How serious is Mercedes C class subframe failure?

[Agrosslv]

Im in week 7, when i called them they told me that they dont have a clue when parts will be in, only that when they arrive i will get a call straight away.
Customers who pay for it also need to wait that long??

 

[DSM10000]

Im in week 7, when i called them they told me that they dont have a clue when parts will be in, only that when they arrive i will get a call straight away.
Customers who pay for it also need to wait that long??

Is it an issue if paying customers get precedence?

I very much doubt that they do.

 

[DonVitto]

Im in week 7, when i called them they told me that they dont have a clue when parts will be in, only that when they arrive i will get a call straight away.
Customers who pay for it also need to wait that long??

I've been waiting 8 weeks now. Dealer has authority from MB UK to replace the frame free of charge, but the part is unavailable. Not sure how much longer I can go without a vehicle.

 

[DonVitto]

Update: It's getting on for 3 months now I've been without my car. The dealer got the part in 12 days ago, booked the car in a couple of days later. 10 days have passed and they apparently have people off with covid. They keep promising every 2 days it should be done, and then two days later they haven't even started on it.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Off with COVID????. Im not allowed to be off with just mild COVID!!

 

[Petrol Pete]

Covid ? are people still really using that as an excuse ?

 

[DSM10000]

Covid ? are people still really using that as an excuse ?

Did it ever stop?

 

[ALFAitalia]

Around here it has.....as from last Monday you no longer even have to wear masks in hospitals (certain high risk wards excepted). Far bit of coughing at my work at the moment with one off ill.....we have run out of COVID tests but its probably C19 ..... my throat feels like it did the last time I had the plague....other than that I'm good. Life and business goes on.

 

[Skd884]

Around here it has.....as from last Monday you no longer even have to wear masks in hospitals (certain high risk wards excepted). Far bit of coughing at my work at the moment with one off ill.....we have run out of COVID tests but its probably C19 ..... my throat feels like it did the last time I had the plague....other than that I'm good. Life and business goes on.

Order more cv tests, say the dr asked you to take one -

Order COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests

You can no longer order free PCR tests from the NHS.

www.gov.uk

 

[ALFAitalia]

Why? You have to pay now......not going to kill me. And anyone who's that vulnerable will be more than used to protecting themselves by now. Time to try and get back to normality....whatever that might be. Anyway this is getting well off topic and there are other COVID threads..

 

[Petrol Pete]

Did it ever stop?

Did what stop ? using Covid as an excuse to slack off or Covid itself ? Well covid isn't going anywhere so let's just get on with life.

 

[johnsco]

Having read horror stories about subframe corrosion on C class cars, I asked my MOT tester, at the time of my last test, to take off the under-trays and give the rear subframe a very detailed inspection.
He reported ... No problems at all ... Subframe in good condition.
[ Sigh of relief !! ]
As reported in other threads - Not all cars are affected by the problem.

 

[DonVitto]

I can confirm that after almost 3 months I now have my car back with the sub frame replaced, free of charge via the dealer.

It has been a pretty horrendous experience, first waiting for the part, then waiting for the actual repair. The dealer was pretty terrible - delayed putting in the claim with MB UK for two weeks which ultimately led to the part going out of stock, never returned phone calls and booked the car in for the day and then took a week and a half to start on it.

 

[Agrosslv]

I can confirm that after almost 3 months I now have my car back with the sub frame replaced, free of charge via the dealer.

It has been a pretty horrendous experience, first waiting for the part, then waiting for the actual repair. The dealer was pretty terrible - delayed putting in the claim with MB UK for two weeks which ultimately led to the part going out of stock, never returned phone calls and booked the car in for the day and then took a week and a half to start on it.

you are lucky, im waiting for 5 months now, they ordered sub frame on 8 of aprill...every time i call dealer they just say that i will get a call when part arives

 

[DonVitto]

you are lucky, im waiting for 5 months now, they ordered sub frame on 8 of aprill...every time i call dealer they just say that i will get a call when part arives

Damn that is a long time. I thought 3 months was bad.

 

[Niro06]

Well looks like i have the problem! was driving to work applied the brakes and car was dangerously swerving all over the road, limped it back to local garage who have just called to say that the subframe has excessive corrosion and has snapped in half!. no hint of a problem before and passed MOT in september last year. Called mercedes and played hell! upshot is they are collecting the car in the next 2 days to inspect and see if its covered under warranty! which i hope it is as i could have had a serious accident. Car is a W204 2007 C320 with 112000 miles. will report back when i hear from them.

 

[DSM10000]

I would want to know how the MOT examiner missed any signs 6 months ago.

 

[DSM10000]

no hint of a problem before and passed MOT in september last year. Called mercedes and played hell!

"Played hell"

I am sure that works as a tactic.

Your dealer didn't design this part, they didnt specify the materials and finish. These are the people you need on side and not alienate before you se if MB will contribute to the costs.

 

[ray_hennig]

they have significantly improved on build quality over the last few years.

True. But then in 1993 it all went down the pan again, never to return!!!

R

 

[GP801]

I would want to know how the MOT examiner missed any signs 6 months ago.

They rot from the inside out. Very hard to spot until it's too late. Our R171 passed with no problems. Few months later it had almost collapsed. On the 171 in addition to poor material quality there is a design fault such that water that gets in the frame cannot get out. MB picked up the bill despite it being 16 years old at the time.