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

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.