2006 Slk rear subframe replaced for £0.00 by MB

[Skd884]

Got an SLK R171? Rear Subframe - Get It Checked! - Page 1 - Mercedes - PistonHeads UK

 

[grober]

Before anyone gets their hopes up-- conditions may apply -- FMBSH and being the original purchaser helps a lot in these cases!

 

[Deleted member 166589]

Before anyone gets their hopes up-- conditions may apply -- FMBSH and being the original purchaser helps a lot in these cases!

It seems he’s not the original owner. No mention if he has fsh either. But you’re right; it would still help a lot depending on which dealership you go to. It seems there’s different responses at different dealers.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Exactly what we have been discussing on this forum for a while now mainly regarding W204 C class cars. Get your rear sub frame checked and do not take no for an answer from Mercedes Benz , no matter what your service history.

 

[markjay]

I think the issue is that MB have previously recognised the early 2000s' R171 cars as suffering from corroded subframe, a lot of info about it on the US forums, but as far as I am aware they have never formally accepted this as a manufacturing fault on the 2009-2013 W204s.

 

[190]

I inspected my subframe last week and except for a little surface rust which was treated and then painted it looked solid. There are several small holes in the subframe including drain holes at the lowest points so I emptied a whole aerosol can of cavity wax inside and also sprayed all over outside. Should have done it years ago.

I also removed the nearside undertray and rear wheel arch liner to expose the brake lines route from front to back and greased the brake lines. The lines under the tray were OK and I would suggest there are only two areas at serious risk of corrosion. One is where having followed the undertray close to the sill they turn up behind the wheel arch liner. Immediately above the bend they are protected from abrasion by rubber sleeves just asking to hold water on the lines and start corrosion, I greased them up before sliding the rubber sleeves back in position. The other area is the line to the off side rear wheel from where it leaves the top of the wheel arch liner and goes across the rear of the car. This is the section of line that we have heard cause MOT Failures, in fact it's the only section of line that the tester can see as the rest is hidden by the undertray and wheel arch liner. I've already had this section replaced with Cupro nickel so I'm sleeping easier for the next MOT.

 

[Deleted member 166589]

I joined this group due to my interest in buying a C-Class coupe or saloon from about 2010 onward. Someone I once knew had a brother who worked at MB (he didn’t say in what capacity) said he wouldn’t touch the C-Class due to the subframe issue. Baby and bathwater I’m thinking here because surely not ALL C-Class from about that time would’ve been affected otherwise it would be news everywhere. Could someone narrow down the year/VIN/etc etc that this issue affected as I’d like to purchase one but it could/likely be the issue that makes me steer clear (unfortunately as they’re rather good cars!).

 

[SpikyMikey]

Could someone narrow down the year/VIN/etc etc that this issue affected as I’d like to purchase one but it could/likely be the issue that makes me steer clear (unfortunately as they’re rather good cars!).

From the info gleaned on this forum, I'm pretty sure that's the $64000 question! There doesn't seem to be a sweet (or not so) spot in terms of manufacturing year.
FWIW, my 2013 S204 looks OK, but that's only on the outside and from what I read, they rot from the inside.

 

[Deleted member 166589]

Without definitive info, as you imply, I’d be better looking elsewhere at other marques. An Audi A4 from about 2011 maybe. At first (light) research, they seem, on paper, to be rather a good bet!

 

[Deleted member 166589]

Markjay has put 2009-2014 as the years to ‘be aware of’ so assuming prior to 2009 all is ok? I wonder what changed that year to make an issue of the subframe?