Rust on 2000 CLK Cabriolet

[Corporate Gypsy]

My pampered 2000 CLK 320 Cab developed a rust blister around the boot lock. Not too serious but a BIG disapointment since I've had the car from new, only has 33k on the clock and hardly goes out at all in the winter.

I bought the car new in The Netherlands since I was living there at the time and swopped my company E series for the CLK when transferred back to the UK.

Took the car back to my local dealer (where it's been serviced since new) and they told me that:

1. Surface rust encroaching from edges was NOT covered by the 30 year Stabilo Life scheme (perforations only), only the 3 year warranty.
2. MB (UK) have recognised "there have been some rust issues from that time" and had extended the rust warranty for 8 years.
3. Since mine was almost 9 years old they would approach MB (UK) to see whether they would cover my complaint.

After a few days the Service Manager rang me to say that the cost to completely strip back the boot panel to bare metal, treat the rust area, re-spray and fit new decals by an approved MB repair shop would be £600 and that MB (UK) would contribute 80% of this.

All in all a good result I think, particularly since it was a personal import, not an MB (UK) supplied car.

 

[television]

Thats a good result in a way, The average body shop would strip and re spray a boot for around £200.

It is sad when as you say you bought it new and have covered virtually no miles.

Thank goodness after 2003-4 this rust thing can go away for ever I hope

 

[delboy777]

Im sorry to say that MB could have sorted this out long ago by galvanising their bodies, after all Audi has been doing it since the mid 90s

 

[television]

Im sorry to say that MB could have sorted this out long ago by galvanising their bodies, after all Audi has been doing it since the mid 90s

Its still down to cheap crap metal, my V70 does not have one spec of rust anywhere, even after11 years and out in all weather

 

[bigasotonuk]

Im sorry to say that MB could have sorted this out long ago by galvanising their bodies, after all Audi has been doing it since the mid 90s

And another German manufacturer i could name have been galvanising their bodywork since before this starting in 1980.
Good result for the O/P though.
Just wish i could get my AMG done on goodwill/rust warranty, i think i got rust under the passenger side, side skirt

 

[television]

And another German manufacturer i could name have been galvanising their bodywork since before this starting in 1980.
Good result for the O/P though.
Just wish i could get my AMG done on goodwill/rust warranty, i think i got rust under the passenger side, side skirt

Is not it worth taking the skirts off in the spring and waxoiling Andy,,all of the work that you have done on that car

 

[Juddian]

Its still down to cheap crap metal, my V70 does not have one spec of rust anywhere, even after11 years and out in all weather

And my sis is still running our '93 940td estate 160Kish, more scratches and scrapes than you could shake a stick at and no rust.

 

[television]

And my sis is still running our '93 940td estate 160Kish, more scratches and scrapes than you could shake a stick at and no rust.

I remember that statement that the boss of Volvo made some years back.

He said how then hell can we enter the up car market, when there are thousands of 440's still running around, they did take a long time to die, and it was not rust that killed them