New Member, First Post : W210 E-Class Rust

[Tontastic]

Well, I guess its a sad story with a happy ending ... I bought a W210 E Class 3.0 TD about 18 months ago, with a little bit of surface rust in all of the problem areas. I should have walked when I found it, but I found myself driving home in a car touching 200,000 miles on the clock, even though I found out that it didn't actually have a full Mercedes service history. The previous owner had decided to toddle down to the corner garage a couple of months before to get them so service it. We all make mistakes I thought to myself as I scooted up the M74 wondering why i had gone ahead with the purchase.

So time goes by, and eventually (2 months ago) I get talked into going up to the local body shop to get the rust inspected. The man's little paint thickness device tells me that the off-side has been previously painted, so Mercedes won't touch it. He then agrees that the rest of the car is showing the usual signs, and depending on my service history and duration of ownership, he might be able to help me. He then spends a full 10 minutes flicking through the service record which is FMBSH up until about the 2 years ago, then one little corner garage, then after that I have used an excellent local Mercedes Benz specialist. (TJ O'Neill in Glasgow). I am waiting to hear the magic words about it not being full MBSH, and wondering when I get to negotiate for some kind of conribution from Mercedes when he turns round and says "no problem, I'll get you booked in".

6 weeks later, the car goes in, and is still there after 3 weeks. New wing after a failed attempt at repair. New tailgate after a failed attempt to repair. Tops of the 2 near side doors being repaired. I reckon the damage to mercedes must be in the £2-3K region, he says the cost of the tailgate alone is £800.

So I wait patiently, smiling to myself that the car that I had paid in the region of £7K for 18 months ago is going to come back with half of it looking like new, and the other half remaining on the rusty side until I scrape the money together to get a new wing on it, and find someone cheaper than Reg Vardy to fix the remaining rust.

I guess I also need to give the remaining problem areas a good inspection, because as I see things, they have accepted liability for this work, so no reason why they wouldn't do so again if I find new spots of rust.

 

[The Rock]

When I purchased my E300TD from a non-franchised dealer back in October 2003 it had slight rust at the bottom of all four wheel arches and around the boot lock. The car was 4 years old, had covered 83,000 miles and had been main-dealer serviced every 20,000 miles - not really as per the service schedule but I didn't mind because it was well spec'd and looked superb. I asked the garage to see to the boot lock rust and any scuffs on the doors etc. which they did. After approx 6 months I went to my local MB approved body shop where they replaced the driver's side front wing under the MB lifetime rust warranty.
18 months later I went to different MB approved body shop (previous one had closed) whereby I received 2 new front wings (yes, the replacement was replaced - I still don't know why) both rear wings were repaired, all four door tops and the boot lid. The only thing I paid extra for was to include the stone chips on the bonnet. Everything else was paid for by MB.
The bonnet is again showing signs of rust around the badge and will very soon be going back for a free repair, but I can't praise MB enough for paying for all this, seeing as the car wasn't really serviced at the correct intervals originally and was purchased from a non-franchised garage. I'd give MB 10/10 for customer care.
When yours need the remaining panels repaired I hope you receive the same excellent service that I had.
Steve

 

[jberks]

It seems they are getting more reasonable these days. There was a time when they would probably have refused you.
It's good to hear.
The old man has a few specs on a wheelarch on his W211. From where and what it is, I'm pretty confident that it is caused by people dropping the seat belt buckle on it, chipping the paint over time and causing a few specs of rust, but MB are still considering the claim.

 

[The Rock]

I hope the W211 isn't a rust bucket. I presume it isn't and that your dad has been unlucky. I heard that the early W211s were prone to software problems that meant they had to have new software downloads. When I get a W211 I'll make sure it's had all possible uploads/downloads/re-programs and the likes. For me it's got to be a E320CDI Avantgarde with COMAND, Parktronic, Leather and Heated Memory Seats. Dreamland at the moment, but one day.
Steve

 

[jberks]

Keep dreaming - it took me 3 years to get there. First saw the 211 in a car park at Eurodisney (before UK release) and fell in love. The dealer then lent me a couple of cars similar to what you describe whilst my 210 was in (for rust repairs!). It killed me to hand them back

Finally I could take it no longer and had to give in. I erred away from command for repair and update cost reasons, though it does look cool. Got a 270 instead of a 320, again for running costs reasons (less mpg and much higher insurance) and figured the 270 was fast enough (which it is really). Other than that, that's what I've got and delighted with it too. Include a prewired phone in the list too - well worth it, especially with command.

The old man has a 211 220cdi - no leather or heated seats but he does have parktronic, memory pack and the 4 zone climate which is cool. Remarkably smooth and powerful considering the 1/2 to 1l difference. Well worth a try before you buy.

 

[The Rock]

I'd consider a 270CDI if the right one came along. I've heard that CDIs drive differently from turbodiesels in that they have more low-down power but less up top. Do you have any experience or opinion on that? I think the 320CDI is still the ultimate E, but as you say, more thirsty on fuel and I have to admit I don't consider insurance costs - I just grit my teeth and pay up. Perhaps I should consider it more, if the 270CDI is powerful enough.

On the topic of 220CDIs, are they really powerful enough? You say your dad has one but I'm sure my dad would say they're powerful enough too ).

My dilemma at the moment is that my E300TD has never run as smoothly or been more responsive as it is now. I polished it at the weekend and I have to say I'd struggle better it without adding £16K to it's current value (approx £4,000 trade in)

Nice dilemma though, eh?

 

[television]

I'd consider a 270CDI if the right one came along. I've heard that CDIs drive differently from turbodiesels in that they have more low-down power but less up top. Do you have any experience or opinion on that? I think the 320CDI is still the ultimate E, but as you say, more thirsty on fuel and I have to admit I don't consider insurance costs - I just grit my teeth and pay up. Perhaps I should consider it more, if the 270CDI is powerful enough.

On the topic of 220CDIs, are they really powerful enough? You say your dad has one but I'm sure my dad would say they're powerful enough too ).

My dilemma at the moment is that my E300TD has never run as smoothly or been more responsive as it is now. I polished it at the weekend and I have to say I'd struggle better it without adding £16K to it's current value (approx £4,000 trade in)

Nice dilemma though, eh?

You cant take it with you, there is no petrol or diesel up there,so enjoy it today certainly a hard question when the old one still runs well.
I felt the same when I changed mine but I am very pleased I made the move.

Malcolm

 

[JPM993]

I'd consider a 270CDI if the right one came along. I've heard that CDIs drive differently from turbodiesels in that they have more low-down power but less up top. Do you have any experience or opinion on that? I think the 320CDI is still the ultimate E, but as you say, more thirsty on fuel and I have to admit I don't consider insurance costs - I just grit my teeth and pay up. Perhaps I should consider it more, if the 270CDI is powerful enough.

On the topic of 220CDIs, are they really powerful enough? You say your dad has one but I'm sure my dad would say they're powerful enough too ).

I had a CDI220 Coupe before the E500, in fact I moved onto the 220 from a 911 (993) and I was more than pleased with its performance.

 

[JPM993]

Hhhm, how did I screw up the quote bit on my previous post!?!?!

 

[jberks]

Maybe its upper case QUOTE
Anyway.
I discounted the 220cdi initially, figuring it would be an underpowered barge. The salesman persuaded me to try it anyway and I was very impressed. I'm not saying it's really fast, but it can certainly hold it's own. I ended up with a 270 but that was that the wife preferred the growl of the 270 (said the 220 sounded a bit tinny - couldn't hear it myself) and the dealer had a 270 on the front that matched my spec list. (and on paper the 270 is still quicker).

As the salesman put it, the only time you'll really notice the difference is when flooring them (220,270,320) at 70+, around town there isn't that much in it. Admittedly the 320 feels fast with a kick in the back you don't get from the 220 but in the real world the 220 is just fine. I raced one off the lights a while back. OK I did win, but it took a while to pull ahead.

Interestingly, I went out with the old man in convoy on Saturday. 160 miles all told, around N yorks up hill and down dale and lots of stop-start. I got 39.2, he got 39.9. so the 270 seems no less economical really.
The only other point is that I felt the 220 was a little smoother.

 

[The Rock]

Thanks for those opinions people. I suppose I ought to try a E220CDI so that I have first hand experience of what they're like.
FWIW my E300TD is not fixed. I thought it was but the fault has come back. Back to the garage we go. Ho hum.:cry:

 

[Tontastic]

Its back ...

After over 3 weeks I got it back ... had to wait 40 minutes for it to "get cleaned" which was then closing time and pitch black. After I had arranged to get there while still daylight so I could see their good work in a fair light.

They tell me that the tailgate lights aren't working, they have changed bulbs etc, but no joy. I check the car, and they are right. Only thing is that the dashboard lights are out too, so I can't see the speedo, or the lighting on the console (gear shifter etc). Sounds like a fuse perhaps?

Next thing I notice is that when I put the left hand window down (they reconstructed the door) it gets to the top and comes back down again. I inch it up until the top and it stays there. I put it up and down a few times and eventually it stays up by itself. Fair enough, i guess this is the device that stops you jamming yourself in the window, it senses resistance and goes back down. I'll check to make it keeps working.

Next I notice that they have not bonded the top of the doors under the seal like they say they would. It peels back easily, and I can see some form of wet gunk, and in some places it is sealed down. Sounds like a bodge.

I move onto the boot, cos I got a new tailgate. It looks the part, and is nice and crisp when i open it. when i close it however, there is no mechanical locking noise that I used to get ...in fact I have to slam the boot to make it lock. Anything less than a slam and it seems to be closed, but there is definite movability in the door, as if it is not closed properly.

So ... they seem to have done the bodywork ok, but not quite paid such good attention to the build back up of the car.

Ah yeah, and the warning beeps that tell me that i have left the lights on seem to have stopped working ... that must be related to the lights and the potentially blown fuse ...

So its back to Reg Vardy's customer service. Anyone reckon they should give me a courtesy car seeing as this would appear to be their fault rather than a warranty repair?

 

[television]

Reading this I now know why that if my cars ever need painting I strip them out and refit myself. I know that everyone cant do that, who do you trust these days, it would seem that everywhere they have been there is a fault on the electrics with more in the car, have they been working on the system whilst still live,i think so.
As for a loan car,you can demand that, who the hell checked the car out, I get so angry reading it.

malcolm

 

[Blobcat]

Loan car is built into the warranty (on the 30yr one) it is written out in the service booklet.

 

[Tontastic]

Got the tail gate lock working ...

I lifted the rear seats and checked the fuses. One of them was blown, and after i replaced that, the tail gate lock now seems to activate and pulls it shut. Couldn't find any other fuses to blame for the other lights problems, although it is a bit cold outside and i didn't check all of the fuses.

 

[jberks]

Assuming it was all working fine when it went in, I'd have refused to accept it back. They broke it, they can fix it. If they've blown a fuse, what else have they shorted out and blown up. The electronics on the motors are complex and if they've popped a module somewhere it could get expensive.
However, there are lots of fuseboxes on thse cars so it could still be a fuse.

On the windows, that's normal - they just need reprogramming. Get them shut and hold the up button fully pressed for 10 secs and all will be well.

Not sure I understand the door bonding bit. I'd extpect them to fix the rust and then apply some waxoyl type sealant. You should still be able to pull back the seal so I'd expect it as you describe.

 

[Blobcat]

Not sure I understand the door bonding bit. I'd extpect them to fix the rust and then apply some waxoyl type sealant. You should still be able to pull back the seal so I'd expect it as you describe.

On the repaired 210's I've seen they have glued the rubber door seals to the top of the doors so you can no longer peel them back and see the corrosion.
There is a service bulleting to inject a type of waxoyl into the top of the doors behind the seals, which is usually done during a service. They only glue them down if they have been repaired.

 

[Tontastic]

They told me they would ...

Yeah ... that had told me that they would be bonding/sealing/glueing the seal down onto the new replaced door top. I had a look see and they have done a mixed job over it ... some bits firmly sealed, other bits you can still pull it back.

 

[Blobcat]

Pls take it back now with a list of what you are unhappy with.

 

[Tontastic]

I phoned them up and explained the situation. The ever so helpful man seemed confused and could see no way that anything they had done could possible have caused electrical problems. *Sigh*. Taking it in for them to have a look at it next week ... and asserted that I *would* be getting a courtesy car while it was in with them ...