w210 Front Cross member

[cyps]

Just had this replaced by merc glasgow Free of charge no questions asked
on a 1997r plate e320

So may be worth looking at yours to see if its ok and get it down there whilst they are still paying for them

also got rust areas replaced ie new bonnet doors and respray

only thing they didnt do was air sensor cost 250.00 fitted
but cannot moan at the rest being free

 

[Dunx]

Do you have a full MB service history? My car has a few rust issues but does not have a full dealer history, so I didn't think they'd entertain it.

 

[MIW615]

Do you have a full MB service history? My car has a few rust issues but does not have a full dealer history, so I didn't think they'd entertain it.

Don't think this is the case anymore, from October 2003 the rules changed, so if I was refused warranty because I did not have a full dealer history I would wave this at them...................




In October 2003 European Union legislation, ‘Block Exemption Regulations 1400/2002’ (BER) came into force

This gave motorists more freedom in their decision as to who should repair and service their vehicles – now any garage can be used without invalidating the manufacturer’s warranty (subject to certain conditions)
This was as a result of four specific ‘freedoms’ that were introduced, aimed at safeguarding free competition in the entire market for vehicle spare parts, service and repair. These meant:

· parts distributors can supply parts of the appropriate quality to dealers and authorised repairers without the vehicle manufacturer / assembler using ‘dealer / repairer contracts’ or other means to prevent them

· parts manufacturers can no longer be forced by their original equipment (OE) contract to limit supply of parts to the vehicle manufacturer / assembler

· parts manufacturers can supply OE products under their own brand so motorists and repairers will not feel they have to go to a main dealer for a certain part

· anyone with a legitimate need for technical information has a right of access to it in a usable form and at a reasonable cost

The BER covers service and maintenance during the warranty period and prohibits vehicle manufacturers’ warranties from including conditions requiring that:

· all normal maintenance be provided within the vehicle manufacturer’s network

· all parts used must be the manufacturer’s original spare parts

The European Commission declared that such clauses in a warranty document would represent ‘an unjustified restriction for the consumer’

The Automotive Distribution Federation (ADF have written proof from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) that:

Independent repairers CAN carry out normal maintenance and repair services during a vehicle’s warranty period without invalidating the warranty conditions provided that:

· the service is carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s servicing schedules and is recorded as such

· any parts used are of ‘appropriate quality’ and are recorded as such

If you need any further information on this topic or if you have any evidence of vehicle manufacturers or their dealers infringing these rules, then please do contact the ADF office by clicking here

These notes are intended to introduce interested parties to the topic of BER. They should not be taken as a definition of the law or proposed laws. Whilst every care has been taken in the writing of these notes Autosafe can accept no liability for any event arising from their use
Original Equipment
Like main dealers, Autosafe garages fit the same parts as your original manufacturer. These include leading brand components like:

 

[d4hwt]

Cyps,
what dealer did you go to in Glasgow??...i too have worrying rust issues crossmember is shot also...i have been in touch with vardy's but they have fobbed me off to a bodyshop in Cumbernauld which i haven't got round to getting to yet..

Cheers

 

[jberks]

AH... but ....
The "warranty" is the 3 year manufacturers warranty for parts and labour. This probably includes some corrosion cover for 3 years. This means that I can (and am going to) put my 16 month old E into an indie. He will service it(for half the price) and do any warranty work that is necessary and bill MB on my behalf.
However,
The 30 year corrosion is a goodwill one as is the 30 year Mobilio cover. Both effectively cease after 2 years if not handled through the dealer network and as goodwill warranties are not covered by the EU regs. As the book says, the cover lasts 12 months and is renewed on each visit to an MB service centre.
No visit, no renewal and no cover. They do some goodwill repairs though so its still worth asking.

I reckon the extra £400+ per year the dealer woiuld charge when all I really get is breakdown cover (I assume the 211 will be ok for rust) is a bit steep so worth giving up.

 

[d4hwt]

Car booked into Glasgow merc to have a look at crossmember thurs 2nd...
I stated that to the best of my knowledge, internet etc that this was a common fault to which he replied that he hadn't heard of that being a problem before??? doesn't sound good...
Bodyshop people have stated that any car over 8 years old will be rejected immediately by the computer system for goodwill repairs...
My car is a late '96 210 with nearly full MB history and only 70K so i moaned a bit and they have agreed reluctantly to look at it but i dont hold out too much hope for any goodwill repairs....3 doors 4 wings rusty and a rotten crossmember on a 70k "prestige" car??My last merc was an '89 190 and it honestly had no surface or underneath rust after 11 years....how times have changed!!!

Will see how it goes next thurs

 

[cyps]

Car booked into Glasgow merc to have a look at crossmember thurs 2nd...
I stated that to the best of my knowledge, internet etc that this was a common fault to which he replied that he hadn't heard of that being a problem before??? doesn't sound good...
Bodyshop people have stated that any car over 8 years old will be rejected immediately by the computer system for goodwill repairs...
My car is a late '96 210 with nearly full MB history and only 70K so i moaned a bit and they have agreed reluctantly to look at it but i dont hold out too much hope for any goodwill repairs....3 doors 4 wings rusty and a rotten crossmember on a 70k "prestige" car??My last merc was an '89 190 and it honestly had no surface or underneath rust after 11 years....how times have changed!!!

Will see how it goes next thurs

Best of luck to you

 

[d4hwt]

Well , had the car in at MB Glasgow.....crossmember is shot....car to old to be done under goodwill....same with bodywork...worth a try tho.
Got a friend of a friend who has a bodyshop has quoted me for a new front wing, sort all the rust out on the other panels and respray both sides, bonnet and colour code sills,bottom of bumpers...all for £600, I was a bit apprehensive about the rust returning on the other panels but he's assured me if its done right it should last at least 3 years before it starts coming thru again so i'm going for that...car goes in a week on monday, will post before and after pics if anyone is interested. he also reckons he knows someone with a jig to do the crossmember for me but is gonna check if its salvageable when he gets the car in for paint....
Looking forward to having a clean car again..

 

[Dunx]

Yeah, I'd be interested to see that. My wings need some attention too so let me know how good a job they do.

Thx,

Duncan

 

[d4hwt]

will do dunc...will post before pics shortly and after pics in a few weeks once its done..