Mercedes = Rust

[psmart]

I cant imagine a more copybook case where, despite being a loyal customer for 30 years who jumped through every hoop along the way, they are still abandoned by Mercedes when their sub standard product/workmanship becomes defective whilst still under the warranty period

Disgraceful.........

You have to ask the simple question:-
Is this Mercedes Benz UK, a seperate company?
Is this Daimler AG?

My dealings with MBUK add to the comment 'Disgraceful' many times over.

Apart from my Gearbox issue at a Daimler dealership last year, in General, Daimler seem to be a cut above MBUK and its dealer network.

 

[energysolutions]

In goodwill cases they do look at the service history and a good one can help. But many factors are taken into account. Sometimes rust is due to stone chips, scratches and minor accident damage that has not been properly treated. If repairs were not done at an approved bodyshop, MB may refuse to repair free. Sometimes people buy a rusty car cheaply and expect MB to fix it free and then sell on at a profit. So time in your ownership is another factor taken into account.

I believed I had a genuine goodwill case - I purchased a 2 year old vehicle and kept it for 6 years (hardly a case of a buying a rusty car for a fast profit)

I did have FSH although not MB it was via a Mercedes specialist (ex MB factory trained technician) who I have complete faith in

You do have a valid point that stone chips, scratches and minor accident damage often are the underlying cause of rust but I would like your opinion on this picture of my van as I believe none of these causes would explain it - its warm, dry and physically protected but yet it still rusted excessively



An excellent example of Mercedes Benz superior quality..........

In the end I got zero from Mercedes and I almost felt they were laughing at my expense so I have ensured that everyone I come into contact with since gets the facts on their sub standard products so they can make an informed choice on their next purchase

 

[Frontstep]

I have full unbroken MBSH owned the car for years have had so called goodwill work done (although I claimed legitimately under MOBILO) now rust back have been told to pay for majority, work was done only 18 months ago, even though my warranty book says goodwill repairs have four year guarantee there is no sense to MB's arguments.
Can any enlightened person point me too the bodywork inspection in the service schedule I have never had any area of corrosion pointed out to me, I have paid to have top ups for things that were full, asked to have items replaced that were disconnected yep I am very very very P++++D off.
Yes I have spoken to MB I got "ISAAC" from Dixons/Mercedes.
It will continue.

 

[energysolutions]

I have full unbroken MBSH owned the car for years have had so called goodwill work done (although I claimed legitimately under MOBILO) now rust back have been told to pay for majority, work was done only 18 months ago, even though my warranty book says goodwill repairs have four year guarantee there is no sense to MB's arguments.
Can any enlightened person point me too the bodywork inspection in the service schedule I have never had any area of corrosion pointed out to me, I have paid to have top ups for things that were full, asked to have items replaced that were disconnected yep I am very very very P++++D off.
Yes I have spoken to MB I got "ISAAC" from Dixons/Mercedes.
It will continue.

How can there be sense to MB arguements? Their sub standard products are becoming rusty within the 8 year timeframe as laid out in the warranty conditions

Doesnt stop them trying though.............

 

[ncooper]

I would like your opinion on this picture of my van as I believe none of these causes would explain it - its warm, dry and physically protected but yet it still rusted excessively

View attachment 8342

An excellent example of Mercedes Benz superior quality..........

It doesn't seem as if there was much paint on there in the first place.
However,I also think that it's position is neither warm and dry nor physically protected.
It might be above the radiator,but the airflow between the bonnet and the landing panel will keep it cool and allow water,salt and dust at it.
That,I think, is why the corrosion so clearly starts from the leading edge.
When the vehicle stops,the heat rising from the radiator will dry this dirt on,so when it's next wet,the corrosion can start straight away.
It's also fair to assume that the paint didn't all come off at once and that six years ago,a bit of touch up paint might have stopped the paint flaking in its tracks.
With all due respect,it doesn't look as if that panel has ever been so much as accidentally wiped by a mechanic's belly.
Regards,
Nick

 

[energysolutions]

It doesn't seem as if there was much paint on there in the first place.

So whats your point? Are you suggesting we should pay top dollar for a so called "premium brand" and then paint the products ourselves?

However,I also think that it's position is neither warm and dry nor physically protected.
It might be above the radiator,but the airflow between the bonnet and the landing panel will keep it cool and allow water,salt and dust at it.
That,I think, is why the corrosion so clearly starts from the leading edge.
When the vehicle stops,the heat rising from the radiator will dry this dirt on,so when it's next wet,the corrosion can start straight away.

So, in your opinion, a part that is totally covered by a metal bonnet and located beside a hot engine is in a prime location for rust?

I always believed that air, particulary a strong steady stream of it, swept moisture away and actually dried things, but you dismiss this notion. I shall inform my wife that hanging clothes on the line for drying purposes is pointless

You also mention that the heat rising from the radiator will dry this dirt on,so when it's next wet,the corrosion can start straight away - other areas located away from the heat dont stand much of a chance then as they will remain wet for longer

I even found rust at the base of the drivers seat - would you class area as warm,dry and physically protected? Or not?

PS - Even after washing the vehicle with a high pressure washer I have yet to see water on this part.

It's also fair to assume that the paint didn't all come off at once and that six years ago,a bit of touch up paint might have stopped the paint flaking in its tracks.
With all due respect,it doesn't look as if that panel has ever been so much as accidentally wiped by a mechanic's belly.
Regards,
Nick

Galvanising/Decent metal/Better bodyshop procedures/Better paint would have stopped the paint flaking in its tracks - all of which should have been implemented during the build

I will check my FSH documentation to clarify whether the MB recommended "Mechanics belly wipe" was carried out at the appropriate service intervals - I`m guessing it wasnt as he was quite a slim fellow. Perhaps this is why my vehicle rusted so badly?

So Nick, which MB dealership do you work for?

 

[ncooper]

I would like your opinion on this picture of my van as I believe none of these causes would explain it - its warm, dry and physically protected but yet it still rusted excessively

You asked for our opinion and you have mine.
You have every right to deal with my opinion as you see fit and I notice that you have done.
The saying is "A picture is worth a thousand words".
You could perhaps have saved a few with "Thank you for your opinion,I disagree."
Regards,
Nick.

 

[rf065]

I always believed that air, particulary a strong steady stream of it, swept moisture away and actually dried things, but you dismiss this notion. I shall inform my wife that hanging clothes on the line for drying purposes is pointless

Mr pedantic here, nothing is ever that black & white, if the humidity levels are high then clothes on the washing line will not dry. If the air is already saturated with water it will not take any more from your clothes.

As for the van, do you live near the coast? Then you would have moist salty air, is that a possibility?

Russ

 

[television]

Looking at the photo it looks a crap piece of cheap steel with no real finish applied,,, we all have the same bit on our cars

 

[Miffy]

Maybe no one told him

Thats because it wasnt in WIS

 

[energysolutions]

Mr pedantic here, nothing is ever that black & white, if the humidity levels are high then clothes on the washing line will not dry. If the air is already saturated with water it will not take any more from your clothes.

As for the van, do you live near the coast? Then you would have moist salty air, is that a possibility?

Russ

I live around 10 miles from the coast and you may well have a point about the moist salty air

However that does not explain why my VW car, same age, similar miles, used on the same roads (owned from new) and treated in the same fashion as the Mercedes displays ZERO rust anywhere

Seems pretty black and white to me, no matter how it is dressed up Mercedes bodywork is sub standard...............

 

[rf065]

Seems pretty black and white to me, no matter how it is dressed up Mercedes bodywork is sub standard...............

Enough people have rust complaints, they can't all be wrong.

Russ

 

[energysolutions]

Enough people have rust complaints, they can't all be wrong.

Russ

Thank you Russ

 

[hawk20]

Enough people have rust complaints, they can't all be wrong.

Russ

They aren't wrong. There was a problem during the 210 E class era. Mercedes admitted as much and has spent a fortune putting right many cases of rust under their goodwill policy.

It is unlikely to have been problems with the steel quality because we know only some cars were affected even within a model range. There are 210's round here, near the sea, which have done plenty of miles and yet little or no rust. Other 210's of the same age, from the same factory, have loads of rust. Very odd. Different primers and so on were used when they changed to water-based paints. Maybe some worked and others didn't. Who knows? But we do know there was a rust problem, after the change to water-based paints and until the change to full galvanising of all steel panels which began at the end of 2002.

Secondly we know MB have repaired many cars with rust, mainly cars up to 8 years old (and some older). They have done so under 'goodwill' and although they have preferred Full MBSH they have not always insisted upon that.

Third we know that they had a problem with traders and others buying rusty cars cheaply, and expecting MB to put them right so they could sell on at a profit. MB responded by saying you must have owned the car for 6 months before we will look at 'goodwill' repairs for rust.

Fourthly there is anecdotal evidence that cars with huge mileages are not given free treatment (I've heard cars over 175,000 miles are reckoned to be outside the ‘goodwill’ period). Some would say fair enough: I suppose they have had a good life.

BUT fifthly and lastly there appears to have been a recent change in policy that cars without full MBSH are being rejected for free 'goodwill' rust repairs. If this is so, I think it is a retrograde step by Mercedes, will lead to ill will with those affected, and will harm Mercedes reputation with many others.

Mercedes has few greater fans than me, but I am greatly disappointed to hear of people being turned down for free remedial work for a problem which all agree should never have happened. Nobody who buys a car of Mercedes quality and price should expect to have a serious rust problem in under eight years regardless of whether or not they have a full MB service history or not.

Hard times often necessitate hard decisions. But this is a bad decision. Mercedes should not go back on its obligations to customers who have been sold a seriously faulty product. It may not be a legal obligation, but it is certainly a moral one.

 

[hawk20]

Couldn't agree more....but....
I have to sadly report that MB's behaviour has become less than honourable recently. So much so, I find myself now wondering about my own brand loyalty.

I understand that money is tight, but an obligation is precisely that. A warranty must be honoured and it is not acceptable to ask a customer to contribute to what is blatantly their fault and responsibility.
As you know I do give credit where it's due and often swim against the tide where I believe someone is beling infairly critisised, but in this case, sorry, but MB are seriously out of order.

Your posting and others on this thread have convinced me there is a change in the way this problem is being dealt with. Hence my posting above.

So silly of them. In two years time virtually all 8 year old MBs will be from the fully galvanised era (2003 onwards).

 

[rhud]

Rang my local dealer recently to enquire what oil I should top up with. Receptionist asked who did I want. I said technical advice. Oh, is it rust, says she. Seemed to indicate regular business in that area still.

 

[energysolutions]

Your posting and others on this thread have convinced me there is a change in the way this problem is being dealt with. Hence my posting above.

My expierence with MB customer services was very disappointing. I simply wanted MB to correct their mistake - nothing more - but was met with an attitude that a problem did not exist when it clearly did

So silly of them. In two years time virtually all 8 year old MBs will be from the fully galvanised era (2003 onwards).

Agreed - but the real question is, in two years time will all the disgruntled customers have gone elsewhere never to return?

I know I have..........

 

[energysolutions]

Rang my local dealer recently to enquire what oil I should top up with. Receptionist asked who did I want. I said technical advice. Oh, is it rust, says she. Seemed to indicate regular business in that area still.

Speaks volumes.........

 

[Frontstep]

Hawk20
BUT fifthly and lastly there appears to have been a recent change in policy that cars without full MBSH are being rejected for free 'goodwill' rust repairs. If this is so, I think it is a retrograde step by Mercedes, will lead to ill will with those affected, and will harm Mercedes reputation with many others


My car does have full uninterrupted MB service history it has previous repairs by MB under its so called goodwill despite having a valid Mobilo they have failed within 18 months I have been rejected for so called free goodwill repairs, needless to say it is a matter that is being pursued on my behalf but why am I being treated so badly for MB's cock ups

 

[eGuru]

BUT fifthly and lastly there appears to have been a recent change in policy that cars without full MBSH are being rejected for free 'goodwill' rust repairs. If this is so, I think it is a retrograde step by Mercedes, will lead to ill will with those affected, and will harm Mercedes reputation with many others.

My car is going in on Monday for rust repairs. This will be the third time in as many years. Contrary to the experience of others MB have always tried to sort the problem.
My concern is the recurring problem on panels that have already been repaired.