OK Mercedes dealers are strange

[lotusmark2]

OK Mercedes dealers are strange (Rust Claim)

Just poped the car into the dealer to get him to look at 3 small (1mm) rust spots and they have said that they are looking to replace the two front doors, the bonnet and the boot under warranty because they can see "rust spiders" starting under the paint.
That must cost a fortune??
They will not cover the couple of stone chips down the side but they are putting the claim to Mercedes Germany as we speak.
Very odd, never had a dealer that wants to do more than they were asked, They have also offered to get the rust spots "touched up" free of charge but I think I will get them sprayed profesionally.
Does this sound good as I am a bit close to the problem to look at this objectivly.
Just seeing my 3 day old (1998 but 3 days with me) getting half the body replaced and is has shocked me a little.

My question is should I be happy that its all being done or Worried that it needs it doing??

 

[RichardM]

Dealers like warranty work as they bill MB their hourly rate, so its all money for them whether your paying or MB are.

 

[sym]

Take what you can get !! The reaction of dealers to this type of request seems to be very mixed, but if they will back the warranty claim through MB then go for it !

S.

 

[lotusmark2]

I suppose so, just a little shell shocked is all.
I can barely see a mark on the pannels they want to replace and the ones I did find arent covered.
So how much do you think 2 doors, Bonnet and boot all sprayed up would cost?

 

[Steve_Perry]

I would get as much of the work done under warranty as possible. There are known corrosion issues with the W202 and the W210. However, the treatment you get from the dealer can be mixed. Some have had to fight tooth and nail only to be told that the rust damage would not be covered by warranty. I've actually had a similar experience to yourself...

link

I took my car in for them to quote for a rust repair and it was the dealer that told me I should pursue a warranty claim. I let them take care of it and my car was repaired with zero cost to myself.

I think door skins are relatively cheap but I'm guessing that a new bootlid and bonnet are going to be exbenzive.

As Rich said the dealers like warranty work because they know that MB will pay at the end of the day.

One word of warning, just because your local dealer is making a claim does not guarantee that MB HQ will automatically honour (agree to pay) the claim. The good news is that the decision will be made before any work can start, so you should know where you stand rather than be facing a bill out of the blue.

Good luck with it, if they're willing to pay, get them to do it all!!

S.

 

[lotusmark2]

Cheers for that guys, I'm feeling a little better about it.
The faults he has photo'd and reported are.
On each front door in the little nook that is between the mirror and the window.
on the bonnet underneath by the hinge
on the boot in the top corner of the number plate recess all of which he says he has made claims for in the past so fiinger crossed and I will let you know.

 

[Aletank]

I had my boot lid replaced and a patch near the wheel arch done. they had the car for 10 days !!.
They should offer yo ua courtesy car all part of the deal
I had a few problems with my dealer - Road Range Liverpool, But finally got it sorted in the end.

Here's another thread for a rust warraty claim CLICK ME

 

[Tan]

The only thing that i would say is make sure you get and keep the paperwork for the job explaining why the work is being done. Otherwise when you come to sell the car if a potential buyer spots that the panels have been changed, they may presume the car had been involved in some form of accident.

May be its just me being a sceptic... but you never know.

Tan

 

[Aletank]

The only thing that i would say is that make sure they you get and keep the paperwork for the job explaining why the work is being done. Otherwise when you come to sell the car if a potential buyer spots that the panels have been changed, they may presume the car had been involved in some form of accident.

Good Point - I didn't get any paper work with mine, but a phone call to the dealer should confirm your explanation at the time.

I'm sure the dealer would sort out some sort of receipt/invoice if asked though.

 

[GrahamC230K]

I know what you are saying about the surprise - but I wouldn't complain. I couldn't get the small blemish i wanted fixing done under warranty on my 1999 car.

 

[jimmy]

Please do tell us which dealer that was, it maybe worth me bringing my car to them for a corrosion warranty claim. My local dealer more or less told me 'what do you expect from a 1998 car' I got the same response from MB HQ too.

 

[lotusmark2]

The bodyshop is at MB Blackpool, I have to phone them on Thursday to find out if the claim has been accepted by MB UK so I will let you guys know. The head of the body shop did not think it would be a problem but at the end of the day its down to MB so fingers crossed.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Originally posted by jimmy
Please do tell us which dealer that was, it maybe worth me bringing my car to them for a corrosion warranty claim. My local dealer more or less told me 'what do you expect from a 1998 car' I got the same response from MB HQ too.

If I didn't know better I would have said we spoke to the same person at the same dealer. Maybe they learn it on a course.

 

[lotusmark2]

THUD
now picking my jaw up off the floor.
Well I am stuck for words!
8.30am I get a phone call from John at MB Blackpool and MB UK have authorised new bonnet, boot and 2 front doors and he is now going to call MB Preston (where I purchased the car) to try and talk them into paying for the stone chips that are not covered!!
What can I say, Supurb service!

 

[Ian B Walker]

Originally posted by lotusmark2
The bodyshop is at MB Blackpool, I have to phone them on Thursday to find out if the claim has been accepted by MB UK so I will let you guys know. The head of the body shop did not think it would be a problem but at the end of the day its down to MB so fingers crossed.

Ahh my local stealers, told you they were an ok bunch

 

[lotusmark2]

Well next call from Mercedes has just happened!
My car is now booked in for 5th January 9am.
For:-
New bonet,boot,and front doors
all rust spots removed and treated and a total front to back respray, all free of charge!
My hat goes off to MB Blackpool and John in the Body Shop.
Could not ask for more.
:bannana: :bannana: :bannana: :bannana:

 

[lotusmark2]

Well she has been droped off this morning and as promised they have confirmed that they will pick up the tab!!
The only thing I will say is that I miss her already!
The loan car is an auto corsa (need I say more) but its better than walking.
ETA for the return is Friday so I will update you all on the work then.

 

[fuzzer]

Well she has been droped off this morning and as promised they have confirmed that they will pick up the tab!!
The only thing I will say is that I miss her already!
The loan car is an auto corsa (need I say more) but its better than walking.
ETA for the return is Friday so I will update you all on the work then.

corsa dunno if i would have been too pleased about dropping a mercedes at a mercedes dealer to be given a corsa to drive about in ....

Their cost cutting knows no bounds . as if it wasnt cheap enough for them to hand out A140's ....

 

[lotusmark2]

dont want to sound bad but it has to be THE worst car I have ever driven,
being 6ft 8" it not great inside but then I would not expect it to be.. the auto box is what condems this car. the change between gear takes 1-2 seconds and it does it when it feels like it not when it needs to. AArrrggghhhh I can see the motorbike being wheeled out instead of using this thing!

 

[Shude]

Just think how much you'll appreciate your "proper" car when you get it back on Friday