R231 rear subframe.

[star]

Just seen our first 231 SL with a corroded and holed rear subframe. Off to mercs to see if there’s any goodwill.

 

[Altamar]

Just seen our first 231 SL with a corroded and holes rear subframe. Off to mercs to see if there’s any goodwill.

Speaking on behalf of R231 owners everywhere, ugh!

 

[charlysays]

Just seen our first 231 SL with a corroded and holes rear subframe. Off to mercs to see if there’s any goodwill.

It's shocking really. I've had a number of W202s and a W124 and whilst I have seen mildly rotten subframe mountings I've never had a subframe go into holes. The W202 and W124 are 2-3 times older than the R231 and the estates tend to have a hard life.
I recently refurbished the rear end on my W202 and blasted the subframe which looked very rusty on first inspection, painted it with epoxy mastic. No holes whatsoever but a few areas with quite deep pitting which took some extra coats of epoxy.

 

[ajlsl600]

Shxxx quality cheap sreel. Not much quality in mosern benz n like apple updates are to degrade life and performance of assly s

 

[Panfelda Rob]

Just seen our first 231 SL with a corroded and holed rear subframe. Off to mercs to see if there’s any goodwill.

For what it's worth, I've just had approval for a rear subframe replacement on my wife's 55plate SLK. Apparently some Mercedes garages are a bit more accommodating than others but this site https://www.slkownersclub.co.uk/sub-frame-issues/sub-frame-issues.
is worth a visit if you don't get any joy. It was of enormous help to me.

 

[star]

For what it's worth, I've just had approval for a rear subframe replacement on my wife's 55plate SLK. Apparently some Mercedes garages are a bit more accommodating than others but this site https://www.slkownersclub.co.uk/sub-frame-issues/sub-frame-issues.
is worth a visit if you don't get any joy. It was of enormous help to me.

Yes we have had loads of e classes, c classes and slks replaced under goodwill, it’s our first 231.

 

[Panfelda Rob]

Yes we have had loads of e classes, c classes and slks replaced under goodwill, it’s our first 231

Yes we have had loads of e classes, c classes and slks replaced under goodwill, it’s our first 231.

Writing purely as a Mercedes owner (an S212 and an R171), I do wonder why they would not use better material and save themselves all this hassle. Then again, there seems to be a thriving trade in replacement subframes on Ebay so presumably the number of warranty claims isn't actually that great or am I being cynical? Or maybe I'm expecting too much from what is purported to be a premium band.

 

[Peterbrake]

Shxxx quality cheap sreel. Not much quality in mosern benz n like apple updates are to degrade life and performance of assly s

Sorry I haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about

 

[peterws1957]

Yes we have had loads of e classes, c classes and slks replaced under goodwill, it’s our first 231.

Blimey I would have had a good bet on 231 subframes being "safe".

 

[Panfelda Rob]

Blimey I would have had a good bet on 231 subframes being "safe".

You would like to have had a good bet on ALL Mercedes subframes being safe but, sadly, this is obviously not the case. It seems to be an issue that is endemic throughout much of the range.
I have a big problem understanding what is behind the corporate group-think that has allowed this to continue for the past 20 years.

 

[Blobcat]

You would like to have had a good bet on ALL Mercedes subframes being safe but, sadly, this is obviously not the case. It seems to be an issue that is endemic throughout much of the range.
I have a big problem understanding what is behind the corporate group-think that has allowed this to continue for the past 20 years.

Car designed life is 8.2 years - they're all in the business of leasing new cars - why would they want old ones running around ruining the business model ? - Same for all manufacturers

 

[Panfelda Rob]

Car designed life is 8.2 years - they're all in the business of leasing new cars - why would they want old ones running around ruining the business model ? - Same for all manufacturers

Except that the R231 was only released 10 years ago - ok, so slightly outside your 8.2 year design life - and we don't know the actual age of the one that started this forum. Furthermore, if that really is the case, why do Mercedes bother having the 20 year guarantee policy under which these subframes are being replaced.

 

[Blobcat]

Furthermore, if that really is the case, why do Mercedes bother having the 20 year guarantee policy under which these subframes are being replaced.

To give owners a warm fuzzy feeling of quality...

Except that the R231 was only released 10 years ago - ok, so slightly outside your 8.2 year design life

At 10 years old not many Mercedes are still within the dealer network for any maintenance so little or no income for Mercedes

 

[ajlsl600]

Yes we have had loads of e classes, c classes and slks replaced under goodwill, it’s our first 231.

It's grand some are getting result. Must be benz are seeing major safety issue.

 

[ajlsl600]

Sorry I haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about

Big thumb desease, sorry.

 

[Panfelda Rob]

It's grand some are getting result. Must be benz are seeing major safety issue.

If they were that concerned, how come it's affected so many models in their range and over such a long period?
I had an E280.for 10 years, no problem that I was made aware of; a CLK240 that had a little rust and now an SLK200 which has just been declared unroadworthy and, as a result of that, I've found just how widespread this problem is.
It would be interesting to know how many cars have suffered this problem and how many Mercedes have fixed under warranty.
Entering "Mercedes subframe" into eBay search suggests it's quite an issue and one which many owners of older Mercedes are paying for out of their own pockets.

 

[rorywquin]

........
Entering "Mercedes subframe" into eBay search suggests it's quite an issue and one which many owners of older Mercedes are paying for out of their own pockets.

I did that. Most seem to be second hand (usable & salvaged) which implies the opposite of what you are saying.

 

[ajlsl600]

It's not uncommon a good nu of posts on here and surprisingly a fair nu are getting replaced by benz. Reminds me of old days with mini rear subframes and not something nb owners wud suspect as issue... Unless u lived on a beach....

 

[Panfelda Rob]

I did that. Most seem to be second hand (usable & salvaged) which implies the opposite of what you are saying.

Not so. There's a thriving market in new replacements, some carrying a 5 year warranty. Try shopping on Google also.

 

[rorywquin]

Not so. There's a thriving market in new replacements, some carrying a 5 year warranty. Try shopping on Google also.

Oh no not that interested. There must be millions of old MBs around. Ergo a market for sub-frames to replace crash damaged, rusted etc. Similar results for Audi, BMW, Volvo etc. I see no correlation in “for sale” on Ebay and rusting subframes being a major issue in MBs.