i was aware of other problems MB cars always seem to have, but i've never thought RUST was one of them. but i'm totally surprised by the number of "my MB has rust" threads on here as well as other MB forums. It's not model specific, but seem to affect any MB produced after 1995. how are german/european consumers reacting to this?

There is some kind of agreement in Germany, whereas M-B will cover any rustrepairs, up to 8 years old, providing the vehicle has a complete dealer service history.
I've even heard of replacing complete doors, trunklids, fenders, etc. ;)

Wow. I've always been amazed at the LACK of rust on ours. But they are '90 and '91 models.

Did something happen with later models to cause rust issues?

Wow. I've always been amazed at the LACK of rust on ours. But they are '90 and '91 models.

Did something happen with later models to cause rust issues?

Yeah, lack of concern and build quality. I don't think I've ever seen a rusty Lexus...

Earlier series such as the W116, first production half of W123s and very early W126s were very susceptible to develop rust problems.

Mercedes addressed the issue and things started to improve. By the time the W124 and the W140 came into production they were considered acid proof (and I believe they are!).

The steel grade, rust proofing process and paint quality on Mercedes' are one of the highest in the industry. Lexus might be good too, although I highly doubt is better.

think I've ever seen a rusty Lexus...

Maybe you live in the wrong country.
Come on " up here " I'll show you some. ;)

I think MB took a step back with the W210 chassis.

They've had problems with rusted spring perches, fenders, and around the doors.

Mark Cummins has a 210 wagon with consirable rust around the doors, and he lives in Southern California where there is absolutely no snow and no rust.

To their credit, Mercedes Benz USA warrantied the doors and repainted the entire car. They did a terrible job though, resulting in uneven gaps when the new doors were installed, and poor paint finish.

Many of the rust issues are due to rust-proofing measures that were inadvertantly ommitted by the factory when the cars were built. W202 sub-frame seams, W210 rocker panels, and W210 and W220 doors, all had Recall/Service Campaigns related to rust.

IMHO, with the technology available today, MB should have ZERO rust issues.

To their credit, Mercedes Benz USA warrantied the doors and repainted the entire car. They did a terrible job though, resulting in uneven gaps when the new doors were installed, and poor paint finish.[/QUOTE]

Not long after I purchased my 300E somebody backed into it putting a dent next to the right rear wheel opening. I asked my dealer service advisor (Mercedes Benz of Princeton) to recommend a body shop. They performed a horrible repair, kept my car for over a week and it had 33 more miles on it.

You live and learn.

To their credit, Mercedes Benz USA warrantied the doors and repainted the entire car. They did a terrible job though, resulting in uneven gaps when the new doors were installed, and poor paint finish.

Not long after I purchased my 300E somebody backed into it putting a dent next to the right rear wheel opening. I asked my dealer service advisor (Mercedes Benz of Princeton) to recommend a body shop. They performed a horrible repair, kept my car for over a week and it had 33 more miles on it.

You live and learn.[/QUOTE]

And what makes it more disappointing is that the repair was done by Fletcher Jones Mercedes of Newport Beach, which sells more Mercedes cars than any dealer in the world. Mark Cummins was also a tech there, too, if I remember correctly.

My w123 has some minor issues, but I expect that.

My w124 has NO issues, and I expected that.

Someone just posted the other day about how little rust his had compared to premium American cars he had, a Lincoln and Cadillac. But I don't know, I'm down south. Greetings from warm Georgia!

jeff 1991 300d

My 210 ('97) has "terminal" rust issues. Fenders, doors, trunk, rocker panels. It's been repaired twice and is starting to reappear. Granted New England Winters are tough on cars, but I have Saab that's two years older with zero rust, and a Saab that's one year older and neither have any rust at all.

Too bad because the car is in great mechanical shape and the interior is still flawless. I'm looking for a replacement, but definitely not another 210. Maybe an M-Class this time. :)

My 97 Taurus, which is just flat wearing out at 150+K and has been incredibly trouble-free, is rust free except for the tiniest bit of surface rust underneath. It has been very reliable although given indifferent maintenance and it's never seen the inside of a garage, and it does sleet and snow at times here and salt is used. I also note that it has stainless steel, dual, exhaust - pretty amazing that Ford pulled this off on a relatively inexpensive car. They must have a "better idea" when it comes to rustproofing...

My 210 ('97) has "terminal" rust issues. Fenders, doors, trunk, rocker panels. It's been repaired twice and is starting to reappear. Granted New England Winters are tough on cars, but I have Saab that's two years older with zero rust, and a Saab that's one year older and neither have any rust at all.

Too bad because the car is in great mechanical shape and the interior is still flawless. I'm looking for a replacement, but definitely not another 210. Maybe an M-Class this time. :)


yup, W210s and also W220s prior to 2004 are NOTORIOUS for rusting.

No two ways about it...the amount of rust on a mercedes is inversely proportional to the amount and quality of care and maintenance they are given.

Need to wire-brush, prime and repaint the neglectful owner :D


Oh, I'll wait to compare and pass judgement WHEN I find a twenty-five year-old Lexus survivor with several hundred thousand miles on the clock... ;)

Well, the '86 has a few little spots of surface rust here and there, (basically where the car was dinged and was never repaired), but for a 20 year old car is pretty good. The '94 Cadillac I've got, no rust, no where. The '94 Lincoln, ditto. The '85 Lincoln I had, had a little surface rust (much like the 560) in scratches and for some reason, on the door hinges:confused:. Cars I have had in the past like a '81 Cadillac Seville (bustleback) it had a few areas where rust was taking hold, and once I had a '81 Olds Delta 88 :rolleyes: , and It was rusty when I got it (and it wasn't that old), but the old car ran forever. I've also had a '86 Cimarron (Cadillac) that RUSTED OUT SOLID. My dad's '86 300E had no rust when I got it, and none when I sold it about 8 years ago, and now the 450SLC that my mother had for a while was a rustbucket. The floorpans were gone, rockers were ate up, there was no trunkfloor or battery box, and if you pulled up your floormat, you could see the asphalt. The '95 E420 that my mother had for a few years never rusted, but it was only 3 years old when she bought it. My dad also had a '73 450SE, no rust (this was in the late '80s), a 77 280SE no rust whatsoever (early '90s), a '74 240D (early '80s) with hardly any rust, and then there was the '68 280S he gave me. Rusted out solid. But it was my first Mercedes:) .
Merry Christmas,
Dave

Too bad because the car is in great mechanical shape and the interior is still flawless. I'm looking for a replacement, but definitely not another 210. Maybe an M-Class this time. :)

I hope you are talking about swtiching to the new model M-class. The first generation M-class has been considered the WORST model Mercedes-Benz has ever produced.

Again, same as the W210 and W220, after the facelift it gained some composure, but just enought so it will not self destroy.

Fit, finish (inlcuding rust problems), mechanical issues, electric and electronic bugs, just name it, and the original ML misses the mark by far.

No rust on any of my fleet.
Maybe it has something to do with washing the car, top and bottom, often. In the winter, I go to the touchless car wash with bottom sprayer at least once per week. I buy a book of washes, so it is fairly inexpensive.
I park the SL and the 16V in the winter.

Some rust, I have seen W210's that were horrible rusted, but many many more that were fine. My friends W210 has seen salty winters its whole life and is as clean as can be. Not a hint of rust anywhere we checked all the usual W210 spots.

I think you just get some good ones and bad ones, but yeah they did cheap out on the early W210's in regards to rust proofing. On my W126 they sprayed that wax stuff and undercoating everywhere! I think the guy shooting them had stock in the company or something!:D On the W210 the undercoating is skimpy as hell. I think the best W210 years to get are 2000-02 I bet those prove to be more rust free.

Some rust, I have seen W210's that were horrible rusted, but many many more that were fine. My friends W210 has seen salty winters its whole life and is as clean as can be. Not a hint of rust anywhere we checked all the usual W210 spots.

I think you just get some good ones and bad ones, but yeah they did cheap out on the early W210's in regards to rust proofing. On my W126 they sprayed that wax stuff and undercoating everywhere! I think the guy shooting them had stock in the company or something!:D On the W210 the undercoating is skimpy as hell. I think the best W210 years to get are 2000-02 I bet those prove to be more rust free.

So far so good on my mother's '01 wagon.

However, no. Even the 2000 + 210 will rust away. Just not around the keyless entry receiver or grille area. 210's like to bubble around the rear wheel wells, on wagons underneath the rear hatch handle, in and around the cladding strips, underneath the doors, etc.

Sometimes a 210 may seem perfectly rust free (and it is) for a couple of years, then, all of a sudden it appears. The rust on these things blooms from DEEP within. My old E420 is rotting out. I don't own it anymore, but when I did there was almost ZERO rust on the car. Now its got some nasty spots under the grille, the trunk receiver, and rear wheel wells are starting to bubble from DEEP within (non-surface).

Also, the 203's are swiss-cheese in this respect, too.

Yeah all this talk about W210's rusting. Screw them I'm skipping that generation and going right to a W211 when the time comes. I bet the W211 does not suffer from these issues, MB has been working hard to bump the quality.

Yeah all this talk about W210's rusting. Screw them I'm skipping that generation and going right to a W211 when the time comes. I bet the W211 does not suffer from these issues, MB has been working hard to bump the quality.


LOOOOL. my friend, you should go visit the W211 boards on mbworld and benzworld. yes they are still too new to have rust probs but check out the 10523095120352 other problems. if u must, avoid 03s and 04s at all cost

the supposed "bump in MB quality" is in place for 2007 models and on.

goodluck

Many of the rust issues are due to rust-proofing measures that were inadvertantly ommitted by the factory when the cars were built. W202 sub-frame seams, W210 rocker panels, and W210 and W220 doors, all had Recall/Service Campaigns related to rust.

IMHO, with the technology available today, MB should have ZERO rust issues.

I have a 2000 S430 W220 with rust on the rear driver's side door. The dealer and MBUSA both claim no knowledge of any recall/service campaigns.

Any specific information would be appreciated.

MB has been working hard to bump the quality.

They're also working very hard to lower the cost, as are all manufacturers, and you're never quite sure which trend will prevail. It's hard to say there's been any real signs yet of improved quality.

I have a 2000 S430 W220 with rust on the rear driver's side door. The dealer and MBUSA both claim no knowledge of any recall/service campaigns.

Any specific information would be appreciated.

Service Campaign 2005030003 may apply to your car. The only way to be sure would be to check the VMI. This Campaign concerns issues of rust on the lower edges of all doors.

Yeah all this talk about W210's rusting. Screw them I'm skipping that generation and going right to a W211 when the time comes. I bet the W211 does not suffer from these issues, MB has been working hard to bump the quality.

You're easy to please, Hat.:D

With the advent of the R-Class, the GL-Class (they speak for themselves), the bird-beak E-Class with no center armrest, the S-Class with column mounted shifter and uncomfortable driving positions (specifically the left-arm rest), the gimmicky and useless Nightvision and Distronic-Plus, the LCD speedometer's only purpose (seemingly) is to make things more expensive when it fails, the Airmatic suspension when it fails will cost $$$$ to fix. I could go on, and on.

One can't just declare MB has worked out quality issues when one is comparing a brand new car to an older one. You have to drive them, live with them, experience them day to day to make an honest unbiased review.
Usually the used car buyer makes the best distinction in that regard since his pride is not in the line of fire. You'll notice this type of new car brand loyalty on places like m*bworld.org. But the models that have been out for more than two years have posts of a different nature.

Usually the used car buyer makes the best distinction in that regard since his pride is not in the line of fire. You'll notice this type of new car brand loyalty on places like m*bworld.org.



HAHAHHA, this is so true!!!


anyway, i think when my 97 E420 dies in 4-5 yrs, I'll buy another 2002 W210, not a W211.

HAHAHHA, this is so true!!!


anyway, i think when my 97 E420 dies in 4-5 yrs, I'll buy another 2002 W210, not a W211.

I just moved the trash cans out from the street into my backyard. I happened to meet my neighbor when he pulled in from work. He is a 4-year technician at Penske Mercedes Benz in Covina, California.

I was discussing the rust discussion on this thread, and replied that in four years, he has never seen a W210 with rust. Not one.

In fact, when he and the other techs are shooting the bull, they nearly unanimously agree that the W210 chassis E320 / E430 is the most reliable car from Mercedes in recent years, and is the one they would consider owning as their personal car.

You guys in California crack me up! Why would ANY car rust in California, unless you lived in the mountains and had road salt. I lived there for 4 years, I don't think I even had morning dew on my car once! It rained maybe 5 inches per year.

I just moved the trash cans out from the street into my backyard. I happened to meet my neighbor when he pulled in from work. He is a 4-year technician at Penske Mercedes Benz in Covina, California.

I was discussing the rust discussion on this thread, and replied that in four years, he has never seen a W210 with rust. Not one.

In fact, when he and the other techs are shooting the bull, they nearly unanimously agree that the W210 chassis E320 / E430 is the most reliable car from Mercedes in recent years, and is the one they would consider owning as their personal car.

In recent years, DEFINITELY YES!

Other than the rust the gassers are pretty much trouble free (occasional crank sensors, mass airflow sensor, coils, and harmonic balancers). The visor vanity mirrors were made of flimsy plastic and commonly broke loose after too much use. The leather dye on the steering wheel starts to wear off after 120K miles as well as the shifter knob, if it is not treated properly. The window regulators are riveted and you need a set of rivets and a gun to perform a replacement service. They fail eventually with age. The xenon headlamp assembly is a PITA since the ignition box died after 6 years of use on my car. First the left side, then the right #(*$!

That's about it, though. Everything else seems OK. Oh, the check engine light. Comes on whenever it feels like it (gas cap a wee bit loose)....Or the BAS/ESP...Turn wheel to left, turn wheel to right, center position....CODE RESET, LOL!:D

No CA guys get to respond because CA cars just don't rust!:D

I don't care a W211 is looking pretty good, throw in a warranty and I'm sold. Maybe in a couple years when I am out of college. I am easy to please! Its a business car/daily driver. After 5 years I'll dump it for something else.:D

<<I hope you are talking about switching to the new model M-class. The first generation M-class has been considered the WORST model Mercedes-Benz has ever produced.>>

My long gone '85 190E already has that title and will fight to keep it. Worst car I ever owned, hands down. Early 201s were warranty queens.

<<IMHO, with the technology available today, MB should have ZERO rust issues.>>

What do you mean, today? Porsche went to 100% galvanized bodies thirty years ago.

"Engineered Like No Other Car." And therein lies the problem. Regardless, I'm getting another one next spring.

The first w220 cars back in 98 were total crap. The first one we got broke
the first day we had it. 2 weeks later I had to replace the entire body harness.

All the new w221 cars have been great. Aside from some software updates
for phone and navi glitches. No major problems. Period.
Same for the whole line. W211's from 04+ have been good as well.
After 2005, the quality has been shooting up.
Good bye Dr. Schremp. You cheap corner cutting chump.

I think Roger's 190e would take the cake. What a POS those were.
The factory extended the warranty to keep them from falling apart.
"Quality Assurance Program" I think was the name of the warranty.

DR.D

There are 238000 W220's affected by the door rust campaign, according to my copy of the official document.

To their credit, Mercedes Benz USA warrantied the doors and repainted the entire car. They did a terrible job though, resulting in uneven gaps when the new doors were installed, and poor paint finish.

Not long after I purchased my 300E somebody backed into it putting a dent next to the right rear wheel opening. I asked my dealer service advisor (Mercedes Benz of Princeton) to recommend a body shop. They performed a horrible repair, kept my car for over a week and it had 33 more miles on it.

You live and learn.[/QUOTE]

33 miles on it?? What did they use it for, pick ups and deliveries of other people's parts??? That's outrageous for a car going in for body work. I mean, it's not like a brake repair where they have to drive it around for a while to see if it's working right.

jeff 1991 300d, 99k

My 97 Taurus, which is just flat wearing out at 150+K and has been incredibly trouble-free, is rust free except for the tiniest bit of surface rust underneath. It has been very reliable although given indifferent maintenance and it's never seen the inside of a garage, and it does sleet and snow at times here and salt is used. I also note that it has stainless steel, dual, exhaust - pretty amazing that Ford pulled this off on a relatively inexpensive car. They must have a "better idea" when it comes to rustproofing...

Man, Ford must have messed up on your car. Thank your lucky stars if it's never seen the inside of a garage!! I had an '88 Mercury Sable (same car, made in the same plant) that was nothing but JUNK!! I compared notes with anyone with a Taurus or Sable, and the results were the same. All had MAJOR problems. I lost more money on that car, than any other car in my life. It was two Ford products in one .... my first, and my last.

jeff
1991 300d, 99k

MB is a great looking car when its new but it has the worst quality, service and customer records in the world. They don't do recalls accordingly just to save money and let the owners suffer, who ever said MB is afraid of consumer law, they'll wait until you sue them then they'll come to talk you out of the law suit, mercedes benz has lost its old glory

MB is a great looking car when its new but it has the worst quality, service and customer records in the world. They don't do recalls accordingly just to save money and let the owners suffer, who ever said MB is afraid of consumer law, they'll wait until you sue them then they'll come to talk you out of the law suit, mercedes benz has lost its old glory

Sorry, but your comments are a bit extreme. M.B. the "worst"??? What about the Ford Pinto or the Chevrolet Silverado old pickups (fuel tank problems), to name just TWO of the million tricks and ripoffs car companies play on their customers.

I agree they are not great (wiring harnesses, A/C evaps, et.al), but the worst? I don't think so... Ford, G.M., Land Rover, Fiat, Lancia, Skoda (before VW bought it) and any Korean manufacturer come to mind before M.B.

MB is a great looking car when its new but it has the worst quality, service and customer records in the world. They don't do recalls accordingly just to save money and let the owners suffer, who ever said MB is afraid of consumer law, they'll wait until you sue them then they'll come to talk you out of the law suit, mercedes benz has lost its old glory

I don't know, our local dealer treats me like gold. They have done some pretty major goodwill work on my friends 8 year old at the time W210.

If there were any outsanding recalls on my SDL I have no doubt they would do them without batting an eye.

Like I said to the parts guy the other day, "damn if you guys keep treating me so well I'm going to have to buy a new MB from you in a couple years":D

Totally agree with the w210. My '98 e320 is a rust bucket. Spring perch blew about a year ago rust on all wheel wells and bubbles on the doors, trunk, fenders, etc..... There is no way I can sell it for a reasonable price so I am doing to grive it to the grave. Mercedes did pay for the spring perch.
Holding up much better is my '77 w116 which has very little if any rust and my 1995 w124 wagon. In my openion, head gasket and wiring harness aside, is one of the best cars ever produced.

Wow - a 1998 Mercedes with heavy rust? Do you live in the north country?

Rust is not much of a problem here in the south, so I guess that is why it seems so odd. Mainly the only rust here on cars is surface rust on the undercarriage (and thats mainly on the older cars), simply because of the typical high humidity in the southeast.

I have a 1985 380SE, with a very solid body. Mine has some rust, but because of water, rather than salt. Seems like some of the door bottoms are rusted, as it looks like the drains have clogged over the years and no one bothered to clean them out. Also, I have rust on the upper side of the trunk frame from where my antenna seal was leaking. No other rust anywhere else. The undercarriage still looks like new, as do the fenders, rocker panels, jack points, and around the trims.

My 1989 Pontiac Safari wagon, is still 100% rust free. The undercarriage does not even have surface rust. Originally a North Carolina car (until 2000) and then here in Tennessee. It has never been driven in salt before, so thats a key there. The original owner lived in eastern NC- where it snows rarely. He said he never drove it in inclement weather, because its not good in snow anyway. I have owned it since 2000 and I personally never drove it in the snow. We get our roads salted about 2-4 times per winter on average... sometimes more/less.... depending upon the winter. Its not much though.

My 2000 Toyota - no rust- still like new, even on the undercarriage, as is moms 98' Oldsmobile.

Now my older cars- (73' Grand Ville and 69' Caprice) have some undercarriage SURFACE rust- which is perfectly normal for a 30+ year old car that has been outdoors for all of those years. The Caprice has some very repairable rust spots on the lower quarter panels- again, very normal for a old car. Any northern car this old would be gone (rusted away) by now I suppose. Grandpas 1955 Cadillac is still 100% rust free- same with the undercarriage. His UGLY yellow 1976 AMC Gremlin X is also 100% rust free, but its still ugly. :D

I had a 94' Lumina that had very severe undercarriage rust. I had no idea when I bought it, as I did not know a car would rust like that. I thought it was a local car. Further investigation- I found out that the car was originally from northeast Ohio- around Cleveland. That explained that. ;)

Totally agree with the w210. My '98 e320 is a rust bucket. Spring perch blew about a year ago rust on all wheel wells and bubbles on the doors, trunk, fenders, etc..... There is no way I can sell it for a reasonable price so I am doing to grive it to the grave. Mercedes did pay for the spring perch.
Holding up much better is my '77 w116 which has very little if any rust and my 1995 w124 wagon. In my openion, head gasket and wiring harness aside, is one of the best cars ever produced.