W210 Rust: How Best to Address?

[shertex]

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?

[Mxfrank]

On my '99, rust became a problem after less than five years. I think it's a permanent problem with the 210's. One thing you want to do is to gently lift the door weatherstripping, especially around the top of the doors. On mine, rust formed under the weatherstripping. By the time it became visible, it was extensive.

[barry12345]

After the repair if the car is extensively rustproofed with a petroleum based product or a good synthetic equivelant can extend the metals lifespan considerably.

The rust will come back as it totally never sleeps once established. But it can be substantially delayed with thought and effort. If the solid tar like coating was applied to the car at the factory. It both contributes to the problem and prevents a superior rustproofing agent from getting to the metal.

Oxygen has a tougher time reaching the metal is what you are trying to accomplish. Existing rust coated in a semi fluid product slows it's rate of oxidation many many times as long as the oxygen cannot gain direct access through it.

[shertex]

Originally Posted by Mxfrank

On my '99, rust became a problem after less than five years. I think it's a permanent problem with the 210's. One thing you want to do is to gently lift the door weatherstripping, especially around the top of the doors. On mine, rust formed under the weatherstripping. By the time it became visible, it was extensive.

Thanks for the tip....I checked around doors and there's no rust at all.

[Stretch]

When I discover rust I usually address it in a very stern manner. Some people might even find it rude.

[tjts1]

I found rust under the door seals in the front window frames. Even California W210s are not immune. Good thing rustoleum gloss white matches my car.

[uberwgn]

It's mostly a function of how much time the car spent in the Rust Belt. Our 1998 car has been in the south nearly its entire life and there is absolutely no rust on the car apart from a small area where some sub-standard body work was done. The underside is very clean, too. I'm quite certain the exhaust is all original apart from the oxidation catalyst.

Two neighbors have W210 cars. One is an early wagon and it carries some serious rust. Not sure how much longer they'll make it thru inspection. The other is a face lifted E430 and that car is real clean. Can't see any rust on it and it sits outside 24/7.

We had an '02 wagon. Got rid of it at 140k. Ran great but the rust was making a complete nuisance of itself...popping up everywhere. Kinda like whack-a-mole. I couldn't keep up with it. MBz repaired some minor stuff twice.

[shertex]

Not bad....my auto body guy is going to do all four wheel wells, several bubbled areas, and the trunk lock for $700.

[Mxfrank]

Originally Posted by uberwgn

It's mostly a function of how much time the car spent in the Rust Belt.

I'm not sure this is the case. While I'm certainly in the rust belt, the '99 rusted far faster and with more gusto than my '87 190TD or my old '79 300CD. It certainly woudn't have survived 25 years. I think it had something to do with switching to low VOC paints.

[Saber]

Look at my pictures, it shows one front fender, both were replaced and the car repainted. There was other rust, the front fenders were the worst. My brother, who lives in the same area, has a 1999 E320 with zero rust. His car was bought 6 months after mine, did they change something at the factory, who know? The rust started about 8 years into ownership, a 1972 Pinto probably would have less rust....spring perches OK.

[jake12tech]

$700.00 and you are good to go for many more years. My Black 1999 E300 has a little around the rear quarter panel and two spots smaller than the end of a q-tip. Guess what? Survived upstate New York harsh winter as a daily driver and now PA. Just getting that bit of rust. It was just taken care of is all. I'll have it till I croke or they stop selling parts for it (I doubt I'll see that). Oh, if the rust becomes too much for you to handle, I'll be happy to take the girl off your hands.

[shertex]

Originally Posted by jake12tech

$700.00 and you are good to go for many more years. My Black 1999 E300 has a little around the rear quarter panel and two spots smaller than the end of a q-tip. Guess what? Survived upstate New York harsh winter as a daily driver and now PA. Just getting that bit of rust. It was just taken care of is all. I'll have it till I croke or they stop selling parts for it (I doubt I'll see that). Oh, if the rust becomes too much for you to handle, I'll be happy to take the girl off your hands.

Mine was in MA up until last now in RI. Considering it's spent its whole life in New England, I'm impressed with the condition of the body. I too am hoping to keep mine for a LOOOOOONNNNNG time. Only 78k miles!

I thought about doing spring perches just because....but my auto body guy, who has done dozens and dozens of these, seems to think I'm fine.

[shertex]

Now rust free! Spring perches carefully inspected and look to be in great shape.

[jake12tech]

Not a bad deal by all means. You sound like you made out well. Care to post some pics? Would love to see the work.

[shertex]

Some pics: