Fastcar155
MB Enthusiast
Hi , how serious is the subframe failure on Mercedes Benz C class cars ?
How serious is Mercedes C class subframe failure?
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Justintyme
Active Member
Yes its a serious issue...when it occurs, it can be very dangerous. The sub-frames in any vehicle are what holds all the road operational parts to the main frame of the vehicle. Suspensions, brakes, steering...all depend on the sub frame. So a collapse of any part of a subframe, can have very serious consequences.
Fastcar155
MB Enthusiast
Hi Justintyme ,thank you very much for your reply.
I have a 2016 C207 that I am taking for an for a total underbody and break line inspection !
I have a good relationship with the garage that MOT my cars and the receptionist suggested that I take the car for a specialist brake pipe and underbody inspection.
The reason is all the underbody trays take ages to remove and replace and can cover a multitude of sins.
I would be a little annoyed if any structural issues are found as this car has spent most of its winter life in sunny dry Portugal.
Will report back with results.
Jonesy161
Active Member
I’ve just (yesterday) had my car back from subframe replacement at my cost, it looked ok from underneath, apart from some rust bubbles near the front mounts. After closer inspection the rust bubbles turned out to be serious and widespread rot.
It’s absolutely unbelievable for a so called premier marque to be affected by a serious structural defect.
Remember when Alfa romeo were virtually bankrupted by similar defects, God knows who designed a car that can’t stand up to rain.
It’s absolutely unbelievable for a so called premier marque to be affected by a serious structural defect.
Remember when Alfa romeo were virtually bankrupted by similar defects, God knows who designed a car that can’t stand up to rain.
Justintyme
Active Member
For what it's worth, I'd be more inclined to blame whatever coatings they're spreading on the roads for winter driving..we see it a lot here in Ireland on UK imported cars, its not as bad on cars which spend their entire lives here, especially in the Midlands.
Jonesy161
Active Member
Sorry, Merc didn’t ask me when I spent £34k about the prevailing driving conditions I’d encounter. My subframe was scrapped after 60k miles so it probably went downhill at 40k.
Justintyme
Active Member
Its really amazing what dealerships "forget " to warn prospective customers about....like maybe giving the undersides of a vehicle a really good powerhosing after the winter....or better still, designing a subframe and associated parts that can withstand the rigors of salted roads.
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Do you mean to ask how prevalent this problem is or what are the safety implications of a subframe that fails?
Fastcar155
MB Enthusiast
Hi , I purchased a new FIAT 131 Supermifori in 1978.
Car scrapped in 1981 , totally rotten.
Concerned that my C207 could go the same way being scrapped after 5 years
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You are hardly competing like with like here.
Undoubtedly MB have had issues with corrosion in the past but they have significantly improved on build quality over the last few years.
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These were all "Superleggera" designs.I had a 1978 Alfasud 1.3ti, followed by a 1979 Alfetta... don't talk to me about rust, it brings up my PTSD
As the engines wore out so the bodywork became lighter to compensate.
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These were all "Superleggera" designs.
As the engines wore out so the bodywork became lighter to compensate.
They did get lighter when bits fell off but rusty metal is heavier than non rusty.
Justintyme
Active Member
Thats a good time for a Mirafiori to last...but you will find that MB are better than that. I mean that Fiats from that era rusted..everywhere!!! Yeah, I owned one or two of them, so I know about them too.
Jonesy161
Active Member
I used to service a couple of Alfasuds, fantastic car to drive in its day.I had a 1978 Alfasud 1.3ti, followed by a 1979 Alfetta... don't talk to me about rust, it brings up my PTSD
Well from whats been posted,it seems that there is some question about the quality of the material that the sub frames are made of and the fact they are shaped and have holes that allow water to lay and get inside has caused failure in only a few years,MB seem to be replacing them free of charge,on some cars,I agree with posters it does not seem right that cars have rotted like this ,I thought we had left that all behind us since late 90's
Petrol Pete
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
The rear sub frame issues on C class 204's is a 'known' hence why so many used/refurbed available to buy on line . My friend who owns two garages recent scrapped a very nice C class because it failed the MOT due to subframe and the owner did not want to pay for the replacement. They are quite cheap but the labour cost is big.
On the other hand there are stories out there of MB replacing it FOC , even on older cars without full MB service history.
On the other hand there are stories out there of MB replacing it FOC , even on older cars without full MB service history.
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Fastcar155
MB Enthusiast
Hi , really sorry I brought up past.I had a 1978 Alfasud 1.3ti, followed by a 1979 Alfetta... don't talk to me about rust, it brings up my PTSD
