (unfortunately) however they do have some good cars with a decent warranty. I bought my SLK from MB Derby, it was cheaper than similar cars going through my local BCA auction site and cars at non MB Dealers that I went to look at.

Thanks for the reply. I would not have considered going to a MB main dealers to look at sub £10k cars but after the replies from yourself and malcolm210 it does look like a more stress free way of buying than buying from a small indie. Is it fair to say that sub £10k cars sold by a main MB dealer would have been properly inspected, and as such, should not have any subframe or suspension issues ??

It's good to hear that the suspension is robust. It's probably Scotty Kilmer on Youtube talking about Mercedes air suspension costing thousands to repair !!

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks for the reply. I would not have considered going to a MB main dealers to look at sub £10k cars but after the replies from yourself and malcolm210 it does look like a more stress free way of buying than buying from a small indie. Is it fair to say that sub £10k cars sold by a main MB dealer would have been properly inspected, and as such, should not have any subframe or suspension issues ??

It's good to hear that the suspension is robust. It's probably Scotty Kilmer on Youtube talking about Mercedes air suspension costing thousands to repair !!

They come with a decent 12 month warranty so not much of an issue… as the rust comes from the inside it can look ok then not be... I wouldn’t stress about it

 

[A.J.]

Thanks for the reply. I would not have considered going to a MB main dealers to look at sub £10k cars but after the replies from yourself and malcolm210 it does look like a more stress free way of buying than buying from a small indie. Is it fair to say that sub £10k cars sold by a main MB dealer would have been properly inspected, and as such, should not have any subframe or suspension issues ??

It's good to hear that the suspension is robust. It's probably Scotty Kilmer on Youtube talking about Mercedes air suspension costing thousands to repair !!

I am not sure that MB stealers would even consider handling a sub £10k vehicle. I don’t know of any for sure

 

[Dogday]

They come with a decent 12 month warranty so not much of an issue… as the rust comes from the inside it can look ok then not be... I wouldn’t stress about it

Reading warranty small print they say that work will not be covered if already covered by another warranty. In this case MB are supposed to cover the rust issues under a 30 year warranty so assume this could make any other warranties invalid (unless the car is purchased at an MB dealership of course). The wife and the therapist say not to stress too much as well

 

[Dogday]

I am not sure that MB stealers would even consider handling a sub £10k vehicle. I don’t know of any for sure

Yes, fairly rare. On a quick look there was one under £10k in Nuneaton but was reserved and another for £11k in the link sent by malcolm210 above. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Jasons76]

I am not sure that MB stealers would even consider handling a sub £10k vehicle. I don’t know of any for sure

they don't normally but i was lucky to find my 2012 C class estate at MB stevenage for £9999 in feb 2020 they told me they don't normally retail cars that old but this was an exceptional 1 owner from new with FSH and only 45k on the clock and was too good to auction etc, the sales manager gave the salesman a week to sell it and i bought it on day 1 and when i went in to pick it i was treated like a god which made the whole buying experience a pleasuarable one and it was an approved used so came with 12 months warranty and 12 months breakdown and they starguarded it for free.

 

[Dogday]

they don't normally but i was lucky to find my 2012 C class estate at MB stevenage for £9999 in feb 2020 they told me they don't normally retail cars that old but this was an exceptional 1 owner from new with FSH and only 45k on the clock and was too good to auction etc, the sales manager gave the salesman a week to sell it and i bought it on day 1 and when i went in to pick it i was treated like a god which made the whole buying experience a pleasuarable one and it was an approved used so came with 12 months warranty and 12 months breakdown and they starguarded it for free.

Very nice . How do you find the ride of the AMG? Is it much firmer than the non Sports or AMG versions?

 

[JBell]

Very nice . How do you find the ride of the AMG? Is it much firmer than the non Sports or AMG versions?

I have a W204 Sport with 18" wheels and the ride is great, my mother has a W204 Sport with 17" wheels and the ride is not that much different firmness wise

 

[Dogday]

I have a W204 Sport with 18" wheels and the ride is great, my mother has a W204 Sport with 17" wheels and the ride is not that much different firmness wise

I presently drive a Mazda 3 and the ride is firm but not uncomfortable. My last Merc ten years ago was a 230E W124 and the ride was nice and 'floaty' and great for pottering around in a relaxed manner. I'm guessing the ride of the Mercedes Sports or AMG is somewhere in between the Mazda and the AMG?