W212 Rear subframe corrosion

[Fastcar155]

That is the first tlme I've ever heard of one of these failed frames causing an accident.

The accident occured on an intelligent motorway and on the inside lane you are very close to the crash barrier.
In my case when with the failure the steering after the accident with the pictures of I have the steering wheel points to the right and the wheels pointing slightly left when the car came to a rest.I checked all the lights ( including head lights ) and the they worked , no lights cracked , sunroof worked. The car shell did it's job and protected the occupants, doors , bonnet , boot all opened and closed.My Mercedes-benz never missed a beat in 43000 miles , beautifully built and totally reliable.What concerns me that these sub frame issues are well know but nothing is being done about the issue.At the very least I believe that again from my understanding that the frames rot internally. An inspection panel should be provided so inspection can be part of the maintenance programme!

 

[geoffus]

You have pictures? Please show us.

 

[Mickw212]

Sub frame replaced today by Merc Shrewsbury. 10/10 to them.

 

[190]

The rear subframe failed on my car on the motorway.Car was written off.
I had no idea we had a problem until my daughter felt a thud through her feet and the car was going along the nearside crash barrier.The rear subframe was inspected a couple of years ago.The was 7 years old and spent half of its life in Southern Europe.
I would not drive the car.

When I traded my 15 year old W204 in for a Golf a few months back I mentioned that except for the rear brake pipe corrosion, it hadn't suffered from any of the other common W204 maladies including the subframe which still looked reasonably good in terms of lack of rust. I spoke too soon. 2 months on I checked the MOT status out of curiosity as you do and it failed comprehensively on subframe fractures even though it was driving fine when I traded it in. Looks like I dodged a bullet on that one as I was about to do a long motorway trip.

 

[Mickw212]

Just to add to this,
When Merc fitted my sub frame i was told the brake pipes were fine. In December it flew through it`s MOT. Now,11 months on the car was back in for a service & a check over. I was told the pipes are in terrible condition & i should look at replacing them. The bill for this was £2K+ to drop the subframe again. When i questioned "where" (bearing in mind i wax oiled all the pipes when i bought it) the guy spluttered & really did`nt have a clue. Total BS so I left & took the car to my friendly F1 Auto center in telford where the guy laughed at the sight of the pipes, wiped them (the grease) off with his fingers & said they are perfectly fine!!!!!

Merc Shrewsbury lost all my faith straight away!

 

[jonhancock]

Just had my rear subframe replacement agreed by MB UK, took the car to Mercedes Crawley/Gatwick and they arranged to do the replacement and provide a courtesy car - very happy with them. Was badly corroded and had a small corrosion hole.
I'm thinking to have the brake lines replaced at the same time, as it's a lot easier for them to bend into place with the subframe out.
Is there anything I should be considering replacing whilst the frame is out? Cheers.

 

[TrueSpirit]

Just had my rear subframe replacement agreed by MB UK, took the car to Mercedes Crawley/Gatwick and they arranged to do the replacement and provide a courtesy car - very happy with them. Was badly corroded and had a small corrosion hole.
I'm thinking to have the brake lines replaced at the same time, as it's a lot easier for them to bend into place with the subframe out.
Is there anything I should be considering replacing whilst the frame is out? Cheers.

Do you have a 6.2 E63? I reckon brake lines are the main thing, that's what i did on mine

 

[cheapshots]

Just had my rear subframe replacement agreed by MB UK, took the car to Mercedes Crawley/Gatwick and they arranged to do the replacement and provide a courtesy car - very happy with them. Was badly corroded and had a small corrosion hole.
I'm thinking to have the brake lines replaced at the same time, as it's a lot easier for them to bend into place with the subframe out.
Is there anything I should be considering replacing whilst the frame is out? Cheers.

Hi jonhancock, I assume MB did this free of charge, was there some resistance from them or was it quite straightforward?
Is your car serviced yearly by MB by the way?
Thanks

 

[jonhancock]

Hi jonhancock, I assume MB did this free of charge, was there some resistance from them or was it quite straightforward?
Is your car serviced yearly by MB by the way?
Thanks

It was very straight forward - took the car (W212 E63 pre-facelift) into MercedesAMG Crawley/Gatwick to do the wheel alignment.
They reiterated to me that the rear subframe was badly corroded and that they'd speak to MBUK to have it replaced.
Yes, totally free of charge, and no I haven't had the car serviced by MB for at least 10 years, all done with local indie MB specialist.
Hope this helps.
--jonhancock

 

[jonhancock]

Do you have a 6.2 E63? I reckon brake lines are the main thing, that's what i did on mine

Yes, it's the 6.2 pre-facelift - great thanks, will have them do the brake lines at the same time.

 

[TrueSpirit]

Yes, it's the 6.2 pre-facelift - great thanks, will have them do the brake lines at the same time.

Veey nice. I'm a huge fan of the 6.2 212. Very special car

 

[jonhancock]

Veey nice. I'm a huge fan of the 6.2 212. Very special car

Thanks TrueSpirit - I am a huge fan of them too, though I took the 25-year-old W210 E55 (facelift) for a spin a week ago and what a car that is to drive, super refined, effortless and with power when you need it.
She is a sheer delight of comfort, composure and elegance on the roads, old school refinement harking back to when Mercedes built their vehicles to be the best they could be.
All I'm missing is the model in-between, but then I have to get both; the W211 55 compressor and 63 naturally aspirated...

 

[TrueSpirit]

Thanks TrueSpirit - I am a huge fan of them too, though I took the 25-year-old W210 E55 (facelift) for a spin a week ago and what a car that is to drive, super refined, effortless and with power when you need it.
She is a sheer delight of comfort, composure and elegance on the roads, old school refinement harking back to when Mercedes built their vehicles to be the best they could be.
All I'm missing is the model in-between, but then I have to get both; the W211 55 compressor and 63 naturally aspirated...

I've got my eyes on a good 55 if the opportunity arises . The 211 63 is a great car though with hindsight I would have also checked out the CLS versions if I didnt need 5 seats etc