Update with scary picture - W204 2008 rear subframe failure

[LostKiwi]

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/15/section/9/enacted

Goods to be of satisfactory quality.........read above link, for some reason couldn't copy and paste all of it!

I reckon you could take them to the small claims court, £30 fee, get an engineers report, law is on your side!


P

Problem would be who the contract of purchase was with - dealer or MB.
From the laws perspective its always a contract with the supplying dealer. MB will therefore not be liable.

 

[GlosRichCLK]

Suspension and subframe components rust on all vehicles. If your keeping it for many years you have to do your maintenance e.g. pressure wash the underside and arches regularly especially after winter and get some additional protection on such as waxoyl. Especially if you do a lot of motorway driving in the winter salt or live by the coast with its salty air..

Surprised that hasn't been picked up in an earlier MoT.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Small beer really ... but the £30 Small Claims Court fee is not fixed. It varies according to the amount you are claiming, and then grows depending on how far you want to go - ie. CCJ or Garnishee after favourable judgement, for example.

Mind you, you can stipulate interest on the amount you are claiming. That's a nice little earner!

 

[syncman]

Problem would be who the contract of purchase was with - dealer or MB.
From the laws perspective its always a contract with the supplying dealer. MB will therefore not be liable.

Bought from Mercedes-Benz Direct Birmingham.

 

[peterws1957]

I personally doubt that you will get much joy out of a small claim action. MB have a reputation for defending this type of claim to the hilt, winning cases and then landing claimants with huge costs. Can you imagine how many cars will be affected and the potential costs involved? Its totally wrong but that's the way it seems to be. I've run many basic cars over 10 years old and they have had hardly a spot of rust on the floorpans and running gear. Prestige brand? Not sure...

 

[syncman]

I personally doubt that you will get much joy out of a small claim action. MB have a reputation for defending this type of claim to the hilt, winning cases and then landing claimants with huge costs. Can you imagine how many cars will be affected and the potential costs involved? Its totally wrong but that's the way it seems to be. I've run many basic cars over 10 years old and they have had hardly a spot of rust on the floorpans and running gear. Prestige brand? Not sure...

Back to Lexus I think!

 

[John Hewerdine]

As the thread has dropped down the board I thought that this was the best way to get more people aware of a dangerous fault in my 9yr old C Class. Long story short, about to order a new C Class for March 2018 but needed to put my current Mercedes through the MOT. Failed on corroded brake line, OK. When test driven after the work garage said the car didn't feel right at the rear. Inspection showed corroded and cracked rear subframe (see scary photo attached). Spoke to MB customer service, weren't really interested, said contact my local dealer. Local dealer said would have to get the car to them (it's not safe to drive) then they would take photos, sent to MB and the may/may not get involved. Not an option as the MB subframe is £800 and on back order, I need the car. I now have a used frame and new bushes on order. A few more scary issues arose when I spoke to the dealership.

1. Warranty Manager mentions in hushed tones when asked why a 9yr old vehicle had the much damage " well MB do have a corrosion problem"!
2. More worrying he said "well you have got a full service history with us". True I have had 2 services with an independant MB specialist but all the others, including the last 2, with the dealership. He said " yes, but the last 2 were value services (cheaper option they offer for older vehicles). I asked was he saying that they check all safety critical issues on a full service but not all safety critical issues on a value service. The reply was that they used a different checklist! He said his son has the same car as me and he would be checking it out asap! SHAME ON YOU MB FOR PUTTING MY, AND MY WIFE'S LIFE AT RISK!

I'm not stupid enough to to think other brands don't do this but why would you buy from a brand that you KNOW do this. My love affair with MB is over. Thanks for reading my rant, if it helps anybody identify a problem with they're vehicle I'm happy.

I've just had the same problem with my 57 plate C class....corroded and cracked...absolutely livid...the car only has 67k on the clock.....the guys at my local garage said they have never seen anything like it on a Merc....and they have only replaced two subframes on other makes in the last five years. Looks like I shall be having a run-in with MB UK too. Good luck with your case !!!

 

[Parisien]

Guys, had some one also noted of similar issues re the sub frame ( or other corrosion issues) on not so old SLKs, searched and couldn't find the thread.


P

 

[Oldspanners]

When checking my W203 over during the summer I noticed the rear springs were very rusty and looking further most of the joints in the subframe were showing definite signs of more than surface rust. I spent a bit of time wire brushing it all down and treating it with a several coats of anti-rust primer and paint. I put it down to being steam cleaned and being driven on salted roads but after seeing this it is obviously just poor quality steel. Another disappointment with the C class.

 

[Matthew Hemmings]

As the thread has dropped down the board I thought that this was the best way to get more people aware of a dangerous fault in my 9yr old C Class. Long story short, about to order a new C Class for March 2018 but needed to put my current Mercedes through the MOT. Failed on corroded brake line, OK. When test driven after the work garage said the car didn't feel right at the rear. Inspection showed corroded and cracked rear subframe (see scary photo attached). Spoke to MB customer service, weren't really interested, said contact my local dealer. Local dealer said would have to get the car to them (it's not safe to drive) then they would take photos, sent to MB and the may/may not get involved. Not an option as the MB subframe is £800 and on back order, I need the car. I now have a used frame and new bushes on order. A few more scary issues arose when I spoke to the dealership.

1. Warranty Manager mentions in hushed tones when asked why a 9yr old vehicle had the much damage " well MB do have a corrosion problem"!
2. More worrying he said "well you have got a full service history with us". True I have had 2 services with an independant MB specialist but all the others, including the last 2, with the dealership. He said " yes, but the last 2 were value services (cheaper option they offer for older vehicles). I asked was he saying that they check all safety critical issues on a full service but not all safety critical issues on a value service. The reply was that they used a different checklist! He said his son has the same car as me and he would be checking it out asap! SHAME ON YOU MB FOR PUTTING MY, AND MY WIFE'S LIFE AT RISK!

I'm not stupid enough to to think other brands don't do this but why would you buy from a brand that you KNOW do this. My love affair with MB is over. Thanks for reading my rant, if it helps anybody identify a problem with they're vehicle I'm happy.

I have just had my 2007 w204 back from my Indy after service,last week I noticed it was pulling left under braking,so asked the garage to check it out.and the rear subframe is rotten on the passenger side,it's gone from the inside out.the Indy said water has held at the end roughly where the subframe bushes are as the box section is open.I bought the car four years ago approved from Mercedes Benz of Swansea.the car has 68K and is service every year,usually after about 7k which is my annual milieage.I keep the car garaged and in perfect condition and spotlessly clean.this is an absolute disgrace as far as I'm concerned,and obviously dangerous.
This is my second c class after a 203 coupe I had started to have rust issues around the front and rear arches.which Mercedes rectified but started to come back.
I'm wondering if they made the subframe from the same cheap metal supplier that made the steel for the panels in the 203 as the 204 was an early model and the first of the change over.
I love my mercs,and would hold an argument with anyone who gave them a bad name.but not anymore.I will never buy a car from a so called premium brand that obviously makes inferior cars.
Shame on you Mercedes benz!

 

[Matthew Hemmings]

I have just had my 2007 w204 back from my Indy after service,last week I noticed it was pulling left under braking,so asked the garage to check it out.and the rear subframe is rotten on the passenger side,it's gone from the inside out.the Indy said water has held at the end roughly where the subframe bushes are as the box section is open.I bought the car four years ago approved from Mercedes Benz of Swansea.the car has 68K and is service every year,usually after about 7k which is my annual milieage.I keep the car garaged and in perfect condition and spotlessly clean.this is an absolute disgrace as far as I'm concerned,and obviously dangerous.
This is my second c class after a 203 coupe I had started to have rust issues around the front and rear arches.which Mercedes rectified but started to come back.
I'm wondering if they made the subframe from the same cheap metal supplier that made the steel for the panels in the 203 as the 204 was an early model and the first of the change over.
I love my mercs,and would hold an argument with anyone who gave them a bad name.but not anymore.I will never buy a car from a so called premium brand that obviously makes inferior cars.
Shame on you Mercedes benz!

As an update,the subframe is over £600+VAT,and around £300 in labour.
And on back order of 2 weeks from Mercedes benz,who have said they have sold quite a few recently,so it's obviously a common fault.so not only could they not make a decent subframe in the first place,they can't supply another one for 2 weeks so the car is off the road as I have been advised it's not 100 percent driveable.and if I do pay the thick end of a grand to get it sorted,how long would a new one last? As given it seems a common fault a used one is not really an option as if I keep the car I could be back in the same boat in a year or two after paying out for labour,and the inconvenience it's caused.
Shame as she is really nice car.
Built by fools though.....

 

[Jim2]

View attachment 40400 View attachment 40401 55 plate slk today.

Its been quite awhile since I saw one rusted through as bad as this....and my first thought was that it lived beside the sea-side, and maybe even got driven on the strand at low tide...on a regular basis, it's that bad. Whatever the cause, hard to understand how it passed the last 3 or 4 MOT's......and lucky you did not make the discovery on the motorway.

 

[Matthew Hemmings]

Does anyone affected have the part number for their rusted subframe? The part number for mine is 2073509702.there are a few variants of the subframe and I am wondering if they are all affected?
And while Phil at the garage was on the phone to Mercedes about the part,they said I needed 2 modifying ends,at £4 pounds each.so maybe Mercedes do know that there is a fault with this subframe,and have altered them slightly.if they do they should recall the cars affected.as this is a serious safety issue,not only for the drivers of these cars,but for other road users affected if someone lost control of the vehicle when one of these gives way.which sooner or later it will.
Cost should not come into it then.

 

[Flyinspanner]

How about if you all contacted watchdog or ‘rip off britain’ or “Dont get done get Dom” consumer TV shows, keep the sub frames you have had taken off as evidence. Maybe mass media would focus their mind to helping you out?

 

[HaydnM]

Problem with things like sub frames is the welds are not clean up before going to paint, this means the paint does not stick as well & rust can set in quick

 

[Matthew Hemmings]

I will get onto Mercedes Swansea after the bank holiday and see what they say,it might be covered under mobilio. It's a one owner car sold new by them,then it came to me when the last owner part exchanged for a new one.so the history of the car is pretty much spot on with Mercedes.if I don't get any joy with them,I'll contact Mercedes UK in Milton Keynes and see what they have to say.once they know that there is a safety issue with these cars,they need to address it.I had to take it in for a recall to have an airbag control module changed last year.if that's was deemed worthy of a recall this should be as well.it's more dangerous really.

 

[Matthew Hemmings]

I will get onto Mercedes Swansea after the bank holiday and see what they say,it might be covered under mobilio. It's a one owner car sold new by them,then it came to me when the last owner part exchanged for a new one.so the history of the car is pretty much spot on with Mercedes.if I don't get any joy with them,I'll contact Mercedes UK in Milton Keynes and see what they have to say.once they know that there is a safety issue with these cars,they need to address it.I had to take it in for a recall to have an airbag control module changed last year.if that's was deemed worthy of a recall this should be as well.it's more dangerous really.

I have phoned Mercedes Swansea this morning and explained the situation.
To be fair they were really helpful on the phone,and said it was not expected.but they obviously couldn't give any verdict over the phone,and are having it in next week for inspection and to send photographs to Milton Keynes for a verdict.I don't think they can argue really.and Phil at my local independent specialist has said it not drivable really.so with any luck they will tell me the same and that's a bit of an admission in itself.they might try to get of on a technicality.but it's plain to see so fingers crossed.

 

[Yugguy]

I've got a w204 built early 2009, looking at my rear end (ooh err) it seems ok.

 

[Matthew Hemmings]

Check inside with a torch.they go around the subframe bush.mine went from the inside out,you can just about see it start if you have a keen eye

I've got a w204 built early 2009, looking at my rear end (ooh err) it seems ok.

 

[Submariner1]

I am very sorry for all of you with problems, that quite frankly were more the kind one associated with 1970s Fords ... not MB.

On a positive note for C216 owners; having successfully messed up ( power washer sort of fuzzed the fur like covering ... I was not careful blasting the tray parts) one of the main long undercarraige shields (the covers that run from engine trays to the back wheels) and had one with a small 2” crack on the other one .. courtesy of a jack pad that was too big ... wheel refurbisher. luckily just cracked the water collecting drain bulge

I had them both ( £60 each) replaced by main-dealer’s body shop for £45! They let me see it with the covers off.
TBH I was expecting the worse, as the original owner did live by the sea for 2.5 years.
Actually I was shocked, all the metal? Underpanels looked like they had been painted by the manufacturer a few months ago. A sort of silver mettalic with an almost green tinge to it. I.e. not quite like irridium silver but very close.
OK I regularly pressure wash it with an industrial Karcher at lowish power 90 bar, but high flow rate 600L / h.
But these trays arent exactly water tight sealed. How it stayed so clean under-there is pleasantly puzzling?

It was so clean I even asked the tech ... do you think this has been resprayed, and he said definitely not, look at all the pipes etc. Its how they come from the factory.
I was truly impressed.

The aluminium sub-frames? had some fine white residue, oxidation but he said that was normal.
In summary MB can do it properly, when they try!