Corrosion to rear subframe advice

[akiiraja96]

Hi all,

I had my mot done a couple of months ago and had an advisory for corrosion to rear subframe. I’ve done a health check with Mercedes directly and they have mentioned the corrosion and agreed to replace under warranty. The issue is they’ve said it can take a few weeks for the part to arrive. I want to ask if it’s still safe to drive given the size of the hole, for a few weeks? Photo attached for reference.

Thanks for all the replies, in advance.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

The MOT place would be the best to ask. MB will say no as they won't want any liability.

The best you can hope for from the MOT place is a hunch really, they too won't want any liability issues.

 

[robsterpaterson]

If it's just been an advisory on the MOT then it'll be fine to drive in the meantime.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Strange that is only got an advisory.....any non factory hole through a subframe caused by corrosion is a fail.....but for some reason I can't see the photos on my phone.

 

[akiiraja96]

Strange that is only got an advisory.....any non factory hole through a subframe caused by corrosion is a fail.....but for some reason I can't see the photos on my phone.

I think at that time it wasn’t as bad and only a crack. But since it’s been 2 months since the MOT so maybe in that time it turned into a hole

 

[Petrol Pete]

I can not tell from the poor quality photos but rear subframe issues on W204's is well documented on this fourum and others.

Take it to Mercedes Benz and demand a new subframe to be fitted FOC .

You will not be the first person they have seen recntly who made the same demand.

Good luck.

 

[robsterpaterson]

I can not tell from the poor quality photos but rear subframe issues on W204's is well documented on this fourum and others.

Take it to Mercedes Benz and demand a new subframe to be fitted FOC .

You will not be the first person they have seen recntly who made the same demand.

Good luck.

Personally, I'd take the view that you get more with sugar than with vinegar ie, I'd speak with MB and enquire what the course of action would be. If they told me not to worry about cost etc then fine. If they played silly beggars then that's when the demands would start.

 

[akiiraja96]

Strange that is only got an advisory.....any non factory hole through a subframe caused by corrosion is a fail.....but for some reason I can't see the photos on my phone.

Hi , may I send you a video of the health inspection by Mercedes, in which the subframe is mentioned, so that I can get your opinion?

 

[markjay]

I would also ask them to let you know of anything else that they see while doing the job - corroded brake lines, perished bushes, etc - MB dealers have been know to just replace the corroded rear subframe under warranty and ignore other issues that necessitated the removal of the subframe shortly afterwards... you can then make an informed decision whether you would like to pay the dealer to sort out any such additional repairs that may come to light.

 

[E350John]

Hi all,

I had my mot done a couple of months ago and had an advisory for corrosion to rear subframe. I’ve done a health check with Mercedes directly and they have mentioned the corrosion and agreed to replace under warranty. The issue is they’ve said it can take a few weeks for the part to arrive. I want to ask if it’s still safe to drive given the size of the hole, for a few weeks? Photo attached for reference.

Thanks for all the replies, in advance.

Hi, my 2010 S212 failed mot with rusty rear subframe in early June this year, MB Brooklands ran a health check on the car and sent to Stuttgart and within a few days i received confirmation that the subframe would be replaced by MB FOC. I was not allowed to drive the car away from the dealer and warned that they did not know when the subframe would be delivered to the dealer for replacement. I asked for a quote for rear break line replacement as I was told this would be half the normal price as the subframe would be off for replacement anyway. Price quoted was £1450. I said that I did not believe that they would normally charge £2800 to replace rear break line and declined their offer. I have now been waiting for nearly 5 months for the subframe to arrive from Stuttgart
and still have no date for this, for all I know it could be another 5 months. How long are other dealers waiting for this part???. I am assured that the part is ordered for my car and cannot be used for another car and it is not a case of who shouts loudest. I am not blaming MB Brooklands as I am sure they do not want to store cars for months while they wait for subframes. Over the last month I have made two complaints to Stuttgart via MB head office UK on each occasion been told I would get a response within 7days. No response to either complaint. Has anybody waited longer than this? Any suggestions what I should do to get my car fixed and back?

 

[Petrol Pete]

Personally, I'd take the view that you get more with sugar than with vinegar ie, I'd speak with MB and enquire what the course of action would be. If they told me not to worry about cost etc then fine. If they played silly beggars then that's when the demands would start.

Hi Rob , I see that you have only recently joined us . From what I have seen over the last few years on here is thet MB don't do 'Sugar' . They spend a whole lot of money on lawyers instead. They play 'silly beggars' all of the time , it's in their DNA . Obviously on your first enqiry be polite (as we all are by nature) but be prepared to be told by MB to fruck off.

 

[akiiraja96]

Hi guys, so basically Mercedes have said the subframe has arrived. I booked it in once I got the text, and it’s going in tomorrow. They said it will take a couple of days. It took them 2 weeks to acquire the part but I had to call them up and ask them ‘hi I was to receive a subframe replacement and the part was ordered a couple of weeks ago I was wondering if it’s arrived?’ They replied ‘we will find out and get back to you.’ Next day they texted me that the subframe had arrived and that I book the car in by calling them. So I booked it in for a week later, which is tomorrow. They said it will take a couple of days. I’ve been driving the car locally for essential journeys and have so far had no problems. It’s been about 3 weeks since the initial health check and I’ve probably covered about 100+ miles. So far all good. Car going in tomorrow for subframe replacement so fingers crossed. Will take couple of days. I’ll get back to the thread with an update once work is completed.

Thanks to all

 

[ForgxxxR]

Hi guys, so basically Mercedes have said the subframe has arrived. I booked it in once I got the text, and it’s going in tomorrow. They said it will take a couple of days. It took them 2 weeks to acquire the part but I had to call them up and ask them ‘hi I was to receive a subframe replacement and the part was ordered a couple of weeks ago I was wondering if it’s arrived?’ They replied ‘we will find out and get back to you.’ Next day they texted me that the subframe had arrived and that I book the car in by calling them. So I booked it in for a week later, which is tomorrow. They said it will take a couple of days. I’ve been driving the car locally for essential journeys and have so far had no problems. It’s been about 3 weeks since the initial health check and I’ve probably covered about 100+ miles. So far all good. Car going in tomorrow for subframe replacement so fingers crossed. Will take couple of days. I’ll get back to the thread with an update once work is completed.

Thanks to all

Nice! Two weeks is encouraging. My car went in on 1st November and I'm still awaiting an update call to tell me that the subframe has arrived. Hoping all is sorted by end of November!

 

[ht23]

Hi guys, so basically Mercedes have said the subframe has arrived. I booked it in once I got the text, and it’s going in tomorrow. They said it will take a couple of days. It took them 2 weeks to acquire the part but I had to call them up and ask them ‘hi I was to receive a subframe replacement and the part was ordered a couple of weeks ago I was wondering if it’s arrived?’ They replied ‘we will find out and get back to you.’ Next day they texted me that the subframe had arrived and that I book the car in by calling them. So I booked it in for a week later, which is tomorrow. They said it will take a couple of days. I’ve been driving the car locally for essential journeys and have so far had no problems. It’s been about 3 weeks since the initial health check and I’ve probably covered about 100+ miles. So far all good. Car going in tomorrow for subframe replacement so fingers crossed. Will take couple of days. I’ll get back to the thread with an update once work is completed.

Thanks to all

That’s good to hear! I’m waiting for an indépendant to get back to me about the condition of the rear SF on my CLK. Being a 23 year old car I’m unsure whether MB would consider doing this FOC or not. What car have you got?

 

[E350John]

Just an update on my 2 Nov posting, my car has just ha

 

[E350John]

Just an update on my 2 Nov posting, my car has just ha

Has just had its subframe replaced. Total wait was 5 months and 11 days. Service mgr says they had a lot of subframes suddenly delivered. Over the last 8 weeks we have been following the complaints procedure (3 calls each after 2 weeks) to head office only one text from them saying new system causing delays. They are supposed to respond in 7 days and still no response to explain the delay of providing a new subframe.
Workshop took couple of days.
I would like to know how the subframes get allocated to the dealers, has anyone had to wait longer, was I just unlucky?

 

[ForgxxxR]

Has just had its subframe replaced. Total wait was 5 months and 11 days. Service mgr says they had a lot of subframes suddenly delivered. Over the last 8 weeks we have been following the complaints procedure (3 calls each after 2 weeks) to head office only one text from them saying new system causing delays. They are supposed to respond in 7 days and still no response to explain the delay of providing a new subframe.
Workshop took couple of days.
I would like to know how the subframes get allocated to the dealers, has anyone had to wait longer, was I just unlucky?

That seems long. I'm getting my car back tomorrow after a subframe replacement. 21 days in total she was gone.

 

[Shinatra78]

Hi all,

I had my mot done a couple of months ago and had an advisory for corrosion to rear subframe. I’ve done a health check with Mercedes directly and they have mentioned the corrosion and agreed to replace under warranty. The issue is they’ve said it can take a few weeks for the part to arrive. I want to ask if it’s still safe to drive given the size of the hole, for a few weeks? Photo attached for reference.

Thanks for all the replies, in advance.

Hi all,

I had my mot done a couple of months ago and had an advisory for corrosion to rear subframe. I’ve done a health check with Mercedes directly and they have mentioned the corrosion and agreed to replace under warranty. The issue is they’ve said it can take a few weeks for the part to arrive. I want to ask if it’s still safe to drive given the size of the hole, for a few weeks? Photo attached for reference.

Thanks for all the replies, in advance.

It’s great that you found this blog! The rust converter seems really effective. For your car, it's better not to take risks. Consult a mechanic to assess driving safety with the hole while waiting for a replacement part. Good luck !

 

[Shinatra78]

It’s great that you found this blog! The rust converter seems really effective. For your car, it's better not to take risks. Consult a mechanic to assess driving safety with the hole while waiting for a replacement part. Good luck !

hello again sorry because there was a slight change on the site link here is the new rust converter thank you

 

[Kcl]

My 2013 E250 with only 67000miles failed MOT due to subframe corrosion. After inspectiion the Mercedes dealer consulted Mercedes and agreed to replace the subframe under warranty. But they insisted on a pre-authorised £250 for any work (or parts replacement) “THEY” feel needed during the process of replacing the subframe - ie they go ahead and spend without consulting me up to £250 . They now called me to ask me to pay for £29.28for 4 sets of bolts and nuts !!!. Few years ago we had a similar issue with our C280, and it was replaced all free.

I feel it is a cheek to ask me to pay for the bolts and nuts replacing the subframe.

Has anyone experienced this similarly?