Rust issues on W211 Maybe? (Pic)

[Donza]

I thought these were galvanized. Mines an 03. I have included a pic.

Its either rust issues or a crappy MB Paintjob.

 

[Donza]

I thought these were galvanized. Mines an 03. I have included a pic.

Its either rust issues or a crappy MB Paintjob.

 

[hawk20]

First did you buy it new?
Has it been repaired in that area?
Was it done by an MB dealer or approved bodyshop?
They are galvanised if the production date (not same as first registration) was in 2003 or later. Dealer can tell you the date.

If it is rust you have a 30 year rust guarantee (T's and C's of course).

 

[whitenemesis]

hawk20 writes:-

"E CLASS -211 series- saloon and estates: -

All steel panels were galvanised from Quarter 1, 2003, production onwards.
During the previous quarter (Q4, 2002) the process was gradually introduced
on the production line and therefore some vehicles were galvanised during
this lead-up period, but not all."

edit - hawk, you beat me to it. hope you don't object to me quoting your info...

 

[Donza]

First did you buy it new?
Has it been repaired in that area?
Was it done by an MB dealer or approved bodyshop?
They are galvanised if the production date (not same as first registration) was in 2003 or later. Dealer can tell you the date.

If it is rust you have a 30 year rust guarantee (T's and C's of course).

I bought it used. Three previous owners
I dont now whether it has been repaired in that area. Moreover, i don't know if it was damaged in that area.

I'm looking at the V5 right now. The car was registered in 25.07.2003.

I am sure i sure a production date of Nov/Dec 2002. It may have been off the russian site!

Edit: Delivery date 18.12.02 (Straight from Russian Site)

Dont want to be dealing with sodding rust issues tbh!

 

[hawk20]

Problem here is that you are not the first owner and the rust may be due to earlier damage that has not been properly repaired.

Helps if you have full MBSH BUT IT IS NOT essential. MB have dealt with rust even when the history is a bit patchy.

BUT if you have a service due soon, I would have that at an MB dealer and then raise the rust issue.

If not, you need to get to an MB dealer and say you want to claim under the 30 year rust guarantee. They will send details to MB or thye will send you to an apprioved body shop who will send details to MB and see if they will pay. Either way, I'd get it fixed at an approved bodyshop so it is properly done and so as to keep the guarantee intact.

 

[hawk20]

What is your rough location. Helps to show on signature or somewhere when raising problems. If near me I can recommend where to go.

 

[Donza]

Problem here is that you are not the first owner and the rust may be due to earlier damage that has not been properly repaired.

Helps if you have full MBSH BUT IT IS NOT essential. MB have dealt with rust even when the history is a bit patchy.

BUT if you have a service due soon, I would have that at an MB dealer and then raise the rust issue.

If not, you need to get to an MB dealer and say you want to claim under the 30 year rust guarantee. They will send details to MB or thye will send you to an apprioved body shop who will send details to MB and see if they will pay. Either way, I'd get it fixed at an approved bodyshop so it is properly done and so as to keep the guarantee intact.

Hi Mate.

The car has had FMBSH up until when i bought it. The garage from which i bought it had it serviced at some local outfit.

So its one out of seven services that is not MB.

Can i still claim? Moreover, does it look like rust might form?

 

[Donza]

What is your rough location. Helps to show on signature or somewhere when raising problems. If near me I can recommend where to go.

I am based in both Leeds and Newcastle. But mainly Newcastle during weekends and Leeds during Working Days

 

[hawk20]

Hi Mate.

The car has had FMBSH up until when i bought it. The garage from which i bought it had it serviced at some local outfit.

So its one out of seven services that is not MB.

Can i still claim? Moreover, does it look like rust might form?

Sounds good. nearly full MBSH.
You need to get to a dealer or an approved bodyshop as in my earlier posting. They will deal with MB for you. Usually very good on these issues unless, of course, it is old damage repaired at a non-approved bodyshop.

One of the problems is councils who will put down stone chips. Then the paint gets chipped and if you are unlucky it pierces even the galvanising. That is why it is so important to touch up stone chips. And remember that modern water-based paints (required by Europe for Health and Safety and Environmental grounds) are not waterproof. It is the surface lacquer that keeps moisture out. So that must be touched up too.

I cannot see any chips on your photo. But who knows what the dealer may have had spayed over? A proper dealer/bodyshop will tell you. Tiny area. No big deal.

 

[evdok]

Looks like dirt under the paint to me.

 

[evdok]

What panel of the car is that?

 

[evdok]

Trunk lid...these are aluminum!!

 

[Dieselman]

Trunk lid...these are aluminum!!

And are known to corrode. Check the seam on the inside of the boot lid, it may have corrosion down the vertical rear section.

 

[Smiley]

oh dear I was hoping that the rust problems had been solved on the 211; my 124 is getting quite long in the tooth waiting for a replacement!
Do you know if your car has had any paintwork repairs done already?

 

[bonithol]

Hi You have electo chemical rust. What is happening is there are mini batteries giving off hydrogen making mini volcanoes. It's also bigger than it looks. Sorry. Remedy to sand down a bigger area to bare metal. Phosphoric Acid Passivator, if it needs filling 2 pack epoxy filler with glass beeds? Auto primer surfacer base coat and then clear top. Make sure you wear gloves and throw away regularly. Finger prints will spoil adhesion. If you go to a body shop be really clear what you want doing otherwise it will come back.

 

[Dieselman]

Phosphoric Acid Passivator,

Will phosphoric acid work on aluminium.?

 

[hawk20]

I don't think the OP should accept this as a problem he should solve nor that it is electro chemical. Unless his car is unusual in extras or something MB will have sorted any electro chemical problems or they would all be getting it. The 211 has not been turning up with rust issues.

There is a problem here and an MB dealer is the place to go to get it sorted. Do it yourself and you run the 30 year rust guarantee not just for you but for future owners too.

 

[Dieselman]

The 211 has not been turning up with rust issues.

Apart from the boot lid.

 

[hawk20]

Apart from the boot lid.

Which is not rust, of course, as it is aluminium. But it is corrosion/oxidation etc of some form.