Rust Rust Rust

[Big Ian]

I've had my E280 W210 for almost 2 years now and whilst i adore the smooth driving experience the rot is getting me down.Unfortunately it was serviced twice previously to my ownership by a merc specialist therefore any hope of repair by MB are long gone.
I've had both front arches above the bumper lines repaired and waxoyled and around the bootlock.But horror of horrors whilst washing at weekend have found rust coming up at corner of both rear doors and where rear wing meets rear bumper.Also at centre of rear door just below bump strip.
i think my love affair with this car has come to an end now as i can't justify the expenditure on more repairs when other makes just seem to last so much longer.

 

[TVRTASMIN]

I take it you have a fairly recent car.
I think it is a well known fact that after the W124, the build quality took a dive.

I have an ancient 300TD which has faired very well as most W124's have.
There is a bit of rust here and there but nothing serious.

My advice would be to sell the newer car and buy one of the last W124's.

 

[jberks]

have you enquired about a warranty claim - they run hot and cold so there is always a possibility.
Unfortunatley, rust was the achiles heel of the 210. If you can, swap it for a post 2001 merc, then you get he ride you ove but none of the rust.

 

[Blobcat]

1st October 1998 is when the 30 yr Warranty came into fruition. I was in my MB bodyshop today and saw 3 x S210's and 1 x W210 in for repair. All V, W, X & Y Reg.
Talking to the bodyshop manager the points that MB look for when considering a warranty claim (in no particular order);

• Length of Ownership
• Service History
• General Vehicle Condition
• Previous Bodywork Repairs (accident damage)

Afte an assessment you should receive a reply within 10-14 days, if a claim is successful there is a 28 day window for the repair to take place once MB have authorised the claim.

 

[Big Ian]

Rusty

Thanks for the info. Do you think that as i have have some work done myself previously MB will frown upon this as a get out ?

 

[Blobcat]

Previous bodywork repairs would not be looked at unless perviously done by MB (or approved repairer) so the work you have done previously would not be included in the claim.
It also helps to have a relationship with the MB dealer.

 

[Big Ian]

Sad but true

Just got back from MB where i have previously had a good rapore but took all of 30 seconds for their warranty guy to say a resounding no to them taking up the rust problem, even though it was not in a previously repaired area.Seems i'll have to swallow the bullet and have it done myself by my local guy who did a nice job on my other areas.

 

[Tontastic]

Curious ... my car had a (single) back alley service done on it prior to me buying it ... and then I have only used a mercedes specialist since then, and yet they approved my work no problem. I suppose it might be because it had a full dealer history until something like 190K miles might have made a difference, meaning that it has lots of mercedes stamps.

 

[mason]

have you tried a rust killer i got a one from here but an american product its really the best ive seen ive been in the bodywork game for 15 years but this RUST BULLET is the best.ive used it on my 300sl and tore the car apart new seals etc check it out rustbullet.co.uk

 

[redmilly7]

hi,
i took my w210 to a merc dealer in manchester last week. I havnt got a full service history, but have owned the car for 3 years. the bodyshop bloke took digi pictures of all the rust spots etc, mileage, registartion doccument etc and has sent it all off to mercs. he said they will prob say no because of the service history. my brother and i do the servicing but he also said that it didnt matter where the service was done?????? so im waiting in anticipation.. everything else is going for me, the condition, the time of ownership etc however if it was to be accepted its got an awfull lot of work to do on it.
this was the third merc dealer in the northwest that i spoke to, two said overe the phone 'no chance forget it' and one said bring the car around christmass time and ill be able to take a look at it', the last one said yeah no probs we get them all the time. the first question they ask is "is it warranty or damage". one problem is though i was told, people are buying cheap mercs from the auction and taking them round to mercs for a waranty claim and thats whats causing a lot of problems. so im still waiting and eagerly anticipating!!!!!!!!!

 

[Big Ian]

Rust

Thanks for the info Redmilly following your post i'm gonna try another dealer and pursue it further.

 

[Dosco]

E240 - W210 Rust

Same problem with my E240. Just had two new front wings fitted on my 1997 R plate model by a local well respected specialist who also sorted a few other rust spots on the rear wheel arches. Local MB did not want to know even a letter to MB Head Office failed. Seemed to suggest that if I had had the servicing done by the MB dealer from whom I purchased the car it would have been viewed diffrently - you win some and loose some!

Mind you the workmanship is superb and I am well pleased with the finnished job - so not all bad.

 

[Big Ian]

Thanks for backing me up Dosco, i really believe it works by area.Glad to know you are pleased with your repair as i have been with mine. looks as though i'll be paying a visit to my new mate Gary in Cheshunt , Herts for another go to bring the old girl up to scratch.
it's a real shame when the driving experience is so smooth with this E280 that's the only reason i'm willing to pay out for the bodywork.

 

[anyweb]

1st October 1998 is when the 30 yr Warranty came into fruition.

do you have any documentation online (from mercedes) to back up the above statement ?

it's important for me as if i do buy another merc i want to make sure its after that period

cheers
anyweb

 

[Blobcat]

do you have any documentation online (from mercedes) to back up the above statement ?

it's important for me as if i do buy another merc i want to make sure its after that period

cheers
anyweb

Hi, I don't have any information on-line however the service book in the car has the details. So if you check the service book of any prospective purchase you will know what corrosion warranty the car has. i would also do a vin check before handing over any folding.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Hi, I don't have any information on-line however the service book in the car has the details. So if you check the service book of any prospective purchase you will know what corrosion warranty the car has. i would also do a vin check before handing over any folding.

Hi i wonder if there is any further info on this. I have just bought a 1998 registered on 13/10/98 so its of particular importance.

I have checked the service booklet, but there is nothing in it about corrosion.

Cheers

 

[Blobcat]

Hi i wonder if there is any further info on this. I have just bought a 1998 registered on 13/10/98 so its of particular importance.

I have checked the service booklet, but there is nothing in it about corrosion.

Cheers

Although yours was registered 13/10/98 it maybe too old. Put your Vin into the attached and youl will get the details of your car. http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng Are there any corrosion warranty details in your serivce book?

 

[Benz-Lover]

to be honest mate....once rust starts it never goes away....you may as well sell it quick before the rust grows worse.....

 

[slim_boy_fat]

to be honest mate....once rust starts it never goes away....you may as well sell it quick before the rust grows worse.....

Considering i just bought it yesterday thats maybe a bit extreme!!

Cheers for the advice.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Although yours was registered 13/10/98 it maybe too old. Put your Vin into the attached and youl will get the details of your car. http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng Are there any corrosion warranty details in your serivce book?

I must be loosing my touch, :grin: cant seem to enter the data in correctly my VIN is only 14 characters long, it seems to want 17!!