W210 - rusting underneath

[old230e]

Just let you know - some of the w210 models rust under the back seats. I noticed this when car was up on ramp at last MOT. Merc do NOT want to know. I took it all the way up to UK director !!!

Just discovered they also rust under the bonnet and around the doors in places where NO external influences (as they say) could have started the rusting. Just poor chrysler workmanship !

 

[thekeeper24]

the w123s rust undernear as well. one of the legs to my drivers side (left) seat (back outside) fell through, hopefully i wont hit any huge bumps... just letting you know you arent the only one rusting, best bet is to have a body shop look @it and replace (part) of the floor

 

[johnoo]

I have a w210 (mod 1999) and I recently had all four doors replaced and some work done on the backdoor as well (T mod.). Cost me nothing due to a 30 year rust guarantee.

-john øivind

 

[uumode]

old230e is your car a 99T onwards with the 30? year rust guarantee?
If MB don't want to know, then it kind of points to them ignoring this guarantee? .. or perhaps there is a lot of small print!

 

[old230e]

Unfortunately its a 1997 on R plate. The rust is definitely a 'model' problem and within my extended family they have lost out on 3 car sales as a result of the 'letting this sort of thing' come out from the factory and then not supporting/admitting that its there fault.
I will never buy Mercedes again.

 

[uumode]

I read some rumours that the body panels were pressed in India? Could be totally wrong, transported and sprayed elsewhere before assembly.

Other's I have read point to poor preparation, poor joins, thin paint and problems with the environmentally friendly water based paints.

But whatever the reason, you wouldn't expect a quality MB car to rust like a 1970's Japanese number!

 

[johngreen11]

My 96 210 300d is rusting everywhere. MB quality is crap. Buy Volvo and you get 300,000 miles no trouble motoring, not a single mot failure since 1988. MB replacement has had more problems and breakdowns. volvo was never serviced for last 10 years. Even with proper MB service by the book it still goes wrong.
Customer service people treat you like morons and are from holland so MB are treating UK citizens like dirt.

Buy Lexus, they cannot be this bad. Does it matter the spares cost so much if you do not need them.