Solid, no rust, Mercs ? Which ones ?

[bennesspipers]

Im amazed how solid & rust free my 1995 W202 C220 is, compared to the same model of several years younger, can you all tell me which other Mercs (& what years) are likely to be as solid ? ? Nothing above 2.3 ltr & auto box preferably (i do a lot of towing).

 

[Roger Jones]

It's generally reckoned that pre-1996 cars are relatively good (although not perfect), 1996--2003 cars are very vulnerable, and post-2003 cars gradually got better (although not instantly). Whether standards are back up to MB's best I personally doubt, given further reports of corrosion on recent cars, some of them very expensive.

Some blame the water-based paint that came in from 1992 onwards (some say not until August 1995); others (including one bodyshop owner) play that down; another bodyshop source has said that an MB insider told him it was down to poor priming/undercoating. Altogether a sad and shameful story.

 

[bennesspipers]

Thanx for that Roger,pleased my first merc was a 95 then. But in 2 or 3 months i'll be looking for an extra car,& as im so pleased with this merc, im likely to make it 2 mercs ! Have you any preferance to any model ? John

 

[callahan]

It's generally reckoned that pre-1996 cars are relatively good (although not perfect), 1996--2003 cars are very vulnerable, and post-2003 cars gradually got better (although not instantly). Whether standards are back up to MB's best I personally doubt, given further reports of corrosion on recent cars, some of them very expensive.

Some blame the water-based paint that came in from 1992 onwards (some say not until August 1995); others (including one bodyshop owner) play that down; another bodyshop source has said that an MB insider told him it was down to poor priming/undercoating. Altogether a sad and shameful story.

Did they change the 202 halfway through then? Mine's a '98 registered car (although probably manufactured in 96) and has a few small rust problems... the paint is terrible too.

 

[bennesspipers]

Pretty obvious they went seriously wrong halfway through the build,yes. I saw same model as mine but 'T' reg, & it was a basket case that wont pass another mot !

 

[nick mercedes]

Im amazed how solid & rust free my 1995 W202 C220 is, compared to the same model of several years younger, can you all tell me which other Mercs (& what years) are likely to be as solid ? ? Nothing above 2.3 ltr & auto box preferably (i do a lot of towing).

A-Class don't seem to rust.

 

[Laurie]

Unusual to see a rusty SLK

Unusual to see one towing though

 

[219]

Late model 190E's are pretty good .

Don't buy a Fintail if you're worried about rust !

 

[bennesspipers]

Hi Laurie,what years were the SLK's made ? John

 

[bennesspipers]

Hi Pontoneer, whats a Fintail ?

 

[Laurie]

Someone here will shoot me down I'm sure but I thing SLKs were late 96 to date. Facelift mid/late 2000 new mod in 200(3/4/5 ??). I try not to get too interested in anything i can't afford.

 

[bennesspipers]

Ah yes Laurie, i see, thats one of the dear ones then,dont know my mercs, YET. HEY PONTONEER, You playing the pipes up there ?

 

[BTB 500]

Rust is very rare on any R129 SL (1990-2002).

 

[bpsorrel]

True! The Classic Car Club's '95 R129 SL is virtually rust free, but their '04 SL is showing a few rust areas, especially around the boot lid/roof cover panel and wheel arches! As Roger said above, shameful! So far, on my '06 S211, only the little "coverage" panel behind the rear wiper has rusted and I was able to replace that for just a few quid. Seen some awful, rust bucket '98 and '99 210s and similar age CLKs...

 

[219]

Hi Pontoneer, whats a Fintail ?

They are the W110/W111/W112 series , this is a W111

Sadly , these beautiful cars are notorious for rusting EVERYWHERE .

Here are some pictures of my 220S

As bought

I've since replaced the bootlid and rear bumper with good secondhand ones , have two new front wings and sets of sills ready to fit , am teaching myself to weld ( starting to feel reasonably proficient now , so will soon start on the car ) but still need to get front crossmember , both front inner wings , drivers footwell floor section , boot floor rear valance .

Car is currently painted in black Hammerite to prevent further rusting .

 

[rf065]

A-Class don't seem to rust.

There have been a spate of 2006 / 2007 model A & B's rusting.
Apparently well documented in Germany, but not yet reported in British press.

Russ

 

[219]

Unusual to see a rusty SLK

Unusual to see one towing though

They DO have rust problems - there was an article in the MBOC Gazette highlighting this - quite a few horrors hidden on a number of these cars !

 

[Roger Jones]

"Have you any preferance to any model"

Well, I have two 124s (1991, 1996) and a 126 (1992). I love 'em in spite of the fact that they now all have corrosion starting on their front wings. The 126 range is also prone to corrosion under the rear window; I checked that before buying mine and it had obviously been fixed, and it's still good four years on.

As suggested above, the R129 SL seems relatively rust free, although I have seen reports about drainage problems and doors, if I recall correctly. I've wondered out loud before whether SLs get special care in the manufacturing process, given their historical status as MB top model. I do like that model, but it's not for me on practicality grounds. Also, as suggested above, I think the W201 is pretty sound. As to earlier models, I'm not sure that the W123 has a particularly good reputation corrosion-wise.

I guess we all have to face the fact that any old car is going to rust, although my Audi 100 had but one pinpoint of rust after ten years of use from new, and my Golf VR6 was similarly sound at the same age (yes, I choose my cars carefully and keep them forever). However, the prone areas in MBs are all well known and the repairs can be budgeted for and knocked off any asking price.

 

[bennesspipers]

fintail

Hi Pontoneer, nice to see your fintail,but i will try & avoid that much rust,used to be up to my neck in rusty cars 20+ ago. Good luck to you ! Do you play the pipes up there ?

 

[BTB 500]

As suggested above, the R129 SL seems relatively rust free, although I have seen reports about drainage problems and doors, if I recall correctly. I've wondered out loud before whether SLs get special care in the manufacturing process, given their historical status as MB top model.

I believe they had galvanised panels and cavity treatment from the start ... possibly in reaction to the R107's rust issues (not sure how quickly those had emerged though). I seem to remember the galvanisation was improved further in the '96 facelift.

They started galvanising some R230s in early 2004, but they weren't doing them all until the end of Q3 2004.

GALVANISING of MERCEDES CARS - MBClub UK Forums

I guess we all have to face the fact that any old car is going to rust, although my Audi 100 had but one pinpoint of rust after ten years of use from new

We have well (ab)used 13 year old Audi A4 that doesn't have a speck of rust on it.