I'm almost certain I'm going to find the same thing on my 300SD. It has rusted through on the underside of the window in the trunk so I can only imagine what the lip where the window sits actually looks like. My 380 leaks too after replacing the rear glass, but its in the garage for the time being.

I wonder if someone had already pulled the glass out to find a mess like that and just put the glass back in. The rear seal looks kinda new but I have a new one ready to go just in case. It was missing the chrome window trim too when I got it, but I have since picked up a set. Would not having that rear trim in place be enough to cause it to leak? I can definitly push on the glass in the corners and see it move...

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

When I did mine 2 years ago, $100.00 to the window man, to pull and replace and $89.00 for the MB window seal and $150.00 to the auto body man to fix it. steve 83sd

For a good body shop to fix that I can see $5k. Mine wasn't anywhere near as bad an I was quoted $2k-$3k. They would probably cut all of the old rusted metal out and make up and weld new metal in. Throw in some paint work and installing the rear window it is a lot of work.

Their is a seam back their that seems to be rusted out as well, cutting that stuff out is a big job. You could try and find a junked W126 with a clean track below the rear window and swap them out.

If you want a faster fix grind the heck out of it and get rid of as much of the rust as you can. Then POR it to stop the rust and use some copper flashing to build the lip back up. Use some good oil point as well.

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2006 CL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2026 Genesis GV70
2007 Tiara 3200

This is what we have done, today we ground all the rust off with a rotozip and stone grinding bit, then the rotozip broke. First time we used it, ever!!! So out came trusty dremel, finished the job perfectly, though a little slower. Then we got some sheet metal and have been cutting out sections that match what we ground out/whats missing, and we're JBwelding them in, all rust has/will be treated with rust killer/primer compounds and then we'll coat it in some super heavy strong paint or something. Needless to say, the rust is going to meet its end once and for all. (We hope)

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Just for grins...check out this item on Ebay....interesting that it should come up at just this time, although from the UK:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4563389335&category=31355&rd=1

It's W126, but doesn't mention SD, but then again, it's the UK....

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1998 W202 C230 - The money pit of late.
1984 W126 300SD (356,800 miles) Gone to the wrenchapart
1984 W123 300D Gone to the wrenchapart
1972 W108 280SE 3.5 (sold but not forgotten)
1986 Buick Grand National 3.8l Turbo (86k miles)
1966 Glassic Model 'A' Replica http://www.glassicannex.org

http://banners.wunderground.com/weat...Round_Rock.gif

We need that!!!!

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

There is a big question of standards here, what do you want? Do you want something that is safe in an accident or just something to fill the hole where the window goes so you can push that star up the road?

I had to laugh at the truth of this:

...........and since its the most important failing of these cars, getting a rust free panel is like striking oil.

You aren't kidding....their timing could't have been better...shame it wasn't in the USA, shiptting that would cost a fortune.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche