Potential rust problem on all W210 doors!!!
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 471
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Potential rust problem on all W210 doors!!!
My friend just had his 1998 E320 in for servicing and notified me about a potential rust problem concerning all W210 doors. His car i kept in a garage and properly cleaned and maintained on a regualar basis. His dealer called him and told him that they had found rust beneath the rubber door seals at the top of his rear doors and that they need to be replaced. Unable to believe this, we both visited the dealer. Sure enough, when folding back the rubber door seals at the top of the doors in order to see the bare metal beneath, there was rust, similar to the one in this linked picture: http://www.db-forum.de/attachment.php?postid=74572
The dealer said they would replace the doors free of charge because Mercedes was aware of this problem. So, check beneath your door seals, guys!
The dealer said they would replace the doors free of charge because Mercedes was aware of this problem. So, check beneath your door seals, guys!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,138
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From: NY
2014 E550 4matic,, sold 2012 E 350 4matic,,sold 2010 e350 4w,sold 2002 e320 se
And thats not all.........
check the link in this forum for more interesting news......
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=69240
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=69240
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 560
Likes: 50
From: New York City
Chevrolet Chevette, Ford Pinto, Pontiac Aztek, Trabant, Yugo GV (and all the worst cars ever built)
Rust is covered under normal 4 year warranty only
I just spoke to MB USA customer service and they categorically told me that there is no "special" rust warranty aside from the normal 4-year (50,000 miles) starmark warranty. My car has an extended 7 year warranty and they said it '"could" be covered under this extended warranty but the car has to be inspected by my service advisor to make some sort of determination.
I asked her if there was any sort of special bulletin about W210 doors rusting and she said she has never heard of one.
No replacements for doors in the US. Case is closed...
I'm selling my benz and getting a Lexus.
paxfo...
I asked her if there was any sort of special bulletin about W210 doors rusting and she said she has never heard of one.
No replacements for doors in the US. Case is closed...
I'm selling my benz and getting a Lexus.
paxfo...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,138
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From: NY
2014 E550 4matic,, sold 2012 E 350 4matic,,sold 2010 e350 4w,sold 2002 e320 se
Update on my rust,,,and the F%$#@& dealer
Ok,,,like I mentioned a while ago,I found rust on my door under the ding molding directly under the passenger mirror.Also on the trunk lid under the license plate frame above the button.Then I read about some rust problems surfacing on other yr 210's.I called the dealer 3 wks ago,,told him,and set an appointment for Monday,5/24 for them to pick it up,drop off a loaner(2004 c240,150 total miles on it)and have it sent to a respected authorized MB paint shop.Supposed to have it back yesterday.I call,and guess what? The rep says that 5 of the kids they use to shuttle loaners and customer cars back and forth took off because of the long Memorial Day weekend.I cant have my car till Tues,6/1. and I cant bring the loaner back because Im waiting for the Dell repairman(motherboard)He says the car looks good,they also re-did my front end alignment.What a pain in the A$$.Whats next? 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,138
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From: NY
2014 E550 4matic,, sold 2012 E 350 4matic,,sold 2010 e350 4w,sold 2002 e320 se
allI need is gas
,they ate the whole bill,which means entire lower half of pass door,,,and entire trunk lid.( that rare metallic)Now my only thought is ......I was planning a PC dual action polish job,,to wack out those tiny swirls.I guess I have less to do now.
And Whitey is gonna have me hurt if I dont paint my calipers.
Paxo had an interesting thought there.I would only get the ls430.........not really.When I look at my car,I see more style than the 03 on up.Still a change of dealer venue,mite be the move.Maybe Ray Catena?David Michael?
And Whitey is gonna have me hurt if I dont paint my calipers.
Paxo had an interesting thought there.I would only get the ls430.........not really.When I look at my car,I see more style than the 03 on up.Still a change of dealer venue,mite be the move.Maybe Ray Catena?David Michael?
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 618
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From: orlando
Sold 2003 CLK 500,2003 SL 500,2006 Acura MDX,1998 BMW M3 convertible
i have rust under the rockerpanel on the driver side door and it started to bubble up the the bottomside.i went to my dealer and found out that some other dealer in my state perform a tecnical service bullintin (TSB)on my car iam the secound onwer now i just brought my car 2 month ago and found out that this is a common problem on 98-02 e 320 so i checked my car for rust and found rust on driver side kick panel so i went to my local dealer cause i found that this tsb was perform in 2005 i wasnt the owener then but it was perform to prevent rust from forming on the car. .they told me that they will check up on this and will let the warranty know about my case and that they will call me the next day.i hope they can help me in this problem cause this is a factory defect i live in florida and my car is a florida vehicle.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
There's a potential rust problem on any 10-year-old car.
That being said, there indeed was a "campaign" to pump a wax sealant under the door rubbers and anyone can still have it done. On my VMI it's listed as "campaign 2005030005"
Had the car been regularly dealer serviced, it would likely have been done.
That being said, there indeed was a "campaign" to pump a wax sealant under the door rubbers and anyone can still have it done. On my VMI it's listed as "campaign 2005030005"
Had the car been regularly dealer serviced, it would likely have been done.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 525
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From: the Netherlands
'01 W210 E320 CDI
The lower part of my right side passenger door is developing a rust problem and I got quoted over €700,- for repairs. They told me they'll also respray the lower part of the front door otherwise it'll really show...
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 378
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From: CT
04 S430 4Matic/03 Ml 320/ 98' E320 4matic/ 73' slc 450/ 05 cherokee
hmm...interesting post, i've noticed some rust in the areas spoken about on my wagon...time ti thuroughly inspect...good post, thanks...real informative
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From: Toronto Ont Canada
GL350
I had the roof painted twice by MB (rust at corners of sunroof),around trunk keyhole,C pillar,around driver's side headlight,lower side of doorpanel.All within 6 years....Yet .. loved that car
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 484
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From: So.Flo.
MB
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10
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From: Buffalo, NY
2000 E430 4Matic
I also have rusing in the lower portion of both rear doors, bothe rear fender wells, and driver fron fender.
Ive only had the car a few weeks, and Im contemplating trading it in.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 484
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From: So.Flo.
MB
Visit your local MB dealer & talk to body shop manager. MB issued a campaign recall to address the rust problems on 98-02 w210s. They may fix it under MB's good will program.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4
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1997 E320
My dash ('97 E320) is cracked in a couple of spots by the defrost vents. I'm guessing that others may be in a similar location.
And in regards to the rust issues, my w210 had 7 relatively noticeable rust spots when I picked it up...
And in regards to the rust issues, my w210 had 7 relatively noticeable rust spots when I picked it up...
Last edited by atari; May 13, 2008 at 02:13 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Buffalo, NY
2000 E430 4Matic
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 484
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From: So.Flo.
MB
Yes it's not the owner that has the defect, it's certain areas of the car. MBUSA said MB used alternative dipping factories for the w210 and had some quality control issues with switching from oil-based to water-based chemicals/paint back in 98-02... hence fast forward to today (and a few years back) and the dismal results are coming out now "underneath" the panels since moisture got trapped and corrosion obviously started sight-unseen. Factory corrosion warranty is usually 4/48 but many dealers have doubled that coverage, and some countries in Europe even granted a much longer warranty coverage. It's hit or miss... I hear some dealers' body shops go out of their way to help the customer with a "good will" since MBUSA ultimately shoulders ALL the costs. Give it a try, worst you can get is a "NO". 
But I know some people (not first owners) who had good success at MB dealers here in So. Florida on their 8-10 y/o w210's!
But I know some people (not first owners) who had good success at MB dealers here in So. Florida on their 8-10 y/o w210's!
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 429
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From: London, UK
W124
It may be different in America but here in the UK Mercedes do everything they can to wriggle out of claims. They insist that you can prove ownership for at least six months, have full main dealer service history and that the car has had no previous paint repairs. Maybe the weather is worse in the UK resulting in more rust claims but it seems like MBUK will do everything they can to avoid paying.
Also as far as I know the rust problems continued until 2004 so early W211s will have problems as well.
It was a manufacturing cost down that went too far. Disgraceful for a 'premium' brand.
Also as far as I know the rust problems continued until 2004 so early W211s will have problems as well.
It was a manufacturing cost down that went too far. Disgraceful for a 'premium' brand.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
E 320
same here, i see 3 cracks right near the pass. airbag that had me thinking maybe the car had been in a wreck before I owned it.
I also have rusing in the lower portion of both rear doors, bothe rear fender wells, and driver fron fender.
Ive only had the car a few weeks, and Im contemplating trading it in.
I also have rusing in the lower portion of both rear doors, bothe rear fender wells, and driver fron fender.
Ive only had the car a few weeks, and Im contemplating trading it in.
<o:p></o:p>
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
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E300 Advangarde
Yes, I totally agree with you I live in U.K. very wet climate I just had to treat all doors including tailgate its aright pia! But I got rid of it used tetraseal paint fantastic stuff! I love this car but I never expected this I had a Peugeot 405 Grd estate no rust problems at all how could Mercedes not see this potential problem they cause a lot of ffing work! I check the body regularly ie every ffing week with for the sorry for strong language but this has really pissed me off!
Last edited by Bob Saulino; Nov 20, 2015 at 06:35 PM. Reason: grammar changes
