Replacing W208 front fenders due to rust - question
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 286
Likes: 12
From: Chicago, IL.
2006 E55 AMG, 2019 BMW M240I xdrive coupe, 1969 Mach 1 Mustang
Replacing W208 front fenders due to rust - question
Greetings,
My beloved W208 CLK55 is showing some rust on the wheel wells. I know these cars are prone to it, and well....I live in Chicago where the winters are rough. I am exploring options to repair and the bills are large. I've been told, replacing the panels is more costly but I assumed having the body shop due everything plus whatever markup there is on used panels in why. I have looked on Ebay and seeing W208 front fenders for $200. They are used and not necessarily the correct color (my CLK is black) but as long as they aren't rusty I was considering buying and installing myself and then getting them / the car painted. Does this make sense or am I opening some can of worms? I've glanced at some DIYs and it doesn't seem that tricky but there can always be surprises.
The bonus of going this route means that the rust is totally removed from these fenders...as opposed to sheet metal welded in to what was rusty. I would this rust coming back in a year or 2 is fairly likely.
thanks for any input!
My beloved W208 CLK55 is showing some rust on the wheel wells. I know these cars are prone to it, and well....I live in Chicago where the winters are rough. I am exploring options to repair and the bills are large. I've been told, replacing the panels is more costly but I assumed having the body shop due everything plus whatever markup there is on used panels in why. I have looked on Ebay and seeing W208 front fenders for $200. They are used and not necessarily the correct color (my CLK is black) but as long as they aren't rusty I was considering buying and installing myself and then getting them / the car painted. Does this make sense or am I opening some can of worms? I've glanced at some DIYs and it doesn't seem that tricky but there can always be surprises.
The bonus of going this route means that the rust is totally removed from these fenders...as opposed to sheet metal welded in to what was rusty. I would this rust coming back in a year or 2 is fairly likely.
thanks for any input!
Last edited by j-mo; Apr 22, 2019 at 12:05 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 169
From: Portland, Oregon
2019 Jeep Trackhawk, 2002 CLK55, 2014 911 Carrera
I would wait until eBay or car-part.com comes up with ones in your paint code and just order them. How good is the paint on the rest of your car? I replaced a dented fender with an eBay purchase and it's now the best panel on the car. I just ordered one with the same paint code as my car and bolted it on.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 286
Likes: 12
From: Chicago, IL.
2006 E55 AMG, 2019 BMW M240I xdrive coupe, 1969 Mach 1 Mustang
I would wait until eBay or car-part.com comes up with ones in your paint code and just order them. How good is the paint on the rest of your car? I replaced a dented fender with an eBay purchase and it's now the best panel on the car. I just ordered one with the same paint code as my car and bolted it on.
thank you
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 286
Likes: 12
From: Chicago, IL.
2006 E55 AMG, 2019 BMW M240I xdrive coupe, 1969 Mach 1 Mustang
I just discovered the 'fender liners' on Ebay. Does anyone know if these can be reused if I replace a fender or is it best to buy new?
thanks
thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 169
From: Portland, Oregon
2019 Jeep Trackhawk, 2002 CLK55, 2014 911 Carrera
