To accept or not to accept. That is the question.

[nick mercedes]

It doesnt have a rust warranty though as it has 1 indi stamp. The reason they are paying anything is due to them admitting a design fault, or so Ive been led to believe. If this is no the case I would love to know about it.

Surely block exemption means that the warrenty still stands, regardless of the indi stamp?

 

[John]

Block exemption means a warranty wont be void if the car is serviced at a non-franchised dealer using the same schedule and parts of an equivalent performance.

I'm not sure it extends to all other dealer guarantees which apply... even if they aren't worth jacksh.

 

[Dieselman]

Surely block exemption means that the warrenty still stands, regardless of the indi stamp?

The mobilo perforation guarantee is an additional guarantee, not covered by the block exemption rules.

The manufacturer can impose any clauses they like.

As far as I can see, the guarantee is correct...it's rusting.

 

[MB-BTurbo]

I dont think the rust warranty falls under any statuary law either. Even if, as it has transpired, it was down to a design fault consumer law states that you have up to 6 years to claim Mine was reported after 6 years and 1 week, lol. I dont know if this is different within the auto trade but as far as I understand Mercedes are making a half baked good will offer to appease some of their fed up customers but given the opportunity they would easily bow out of individual cases.

 

[MB-BTurbo]

Not sure, but they fixed mine, no questions asked, even with one indy service in the book.

Russ

Do you have a job number you might be able to PM me please?

 

[MB-BTurbo]

I've done a fair bit of rust on a MK4 Escort in the past.

You have to strip back and completely remove the rust as otherwise, it will be back promptly.

Then you have to fill, prepare, paint and blend.

It's not 'easy' in my experience and I wouldn't do it myself as a professional can do it much better and has all the tools etc. to start with.

Any idea of how much it should cost to get two small areas done like this? Do people think it might be worth getting the thing done as it should also prevent any future blisters and protect the inside as well? Its just those crinkly seams thats giving me second thoughts as if they go rusty later then this is all a waste of time and money.

 

[grober]

If one is being realistic the car is 6 years old- they are made of steel--- which eventually rusts- Mercedes are dragging their feet on the cost of repair- despite their rust warranty- and are offering essentially a "no cost" repair [ no cost to them! ] to satisfy what they have found by long experience to be essentially an unsustainable warranty on older cars. Now you can go along with the charade or adopt a more realistic approach. Spend time seeking out a good independent body shop who will do the entire repair for a almost the same money you are being asked by Mercedes [ have you tried getting some quotes? ] or attempt a bit of judicious DIY [ You are fortunate in the colour= easily matched] on the inner surfaces and leave the exterior to the minor damage pros. [ ask your dealer who they use to "fettle" their used car stock for minor imperfections] Whatever you do the damage will eventually return its the penalty we pay for having cars made of steel BUT as I said you can stave it off quite effectively by coating the vulnerable area with waxoil or similar and trying to keep it clean especially in winter.

 

[nick mercedes]

If one is being realistic the car is 6 years old- they are made of steel--- which eventually rusts

I was behind a R reg Corsa on the way home yesterday, not a spot of rust.

A 6 year old car or van should not be rusty, Mercedes need to get their act together and start building cars properly and sorting out the substandard ones.

I don't see why they should be able to wriggle free of their obligations just because it started to get expensive.

 

[grober]

I don't disagree Nick, but the OP is up against MB here. I am just suggesting what might be in his best interest rather than some Quixotic " tilting at windmills" Maybe he would have been better off to have bought a Vauxhall Meriva ----but its too late now.

 

[MB-BTurbo]

.double post.

 

[MB-BTurbo]

Lol, yes perhaps. However I dont agree that any modern car should suffer from rust after 6 years, let alone a marque like Mercedes.

I have been getting quotes from various places for the 2 exterior rust spots but to be honest they are all similar to what Mercedes are offering for doing the whole tailgate.

I have just found a smooth seamed tailgate with lots of scratches, scuffs and an easily repairable dent for very good money. I can't view it unfortunately so am a bit nervous incase any of the scratches are rusty but I am contemplating whether to buy a compressor and do it myself as I have always wanted to have a proper set up. I have learnt a very good technique with aerosols with which I have done many smart repairs but there is no way I would use them on a whole tailgate. For the price Mercedes are charging I could have a new style tailgate painted and equipment for future use.


MERCEDES B CLASS BOOT LID W245 | eBay

 

[MB-BTurbo]

Just to add, I keep it - at the amusement of my neighbours - very clean. It is waxed every couple of months with Autofinesse Spirit, a wax that costs around £90 and I would have hoped that it would have offered some extra protection against the exterior rust spots but alas, no.

 

[grober]

Lol, yes perhaps. However I dont agree that any modern car should suffer from rust after 6 years, let alone a marque like Mercedes.

I have been getting quotes from various places for the 2 exterior rust spots but to be honest they are all similar to what Mercedes are offering for doing the whole tailgate.

I have just found a smooth seamed tailgate with lots of scratches, scuffs and an easily repairable dent for very good money. I can't view it unfortunately so am a bit nervous incase any of the scratches are rusty but I am contemplating whether to buy a compressor and do it myself as I have always wanted to have a proper set up. I have learnt a very good technique with aerosols with which I have done many smart repairs but there is no way I would use them on a whole tailgate. For the price Mercedes are charging I could have a new style tailgate painted and equipment for future use.


MERCEDES B CLASS BOOT LID W245 | eBay

I would be wary of the EBAY item unless you can personally inspect it visually prior to purchase . "Good condition" can mean different things to different people. If you are a dab hand at the " aerosols" I would be inclined to try to repair the interior yourself and save a wedge of money. Surely someone would paint the door exterior [ one panel] for less than £200 particularly if you offered to do the proprietary work/ mask it up for them? Not trying to tell you what to do just trying to give you options?

 

[MB-BTurbo]

What would you look for? If its just the shell of the door and assuming its not rusty is there much else?

If it cost £200 or a little bit less to do the door then £221 for the inside and out, sandblasting and treating by Mercedes while maintaining future warranty claims would be the better option.

 

[nick mercedes]

What would you look for? If its just the shell of the door and assuming its not rusty is there much else?

If it cost £200 or a little bit less to do the door then £221 for the inside and out, sandblasting and treating by Mercedes while maintaining future warranty claims would be the better option.

This is not the sort of car to practice paint and bodywork on.

If MB won't play ball, get a decent used tailgate and have a proper bodyshop paint and fit it.

It won't cost more than £200 to get the job done right and to a good lasting standard.

 

[MB-BTurbo]

That is sounding like good advice. However I am getting quotes from £300 - £400 for painting and fitting around here. Add the cost of the tailgate and we will be looking at over £400 - £500 unless that ebay tailgate is ok. Why wouldnt people buy from distance and apart from obvious dents, damage and rust is there anything else to be wary of?

 

[nick mercedes]

That is sounding like good advice. However I am getting quotes from £300 - £400 for painting and fitting around here. Add the cost of the tailgate and we will be looking at over £400 - £500 unless that ebay tailgate is ok. Why wouldnt people buy from distance and apart from obvious dents, damage and rust is there anything else to be wary of?

Providing the tailgate is in good order and does not need too much prep, expect to pay £150 for paint, and about £50 to fit, so £200 should cover it.

Painting a bare panel is a doddle.

 

[John]

Any idea of how much it should cost to get two small areas done like this? Do people think it might be worth getting the thing done as it should also prevent any future blisters and protect the inside as well? Its just those crinkly seams thats giving me second thoughts as if they go rusty later then this is all a waste of time and money.

I don't really know.

That's why if you sent the pictures over by email to SB, I would use that as your benchmark.

I think our damage was £300 but it is not really comparable.

 

[MB-BTurbo]

I phoned them up this morning to tell them that I would not be taking them up on their offer having found a 2010 tailgate on ebay in what looks to be the same colour for £235. The only problem is thats its miles away and there is no way I can view it but at least I know that they are there to have for not much more than what Mercedes are wanting for a temporary repair.

 

[John]

...especially as they cannot guarantee it for very long - although it's obvious why they can't guarantee it given their record with rust...