really surprised by so many rust problems on Mercedes cars
 

i was aware of other problems MB cars always seem to have, but i've never thought RUST was one of them. but i'm totally surprised by the number of "my MB has rust" threads on here as well as other MB forums. It's not model specific, but seem to affect any MB produced after 1995. how are german/european consumers reacting to this?

There is some kind of agreement in Germany, whereas M-B will cover any rustrepairs, up to 8 years old, providing the vehicle has a complete dealer service history.
I've even heard of replacing complete doors, trunklids, fenders, etc. ;)

Wow. I've always been amazed at the LACK of rust on ours. But they are '90 and '91 models.

Did something happen with later models to cause rust issues?

Yeah, lack of concern and build quality. I don't think I've ever seen a rusty Lexus...

Earlier series such as the W116, first production half of W123s and very early W126s were very susceptible to develop rust problems.

Mercedes addressed the issue and things started to improve. By the time the W124 and the W140 came into production they were considered acid proof (and I believe they are!).

The steel grade, rust proofing process and paint quality on Mercedes' are one of the highest in the industry. Lexus might be good too, although I highly doubt is better.

Maybe you live in the wrong country.
Come on " up here " I'll show you some. ;)

I think MB took a step back with the W210 chassis.

They've had problems with rusted spring perches, fenders, and around the doors.

Mark Cummins has a 210 wagon with consirable rust around the doors, and he lives in Southern California where there is absolutely no snow and no rust.

To their credit, Mercedes Benz USA warrantied the doors and repainted the entire car. They did a terrible job though, resulting in uneven gaps when the new doors were installed, and poor paint finish.

Many of the rust issues are due to rust-proofing measures that were inadvertantly ommitted by the factory when the cars were built. W202 sub-frame seams, W210 rocker panels, and W210 and W220 doors, all had Recall/Service Campaigns related to rust.

IMHO, with the technology available today, MB should have ZERO rust issues.

To their credit, Mercedes Benz USA warrantied the doors and repainted the entire car. They did a terrible job though, resulting in uneven gaps when the new doors were installed, and poor paint finish.[/QUOTE]

Not long after I purchased my 300E somebody backed into it putting a dent next to the right rear wheel opening. I asked my dealer service advisor (Mercedes Benz of Princeton) to recommend a body shop. They performed a horrible repair, kept my car for over a week and it had 33 more miles on it.

You live and learn.

Not long after I purchased my 300E somebody backed into it putting a dent next to the right rear wheel opening. I asked my dealer service advisor (Mercedes Benz of Princeton) to recommend a body shop. They performed a horrible repair, kept my car for over a week and it had 33 more miles on it.

You live and learn.[/QUOTE]

And what makes it more disappointing is that the repair was done by Fletcher Jones Mercedes of Newport Beach, which sells more Mercedes cars than any dealer in the world. Mark Cummins was also a tech there, too, if I remember correctly.

My w123 has some minor issues, but I expect that.

My w124 has NO issues, and I expected that.

Rust
 

Someone just posted the other day about how little rust his had compared to premium American cars he had, a Lincoln and Cadillac. But I don't know, I'm down south. Greetings from warm Georgia!

jeff 1991 300d

My 210 ('97) has "terminal" rust issues. Fenders, doors, trunk, rocker panels. It's been repaired twice and is starting to reappear. Granted New England Winters are tough on cars, but I have Saab that's two years older with zero rust, and a Saab that's one year older and neither have any rust at all.

Too bad because the car is in great mechanical shape and the interior is still flawless. I'm looking for a replacement, but definitely not another 210. Maybe an M-Class this time. :)

My 97 Taurus, which is just flat wearing out at 150+K and has been incredibly trouble-free, is rust free except for the tiniest bit of surface rust underneath. It has been very reliable although given indifferent maintenance and it's never seen the inside of a garage, and it does sleet and snow at times here and salt is used. I also note that it has stainless steel, dual, exhaust - pretty amazing that Ford pulled this off on a relatively inexpensive car. They must have a "better idea" when it comes to rustproofing...

yup, W210s and also W220s prior to 2004 are NOTORIOUS for rusting.