1996 E320, Rust Nearly Everywhere! Help! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Falsapartenza85 · #1 05-23-2007, 12:11 AM

OK, I am about to go nuts and really give it to Mercedes Benz of North America....

While detailing my 1996 W210 today, i happen to notice rust bubbles (minor) forming in 8 different spots around the cladding on the car! I almost fell over! On every door there are bubbles by the trim moulding. I started to dig deeper and deeper and found rust near the rear tail light assembly (minor) near the bottoms of door sills, and on every wheel arch on the inner fold of the sheet metal! I am so upset i dont know what to do. I purchased a heavy duty product called rust-bullet to see what i can start preventing.

Has anyone had any luck with rust prevention and rust proofing? Im so upset, i always wax and OVER maintain my cars. Help me out here guys.... I know I cant be the only person with this problem!

Texholdem · #2 05-23-2007, 01:47 AM

It's strange, your other car 1988 300CE and my 1989 300CE do not have much rust, at least not to that extent, although they are 7,8 years older.
Are the W124 better rust-protected?

Later on: could you post some pix?

POS · #3 05-23-2007, 08:29 AM

If you car is that bad, you really need to check your spring perches - if they rust through, you have a serious safety issue that MB will fix for free. If you don't know what that's about, do a search and study up.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPRING PERCHES.

Pete Geither · #4 05-23-2007, 08:57 AM

The 210's definately have rust issues but yours seems to be worst than most. Has the car ever had any bodywork done to it ? I frequently see rust issues where there has been collision damage on vehicles.

dynalow · #5 05-23-2007, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texholdem

It's strange, your other car 1988 300CE and my 1989 300CE do not have much rust, at least not to that extent, although they are 7,8 years older.
Are the W124 better rust-protected?

Later on: could you post some pix?

My 88 300CE has NO rust on the skin. Back in Dec. I checked the underside when up on a lift checking the exhaust. No rust body or frame rust there either visible to my naked and admittedly amateur eyes.

But, the car spent most of it's life in a florida garage. And for the 5 1/2 yrs and 50,000 miles. I have owned here in NJ, it seldom sees rain or snow and is, naturally, garaged when not driven.

Have you been able to keep your car garaged. Depending on its environment and care, I am not surprised it shows some wear after 10 years.

I can't comment on the quality of steel or coatings they use then vs now.

e320_Coupe · #6 05-23-2007, 11:49 AM

Lots of rusty W210s in England. More rain + more salt = more rust.
Depends how wet and cold it is where you live I suppose.
MB should be ashamed of the lack of rust protection on the W210s.
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=28492

Falsapartenza85 · #7 05-23-2007, 12:22 PM

NO, thank God! The Spring perch on both sides of the car are in-tact and rust-free. They are well rust-proofed as well.

My 300CE is a diamond! I don't drive her- She sits in the garage with her little Euro plate and stares at the wall all day. I usually go out every night to dust her off. The only rust (minor) is where a scratch was. Minor surface rust, not a big deal.

I am dissappointed in my 210 and I am becoming more and more conscious of its condition now. I don't think i will ever part with either of the 210's that i have. I love the ride and the mechanical reliability. She never left me stranded! Although my Green 210 died once but that was my neglect to the battery. Oh well, she showed me who was boss then....

I'll report back to you guys

mark cummins · #8 05-23-2007, 12:52 PM

Yes The W210s have Rust Problems..It started with the Dipping process...
Doors/Trunks AND Front upper spring mounts are a Known Problem....

But MBUSA Back Pedals on ANY HELP on the problem...4 year warranty

In Europe its a 10 Year warranty.....go figure

I Have replaced all the doors and tailgate on My 2000 W210 Wagon..
it has 49K and its detailed weekly....also NEVER been in snow...Just So California

The Dealer did NOT Perform the TSB re the sealer and the rust is back in the door aand the tailgate....AGAIN NO Help from MBUSA

Kestas · #9 05-23-2007, 01:11 PM

Where do you live... in the Rust Belt? I don't drive any car in the winter without rustproofing. I use Texaco Rustproof Compound and apply it every three years.

Zeus · #10 05-23-2007, 01:40 PM

Ditto. It should be a sticky for W210s...rust spots are:

1) All door frames - TSB issued - check yours at the dealer for service, they apply a wax based sealer behind the weather stripping. Pull back the weather stripping around outer door frame to check. If there is existing rust, they should fix the rust for free, then apply the service wax.

2) All wheel well arches

3) Hood lid, at front, near grille

4) Fuel flap

5) Trunk lid at bottom corners, and especially around the lock cylinder

6) Less common - around trim pieces and tail lights.

7) Spring Perches. The big one. Just do a search.

I don't think it is a case of lack of rust protection, the W210 is galvanized, as the W124 was. Likely due more to the manufacturing process. Some causes of this particular chassis rust have been attributed to sharp edges created during the manufacturing/stamping process of the sheet metal - edges served as the starting point for corrosion.

It is a definite issue for any W210, especially older models. I'm lucky in that my current E430 has done quite well, but I have to address minor rust in all spots listed above.

The previous E430 I had briefly (and sold) was a mess of rust. The more I found, the more disgusted I was. Tons of rust.

In contrast, my 1989 300E served over 17 Canadian winters and was only starting to rust when I sold it this past February.

Night and day between the W124 and the W210 in terms of body corrosion.

Falsa - good luck but I don't think you'll get anywhere with MB. No harm done in trying though! I complained to the dealer but stopped short of contacting MB Canada.

raymr · #11 05-23-2007, 01:49 PM

Damn, that sounds more like an old Kia problem. I would ditch the car if I had to provide it that kind of pampering. Shame on Mercedes for cutting corners on the newer cars. Is this due to more green party influence (i.e. water-based sealants, etc)? My 380SE has no body rust at all.

Zeus · #12 05-23-2007, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

Damn, that sounds more like an old Kia problem. I would ditch the car if I had to provide it that kind of pampering. Shame on Mercedes for cutting corners on the newer cars. Is this due to more green party influence (i.e. water-based sealants, etc)? My 380SE has no body rust at all.

From what I have seen, it has been due to problems at the manufacturing stage. Not a lack of rust-proofing or galavanzing, but rather machining errors.

Apparently, the door frame rust was caused by a burr in the tool that rounded the frame corners - the burr left sharp edges exposed, which initiated the rusting.

All W210s made during a certain time frame will have this rust. The bulletin covers the chassis numbers. Don't think yours is affected? Peel back the outer door weather stripping and take a peek. Most older W210s will have rust there.

A shame, really. The W210s are great cars, and beautiful, IMO. Fantastic engines and transmissions. But the chassis...