Corroded rear subframe

[drmacf]

Hi There,

A newbie here. Have a 2008 C class Kompressor, petrol . Seems to be doing fine, before I noticed the windshield washer leaking. So dropped it for repairs. They got back to me stating that the pump has broker and besides that front and rear brake pipers need replacing. Total cost of about 470 quid
Got another call today. Apparently the tech took the car out for a drive( I never asked or was informed) and it didn't feel right. So checked it out and found that that rear sub frame is damaged and the car is in a bad shape!. Strange it might sound,as the last two MOTs were done by the same garage , including an A service. The MOT being in March. So am surprised that the car is nearly falling apart in 5 months time.
I am no expert in cars, so will go and have a look. They are quoting one grand, to repair the subframe. Feel like cr@p to bbh

 

[grober]

The first W204 C class cars had rear subframe corrosion problems- common fault

 

[drmacf]

Any ideas or suggestions
Its a kompressor 180 C class 2008

 

[Deadly Dave]

My GFs 2009 SLK failed the test in 2018 because of a rusty rear subframe. Mercedes replaced it no problems for free !

 

[Petrol Pete]

Hello and welcome . This is a fairly common fault that has sent a few nice cars to the scrapyard. As stated there is anecdotal evidence of MB replacing them FOC as it is not a service item so no lack of 'full MB ' service records means a damn and MB have (allegedly) paid up for some replacements.

Do more research before committing to anything . TBH if you have been quoted £1K that's not bad (relatively speaking) providing they are going to drop the subframe and repair it properly.

The subframe itself is quite cheap ,timed labour to swap it is the killer ££.

 

[Will]

Did they tell you the subframe was damaged before or after they replaced the rear brake pipes?

It’s a known issue for sure, but I’d be inclined to ask how they didn’t notice corrosion when doing the other works if so?

£1500+ spent on a 13 year old C180 is quite a commitment - what’s the rest of the car like?

 

[John]

Hi There,

A newbie here. Have a 2008 C class Kompressor, petrol . Seems to be doing fine, before I noticed the windshield washer leaking. So dropped it for repairs. They got back to me stating that the pump has broker and besides that front and rear brake pipers need replacing. Total cost of about 470 quid
Got another call today. Apparently the tech took the car out for a drive( I never asked or was informed) and it didn't feel right. So checked it out and found that that rear sub frame is damaged and the car is in a bad shape!. Strange it might sound,as the last two MOTs were done by the same garage , including an A service. The MOT being in March. So am surprised that the car is nearly falling apart in 5 months time.
I am no expert in cars, so will go and have a look. They are quoting one grand, to repair the subframe. Feel like cr@p to bbh

Is the garage in question Mercedes or are you using a non-franchised garage?

If this is MB, whilst they are not replacing for free yet, I would have a quiet word with someone in service about the fact you've seen anecdotal evidence (on this forum) of them being swapped out FOC and could they help.

If they aren't interested, locate a decent local independent close to you (MSPL in Brum come highly recommended) and ask them for a quote for comparison and compare against the current favoured garage. At least you know where you stand and can make an informed decision.

 

[drmacf]

Please see the pocs enclosed within, the first one seems the most accurate. The other two I'm not so sure
Kind Regards
Mel

Is the garage in question Mercedes or are you using a non-franchised garage?

If this is MB, whilst they are not replacing for free yet, I would have a quiet word with someone in service about the fact you've seen anecdotal evidence (on this forum) of them being swapped out FOC and could they help.

If they aren't interested, locate a decent local independent close to you (MSPL in Brum come highly recommended) and ask them for a quote for comparison and compare against the current favoured garage. At least you know where you stand and can make an informed decision.

Thanks John,much appreciated
It’s a non-franchised garage
I’m not sure how to contact MB. As I live in Birmingham and work in Lincolnshire
Do you have any contact details to write to?
Does the sub frame, in the first pic look real bad? The garage claimed that the tyre wobbled but I have been doing 250 miles every week on M6 without any issues!

 

[Petrol Pete]

I'm no expert but photo number one looks like a scrap sub frame to me .

 

[drmacf]

My GFs 2009 SLK failed the test in 2018 because of a rusty rear subframe. Mercedes replaced it no problems for free !

Hi Dave,
How did she get it replaced? I live in Birmingham, work in Lincolnshire and bought the car in Swindon
The car is currently an indi garage
Many thanks

Mel

 

[drmacf]

Did they tell you the subframe was damaged before or after they replaced the rear brake pipes?

It’s a known issue for sure, but I’d be inclined to ask how they didn’t notice corrosion when doing the other works if so?

£1500+ spent on a 13 year old C180 is quite a commitment - what’s the rest of the car like?

Not sure what they have done
They called on Monday saying that the break pipes need replacing
Then they called on Tuesday that ‘hey by the way we took it out for a test drive and noticed something was not right’ Hey presto rear sub frame gone
I still don’t know if the brake pipes have been replaced. Can’t take the car out of this garage, as they claim it’s not road worthy!! Checkmate!!
Just last week being doing 200 miles on the motorway, without any complaints!!

Communication is pretty bad, although they are polite
Been doing MOT and service through them for two years
They seem pretty keen on brake pipes!! Although they missed simple things like non functioning tail bulbs and smaller issues during servicing

The car is in pretty good nick tbh
I’m also attached to it, so can’t let it go. Spent more time with it, than even my wife!

 

[Petrol Pete]

OP . concentrate on the sub frame leave the brake pipes . The rear brake pipes are a pig to replace on this car unless the rear sub frame is dropped. No point in spending money fixing rusty brake pipes if the car is going to be scrapped in the near future because of a corroded sub frame.

 

[Will]

Not sure what they have done
They called on Monday saying that the break pipes need replacing
Then they called on Tuesday that ‘hey by the way we took it out for a test drive and noticed something was not right’ Hey presto rear sub frame gone
I still don’t know if the brake pipes have been replaced. Can’t take the car out of this garage, as they claim it’s not road worthy!! Checkmate!!
Just last week being doing 200 miles on the motorway, without any complaints!!

Communication is pretty bad, although they are polite
Been doing MOT and service through them for two years
They seem pretty keen on brake pipes!! Although they missed simple things like non functioning tail bulbs and smaller issues during servicing

The car is in pretty good nick tbh
I’m also attached to it, so can’t let it go. Spent more time with it, than even my wife!

I think it’s unlikely the garage are leading you on here. Perhaps in eyeing up the brake pipe job they noticed the corrosion? Not making excuses for them, but I would be surprised if they were making that up - ask for some pics or pop down for a look if you’re unsure?

Just because you didn’t notice anything when driving it, doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem. You could say the same about the brake pipes

I would clarify with the garage what work (if any) they have carried out yet. It would have been disingenuous if they’d replaced the rear brake pipes and then told you the subframe needed to come down, that was why I asked.

 

[Deadly Dave]

Hi Dave,
How did she get it replaced? I live in Birmingham, work in Lincolnshire and bought the car in Swindon
The car is currently an indi garage
Many thanks

Mel

It failed the test here and the tester said to take it to MSL. We did, they said they have replaced lots of them under warranty. There was no problems with the price as they said there was no charge.

 

[Deleted member 151559]

I would make enquiries but Deadly Dave had a 9 year old car, yours is 13 years old.

How long is any Merc corrosion warranty? Hard to expect any good will given its been out of the network,

Ring round a few specialists and get some prices, but it seems about right if they are fitting a new subframe.

I would not be keen to drive that car. Imagine it falling apart in an emergency stop or evasive manouver.

If the car is otherwise good I'd go for it, I mean its worthless without a subframe and what else are you going to buy for £1500?

 

[drmacf]

Response from Mercedes dealership
Thank you for your email.


If your mechanic ordered the subframe today, the part would arrive with us by Friday/Saturday next week.

If you have full Mercedes Benz dealer service history then please call Mercedes roadside assistance on 0207 975 7077,the car will be recovered to a Mercedes dealership, and you will be provided a car for the duration of the repairs.

Unfortunately, the bodywork warranty covers the main bodyshell of the vehicle and is subject to the vehicle having a full Mercedes main dealer history. The rear axle is a part that is bolted to it and is subject to environmental influence's.

If you send me your accurate mileage and what Mercedes dealerships have serviced your car, I am happy to send a report to Mercedes for any contributions.


I have included an estimate for us to carry out the repairs, should you accept the costs we can provide you with a loan car while the parts are on order, we would need the vehicle to be here on site, the parts are a special-order item so a deposit for the parts would need to be paid first to secure the order. It is purely an estimate and not a quote as vehicles of this age can have seized/corroded bolts, bushes may be perished and split which all takes more time to repair so the costs could increase.

Having the service carried out a main dealer would have highlighted the need for the subframe to be repaired long before the vehicle was deemed unusable thus saving you the additional costs you will incur while the parts are on order, as this is an item that is checked as parts of the service scope. (across all vehicles)

Also, your car passed an MOT on the 2nd of March, and corrosion does not take a few months to take hold but is progressive over a long period of time. A question needs to be asked as to why this wasn't picked up at your MOT test in March?

Please let me know what route you would like to take, and should you accept the estimate we will support you as best we can
------
Estimate
Parts 943.55 Rate
Labour 549.45

total - 1493 , with vat =1791
---------------------------
Just wondering , where could I get an original sub frame and just fit it and get my car back
that's all

 

[drmacf]

ps
If you have full Mercedes Benz dealer service history
Ans) No I don't , so obviously Mercedes will try and wriggle out . So in other words, if you don't, your sub frame will rot in under 13 years!

 

[MrGreedy]

I suspect there is a bit of deflection going on with Mercedes response there.
Yes, the body corrosion warranty blah blah.

But I thought I read that the subframe is a safety issue, and isn't subject to the inspection because it doesn't come under the 'body warranty', and therefore when pressed it is the safety aspect why Mercedes have been replacing these FoC?

Maybe others can provide some insight on this point.

 

[Tonygw]

This is interesting and good luck, I would go back and push Mercedes a bit harder as its a known issue. As for the merc service history, this really is a get out since there are no serviceable parts on the rear subframe. Only parts that need an inspection from time to time, done under the MOT not Mercedes. A Mercedes service history would prove you have had the oil and filter and other filters changed, it would not prevent the rear subframe from corroding.
I wonder if there is any data available on what years of c class or VIN numbers are affected.

After all the C class was one of the most common merc models sold and there are literally thousands on the road.

 

[drmacf]

This is interesting and good luck, I would go back and push Mercedes a bit harder as its a known issue. As for the merc service history, this really is a get out since there are no serviceable parts on the rear subframe. Only parts that need an inspection from time to time, done under the MOT not Mercedes. A Mercedes service history would prove you have had the oil and filter and other filters changed, it would not prevent the rear subframe from corroding.
I wonder if there is any data available on what years of c class or VIN numbers are affected.

After all the C class was one of the most common merc models sold and there are literally thousands on the road.

Thanks Tony, that was really helpful