C class rust problem
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Chicago area
'06 E320 CDI,premium package, xenons,LED's,Nav. and '11 BMW 335 D, Nav, Sport, Premium, Cold, PDC
C class rust problem
I have a rust problem on my ’01, C320, w/ 65K miles.
Car was purchased in ’04 as a CPO vehicle w/ 32 K miles.
All four doors are rusting on the bottom edges – on the inside and outside.
Car was never in an accident (while in my hands), was not repainted or body repaired.
Does anybody here experience similar problem w/ 2001 C class?
What is the Mercedes Benz “Rust thru” policy?
How should I deal w/ the dealer to get the problem repaired?
(The repair will most likely include placing sheet metal patches if not replacing all doors).
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Car was purchased in ’04 as a CPO vehicle w/ 32 K miles.
All four doors are rusting on the bottom edges – on the inside and outside.
Car was never in an accident (while in my hands), was not repainted or body repaired.
Does anybody here experience similar problem w/ 2001 C class?
What is the Mercedes Benz “Rust thru” policy?
How should I deal w/ the dealer to get the problem repaired?
(The repair will most likely include placing sheet metal patches if not replacing all doors).
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
I'm not sure if MB does have a corrosion policy, but if they did, I'd have to imagine that your 2001 is out of it, since your car's now over 7 years old.
No harm in showing it to them, though. They'd be able to check your car's records to see if there was a problem when the car came in to port and it needed to be resprayed where it's now rusting. Otherwise, you're probably hosed. If you have no success at the dealership, you'd do much better with taking it to an independent shop that specializes in European cars, since your dealership would most probably farm out the bodywork anyway. Good luck.
No harm in showing it to them, though. They'd be able to check your car's records to see if there was a problem when the car came in to port and it needed to be resprayed where it's now rusting. Otherwise, you're probably hosed. If you have no success at the dealership, you'd do much better with taking it to an independent shop that specializes in European cars, since your dealership would most probably farm out the bodywork anyway. Good luck.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 453
Likes: 3
From: Bay Area, CA
'04 Mars Red C230K Sport Coupe (not Coup-EH)
If I recall correctly, at least for BMW the rust guarantee was 10 years/100,000 miles, but only on the underbody in particular. Definitely check with the dealership on this one.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 19
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
well, you are in Chicago. If the previous owner has used it during snow season I wouldn't be surprised there are rust. it is probably because of the salt they use on the road to keep ice forming?
I'm with others, check with your dealer first.
I'm with others, check with your dealer first.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 34
From: Germantown, MD
S550, R350, GL550, ML63 AMG
I think its 100k miles on MB too.
My 01 has 133k on it and zero rust. If I ever drive it in the snow I wash the under body and get the salt off. Hope they can repair it for you.
My 01 has 133k on it and zero rust. If I ever drive it in the snow I wash the under body and get the salt off. Hope they can repair it for you.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON, Canada
MY2001 C320
See my thread... I have a 2001 C320. 2 out of warranty corrosion works and MB Canada goodwilled both.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/194435-corrosion-doors.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/194435-corrosion-doors.html
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 4
From: NYC
2012 C300 4Matic
For those of you who don't know this:
(Taken from benzworld)
C CLASS -203 series- saloon and estates: -
All steel panels were galvanised from Quarter 2 2003 production onwards.
During the previous six months (Q4 2002 + Q1 2003) the process was
gradually introduced on the production line and therefore some vehicles
were galvanised during this lead-up period, but not all.
If you have a pre-2003 vehicle, you can pretty much expect rust.
(Taken from benzworld)
C CLASS -203 series- saloon and estates: -
All steel panels were galvanised from Quarter 2 2003 production onwards.
During the previous six months (Q4 2002 + Q1 2003) the process was
gradually introduced on the production line and therefore some vehicles
were galvanised during this lead-up period, but not all.
If you have a pre-2003 vehicle, you can pretty much expect rust.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 236
From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
It took until 2003 until MB figured out how to galvanize steel panels!? 
In some ways MB is so far ahead technologically, yet in other ways they're like 10 years behind. I mean, who else sells cars with tape decks this millennium? Crazy.
In some ways MB is so far ahead technologically, yet in other ways they're like 10 years behind. I mean, who else sells cars with tape decks this millennium? Crazy.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Chicago area
'06 E320 CDI,premium package, xenons,LED's,Nav. and '11 BMW 335 D, Nav, Sport, Premium, Cold, PDC
Taking the car to the dealer tomorrow.
I will let you guys know.
Thanks for all your replies.
I will let you guys know.
Thanks for all your replies.
Guest
Posts: n/a
untitledpk8-1.jpg?t=1206102569
On a coupe they will start to blister @ the leading edge of the fender where the front bumper and the fender meet by the headlamp and they will also start from behind the impact strip down the side ( doors,fender,quarter)
and @ the bottom of the doors from behind the rubber strip that runs along the base of the door.
A really bad spot on both sedans and coupes is the rear wheelwell lip where the quarter panel is rolled over.
The sedans are the same but they will also rust like crazy from inbehind the license plate plastic panel from somebody using screws that were to long to hold the plate on and hit the top coat of the paint under the panel, also for some reason they rot like crazy from around the 3rd brake ligkt in the trunk lid.
Anyways this is where i've seen them rust up here in canada but i wouldnt imagine that most of you that live in a nice warm climate would see most of these rust areas. ( damn road salt )
On a coupe they will start to blister @ the leading edge of the fender where the front bumper and the fender meet by the headlamp and they will also start from behind the impact strip down the side ( doors,fender,quarter)
and @ the bottom of the doors from behind the rubber strip that runs along the base of the door.
A really bad spot on both sedans and coupes is the rear wheelwell lip where the quarter panel is rolled over.
The sedans are the same but they will also rust like crazy from inbehind the license plate plastic panel from somebody using screws that were to long to hold the plate on and hit the top coat of the paint under the panel, also for some reason they rot like crazy from around the 3rd brake ligkt in the trunk lid.
Anyways this is where i've seen them rust up here in canada but i wouldnt imagine that most of you that live in a nice warm climate would see most of these rust areas. ( damn road salt )
Last edited by deloreandriven; Mar 21, 2008 at 08:30 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Chicago area
'06 E320 CDI,premium package, xenons,LED's,Nav. and '11 BMW 335 D, Nav, Sport, Premium, Cold, PDC
So far so good.
The body shop (at the dealer) inspected the car and wrote the report.
The regional rep is supposed to contact me in about a week and authorize the repair (whatever it means).
Will keep you posted on progress.
Thanks for all your help
The body shop (at the dealer) inspected the car and wrote the report.
The regional rep is supposed to contact me in about a week and authorize the repair (whatever it means).
Will keep you posted on progress.
Thanks for all your help
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 4
From: NYC
2012 C300 4Matic
Seriously?!!?! Are you sure it isn't dirt or something? That would be pretty crazy, maybe your car has a defect in the paint and / or galvanized layer. I'd like to see a pic.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON, Canada
MY2001 C320
On a coupe they will start to blister @ the leading edge of the fender where the front bumper and the fender meet by the headlamp and they will also start from behind the impact strip down the side ( doors,fender,quarter)
and @ the bottom of the doors from behind the rubber strip that runs along the base of the door.
A really bad spot on both sedans and coupes is the rear wheelwell lip where the quarter panel is rolled over.
The sedans are the same but they will also rust like crazy from inbehind the license plate plastic panel from somebody using screws that were to long to hold the plate on and hit the top coat of the paint under the panel, also for some reason they rot like crazy from around the 3rd brake ligkt in the trunk lid.
Anyways this is where i've seen them rust up here in canada but i wouldnt imagine that most of you that live in a nice warm climate would see most of these rust areas. ( damn road salt )
Yeh, I live in Canada too.
Guest
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,140
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From: Long Island, NY
C3Twon AWD Jumpofffff
post some pics. anyways the previous owner prolly didnt take care of the car well and brought the car to a autowash where they recycle the salty water over and over again.... and he prolly never waxed the car
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 15
From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
California outlawed winter, so our cars don't rust, they just die of boredom.
If you want to see snow in Beverly Hills, you have to open the freezer.
If you want to see snow in Beverly Hills, you have to open the freezer.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
2001 C240
My car is parked in New York City. The only place where there may be rust on my 2001 C240 is two spots on the bottom front passenger side door panel. It appears to be paint blistering. I tried to scratch it but the paint above seems to be still good. I will have to get that cheked by the dealer on my next A service due in June this year.
I am very surprised and disappointed this and the lack of galvanizing can happen to any Mercedes of any year. I had a 1981 Buick Regal that started to rust in the same area after it was 15 years old. It had plenty of rust in 2001 when I traded it after 20 years of service for my present Mercedes.My 1990 Toyota Celica ST still has no rust at all.
I am very surprised and disappointed this and the lack of galvanizing can happen to any Mercedes of any year. I had a 1981 Buick Regal that started to rust in the same area after it was 15 years old. It had plenty of rust in 2001 when I traded it after 20 years of service for my present Mercedes.My 1990 Toyota Celica ST still has no rust at all.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
S500
I swear merecedes are like magnets when it comes to rust, as least it seems that way for 99-01
every little nick on my 00 s500 rusted, the car is in the shop now to get everything fixed...never had a car's surface rust so easy
every little nick on my 00 s500 rusted, the car is in the shop now to get everything fixed...never had a car's surface rust so easy
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 1
'06 CLK500
Which dealership in Chicago are you working with? Do you have pictures that show the extent of the rust?
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 226
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, Ontario
'15 C400, 03' C240, '79 240D
Last year my car was only under major components warranty and the dealer said rust wasnt covered but after complaining i got a free trunk! The lip of the trunk where the rubber meets the metal was bubbling under the paint and they replaced the trunk lid at no cost - although they did a really ****ty job of repainting it.
