Rusty E-Class

[benoliver]

Hello all, I know that this subject has been well discussed before, but I have an E240 Estate on a 99 V plate, it has some worrying rust in the usual places, tailgate handle, front wing, but also on the nearside sill as well.

I have taken it to an MB dealer and he said that they wouldn't do anything because A) the car is too old, and B) it doesn't have a full MB service history, although the first 7 were at MB dealers, I have taken it to a local garage to get them done.

The guy who looked at the car admitted that the tailgate and the front wings were known faults ( he showed me how loose the handle actually is).

I have written a letter to MB UK just to see if they are willing to help out, but I haven't sent it yet. Is it worth it, or will they just turn me down again do you think?

 

[mr. shr]

I would suggest that seeing as you're complied a letter, you may as well send it.
MB will probably repeat what your Stealership told you, but as you've gone to the effort of writing the letter, you might as well send it.
Can't do any harm in my opinion.

 

[jberks]

try another dealer. Some are willing to fight your corner, for some inexplicable reason, some aren't. Don't take the first no as the final answer.

 

[benoliver]

Thanks for the advice, I think I will try another dealer, but not in the same group!! Will let you know.

 

[The Rock]

Persevere. This year, on my '99 T reg E300TD (W210), after being given an initial "No" for a request to repair rustiness, I persisted (politely of course) and was offered a 50% contribution. For a bill that would've been £1800 I only paid £900. I think that was quite fair given the circumstances.
Rock

 

[energysolutions]

Persevere. This year, on my '99 T reg E300TD (W210), after being given an initial "No" for a request to repair rustiness, I persisted (politely of course) and was offered a 50% contribution. For a bill that would've been £1800 I only paid £900. I think that was quite fair given the circumstances.
Rock

Please elaborate as I may have to take this direction

 

[The Rock]

OK,

For the record: Serviced at main dealer for 4 years then serviced independantly for 5. You don't need full MB service history.

In a nutshell my car had been in three times before, for rear wings, bonnet, front wings, door tops and bootlock surround.

Four years ago I had a new front wing.
Three years ago I had both front wings replaced (why they did them both I'll never know) the bonnet painted, doortops and the rear wings repaired.

This year I went in again to say that the bonnet was rusting again, the rear wings were starting to go again and one door had started to go rusty.

When they said "No - It's out of warranty" I politely suggested that the reason I was in this predicament was that the previous attempts to rectify the situation (within warranty) had been done poorly. It all went silent for a couple of weeks so I spoke to a lady at MB Customer care to complain that the contact at the dealership hadn't got back to me. I suggested to her that he was worse than useless. Within 30 minutes I received a call from the dealer stating that the job was approved at a 50% contribution. I think they would've gone higher if I'd pushed it.

FYI The bottom of the rear door had not been touched before but they still agreed to 50% on it.

Not straighforward, and I don't know exactly what you can do, but it does prove that they will do work on cars older than 8 years.

Good luck.

Rock

 

[energysolutions]

OK,

For the record: Serviced at main dealer for 4 years then serviced independantly for 5. You don't need full MB service history.

In a nutshell my car had been in three times before, for rear wings, bonnet, front wings, door tops and bootlock surround.

Four years ago I had a new front wing.
Three years ago I had both front wings replaced (why they did them both I'll never know) the bonnet painted, doortops and the rear wings repaired.

This year I went in again to say that the bonnet was rusting again, the rear wings were starting to go again and one door had started to go rusty.

When they said "No - It's out of warranty" I politely suggested that the reason I was in this predicament was that the previous attempts to rectify the situation (within warranty) had been done poorly. It all went silent for a couple of weeks so I spoke to a lady at MB Customer care to complain that the contact at the dealership hadn't got back to me. I suggested to her that he was worse than useless. Within 30 minutes I received a call from the dealer stating that the job was approved at a 50% contribution. I think they would've gone higher if I'd pushed it.

FYI The bottom of the rear door had not been touched before but they still agreed to 50% on it.

Not straighforward, and I don't know exactly what you can do, but it does prove that they will do work on cars older than 8 years.

Good luck.

Rock

A suggestion thats all too common when dealing with dealers on an issue where the customer has a grievance

I am still within the 8 year time limit (6 years) but it is for a Vito van and not a car, however when I am told the rules differ for commercials I politely remind them that there is still a Mercedes badge on the front