Well, Murray, my 98 E300, goes in today for some rust repair. How much I have done professionally and how much I do myself (with POR-15 and touch up paint) depends on the cost. My guess is that no body work has ever been done on the car.

Where I've noticed rust:

All four wheel wells (only one visible from side)
Trunk lock
Various bubbled spots here and there
Crossmember below radiator

The spring perches look to be in good shape....but I will have them carefully inspected.

I'm not a fanatic when it comes to cosmetics, but within reason I want it done right.

Those of you with a W210, have you found that dealing with rust is a constant ongoing concern? Or if I decisively deal with things at the 16 year mark, could I be set for another 10 years or so?

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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife