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I've seen a lot of 2015 GLKs on the road, but not too many 2010s, in fact none. The body on mine is good but man the plastics start to disintegrate and the metal parts fusing into each other, the repair shop does a miracle each time to keep it alive.
I have one of the early 2010s here that I bought in early 2009. 120k miles and 14 years later it's still in great shape. Not sure what plastics and metals you are talking about.
The suns UV rays disintegrate everything over time, especially rubber and plastic. If it was garaged it would be like new. My 13 is like new, even the paint.
The suns UV rays disintegrate everything over time, especially rubber and plastic. If it was garaged it would be like new. My 13 is like new, even the paint.
So wax your car, early and often. I had to PROMISE to do that to my new used GLK when I admitted to the seller that I didn't have a garage. It's well worth the effort. When first waxing the GLK, I was struck by how little plastic is present- no door edge or wheel well cladding, and a metal grille and spoiler. The taillight lenses are plastic, but the headlights feel like they may be real glass. I can stop buying that "Black to Black" vinyl treatment that wears out so fast on my previous cars.
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
Originally Posted by calder-cay
a) "what" plastics ??
b) "which" metal parts "fuse" ??
I guess we're not gonna get an answer to (b) ...
(I understand (a), but don't have that issue)
Originally Posted by Mmr1
The suns UV rays disintegrate everything over time, especially rubber and plastic. If it was garaged it would be like new. My 13 is like new, even the paint.
Same here ... 2014 Base - exterior and interior like new ... no fading or "metal fusing" (whatever that means)
Rear wiper falling apart and its nut fused being one example, and then emergency break seizure, engine and transmission mounts failing, velocity axle, suspension control arms. Granted it comes from a Northern climate and it was parked outside for a couple season, so not everyone will have those issues.
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
Originally Posted by MysticMan
Rear wiper falling apart and its nut fused being one example,
Ahhhh, now I understand.
Like the fused nut. That's due to rust or other corrosion because of exposure to the elements.
So, not really a MB quality issue, but a "subjected to the weather elements". Can happen to any mechanical device with that type of exposure, without proper upkeep.
I will conclude that I empathize with your situation and hope it can all be rectified !
No amount of normal maintenance will prevent that. Maybe if you dunked the whole car in something like ACF-50 or Boeshield T-9, but that would probably bring on a whole host of other problems...
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
Originally Posted by John CC
No amount of normal maintenance will prevent that. Maybe if you dunked the whole car in something like ACF-50 or Boeshield T-9, but that would probably bring on a whole host of other problems...
So, I guess a "house it down" (fresh water) won't help in reducing salt corrosion? Or is it, "salt is used so much", that you'd be hosing it down daily ?
I've been driving all sorts of vehicles for 50+ years here in South-Central Texas, and have never seen corrosion as in that photo. (Well, maybe the folks who live along the Gulf Coast coastline see it )
Any car used where they salt the roads in the winter looks like that. Bought a 1980 Pontiac in 1984 from Indiana to restore. Every nut, bolt, even the brake drums looked like that. The original owner had Ziebarted the car to save the the sheet metal and floor pans, which I reapplied after restoration. I applied rice-oil antirust treatment to the exposed fasteners and it lived a long and productive life after on the Gulf Coast.
So, I guess a "house it down" (fresh water) won't help in reducing salt corrosion?
It'll help, but hosing it down won't touch that wiper arm nut under the cover.
If you've never spent a winter in New England or Upstate New York then you won't understand... I think the rule is something like 1 inch of salt for every 2 inches of snow...
And, hosing down can be a double edged sword. The corrosive action needs moisture to progress. If the car was bone dry then the salt would not attack the metal.
2010 here. My now wife purchased it brand new at the time. No complaints here with how it has stood up to the elements and time. Granted the past few years has been more garage queen than usual as it was a DD for her up until 2018.
2010 here. My now wife purchased it brand new at the time. No complaints here with how it has stood up to the elements and time. Granted the past few years has been more garage queen than usual as it was a DD for her up until 2018.
Slightly less artistic shot from last fall. Upgraded the wheels to the 20" AMG option from later model years. In my opinion vastly improved the looks over the standard 19" wheels. Lots of TLC on the paint followed with ceramic coating.
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