W212 Rear subframe

[ForgxxxR]

So this is the rear subframe currently on my 2013 W212 (90'000 miles). Currently with MB being replaced under 'good will'.

I'm just curious who else has the same issue and how prevalent it is?

Car was pulling heavily to the left under hard braking which I why I got it checked out.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Loads of threads on this forum about this issue......"search" is your friend.

Its real pity as it really putting me off buying a 212 or 218. The sort of age I'm looking at could easily be affected by this issue......and since MB don't guarantee a free repair its potentially a big ticket repair. It really cant be helping anyone who has one for sale either. I've noticed a few being advertised as having new subframes.....a VERY big plus point to me...Hello F10 BMW 5 Series!!???

 

[ForgxxxR]

Loads of threads on this forum about this issue......"search" is your friend.

Its real pity as it really putting me off buying a 212 or 218. The sort of age I'm looking at could easily be affected by this issue......and since MB don't guarantee a free repair its potentially a big ticket repair. It really cant be helping anyone who has one for sale either. I've noticed a few being advertised as having new subframes.....a VERY big plus point to me...Hello F10 BMW 5 Series!!???

I'm thankful it's all being covered under good will by MBUK. The only thing they cannot provide is a timeframe unfortunately.

This leaves me borrowing my partners 2002 VW Golf - which is in a much better condition than my car!!

 

[markjay]

Ask the dealer to also let you know if they spot anything else that needs replacing 'while they are there', mainly perished bushes or corroded brake line. It will save you some money having these replaced while the rear subframe is off the car.

Also, ask them if they will be using new bolts, and if not, then I suggest that you offer to pay for new bolts.

 

[ForgxxxR]

Ask the dealer to also let you know if they spot anything else that needs replacing 'while they are there', mainly perished bushes or corroded brake line. It will save you some money having these replaced while the rear subframe is off the car.

Also, ask them if they will be using new bolts, and if not, then I suggest that you offer to pay for new bolts.

Thanks. I asked if they would be changing any other components whilst they are there. They said they would be changing approx. £200 worth of 'bolts and brackets'

My rear brake pipes were replaced in December 2022 as they failed MOT.

 

[Rich764089]

I'm thankful it's all being covered under good will by MBUK. The only thing they cannot provide is a timeframe unfortunately.

This leaves me borrowing my partners 2002 VW Golf - which is in a much better condition than my car!!

Wow, I'm amazed MB are covering this... Was it difficult to to get them to agree...?

 

[GP801]

Wow, I'm amazed MB are covering this... Was it difficult to to get them to agree...?

They did our 2005 R171 SLK in December 2021. Even provided an E-class coupe as a loan car but only after a lot of persuasion!

 

[Rich764089]

They did our 2005 R171 SLK in December 2021. Even provided an E-class coupe as a loan car but only after a lot of persuasion!

Fair play to MB I'd say!

 

[ForgxxxR]

Wow, I'm amazed MB are covering this... Was it difficult to to get them to agree...?

Not really. My car had only just turned ten years old and rolled over 90k miles. That level of corrosion is quite significant. Car has a full MB service history so I think they took that combined with the age into consideration. I was very polite with them. Left the car in at 10am and by 5pm they had agreed to cover the cost in full including waiving the inspection fee. Couldn’t fault their level of service….

 

[Rich764089]

Fair play to MB I'd say!

Not really. My car had only just turned ten years old and rolled over 90k miles. That level of corrosion is quite significant. Car has a full MB service history so I think they took that combined with the age into consideration. I was very polite with them. Left the car in at 10am and by 5pm they had agreed to cover the cost in full including waiving the inspection fee. Couldn’t fault their level of service….

Well done. Politeness wins the day

I wonder if many other manufacturers do this. Perhaps I'm naive but find it quite surprising. Will be messaging you if I have this problem on my S212

 

[ForgxxxR]

Well done. Politeness wins the day

I wonder if many other manufacturers do this. Perhaps I'm naive but find it quite surprising. Will be messaging you if I have this problem on my S212

I’m not entirely sure how many models are affected. My dad also drives a W212, as do two fellas I work with. They have all got their cars checked since I told them about mines and they have zero issues. No corrosion at all! Very strange considering my subframe looks like it spent the last 10 years in the sea!

 

[ALFAitalia]

They rust from the inside....so they tend to look fine.....right up until the moment they break! Having bad rust on the outside is unusual.

 

[ChrisEdu]

It's as common as a dishonest politician!

 

[ForgxxxR]

Update - just got a call to say my car is ready to collect! Happy days. That was 21 days all in.

 

[sdhip]

W212 E250 61 plate. My local garage picked up a hole in the rear subframe at its MOT failure last week. Took it to MB Nottingham for a visual inspection. They were very good. After 1 hour, MB in Germany had approved its replacement for free. I'll have to pay for some bushes that will be replaced but that won't be a big bill. Left the car with them. No timescale as yet. I was told that they had replaced around 60 so far this year.

 

[ForgxxxR]

W212 E250 61 plate. My local garage picked up a hole in the rear subframe at its MOT failure last week. Took it to MB Nottingham for a visual inspection. They were very good. After 1 hour, MB in Germany had approved its replacement for free. I'll have to pay for some bushes that will be replaced but that won't be a big bill. Left the car with them. No timescale as yet. I was told that they had replaced around 60 so far this year.

The service I received from MB Belfast was excellent. They didn't even charge me for the bushes or the visual inspection. I was nervous that I would have been without my car for months however 21 days was no issue. Hopefully you don't wait any longer!

 

[AP211]

Is full MB history a requirement for goodwill replacement? Or will they do cars serviced at specialists/indys as well?

 

[ForgxxxR]

Is full MB history a requirement for goodwill replacement? Or will they do cars serviced at specialists/indys as well?

They told me prior to agreeing to the goodwill payment that they factored in;
1. Age of the car
2. MB Service history (Mines had full MB history in England until I bought it 18 months ago however I get all my work done by a MB Indy)
3. Mileage - 90k for me.

 

[GP801]

For the subframe a full MB history is not required.

 

[DanE350cdi]

I'm thankful it's all being covered under good will by MBUK. The only thing they cannot provide is a timeframe unfortunately.

This leaves me borrowing my partners 2002 VW Golf - which is in a much better condition than my car!!

Cant beat a good old mk4 golf, awesome cars especially with the pd engine in.