Corroding Alloys?

[sportedition]

Sorry to hear you're having difficulty. I noticed a slight blemish on one of the front alloys at the weekend and so I've been back in touch with the dealer. They've agreed to replace that wheel too so I've just had to buy the one.

Car is going in on Friday so all being well I should have four new wheels and two new tyres on by the weekend. I'll let you know how I go on. Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[x332race]

Took my car to the dealers today as my 5 spoke alloys are corroding on the arms....they have taken photos and are going to send to MB. Fingers crossed for good result! Car is a 2004/54 C270.

That was quick...got phone call this afternoon....apparently MB are not going to do anything about the corrosion due to "excessive rim damage"......seems a bit of a cop out to me as the rims are hardly damaged...i tend not to rub up against kerbs....I suppose it was pushing it a bit on a 4.5 year old car, but worth a go anyway...

 

[azaman]

The Evo wheels on the coupe all seem to corrode. I've got the same problem on my 04 coupe.

 

[x332race]

Gave my previous post and the response from Hughes of Aylesbury some thought and had another look at my wheels....as far as I can see, there is little or no rim damage.....I am careful with my wheels....I fail to see why they can claim that there is excessive rim damage...

Anyway, decided to complain to MB customer dept....sent them email + photos of the wheels....lo and behold, they come back and tell me that there is excessive rim damage too!!

I attach photos so you can make your own minds up....seems to me this is a rather weak excuse to get away with doing nothing in my case.

 

[x332race]

Horray....result, after a bit of persistence, MB customer service have agreed to pay 90% of the cost if I am willing to pay 10%.....I think I can live with that!
Very pleased.....

Standard C-class sport wheels so hoping not extravagantly expensive!!

 

[sportedition]

Just thought I'd post to let people know that everything went well. Mercedes replaced three of the wheels and I bought one to replace the wheel that wasn't corroding. I managed to sell the original wheel on ebay so it hardly cost me anything in the end.

Car looks much better on it nice shiny new wheels!

 

[x332race]

Just thought I'd post to let people know that everything went well. Mercedes replaced three of the wheels and I bought one to replace the wheel that wasn't corroding. I managed to sell the original wheel on ebay so it hardly cost me anything in the end.

Car looks much better on it nice shiny new wheels!

QUOTE]

Well done...good result.

 

[sportedition]

I've been very pleased with how mercedes have dealt with my warranty claims.

 

[johnsco]

I wish Id had my camera today- I saw the most faded yellow SLK Ive ever seen.This poor thing was in dire need of TLC, and I was sorely tempted to write, "Shame on you!" on a note and leave it under the wiper...

Johnsco

 

[thefair1973]

just out of interest, if I have recently acquired a '54' plate ML that has spots of bubbling on the alloys, can I still go in to an MB dealer and request they replace them? Even though the car is 5 yeard old? Also, there appears to be a small bubble of rust next to the drivers door window seal - assuming this should be covered under a corrosion warranty too?

 

[x332race]

just out of interest, if I have recently acquired a '54' plate ML that has spots of bubbling on the alloys, can I still go in to an MB dealer and request they replace them? Even though the car is 5 yeard old? Also, there appears to be a small bubble of rust next to the drivers door window seal - assuming this should be covered under a corrosion warranty too?

They agreed to replace the alloys on my 2004/54 W203 in May (2009).....I had to contribute 10% of the cost (around £80), which I though was fair.

I have not experience of rust matters on bodywork, but get the impression that it should be covered but may not be if previous repairs have been undertaken to paint in the locality or rust is caused by a scratch / stonechip....

 

[Gollom]

just out of interest, if I have recently acquired a '54' plate ML that has spots of bubbling on the alloys, can I still go in to an MB dealer and request they replace them? Even though the car is 5 yeard old? Also, there appears to be a small bubble of rust next to the drivers door window seal - assuming this should be covered under a corrosion warranty too?

Normally they will not even entertain a claim until you have owned the car at least 6 months. Also, MOBILO must be valid i.e. the car serviced at a MB dealer during it's lifetime

Worth doing a search on the forum

 

[thefair1973]

once I've owned it for 6 months, can I still amke a claim for the corrosion on the wheels and bodywork then? I would have thought I could make a claim regardless of how long I've owned it. MB offer a anti-corrosion warranty on their bodywork and this has obviously corroded within this period. Regardless of how long I've owned it, surely it's still covered by this warranty?

 

[thefair1973]

FYI, I just checked with MB Hertford and their bodyshop guy informed me that as a result of corrosion issues on W163 cars, they have a goodwill period of 8 years for corrosion to bodywork. All I need is my service book and V5 and then I can take it in, they will do an inspection and then send off the claim. Result! Just need to wait for my V5 now!