About to join the family!

[robsterpaterson]

Good morning all. I'm particularly excited at the moment as I'll be collecting my 2014 E350 next Saturday
It's a lovely big car with 72k miles on it and lots of kit/toys.
There is however one thing that's tempering my excitement - the subframe issues I've now read about . I didn't get a chance to look under it but the current MOT lists 'brake pipes - corroded or covered - all' as an advisory. Prior to me learning about the subframes I had considered that a meticulous previous owner had maybe greased/covered the pipes to prevent corrosion but, now being aware of the issue with rot, my spider sense is tingling a bit.
How common are subframe issues on post-facelift W212's? Ultimately, one of the first things I'll be doing once I collect it will be to get it up axle stands and have a good poke/peer around the subframe and, if any horrors are discovered, I'll be looking to get the trader to remedy the issue...
Anyway, I'm looking forward to browsing previous posts/new posts/being a healthy contributor to the forum

 

[Sweetooth]

Hi and welcome

 

[kendog91]

Welcome to the forum

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Welcome to MBClub and congratulations on your new car. I can’t advise in the subframe, but if you take it to a main dealer for an inspection then they may be able to advise earlier. Subframe replacements (at no cost to the owner) are relatively routine on some specific models now.

 

[robsterpaterson]

Welcome to MBClub and congratulations on your new car. I can’t advise in the subframe, but if you take it to a main dealer for an inspection then they may be able to advise earlier. Subframe replacements (at no cost to the owner) are relatively routine on some specific models now.

Yeah, I've seen some are FoC but I've also heard of some getting refused because of a lack of FSH . With the previous MOT snagging the brakes pipes but not the subframe, I'm only at amber alert for now . I'll have a look around once I get it home. Do you know if there's anywhere particular to check on the subframe?

 

[kendog91]

There are some threads regarding sub frame corrosion on here. They have the models affected and also the places where to check for corrosion. Or like Bobby said maybe a dealer for inspection.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Yeah, I've seen some are FoC but I've also heard of some getting refused because of a lack of FSH . With the previous MOT snagging the brakes pipes but not the subframe, I'm only at amber alert for now . I'll have a look around once I get it home. Do you know if there's anywhere particular to check on the subframe?

Previously the problem has become critical before it’s noticed because most people don’t service their cars regularly and when they do then it’s an oil change, meaning that the only inspection is really the MOT.

The MOT tester won’t know about specific issues on specific models. and can’t remove components to check thoroughly and so the subframe corrosion has to be very bad for MOT tester to spot it.

I would therefore leave to a main dealer as they know exactly what to look for and where, and can ask for your permission to remove components if necessary. Tht will give you best reassurance.

You could book the car in at the main dealer for an MOt which will prompt a visual health check inspection, and so they’ll look out for all of the common issues - and potentials repairs - then.

 

[Fastcar155]

Hi , two point but I am not an expert.

I understand the rear subframes corroded from the inside plus I am sure I read that Mercedes will not entertain foc replacement let's say that you must have owned the car for 12 months.

 

[robsterpaterson]

Hi , two point but I am not an expert.

I understand the rear subframes corroded from the inside plus I am sure I read that Mercedes will not entertain foc replacement let's say that you must have owned the car for 12 months.

Really, they stipulate a period of ownership has to have elapsed? Ta. I'll get it inspected and, if MB won't FoC it, I'll treat it like a consumer issue with the supplying trader.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Wouldn't get too agitated about it. Internet forums amplify issues because

"bad news travels fast while good news takes the scenic route."

That said, if you have bought it from someone living in your local, glorious windblown and wet area, it's worth going through the appropriate steps, if only to make sure it doesn't become worse with your local weather.

 

[robsterpaterson]

Wouldn't get too agitated about it. Internet forums amplify issues because

"bad news travels fast while good news takes the scenic route."

That said, if you have bought it from someone living in your local, glorious windblown and wet area, it's worth going through the appropriate steps, if only to make sure it doesn't become worse with your local weather.

Indeed you're absolutely correct, forums highlight EVERY issue and rarely have threads full of 'no issues this month' type posts . That said, the brakepipes have been noted as being scabby (or 'covered' to be fair) so rot has been mentioned already . I'll have a peek at the likely problem areas and back that up with a genuine inspection .

 

[SmartAmg]

robster.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I think your local favourite MoT tester will say "we always write that on these cars simply because we can't inspect without taking the covers off."

Might be worth looking up the MoT's on a couple of equivalents to see what MoT testers have written on their MoT's

 

[kendog91]

I used some under seal on my brake pipes to preserve them after being replaced and the next MOT the same thing was wrote on my MOT “ brake lines corroded or covered in grease”.

I think your local favourite MoT tester will say "we always write that on these cars simply because we can't inspect without taking the covers off."

Might be worth looking up the MoT's on a couple of equivalents to see what MoT testers have written on their MoT's

 

[robsterpaterson]

I think your local favourite MoT tester will say "we always write that on these cars simply because we can't inspect without taking the covers off."

Might be worth looking up the MoT's on a couple of equivalents to see what MoT testers have written on their MoT's

Aye, another favourite is 'undertray fitted so I can't see some stuff' . I'm hoping a previous owner has zealously covered the pipes in grease in order to prevent them corroding...but I'll find out soon enough

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Aye, another favourite is 'undertray fitted so I can't see some stuff' . I'm hoping a previous owner has zealously covered the pipes in grease in order to prevent them corroding...but I'll find out soon enough

Mmm, I know where my bet on that would be.

Best order a can of goo from Amazon. You can always send it back if you don't need it.

(If you want a bit of comfort, have a snoop to see whether the previous owner had a garage that he was likely to have used. Most don't, but maybe...)