:MODERATOR EDIT ADDING DATA LINK:
W210 DANGEROUS FLAW please read (crosslinked in post #1 to all on topic data)
W210 DANGEROUS FLAW please read (crosslinked in post #1 to all on topic data)
:MODERATOR EDIT ADDING DATA LINK:


While backing out of a parking space last weekend, my front right spring perch failed. There was a huge BANG!! and the front of my car dropped to the ground. A portion of the spring was recompressed between the body and the pavement.

The car has never been in an acccident and has always been in SE PA. I spoke thoroughly with the previous (one) owner about the car before I bought it, did a car fax report, and had it inspected at my local MB specialist before purchase.

In the attached pictures you will see rust that developed between the spring perch and the body. No rust was ever apparent by visual inspection due to the sealant used by Mercedes around the perch.

I am thankful that I was the only person in the car at the time of failure. My wife, 2 year old and 4 week old were on the highway in the car the morning that this happened. Were this failure to have occured then, I hate to think what could have happened to my family and prehaps other's.

It goes without saying that this is a significant quality issue. Mercedes is aware of this issue but has yet to release a recall notice. Additionally, they to date, have no plans to do so.

I would advise all W210 owners to have there perches inspected by a competent body shop. However, due to the location of the rust being between the perch and the body, I can think of no way that either a visual inspection or even a stress test would ensure proper integrity.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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1996 (W210) E300D 86K - Traded in for a Lexus
1992 (W124) 300D 2.5 Turbo 202K - Sold
1983 (W123) 300D, 146K - Sold
1970 280S, 263K - Sold - Beginning of addiction