Mercedes = Rust

[energysolutions]

In 2003 I bought a new X Trail and within as few months a large stone chip appeared on the leading edge of the bonnet through to the metal. I kept that car for 5 years, and when sold, the stone chip still showed no signs of rust.

I also have a 2002 Renault Kangoo van with a large chip on the passenger door that is also through to the metal. It was hit & dented by a stone 4 years ago and is only now starting to turn brown with surface rust.

In both cases the bodywork is I assume galvanised & the stone chip damage was never repaired. So, if Nissan & Renault can build cars & vans that are resistant to rust even when paint is removed, then it should be taken for granted that a Mercedes should perform better in the resistance to rust scenario. How could they have got it so wrong?

Russ

Simply put - cost cutting (no galvanising) = larger profits

I agree with everything you have said here.

 

[energysolutions]

you are talking total crap, a £6000 Kia or equivalent has better rust prevention than my £29500 when new SLK.

the same age and the same mileage.

you do not understand the serious problem we have here with MB`s and rust. MB are at fault and they need to realise this.

I have a metal fence painted with brush by my neice that would have better rust prevention than my Merc!

 

[hawk20]

Simply put - cost cutting (no galvanising) = larger profits

I agree with everything you have said here.

Not true. Cars before the forced change to water-based paints, were only galvanised in particularly susceptible places and have lasted better than most makes. It was the change to water-based paints that started the problem and by end 2002 MB began the change to full galvanising of all steel panels.
See this thread: -

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=23630

MB also publicly admitted the problem and set aside huge sums of money to repair free, large numbers of those affected. But surely there does come a point where the second, third and fourth or maybe fifth owners, who have bought a car nearly a decade old with a known problem cannot expect much more help.

Oddly it isn't all cars from that era. There are many 210's round here that are rust free (and one that has done 547,000 miles just round the corner from me).

 

[energysolutions]

They don't all. And MB have cured the problem now and are putting right the cars with the problem free. There are no firms that never make a mistake. The important thing is to put problems right when they occur

I agree with your point that all firms can/will make mistakes and the important thing is to put problems right when they occur - had this happened in my case I would be posting about my good treatment from Mercedes and almost certainly would have purchased another as my expierence apart from this, while not perfect, was very good

In my case this did not happen (a quick search would suggest I am not alone) and so I debate your statement that MB are "putting right the cars with the problem free"

 

[energysolutions]

Not true. Cars before the forced change to water-based paints, were only galvanised in particularly susceptible places and have lasted better than most makes. It was the change to water-based paints that started the problem and by end 2002 MB began the change to full galvanising of all steel panels.
See this thread: -

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=23630

MB also publicly admitted the problem and set aside huge sums of money to repair free, large numbers of those affected. But surely there does come a point where the second, third and fourth or maybe fifth owners, who have bought a car nearly a decade old with a known problem cannot expect much more help.

Oddly it isn't all cars from that era. There are many 210's round here that are rust free (and one that has done 547,000 miles just round the corner from me).

I assume that all vehicles/brands were forced to change to water based paints? (I agree that this was a step backwards for rust prevention)

If so why are other less distinguished brands able to build cars covered with water based paint that dont rust?

I also cannot see how second, third, fourth or fifth owners are somehow less worthy of owning a vehicle that should be fit for purpose?

I spotted an "05" plate Mercedes recently that was covered in rust (really bad) - it seems that the end of 2002 was not a turning point...........

 

[Frontstep]

I thought you might like some entertainment; according to "Isaac" at MB Milton Keynes Mercedes cars do not/did not have a corrosion problem!!!!! I kid ye not

 

[television]

I thought you might like some entertainment; according to "Isaac" at MB Milton Keynes Mercedes cars do not/did not have a corrosion problem!!!!! I kid ye not

Maybe no one told him

 

[energysolutions]

I thought you might like some entertainment; according to "Isaac" at MB Milton Keynes Mercedes cars do not/did not have a corrosion problem!!!!! I kid ye not

Are you serious!?!? Now thats denial.......

Had I known this I would have traded my old Vito in there, maybe that brown crumbly finish where the paint once was wasnt rust after all............

 

[Frontstep]

This is the MB customer service department not a dealership and yes it's true but then he did spout an awful lot of other rubbish during our conversation I now know where the "Dixons" staff went too !

 

[energysolutions]

I'm afraid they still do, some A & B classes from 2006 are reported to be having rust problems. In worst cases, parts like the tailgate have actually fallen off while the car is driven along the road.

Russ

Excellent build quality from a firm that is best known for reliability.....

 

[energysolutions]

This is the MB customer service department not a dealership and yes it's true but then he did spout an awful lot of other rubbish during our conversation I now know where the "Dixons" staff went too !

It sounds like that conversation would inspire a lot of confidence in the MB brand.............

Bad enough producing a sub standard product but at least sort the mess out

 

[canute]

They don't all. And MB have cured the problem now and are putting right the cars with the problem free. There are no firms that never make a mistake. The important thing is to put problems right when they occur

Excellent! Can you please direct me to a MB dealership you will put my rust problem right (free!) without them pointing out that one of it's services by a previous owner was at an indy, so they can't help me?

Seriously, anywhere in Europe, I don't mind travelling.

 

[psmart]

Excellent! Can you please direct me to a MB dealership you will put my rust problem right (free!) without them pointing out that one of it's services by a previous owner was at an indy, so they can't help me?

Seriously, anywhere in Europe, I don't mind travelling.

U. Lisko Ges.m.b.H.
Vertragswerkstatt
St. Georgen i. A.

After Mercedes UK flatly refused to repair the ML270 (it was bought in the UK brand new), as I followed the letter of the law on their 'agreement', where the first 4 years I had it serviced at an Indie, thereafter at a Dealership, which MBUK interpreted it as 'If it wasnt serviced at a Dealership in year 4, then its invalid', I took it to the above garage as I didnt trust Papa's in Salzburg (too big and flashy to do a good job), they looked it over, contacted Mercedes Germany, lo and behold, a shed load of work was done, no quibbles!

I then approached Mercedes UK a year later as rust had appeared on the rear door handle, they flatly refused...... but 3 months later, after the car was back out the country, a letter arrived saying they had reconsidered and that I should contact the nearest Dealership to have it sorted!

 

[energysolutions]

Excellent! Can you please direct me to a MB dealership you will put my rust problem right (free!) without them pointing out that one of it's services by a previous owner was at an indy, so they can't help me?

Seriously, anywhere in Europe, I don't mind travelling.

Good luck, I suspect if such a place exists it will be pretty busy for for some time - they`d better have a large car park!!!

You do realise that ALL your rust originated from that one non MB Indy service as the paint was not serviced to exacting MB standards on that occasion - honestly what was that previous owner thinking.....

 

[hawk20]

Excellent! Can you please direct me to a MB dealership you will put my rust problem right (free!) without them pointing out that one of it's services by a previous owner was at an indy, so they can't help me?

Seriously, anywhere in Europe, I don't mind travelling.

You are quite wrong to think that a fullMBSH is necessary. Read what PSmart says for one. Then do a search and almost every thread on the subject will contain cases where MB have done repairs free without fullMBSH.

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.

Loads of threads will give you cases and dealers who have acted fairly for customers and taken up their cases successfully. In addition you can go to an approved bodyshop and have them take up your case -some people on some threads have successfully done this. Good luck.

 

[hawk20]

Here’s a good thread from 2008

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=35741


See posting 13 in particular and this one too
“I have to say that I have had no problem with Mercedes Leicester sorting out the rust problems on my W202 2001 Y C200k estate. No questions asked and the car was booked in 2 weeks after I first spoke to them. It is with them now.

My car has 123,000 miles on and has not seen a MB dealer for a service since 43k.”

 

[jberks]

They don't all. And MB have cured the problem now and are putting right the cars with the problem free. There are no firms that never make a mistake. The important thing is to put problems right when they occur

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.
My father has a 2002 E220cdi. a year ago, the rear wheelarches showed signs of corrosion. He reported it and it was repaired FOC. Ok - as it should be. Last month, he noticed that the top corner of his boot lid has suddenly sprouted bubbles under the paint. He immediately returned to the dealership, expecting the same procedure, knowing that he was still 1 year inside the 8 year paintwork warranty but it seems some imbecile accountant has been allowed in during the last year as, whilst they agreed to pay, they now demanded a 30% contribution from him.
As these repairs are all priced well beyond any rational level, that 30% was a not insignificant £300. A figure that in all honesty we could have had the car repaired for outright at a reputable bodyshop, without any MB involvement.
Now if it can be shown that an owner has caused the problem to get worse by ignoring it, or in some way by neglect, perhaps this approach is tolerable, but in the case or a faultless car owned by a chap who bought his first new merc in 1979 and has driven nothing else since, this is wholly unnaceptable. The car was serviced by the dealership so even the service excuse doesn't wash.
He agreed, and paid the £300, though he is now going after MBUK for it. If it were me, I'd be taking them to the small claims court, though if it had been me, I'd have refused their offer in the first place and gone to war with them on this point of principle.

The point is, that according to the dealer and bodyshop, this has now become MBs attitude. 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.

 

[Dave Brooker]

I spotted an "05" plate Mercedes recently that was covered in rust (really bad) - it seems that the end of 2002 was not a turning point...........

I was behind a 56 plate Sprinter on the motorway yesterday, the door bottoms were rusting through, and every scrape and stone chip has scabbed and there were rust streaks down the side of it.

Makes you wonder why Fiat/Renault/Nissan/Vauxhall/LDV vans don't rust away and Mercs do...

 

[energysolutions]

I was behind a 56 plate Sprinter on the motorway yesterday, the door bottoms were rusting through, and every scrape and stone chip has scabbed and there were rust streaks down the side of it.

Makes you wonder why Fiat/Renault/Nissan/Vauxhall/LDV vans don't rust away and Mercs do...

It appears you, like me, have witnessed first hand that Mercedes galvanising process (which by some accounts and in theory should have cured the rust) is not doing its job.............

 

[energysolutions]

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.
My father has a 2002 E220cdi. a year ago, the rear wheelarches showed signs of corrosion. He reported it and it was repaired FOC. Ok - as it should be. Last month, he noticed that the top corner of his boot lid has suddenly sprouted bubbles under the paint. He immediately returned to the dealership, expecting the same procedure, knowing that he was still 1 year inside the 8 year paintwork warranty but it seems some imbecile accountant has been allowed in during the last year as, whilst they agreed to pay, they now demanded a 30% contribution from him.
As these repairs are all priced well beyond any rational level, that 30% was a not insignificant £300. A figure that in all honesty we could have had the car repaired for outright at a reputable bodyshop, without any MB involvement.
Now if it can be shown that an owner has caused the problem to get worse by ignoring it, or in some way by neglect, perhaps this approach is tolerable, but in the case or a faultless car owned by a chap who bought his first new merc in 1979 and has driven nothing else since, this is wholly unnaceptable. The car was serviced by the dealership so even the service excuse doesn't wash.
He agreed, and paid the £300, though he is now going after MBUK for it. If it were me, I'd be taking them to the small claims court, though if it had been me, I'd have refused their offer in the first place and gone to war with them on this point of principle.

The point is, that according to the dealer and bodyshop, this has now become MBs attitude. 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.

So to summarise:

Owner of (various) Mercedes from 1979

Currently owns 2002 E220cdi WITH full MBSH (including mysterious paint service)

Wheelarches rusted - repaired in full by MB (as they should be if corners were cut in the beginning)

Boot bubbles UNDER paint - repaired at a cost of @ £1000 with a 30% contribution from owner (£300) even though car is less than 8 years old

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.........