W210 Rust Question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shertex · #1 09-06-2013, 09:10 PM

Do ALL the W210 models tend to have rust, particularly spring perch, issues? Or was it only the first couple of years? I'm specifically interested in whether a 99 E300 would be unusually susceptible to rust.

jay_bob · #2 09-06-2013, 09:41 PM

They are made with galvanized steel so there is much less chance of rust than 123s and older.

However any car driven on salted roads has a higher chance of rust in hidden places.

Also breaches in the paint that cause the galvainzing to be broken can cause rust to start there.

The 210 does have the spring perch for its weak spot. It's in a hidden place where the corrosion can take hold in these cars.

As a point of reference, my 210 is spotless and it lived its life in Maryland.

Graham · #3 09-06-2013, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Do ALL the W210 models tend to have rust, particularly spring perch, issues? Or was it only the first couple of years? I'm specifically interested in whether a 99 E300 would be unusually susceptible to rust.

In Canada, spring perches were subject to inspection during services and any problems were corrected. On my 98 E320, the perches were first inspected and re-sealed, But a few years later, they were checked again and them either replaced or rewelded (I did not initiate this, they just did it after a routine inspection.

The 98 and 99 are almost the same, so I imagine a 99 would be susceptible to this failure if not addressed. maybe even more so considering engine iis probably heavier?

There are several long threads about this. Here is one.

I would check vehicle history and make sure perches have been repaired.

There are a few other areas to check:
- under rubber around door windows.
- cross member under front of engine can trap water & rust.
- thin paint on trunk lid near keyhole may rust.

Despite all the hoopla, our 98 still looks good despite living in a rust prone area. The W210s are pretty good cars actually.

Jeremy5848 · #4 09-07-2013, 12:21 AM

Our 210 (1996, the first year for it in USA) has negligible rust after 17 years and 290,000 miles but those years and miles were mostly in areas that did not see snow, much less salted roads.

OTOH, I explored the front spring perches when we first got the car in 2008 and discovered quite an accumulation of dirt due to the location and angle of installation . I cleaned off the dirt and have kept an eye on it since.

I would recommend a thorough inspection for rust of any car and remember that for every rust point the seller admits there's another one he "forgot" and two more he doesn't know about.

Jeremy

pimpernell · #5 09-07-2013, 08:16 AM

Let me give you a heads up regarding that spring perch. Had my 96E300d in for a tire rotation, and while up on the lift, I was able to inspect both spring perches. Both sides showed no sign of rust what so ever, and everything looked peachy keen. One week later, I parked the car for the evening, and the next morning, I went out to use it, and found that the passenger side spring perch had let go during the night. The front spring was broken in half, and the front fender was resting on the tire. Only saving grace was the fact I was not doing 80mph when it let go. If that happened at 80mph I hate to think of the consequences!!!! If I were you, I would take any 210 in and have it examined by an expert to insure that both perches are sound. It might cost you a few buck extra, but you would save yourself some real grief. Good luck with your new car.

96 E300d with right front spring perch failure up for grabs....

shertex · #6 09-07-2013, 08:46 AM

So I'm gathering that, in this respect, there's no difference between a 96 and a 99, is that correct? That MB didn't address the issue.

whunter · #7 09-07-2013, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

So I'm gathering that, in this respect, there's no difference between a 96 and a 99, is that correct? That MB didn't address the issue.

DieselPaul · #8 09-07-2013, 12:25 PM

Seen horrendously rusty 99s (looked at one two weeks ago that had holes in every quarter panel), and had a rust free 97. Bring a flastlight and lay under the car. Treat it as a case by case basis.

The spring perches are very cheap, and not too difficult to replace if you can weld and have a spring compressor.

Some seem to never rust, some rust instantly, a lot are slightly rusty.

Whiskeydan · #9 09-07-2013, 09:08 PM

I have yet to see a spring perch failure on any W210 from this area. Plenty of other issues though... Window regulators, speedo cluster failures...

Mölyapina · #10 09-07-2013, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

I'm specifically interested in whether a 99 E300 would be unusually susceptible to rust.

Four isn't enough?

shertex · #11 09-08-2013, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna

Four isn't enough?

95 not here for long....looking for a replacement!

Skid Row Joe · #12 09-08-2013, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Do ALL the W210 models tend to have rust, particularly spring perch, issues? Or was it only the first couple of years? I'm specifically interested in whether a 99 E300 would be unusually susceptible to rust.

To me, it would depend on the location and condition of the car I was buying was from.

If you're buying one that was owned and operated any amount of time north of the Mason-Dixon Line, then I would get the spring perches fortified with whatever means to keep them from failing. As far as I know there have not been these spring perch failures around these parts, not that I've ever heard of anyway.

I took a gander up the front wheel well cavities a few years ago, but don't remember even seeing any dirt, much less rusted-through side-panels as one on this thread that was linked to shows. In fact it had NO rust anywhere on the car in the 14-years I owned it. Raised up in the rust belt, I was always conscious to be on the look out for it.

sixto · #13 09-08-2013, 12:22 PM

shertex, don't you have experience with a spring perch failure in a 124? Or was it a broken spring?

Sixto
87 300D

shertex · #14 09-08-2013, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

shertex, don't you have experience with a spring perch failure in a 124? Or was it a broken spring?

Sixto
87 300D

Yes, a 91 300D. That's what started me down this dark path of "short term ownership." Nice car other than perch. Bought for $700, spent $750 on perch, sold for a fair amount more. My auto body guy does lots of perches.

Mxfrank · #15 09-10-2013, 09:19 PM

I had a '99 210 wagon in NY. It's not just the spring perch. I had significant rust around the rear window and liftgate. Also, water tends to gather under the door moldings and cause rust along the top edge. Lift them up to inspect. Mercedes actually had a recall for this, and the fix was to pump wax under the molding.