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Why not ask Mercedes?
W212 Rear subframe corrosion
- Thread starter BfgSLKMan
- Start date
MrGreedy
MB Enthusiast
Even if it hasn't had it done, Merc seem to be pretty much just rolling over on this one. After you've bought it, get an independent Merc specialist who knows what they're doing to have a good scratch around with a pic/scraper. Mine was in for service in Jan, and looked okay, but a quick prod in the key areas reveals wafer thin metal. A quick call to local MB, next day inspection, and day after that approval by Merc HQ for subframe replacement. Now booked in and waiting for the work to be done later in the month.
Edit: on second thoughts, there might be other issues found when doing the job e.g. suspension arms, brake lines. Worth specifically asking to get this inspected beforehand. The best outcome buying one of these 2nd hand is not no corrosion on the subframe, but rather a recent subframe replacement, along with brake lines and some suspension parts thrown in for good measure!
Edit: on second thoughts, there might be other issues found when doing the job e.g. suspension arms, brake lines. Worth specifically asking to get this inspected beforehand. The best outcome buying one of these 2nd hand is not no corrosion on the subframe, but rather a recent subframe replacement, along with brake lines and some suspension parts thrown in for good measure!
Mickw212
Active Member
My w212 is in for service tomorrow + brake fluid & rear sub frame check so fingers crossed.
Mickw212
Active Member
Took my car in to Mercedes Shrewsbury today for a service/brake fluid & sub frame check.
Car is a 2013 86k & the sub frame( a £2,343.72 part) has a hole on it but not that bad so i can still drive it. I have to say Trevor who works in service dept was a no nonsense guy to deal with & absolutely no quibble about replacing the frame. They ordered it straight away but Trevor informed me it could take 5 weeks for the frame to arrive. Supply & fitting all taken care of by the dealer inc bolts.
Only things i may have to pay for is the bushes which come in the arms at around £100 (X4) each but he said mine looked perfectly fine so he`s not expecting to have to change them but obviously you find out on the day. The other thing as mentioned in previous posts above are the brake pipes which may cost around £600 to replace but once again we`ll find out when the frame is out.
Overall i cant fault the dealer today for it`s no quibble approach & i`m glad i took the car in sooner than later & cought this in time but that`s a THANKS to all owners who have posted their experience`s on this site so cheers guy`s!
Car is a 2013 86k & the sub frame( a £2,343.72 part) has a hole on it but not that bad so i can still drive it. I have to say Trevor who works in service dept was a no nonsense guy to deal with & absolutely no quibble about replacing the frame. They ordered it straight away but Trevor informed me it could take 5 weeks for the frame to arrive. Supply & fitting all taken care of by the dealer inc bolts.
Only things i may have to pay for is the bushes which come in the arms at around £100 (X4) each but he said mine looked perfectly fine so he`s not expecting to have to change them but obviously you find out on the day. The other thing as mentioned in previous posts above are the brake pipes which may cost around £600 to replace but once again we`ll find out when the frame is out.
Overall i cant fault the dealer today for it`s no quibble approach & i`m glad i took the car in sooner than later & cought this in time but that`s a THANKS to all owners who have posted their experience`s on this site so cheers guy`s!
Assuming your car is an E class, the subframe has nothing to do wtih rear brake lines, they can be left fully untouched whilst they replace the subframe, so don't let them say "we have to do them when changing the subframe" and coerce you in to changing them on your £
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Can I ask what symptoms anyone noticed of the subframe before it failed ? How was the cats behaviour on the road for example? Any interesting noises ?
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Meow??
You will feel like you are about to crash and that the rear of the car is not connected to the road, it should be very very obvious
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- Joined
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- C63 , E350 CDI, C320 CDI, SQ7
I mean is there any build up of symptoms over time such as odd movements over bumps eg a sideways motion ? I understand once it goes you’re in trouble but any symptoms to be aware of leading up to that.You will feel like you are about to crash and that the rear of the car is not connected to the road, it should be very very obvious
MrGreedy
MB Enthusiast
Anyone who works on these regularly can look for it and will know what to look for. It corrodes from the inside out. Mine looked fine, but at my service recently the independent specialist gave it a good prod in the typical area and was able to poke through the now wafer thin metal subframe in those areas. I booked into Merc who then obviously took one look and agreed to a replacement. This was well before the subframe was likely to snap, but it's only a matter of time. You only get the 'symptoms' when driving once corrosion has got so bad and the subframe actually snaps. Merc are being relatively responsible on this issue in terms of meeting the costs, as I suspect they are worried about a major mandatory forced recall which would put them under serious time pressure if it all came at once.
ALFAitalia
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Not always..... there have been several cases on this very forum where they didn't notice anything..... was just picked up on MOT or service.You will feel like you are about to crash and that the rear of the car is not connected to the road, it should be very very obvious
They havent actually snapped by then usually.
Up until it breaks, no. When it breaks at the weld point then the back will feel like its steering based on road profile, load on the rear wheels etc.
Mickw212
Active Member
Cheers for that info Alex!!!!
Fastcar155
MB Enthusiast
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.
Mickw212
Active Member
Scary!!
ALFAitalia
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That is the first time I've ever heard of one of these failed frames causing an accident.
stompa
Member
On my 2011 s212, Mot in December called out sub frame corrosion and servicing inspection has recently confirmed a hole that Mercedes has agreed to cover the cost of the repair.
Anything I should watch out for on its return?
Service inspection last March said it was fine, mot in December said it was corroded and this march there is a clear hole.
Service agent sounded concerned when he spoke with me.
Anything I should watch out for on its return?
Service inspection last March said it was fine, mot in December said it was corroded and this march there is a clear hole.
Service agent sounded concerned when he spoke with me.
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