GALVANISING of MERCEDES CARS

[hawk20]

It is often asked, when did Mercedes start galvanising the steel panels of their cars. Some threads refer to Mercedes and BMW beginning galvanising in 2004. I have -from an unimpeachable source- the detailed picture concerning Mercedes.
I set out the picture –model by model- below.

C CLASS -203 series- saloon and estates: -
All steel panels were galvanised from Quarter 2 2003 production onwards.
During the previous six months (Q4 2002 + Q1 2003) the process was
gradually introduced on the production line and therefore some vehicles
were galvanised during this lead-up period, but not all.

E CLASS -211 series- saloon and estates: -
All steel panels were galvanised from Quarter 1, 2003, production onwards.
During the previous quarter (Q4, 2002) the process was gradually introduced
on the production line and therefore some vehicles were galvanised during
this lead-up period, but not all.

CLK CLASS – 209 series
All steel panels were galvanised from Quarter 2 2003 production onwards.
During the previous six months (Q4 2002 + Q1 2003) the process was
gradually introduced on the production line and therefore some vehicles
were galvanised during this lead-up period, but not all.

SL CLASS –R230 series
This is not so easy to be specific because the change-over period
continued right through into Q3 2004. So although many SLs were galvanised in early 2004 it is not till the end of the third quarter of 2004 that one can say that all were galvanised.

S CLASS –220series and CL class 215 series.
The S class and CL class are built of a combination of aluminium and steel. For the aluminium components there is, of course, no galvanising process.

All steel panels were galvanised from Quarter 1 2003 production onwards.
During the previous quarter (Q4 2002) the process was gradually introduced
on the production line and therefore some vehicles were galvanised during
this lead-up period, but not all.

I hope members find this helpful.

 

[hawk20]

I've been asked do Mercedes galvanise both sides of the steel panels as apparently some car makers galvanise one side only due to the difficulty of getting a good paint finish on galvanised steel.

I can confirm that Mercedes galvanise both sides of the steel panels.

 

[glojo]

If your certain of these facts then I'm as happy as a sand boy

Well done and thanks for the information.

Regards,
John

 

[hawk20]

If your certain of these facts then I'm as happy as a sand boy

Well done and thanks for the information.

Regards,
John

Thanks Glojo. Yes I am certain.

 

[evdok]

Just to clarify,

my car is a Dec 03 E class, i assume its galvanised then?

 

[Glenn Smith]

It is often asked, when did Mercedes start galvanising the steel panels of their cars. Some threads refer to Mercedes and BMW beginning galvanising in 2004. I have -from an unimpeachable source- the detailed picture concerning Mercedes.
I set out the picture –model by model- below.

C CLASS -203 series- saloon and estates: -
All steel panels were galvanised from Quarter 2 2003 production onwards.
During the previous six months (Q4 2002 + Q1 2003) the process was
gradually introduced on the production line and therefore some vehicles
were galvanised during this lead-up period, but not all.

E CLASS -211 series- saloon and estates: -
All steel panels were galvanised from Quarter 1, 2003, production onwards.
During the previous quarter (Q4, 2002) the process was gradually introduced
on the production line and therefore some vehicles were galvanised during
this lead-up period, but not all.

CLK CLASS – 209 series
All steel panels were galvanised from Quarter 2 2003 production onwards.
During the previous six months (Q4 2002 + Q1 2003) the process was
gradually introduced on the production line and therefore some vehicles
were galvanised during this lead-up period, but not all.

SL CLASS –R230 series
This is not so easy to be specific because the change-over period
continued right through into Q3 2004. So although many SLs were galvanised in early 2004 it is not till the end of the third quarter of 2004 that one can say that all were galvanised.

S CLASS –220series and CL class 215 series.
The S class and CL class are built of a combination of aluminium and steel. For the aluminium components there is, of course, no galvanising process.

All steel panels were galvanised from Quarter 1 2003 production onwards.
During the previous quarter (Q4 2002) the process was gradually introduced
on the production line and therefore some vehicles were galvanised during
this lead-up period, but not all.

I hope members find this helpful.

I have asked DCUK for this info, i won't buy another mercedes unless it is galvanized, but so far they have not responded, well , only to say they are investigating my request. so this is very helpfull, thanks.

 

[glojo]

Thanks Glojo. Yes I am certain.

A year or so ago a member of this forum was considering buying a second-hand E-class 211. I stated that a good era to look at would be January 2004 - August\September 2004. During this period the E-class has the nano technology and better standard features. From the summer on-wards Mercedes-Benz started withdrawing some of the standard features. Unfortunately it was suggested that galvanising was not introduced until late 2004 early 2005 This then made my observation more of a gamble. Now you have clarified the issue it makes my suggestion a far better consideration.

Thanks again,
John

 

[G40]

Just bear in mind that just because a car is registered in Dec 2004, it doesn't mean that it hasn't been sitting in a field for a year/18mths.

 

[stats007]

It is often asked, when did Mercedes start galvanising the steel panels of their cars. Some threads refer to Mercedes and BMW beginning galvanising in 2004. I have -from an unimpeachable source- the detailed picture concerning Mercedes.
I set out the picture –model by model- below.

C CLASS -203 series- saloon and estates: -
All steel panels were galvanised from Quarter 2 2003 production onwards.
During the previous six months (Q4 2002 + Q1 2003) the process was
gradually introduced on the production line and therefore some vehicles
were galvanised during this lead-up period, but not all.

E CLASS -211 series- saloon and estates: -
All steel panels were galvanised from Quarter 1, 2003, production onwards.
During the previous quarter (Q4, 2002) the process was gradually introduced
on the production line and therefore some vehicles were galvanised during
this lead-up period, but not all.

CLK CLASS – 209 series
All steel panels were galvanised from Quarter 2 2003 production onwards.
During the previous six months (Q4 2002 + Q1 2003) the process was
gradually introduced on the production line and therefore some vehicles
were galvanised during this lead-up period, but not all.

SL CLASS –R230 series
This is not so easy to be specific because the change-over period
continued right through into Q3 2004. So although many SLs were galvanised in early 2004 it is not till the end of the third quarter of 2004 that one can say that all were galvanised.

S CLASS –220series and CL class 215 series.
The S class and CL class are built of a combination of aluminium and steel. For the aluminium components there is, of course, no galvanising process.

All steel panels were galvanised from Quarter 1 2003 production onwards.
During the previous quarter (Q4 2002) the process was gradually introduced
on the production line and therefore some vehicles were galvanised during
this lead-up period, but not all.

I hope members find this helpful.

Are you referring to galvanising of all body panels? Mercedes started galvanising much earlier than this list suggests so I presume you're just concerned with current models?

 

[glojo]

Just bear in mind that just because a car is registered in Dec 2004, it doesn't mean that it hasn't been sitting in a field for a year/18mths.

It is very easy to be a pessimist and there is nothing that anyone can say that will convince these types that a glass is half full, instead of half empty.

However the good news is that those that ordered a BRAND NEW January 2004 E-class can very easily check to see if it was indeed built in 2004, likewise in the summer of 2004 standard features were left off vehicles, so I feel we have that year pretty sewn up. I can't vouch for later years but you will always have improvements\modifications. 7G transmission, V6 320CDI, facelift etc etc.

Regards,
John the optimist

 

[Glenn Smith]

It is very easy to be a pessimist and there is nothing that anyone can say that will convince these types that a glass is half full, instead of half empty.

However the good news is that those that ordered a BRAND NEW January 2004 E-class can very easily check to see if it was indeed built in 2004, likewise in the summer of 2004 standard features were left off vehicles, so I feel we have that year pretty sewn up. I can't vouch for later years but you will always have improvements\modifications. 7G transmission, V6 320CDI, facelift etc etc.

Regards,
John the optimist

Well, i don't think that is being pessimistic, realistic maybe, but the vin will tell you when it was made.
As an engineer i would say the glass is twice the size it needs to be.

 

[Glenn Smith]

Are you referring to galvanising of all body panels? Mercedes started galvanising much earlier than this list suggests so I presume you're just concerned with current models?

I see no evidence of galvanising on earlier mercs, a properly galvanised car will go 20yrs+ without rust, has anyone seen a rust free 20yr old Merc?

 

[grober]

OLD MERCS galvanised??

A quote from the Mercedes brochure on the 190 models of 1992 " Galvanised steel paneling is used for those parts of the body particularly susceptible to corrosion. The cavity sealing has been improved in order to prevent corrosion from inside. "They dont specify exactly which panels/structures were galvanised? but also mention wax injection elsewhere in the brochure. I do recall however an earlier 190 brochure which stated that it was not Mercedes body protection design to galvanise the whole underbody structure since it was "unnecesssary" and added extra weight and expense. I always felt that Mercedes of that vintage were very good in the short to mid term due to their wax injection, underbody sealing, wheel arch liners, good basic design and excellent solvent based paint system. Lack of comprehensive underbody galvanising would finally begin to catch up with them in the longer term say-- post 10-12 years --in the form of major structural corrosion.

 

[stats007]

As Grober says not panels were galvanised but in this respect R129s have always had this treatment and cavity injection. The thickness of the zinc plating increased to 10 microns in 1996.

 

[glojo]

They dont specify exactly which panels/structures were galvanised? but also mention wax injection elsewhere in the brochure.

Your point reminds me of an excellent point made many years ago by our local TV weatherman. He stated that we could expect snow on high ground. He then went on to say that before anyone phones in to enquire how I define high ground..........

Look out your window. If you see snow, then your on high ground Brilliant

I would suggest Mercedes-Benz have galvanised the parts where there is no rust... Tyres, seats, upholstery etc etc

Regards,
John

 

[grober]

Your point reminds me of an excellent point made many years ago by our local TV weatherman. He stated that we could expect snow on high ground. He then went on to say that before anyone phones in to enquire how I define high ground..........

Look out your window. If you see snow, then your on high ground Brilliant

I would suggest Mercedes-Benz have galvanised the parts where there is no rust... Tyres, seats, upholstery etc etc

Regards,
John

There seems to be 3 lines of thought on galvanising car bodies.

1. The Cosmetic approach-- Mainly exterior panels subject to corrosion galvanised possibly only on one side? to maintain appearance.

2. The Structural approach--- normally major load bearing box sections concerned with safety cell integrity or panels associated with vital crumple zones.

3. The Complete approach--- where the complete floorpan/ chassis members/ box sections/ suspension attachments/subframe mounts etc are all galvanised. exceptions being the body above the mid line where its deemed unnecessary.

Any under body coating can be penetrated or worn away of course in the due course of time but a galvanised floorpan with good underbody protection will certainly increase the longevity of any car.

I'm not sure which categories the early or late MB models fit into myself. In the old manufacturer sales literature you would often get a body cutaway diagram showing the different protected areas ( the protection coating denoted by colour or shading) which demonstrated very clearly the extent of body protection
Funny I don't recall seeing many of those recently!

correction:- For a demonstration heres a picture of the bodyshell of the latest Subaru legacy from their technical literature showing the [ shaded]steel panels galvanised on both sides !

 

[hawk20]

Just to clarify,

my car is a Dec 03 E class, i assume its galvanised then?

You need to check the build date. Ask your dealer as they have loads of info about your car on computer now. Quite interesting to see it all. Or can get build date from the VIN number.

 

[evdok]

You need to check the build date. Ask your dealer as they have loads of info about your car on computer now. Quite interesting to see it all. Or can get build date from the VIN number.

Build date is 14/10/2003

 

[evdok]

Called milton keynes today, they know as much about my cars data as i do about NASA'S SPACE STATION

 

[hawk20]

Called milton keynes today, they know as much about my cars data as i do about NASA'S SPACE STATION

Your build date is well inside the time when galvanising of all E's was being done.

Your dealer is not being helpful. Mine showed me all the info they have in the computer used in the Service Department. Includes full spec, build date, options etc etc