Mercedes w204 2012 Concours 26k Subframe failure!!!!

[oldguy57]

I cannot believe the phone call i had tonight with my father in law, around 12 years ago he bought a Approved used 2012 w204 c200 from Colchester Mercedes.

The car has always had a service plan with them "Colchester Mercedes" from day one, This car is totally immaculate and in that 10 years has covered a total of 16,000 miles!

Current ,mileage is 26,700

It failed its mot for the very 1st time on a HOLE in the rear subframe, with Mercedes Colchester quoting a Bill in excess of £2,000 for replacement.
There was a mild suggestion of some MB contribution towards replacement but seriously!! There was zero corrosion anywhere mentioned on last years MOT and now a substatial hole has apeared.

The car has always been looked after by them on time everytime and always had Mercedes parts fitted, These cars i thought came with a 30 year corrosion waranty didnt they?
Anyway just thought id share his story.

I had to lol at the "mild suggestion" comment. Look at the Similar Threads section at the bottom of the thread to see how many have faced this issue. It's a try on by the dealership, they know it, and should be treated as such. If you do get it done free be also wary of the "well you have to pay for links, bolts washers and so on" type approach . Some dealer wanted £2k for extras when replacing the subframe foc.

 

[Petrol Pete]

But how hard is it to DIY change, that EBay link is very cheap and comes with all the bushes.....

I suppose it depends on how handy you are and how much kit you have . I would also suggest to anyone replacing a rear subframe that NOT replacing every link/bushing and bolt at the same time would be a bit daft.

Another 'while you are in there' jobs would include replacing the the rear brake pipes even if they look 'ok' .

PS . If I owned an 11 year old W204 I would not be hoping for the best , I would be either selling it or having a VERY close look at the subframe.

 

[markjay]

...PS . If I owned an 11 year old W204 I would not be hoping for the best , I would be either selling it or having a VERY close look at the subframe.

It's not limited to the W204...

Between getting rid of any Merc with the M271 engine, and getting rid of any Merc with the potential rear subframe issue, and getting rid of any Merc with the AdBlue issue (all of which have the capacity to write off an older car), where does this leave us?

Seems that MB just isn't a reliable marque

 

[Petrol Pete]

I have no affiliation and have never used this company but the fact that it exists and sells rear subframes for what are essentially 'quite new' cars must mean there is a market for them.

Mercedes 2007-2014 C Class Rear Subframe K-Frame Crossmember Axle

Make: MercedesModel: C-Class (W204)Year: 2007-2014Part Number: Fitment: Rear Subframe K-Frame Crossmember AxleCondition: New OEM Quality replacement part This rear subframe is designed to fit all petrol and diesel models of the Mercedes C-Class (W204) from 2007 to 2014. Built to OEM standards...

eurosubframes.com

 

[Petrol Pete]

It's not limited to the W204...

Between getting rid of any Merc with the M271 engine, and getting rid of any Merc with the potential rear subframe issue, and getting rid of any Merc with the AdBlue issue (all of which have the capacity to write off an older car), where does this leave us?

Seems that MB just isn't a reliable marque

Bingo !!

 

[markjay]

As for DIY... unless you are particularly acrobatic, I would suggest that this job requires a proper lift.

 

[TC350]

As for DIY... unless you are particularly acrobatic, I would suggest that this job requires a proper lift.

Or inspection pit

 

[markjay]

It's not limited to the W204...

Between getting rid of any Merc with the M271 engine, and getting rid of any Merc with the potential rear subframe issue, and getting rid of any Merc with the AdBlue issue (all of which have the capacity to write off an older car), where does this leave us?

Seems that MB just isn't a reliable marque

Forgot to add: getting rid of any red Merc....

 

[Jonesy161]

I bought mine from Eurosubframes about five years ago, Merc were playing silly sausages!!
Then it was £400 plus £40 delivery, IIRC they are in Belfast, all bits were included.
They are a thicker gauge steel than originals, I bought waxoyl + gun with flexible lance and flooded the internal tubing etc.
A garage fitted it for me for £150.
Good luck.

 

[toteimerced]

Have a look on YouTube, there’s a few on there, also, when you do get the rear wheels off, scrape out as much crud from the open ends, spray in a load of rust converter, then spray paint in there, I made some extensions for the wheel arch liners, to cover the open ends of the frame, seems to be working a treat, I used thick transparent film.

 

[merc85]

Thank you to all the replies , My Father in law heard back today.
Mercedes have agreed to supply and fit a new subframe although he will have to pay for the nuts and bolts
Still credit where it’s due.
Booked in Monday should be done Wednesday.

 

[tony gee]

Thank you to all the replies , My Father in law heard back today.
Mercedes have agreed to supply and fit a new subframe although he will have to pay for the nuts and bolts
Still credit where it’s due.
Booked in Monday should be done Wednesday.

good result, but why do you have to pay for the nuts and bolts ?

 

[W1ghty]

good result, but why do you have to pay for the nuts and bolts ?

£1950