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Same symptoms everyone here is describing. Took car to MB dealer in MA and quote was $6000. Replace rear sub frame and some other parts. More than the car is worth with 159k. Bought used with 100k and have dropped big money on repairs but this one takes the cake. Lesson learned. Gonna try to get a better quote and buy a Honda 😜
Oh man... this sucks.
Looks like it's not only to facelifted ones. Probably the same part# and material is used throughout w204.
I'll look into mine and give a coat of undercarriage protector on subframe area.
Same symptoms everyone here is describing. Took car to MB dealer in MA and quote was $6000. Replace rear sub frame and some other parts. More than the car is worth with 159k. Bought used with 100k and have dropped big money on repairs but this one takes the cake. Lesson learned. Gonna try to get a better quote and buy a Honda 😜
Trust me on this. Japanese cars are worse. I just looked at a 1 year old LS460 with around 10,000km. Already rusting out on the bottom!
+1 on rear subframe issue. Mine cracked this weekend because of rust at passenger side mounting point for suspension linkage. Driver side isnt too far behind.
Had the same issue. The rear subframe was cracked and separated on the passenger side. Sourced a used subframe and had a local independent shop do the work. Less than 88K miles on the car.
Same thing here hear the pop and felt the pulling brought it into my buddy’s shop and found this underneath, one of the control arms completely snapped off the frame and almost punctured the gas tank which would’ve caused a fire, looks the same on passenger side in addition to rotted brake lines it was my girlfriends car she bought from a used dealer I’ve had 7 Mercedes in my life and never seen anything like this they’re talking about 3000$+ in work roughly 2000 in parts + 10 hours of labor had to claim in on insurance hoping for the best but it’s honestly making me consider switching to bmw after my 2007 e class was a nightmare with the cam sprocket issues and now this crappy frame on this one.
there are like 3-4 people who posted about this as their first post.... that screams trolling. No offense guys....but this is how one brand attacks another brand these days
Oh I’m not trolling I’ve had a 1997 e420, 1999 e430, 2002 s55, 2002 clk55, 2005 c240, 2007 e350, and now and this c300. To be frank I’m a Mercedes diehard but this is utter crap along with prior issues I had with my 2007 compared to ones in the past I’ve owned. It’s about awareness.
My wife's 2009 C300 had the same issue- Rear Sub-Frame Failure almost caused a head on collision. Just turned 80,000.00 miles. This car is in near mint condition- not even a door ding on it. Took it to the closest foreign auto mechanic that specializes in Mercedes Benz. The sub-frame had two cracks in it, and because both lower control arms were completely detached from the sub-frame and one control arm was pointing right up into the gas tank (which is made of plastic) the mechanic rendered the car not drivable. We had the car fixed- $2284.99. I requested "good will" assistance from Mercedes Benz- Just to pay for the part that failed and was rejected. I recently purchased another Mercedes Benz so I didn't hear about not being a loyal customer - (Mistake?) I should of bought a BMW.
They offered a rebate on a new or used Mercedes Benz.
I get that the car has just turned 10 years old but the car has been well cared for and driven by my wife only, but this part should never have rusted to this degree, The rest of the undercarriage looks great, although the suspension height sensor also completely rusted and fell off the vehicle while the mechanics was checking out the sub frame.. The NHTSA has several complaints- ID number's 10504684. 11023618 and my complaint number 11193146. I have pictures but they are no different from what's posted.
MY 2015 that I recently purchased and referenced in this post- well today its in an independent foreign auto- it overheated in front of this establishment- had them look at it - This car needs a new water pump- the car 22,000 miles on it??? Cost to fix 1400.00 I guess it was a mistake after all.
Last edited by kgr7tk; 08-22-2019 at 02:04 PM.
Reason: new problem
Add me to list with rear subframe failure 2008 with 136,000. I have sourced an updated rear subframe from southern California and am debating a DIY replacement. Was quoted $700.00 for R&R from a local frame shop, which I think is reasonable. My son however wants to make a father son project out of it. My only concern is how high I would need to get the car off the ground to get the subframe out. Any ideas?
There are many used subframes available on EBAY or other online shops. I found one in great shape, no rust and good bushings for $250. Sourced from Mercedes 8 attachment bolts, 4 long 4 short $70. Also needed 2 new exhaust clamps $60. I also had to replace the camber bolts as they were seized in the control arm. All in with labor at local independent shop and alignment was ~ $1300. Good luck!
I have similar issue in my 2008 C350 RWD, I took to local shop they said subframe/ crossmember needs to replace, I called MB to get the details of parts, they confused me like crossmember(506$) is diff than subframe(1600$) and gave diff price details.
Can someone pls let me know whether crossmember and subframe are diff?.
Originally Posted by RossP
There are many used subframes available on EBAY or other online shops. I found one in great shape, no rust and good bushings for $250. Sourced from Mercedes 8 attachment bolts, 4 long 4 short $70. Also needed 2 new exhaust clamps $60. I also had to replace the camber bolts as they were seized in the control arm. All in with labor at local independent shop and alignment was ~ $1300. Good luck!
It is my understanding that REAR subframe and REAR crossmember refer to the same item for a C300. Do you have any photos or can you describe the issue that you are experiencing?
It is my understanding that REAR subframe and REAR crossmember refer to the same item for a C300. Do you have any photos or can you describe the issue that you are experiencing?
Also I spoke to MBS dealer to know the part no.. finally after 15 mins he gave 205.350.01.41. Any suggestions where I can get the subframe other than local MB dealer?
This makes me so sad and at the same time so mad...
I’m sorry you (any MB or w204 owner) has to go through this maddening experience.
I was bummed when the lower portion and frame of my passenger door rotted off...and not the dealer, nor MBUSA would address it...but this...this is horrific!
Strange thing is that the industry as a whole has made so much progress on rust prevention ... Porsche - right there in Stuttgardt - uses double-sided galvanized steel ... what you guys have shown looks like American cars from the 60s and 70s !
This issue is rapidly becoming rapidly relevant where I am. We have done SIX! subframes in the last 2 weeks at the shop. One W212, and 5 on W204’s. 1 out of 6 has been good-willed by MBUSA because the owner had done everything maintenance-wise at a dealer and the car only had about 60k on the ticker, but the rest have been well over $4,750 once all said and done with M-B parts.
My suggestion, take your rear tires off and blast the springs and upper subframe closest to the front axle with fluid film or something at least once a year. The metal quality is not great and is a far cry from the old aluminum subframes....
Be careful out there guys, when these things crack, customers are reporting some weird handling characteristics that really do make this a dangerous issue. Have yours inspected if you live in the rust belt and get some rust-prevention on it ASAP.
I’ve informed (as awkward as it is...) 5 or 6 people (a few of them moms loading in their kids) here in the suburbs of Buffalo, NY....to have it looked at...
10-02-2018, 05:04 PM
Hope I was'nt right
