Rear subframe corrosion - UK

[jonus]

Ace work Jonus! Power to the People! (As Wolfie would say)

You're aging yourself there mate (and me cos I know exactly who you're talking about!) : )

 

[ChrisHGTV]

You're aging yourself there mate (and me cos I know exactly who you're talking about!) : )

I only just remember it!

 

[jonus]

Glad you've achieved the result you should have been offered at the start.

MBUK's attitude to this - basically making arbitrary decisions - is an utter disgrace. I hope the Grauniad does publish the case to shame them.

Yeah agree - just heard back from the journo - she used that exact word too - definitely doing a short piece on my specific case and the outcome (in their regular consumer champion bit) but she's looking into potentially turning it into a larger feature. They've asked MB press office various questions about the extent of the issue, their 'policy' (such that it is) and also about the class action in the US. So watch this space.

 

[st13phil]

but she's looking into potentially turning it into a larger feature.

I hope she does. MBUK have been sloping shoulders on this one for far too long, especially when MB in Germany have a blanket “replace at our cost” policy for their customers.

 

[Nat]

Good result. They knocked me back a few years ago on our 171 SLK but oddly enough instantly agreed on the 172 SLK.

I hope she does. MBUK have been sloping shoulders on this one for far too long, especially when MB in Germany have a blanket “replace at our cost” policy for their customers.

Definitely agree with this. There seems little to no accountability to manufacturers when IMO there should be.

 

[HMP70]

Hopping on the subframe issues. You need to be determined to get anywhere. My W212 2012, went for MOT 5th July to WDM in Sutton, They halted as fist sized hole in rear subframe! I brought from LSH in Birmingham, 5 years ago, one previous owner on South coast & has been serviced by them ever since. WDM advised they could fix with 'non' Merc part, but suggested I call LSH, as known issue. Which I did & within moments & no fuss said would be replaced FOC! Wow, I was impressed & truly thankful to WDM for been so very honest & advising me what to do. Then the issues started. In a nutshell 1. No idea how long till part available 2. Said probably couldn't provide courtesy car, as they hadn't got any, but they were fixing it for free, that peeved me! 3. No would likely not be fixed prior to MOT expiry 21st July.
I was not happy, 1. It's our only car 2. I have been driving a potential death trap 3. Why has there not been a recall, they had little to say on this. Not to be put off ( I am a woman of a certain age & not easily put off) I continued to try & get update for the next few days, but just couldn't get anyone to pick up the phone. So I complained to Merc HO 13th July & sent email to LSH customer services, explaining not my problem, need a car. LSH replied, within 10 minutes l, stating as I had raised complaint with Merc themselves, I needed to wait to hear from them! I phoned Merc again morning of 20th, as hadn't heard anything, to be fair they agreed with me & said would chase it up. I had a call from LSH 5.30pm 20th, where, they said they were trying their best to get me a car. I advised I would be dropping my car with them at 3.30pm on 21st & expected a car waiting for me. Or I would be a very peeved customer in the middle of their showroom. Again to be fair they called me by lunch following day to say GLB 200 was available for the duration of my wait for the part, time frame still unknown,any time I wanted to drop my car off. So all good so far.... But it was a seriously major headache to get that far & I had to be extremely pushy ( I don't shout, never swear, but am very firm & clear with my expectations) How many people would have given up. I did contemplate a 'new' car, but mine has only done just 85k & looks like new, plus I was planning on keeping it a while longer. Anyone know why we weren't informed & does anyone know of DVSA are taking any action?

 

[markjay]

...just heard back from the journo.... They've asked MB press office various questions about the extent of the issue, their 'policy' (such that it is) and also about the class action in the US. So watch this space.

I bet someone started sweating at the MB press office.... next, the red paint issue

 

[BfgSLKMan]

In Germany 170/171/203/212's (and variants thereof) are being replaced free by MB

 

[Petrol Pete]

#28 . Hopefully "coming soon to an MB dealership in the UK near you !"

Would be nice , but breath not being held.

 

[BfgSLKMan]

#28 . Hopefully "coming soon to an MB dealership in the UK near you !"

Would be nice , but breath not being held.

Interesting that MB US is not shying away from the scale of these problems:

Rear Subframe rust warranty - MBWorld.org Forums

E-Class Coupe (C207) & Cabrio (A207) - Rear Subframe rust warranty - This was just posted on Benzworld. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) has extended the warranty for the rear subframe on the vehicles listed below, from the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles to 20...

mbworld.org

Work colleague of mine last year had his 212 (2012/450k km) rear subframe replaced after it failed its TuV. Told him about similar issues with 203/4 cars and when he went to MB in Germany they replaced his cars subframe without quibbling.

 

[jonus]

Well, I picked my car up today, all sorted, free of charge. I swear there is a very noticeable difference in ride quality. Seems significantly smoother at the back end. Maybe my imagination but I don't think so. I've reported the successful fix back to the Guardian journo and will update here again if / when she lets me know if she's taking it further.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Congrats. So how long did the whole thing take?

Were any other items changed, or did they refit older control arms etc?

 

[jonus]

Congrats. So how long did the whole thing take?

Were any other items changed, or did they refit older control arms etc?

From the day the problem was identified, the dealer contacting MB to ask for warranty and eventually MB coming back and saying that they WON'T fund the repair all took about 7 weeks. From me contacting the Guardian to MB reversing their decision and agreeing to do it under warranty took less than 2 days.... The car was booked in to the dealer the following week, and repair complete in 2 days. They didn't mention they'd changed anything other than the subframe, and didn't provide me with any paperwork (because there was 'no payment involved') but given the improvement in ride quality I think they must have. I need to get under it and have a look really.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Thanks for the info. The MB parts shop closest to me told me that there was always a huge wait for the parts from Germany, which is what most of the hang up for. Maybe your pressure from 'the media' bumped you up in the queue...

 

[Skd884]

Well, I picked my car up today, all sorted, free of charge. I swear there is a very noticeable difference in ride quality. Seems significantly smoother at the back end. Maybe my imagination but I don't think so. I've reported the successful fix back to the Guardian journo and will update here again if / when she lets me know if she's taking it further.

Mercedes has refused to pay for a repair to my rusty car

There’s one rule for customers in the US, another for UK over a key safety issue

www.theguardian.com

 

[jonus]

She went for the short consumer piece in the end. Still, hopefully raises a bit more awareness for others:

The Guardian - Mercedes has refused to pay for a repair to my rusty car

 

[Pontoneer]

thanks for the quick and v helpful replies
Will try to pursue MB myself and see where I get.

I'm not up on this issue , but with a bit of research and some prior cases to reference , might be worth the reasonable cost of a lawyer's letter to them .

If something subsequently went wrong , you'd be on very firm ground .


Edit - hadn't read the full thread , glad you got it sorted .

 

[Tineca]

Hi , my daughter's 12 plate w207 coupe has just failed mot on subframe corrosion. Ive got it booked in on Friday at MB to check if it will be considered for replacement. Fingers crossed.

 

[E350John]

Well done Jonus, I have been waiting for 5 months to get the work done at MB service center Brooklands who have kept the car waiting for a subframe from Stuttgart, I am assured that the subframe is delivered for use on my vehicle only but I doubt that this is the case.

 

[jonboyE63]

I also was blissfully unaware of the issue until today when i collected my E63 from my local trusted indi who mentioned mine had some corrosion, nothing serious yet but worth keeping an eye on.
This chap used to be service manager at a main dealer & he said they were replacing 2-3 sub-frames per week FOC, so he assured me he had the contacts to sort it if & when required but he added it needs to bad before Mercedes would even consider replacing it.