My CLK back from MB bodyshop

[LeighW]

I've just had my CLK back after a goodwill/mobilo rust repair. After reading horror stories on here about how difficult it was to get MB to approve a repair, I wasn't expecting much luck, but I have to say that MB Leicester have been first rate. The whole claim process was dealt with efficiently and courteously. The standard of repair is very high IMO, (they have their own bodyshop on site) and although it took eight weeks to get my car in, it was worth the wait. The repair work is guaranteed for three years too. They had the car for ten days or so, and gave me a very nice C220CDI Sport as a loaner. All in all, MB Leicester, highly recommended.

Anyway, here are a few snaps of before and after:

Nearside rear arch before:

After:

Boot lid before:

After:

One more:

Nice loaner...

 

[gbjeppm]

Thanks, good update.

 

[gurpz]

Nice one, looks like they done a good job, deffo well worth the wait indeed.

 

[un1l]

Good to see someone has had good luck with this, as per my last few postings i haven't had much luck at all in getting my claim approved, let alone getting the car actually in the spray shop!!
Can i ask what year your car is?

 

[LeighW]

Can i ask what year your car is?

It's June 2000. They told me that the deadline is eight years, so I was just in time!

 

[Mudster]

The C class looks nice in Black, how did you find it? Nice to get one on an extended test drive like that.

 

[PAPA]

Got mine approved, and had it done, First time was a crap job, And wrecked two wheels, and had it 6 weeks for a 3 day job.

Sent it staight back and did a ok job second time, But only ok, Then they did my wifes ML crap job, cant be ****d to get them to do it again, Ill get it done myself.

Yeah nice loaner, I had a bloody polo crap bucket.

 

[television]

Nice one the standard look high as you say, nice to have a few positive thread today

 

[LeighW]

The C class looks nice in Black, how did you find it? Nice to get one on an extended test drive like that.

I liked it overall. It handled well, had nice direct steering, and was quite quick, too. It felt well put together, and as you say, looked great IMO.

Bad points? A few. Over sensitive brakes, indecisive gearbox, disappointing fuel economy (only 38mpg on a journey that my 320 manages 30mpg), narrow power band, £30k price.

I'd like a go in a 320CDI, 7.1 0-60 according to MB.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I reckon being in-house makes all the difference.

Looks good.

 

[ANP320]

Now why couldn't I have had that as loaner? I got the Dodge Caliber

Good to hear that the repairs have been satisfactory. Mine's in now and I hope it comes back looking as good. It's reassuring to know yours did anyway.

I wonder what it has cost Mercedes in warranty repairs over the years. Must be more than they saved by skimping in the first place!

 

[LeighW]

I reckon being in-house makes all the difference.

Looks good.

Thanks, I agree. They did my Uncle's 210, made a nice job of that too. I just need to get the laquered rims on my rear wheels refurbed now, and she'll be tip-top for the summer. It's funny how you can become attached to a lump of metal, I've had this car almost three years now, almost the longest I've ever kept any car, and even though it has 84k on the clock, I've no plans to get rid. Something about MBs maybe?

 

[C240Sport97]

car is looking spot on ...

when you refurb the AMG wheels, ask them to do in Sterling Silver (a brighter shade of silver) used in the 209 18" 5 spoke alloys

 

[Shude]

I wonder what it has cost Mercedes in warranty repairs over the years. Must be more than they saved by skimping in the first place!

It is not certain that skimping has caused the problem. The paint type was changed for environmental reasons, the same reasons that it's illegal to wash your car on the street in Germany, or indeed change a tyre. This period of change coincides with the period of construction for the vehicles affected by corrosion.

 

[SG CL500]

I took my CL into Merc Cambs to be assessed yesterday (usual rear wheel arches and base of c pillars) - MB agreed the claim today and work will start on the car on Friday. You can't ask for more than that!

One of the rear arches is quite badly corroded underneath and requires the replacement of the rear panel - the job will take 4 weeks!!!!

 

[television]

It is not certain that skimping has caused the problem. The paint type was changed for environmental reasons, the same reasons that it's illegal to wash your car on the street in Germany, or indeed change a tyre. This period of change coincides with the period of construction for the vehicles affected by corrosion.

MBs have had a lot of paint troubles for years and it started in around 88-9 with the first move to water based paint on the 124, it was too hard so it chipped, it could also be said that the metal is of poor quality, and in some cases poor stampings that trap water.
The first water based paints had a 2k top coat, but now its water based.

Things got better with the galvanising 03 and the first Nano paint on 04-04, a better version came along 05-6 to comply with the 06 German forbidding of street washing new laws and be good enough for the Car Wash booths.

Many arguments have been up Metal or the paint,, on the metal front cars like Volvo do not rust and I do not have one mark on my 10 year old V70R even stone chips do not rust, and the wheel arches are like new, One could also have a CX with 4 rusty doors and the rest perfect. and another with 4 perfect doors and the rest rusted away, that was poor metal and all painted in the same way

Another theory is pinholeing, allowing moisture in under the paint.

Interesting as cellulose was too hard and chipped easily. So they brough out synthetic, this did not chip but was not very strong and had a short life ,,Ford were the first to use it. the 2k came around 88 and as said, far to hard and thick, Skirting boards that have too much paint on chip easily with a kick, where as with two thin coats only it does not chip so there is a balance.

Its a long hard subject

 

[ANP320]

Well, I guess so long as MB are willing to keep changing and repairing the rusted parts, then we'll be OK.

I agree with LeighW about becoming attached to a car. It's my first "affair" (although I did take a shine to my Mark 1 Golf GTI) and I've had a good few lumps of metal to choose from. It's quite uncanny and I can only put it down to the quality of the cars and the pleasure to be had from driving them.

Also agree with Television - a very long hard subject. Could Pinholeing cause small raised bubbly type paint work defects. I've got one just by my front side light. Looks like a stone chip but the paint has raised around it. I've asked MB to take it into consideration but thet have said that bonnet rust tends to be around the badge from the inside and my problem is just s stone chip.

 

[dqh]

Went to MB Camb to get a scratch on the bonnet sorted. They, (unrequested) looked at the rest of the car and agreed to repaint the wheel arches and the boot, even the rust was so minimal I hadn't noticed it, (not much time at the weekend so I get someone else to wash it). Gave me a very nice e280 sport for three weeks then delivered the car back, after sorting out everything. I didn't have to fill any forms in, and they sorted the insurance claim for the scratch with the other party. I assumed that since they had their own body shop they get the money from MB, so it is in their interest to do the work. Anyway I was happy with the work and the result.

 

[SG CL500]

the job will take 4 weeks!!!!

...and still counting. Car went in as planned and now, over 2 months later, they still have it!

I've had bodyshop cars for the whole time but this is getting on my nerves now! (Smart 4-4 terrible, C class coupe OK but look horrible in my view, B Class dull but useful)

Mercedes simply cannot supply the rear 3/4 panel that needs replacing.

 

[Mudster]

...and still counting. Car went in as planned and now, over 2 months later, they still have it!

I've had bodyshop cars for the whole time but this is getting on my nerves now! (Smart 4-4 terrible, C class coupe OK but look horrible in my view, B Class dull but useful)

Mercedes simply cannot supply the rear 3/4 panel that needs replacing.

Hmmm, how long do they expect you to continue without your own vehicle?

I'd open correspondence/Negotiations by asking how long is reasonable?

Say another panel doesn't appear for 4 months, at 6 months do they feel they are unable to provide the service they are offering and might it be worth enquiring about a replacement vehicle?

Be nice, don't get to the point too quickly....see where it gets you. If you don't ask, you don't get. Mercedes might actually find it an easier way to get out of the problem.