W210 rust claim (again!)

[GordonTarling]

Just had the rust warranty claim on my W210 estate approved. Both front wings, both rear arches, tailgate and bonnet. MB will make a 50% contribution, which means I have to pay £1400. It may be more if any panels need replacing. Does this seem fair on a car that's almost 8 years old, or should I hold out for a larger contribution from MB?

 

[d w124]

Sorry to say this mate,but i think is best if the panels are changed.

 

[wemorgan]

I'd be asking myself, how much is the car worth today and how much will it be worth after the rust repair?

Whatever that price difference, would be roughly the amount of money I'd be willing to give MB.

I money terms, I guess that's roughly £500-£1000.

 

[LeighW]

Does this seem fair on a car that's almost 8 years old, or should I hold out for a larger contribution from MB?

My 208 was done under warranty when it was 2 months under 8 years old, and it didn't cost me a penny. Have you got full MB history?

Mind you, 16 months later, and the rust's coming back, see my thread...

 

[GordonTarling]

Thanks chaps! Car has part MB history, rest is independent. From what I can gather, the plan is to shotblast the affected areas - anything that results in holes would be replaced at extra cost. Can't say I'm entirely happy with the wings, at least, not being replaced - the offside one is nearly into holes anyway! I'm guessing car is worth around £3k or so in good condition, how much it's worth with the rust is anybody's guess. I did get a couple of independent quotes before approaching MB - one was £2800 and one was around £2500, but those included replacement of both wings, as well as Waxoyl treatment to the repaired areas. Maybe I should drop MB a line, to see what they say, or would a call be better?

 

[Smiley]

It sounds like it is not worth doing. 3K in good order - that means you would be better off if you sold it now for more than £1600 - which sounds like a bargain to me. And that £1400 does not include the new panels and fitting - it could easily become £2500 and get out of control.
I would be tempted to put this to MB and suggest that they make you a one off goodwill payment in lieu of carrying any work out and then thats it; no more claims on that car. then just use the car and sell it as it is.

 

[GordonTarling]

Smiley - thanks for your thoughts. To be honest, I hadn't considered that approach at all! Would MB make a one off payment like that? I can't say that I've ever heard of it. I've spent a fair bit of money on this car in the last year or so and would like to get my value from that before I get rid of it, so was planning on keeping it for at least another year or two until I retire. Does anyone know a contact at MB that I could discuss this with?

 

[GordonTarling]

Update - am now VERY cheesed off with MB Brentford and their so-called customer service! I'll keep it brief, as I don't wish to bore you all to death with the details!

The claim was approved as prevously stated, with a 50% contribution from myself. When I phoned MB Brentford at the end of August to book the car in, I was told that they wouldn't have a loan car available for me until nearly the end of September. In view of the fact that I'm going on holiday on October 1st, they offered to carry out the work whilst I was on holiday. They said the claim would have to be resubmitted, but that that wouldn't be a problem. Turns out it IS!

When the claim was resubmitted to MB, it was turned down because the car is now more than 8 years old, though it wasn't when the claim was first approved.

I've been in touch with MB customer services and with the MB Brentford body shop manager, but no-one's prepared to move. I really feel that MB Brentford are resonsible for this mess (why am I surprised?!!) but don't really know where I might go from here in order to try and get the original offer reinstated.

Anyone got any suggestions?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

You have a Private Message.

 

[C43AMG]

If you do a search" C43 sunroof rust" you will see what Brentford can get up to even when they do the job, it could be a blessing in disguise.

Write to the CEO of MB and the Managing Director of Customer Services at Milton Keynes which is what i had to do after the rust came back for the second time, oh the above is the third time they have had the car back for the same complaint. Good luck.

 

[ShinyF1]

I had a rust claim through Purslow approved in June [50% from me], and then with work holidays etc forgot about it. Rang to book it in two weeks ago to be told that offer only open for 30 days and needed to be resubmitted.

Thankfully reapproved, and car in now.

I did try taking it to MB Chelsea [who would have sent it to Brentford] but they didn't come back to me at all...

Sean

 

[Will]

I hate to say it, but I'd still question whether it's worth spending a minimum £1400 on cosmetics on a car worth £3000 in 'good condition'?

If it's only going to be kept for another year or two, I'd be tempted to leave it. After all, there's every chance that it'll be rusting again by then (not so badly perhaps, I concede) and you'll still be £1400 out of pocket.

I reckon 50% @ £1400 is about the going rate for a decent job privately anyway, considering they're not replacing any panels? Seems like a typical 'get out' from MB these days - offering to pay 50% of a full-retail (inflated) price, which means you're covering the majority of the cost anyway.

And at least by going privately you can choose who does the work for you - going by recent threads on here I wouldn't really want to pay £1400 to use their own bodyshop if I didn't have to...

Will

 

[GordonTarling]

Thanks for the advice chaps, but I now feel I'm beating my head against the wall in trying to get MB to cough up. It seems they have set a policy and won't budge from it. I've now got no time to sort anything until I return from my trip anyway.

Will - what you say does make a lot of sense. I've had two independent quotes for the work and both came out to around £2800, but that did include replacing both front wings. MB's estimate was just to repair them. When I get back from my hols, I think I'll try and find a bodyshop that'll do a cheaper job and live with that until I change the car.

 

[Simon_M]

There is a guy actually protesting outside Mercedes Dartford about the rust issues with his E55, seems the best he has got is an offer to respray the car with no further warranty.

I had a chat with him today as my car is in for a service - he's been there 12 weeks and is also at a deadlock with them.

It is quite funny though with all the people hooting him in support!

Simon

 

[Mike Walker]

I use Dartford MB from time to time and have seen this guy and his sign board which makes intersting reading! My W203 is going into Tonbridge for rust repairs to the rear wheel arches - 2nd time in 7 months but at no cost to me.

I asked for the repair specification and was told :-
Shot blast affected areas / apply rust preventer/primer oven baked / apply paint oven baked / apply lacquer. Car out of action for 1 week.
No idea what I shall do if it comes back again........

 

[Smiley]

I hate to say it, but I'd still question whether it's worth spending a minimum £1400 on cosmetics on a car worth £3000 in 'good condition'?

If it's only going to be kept for another year or two, I'd be tempted to leave it. After all, there's every chance that it'll be rusting again by then (not so badly perhaps, I concede) and you'll still be £1400 out of pocket.

I reckon 50% @ £1400 is about the going rate for a decent job privately anyway, considering they're not replacing any panels? Seems like a typical 'get out' from MB these days - offering to pay 50% of a full-retail (inflated) price, which means you're covering the majority of the cost anyway.

And at least by going privately you can choose who does the work for you - going by recent threads on here I wouldn't really want to pay £1400 to use their own bodyshop if I didn't have to...

Will

You have it exactly right IMHO. The contribution covers all of MBs costs - so it is not really an offer at all.
If this were me I would not bother having the work done I can almost guarantee that the rust will re-appear and you will be £1400+ lighter and no further forward.
I would estimate the lost value in the car and suggest to MB that they cough up for that if they are not going to offer any sort of repair. Change the game with them if they want to be difficult. Just write it down to them; state your case; wait for their letter of rejection; issue small claims summons - they have already admitted some level of liability by making the previous offer. Treat the whole thing as a bit of sport and dont get stressed by it - let them do that. If you win something treat it as a bonus; meantime assume that you will get nothing and leave the car as is. Sell it on when youre ready and buy another; not likely to be an MB I would guess. life is too short to get carried away about an 8 yr old car and a couple of grand.