OT - thoughts from folks in the north about the effect of salt on cars
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 389
Likes: 8
From: Louisville, Kentucky
Formerly: 2007 e63; 2012 GL450
OT - thoughts from folks in the north about the effect of salt on cars
I'm looking at picking up a used SUV to keep my kids and dogs (and wife) out of my Mercedes. Found a very nice 2008 Suburban with relatively low miles (27k) in the Cleveland area. Its at a dealer, so no ability to talk to its prior owner. I am a little concerned about the potential for rust from a few years of harder winters up north than we get here, but was told by a few pals that its not as much of a concern as I am making it.
Curious about the opinions of those wiser than me - is rust from salt something to worry about, or is it not as big a deal on cars these days with better rust coatings, etc.
Thanks for all thoughts.
Curious about the opinions of those wiser than me - is rust from salt something to worry about, or is it not as big a deal on cars these days with better rust coatings, etc.
Thanks for all thoughts.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 22
From: Orange County, CA.
one car at a time
I'm looking at picking up a used SUV to keep my kids and dogs (and wife) out of my Mercedes. Found a very nice 2008 Suburban with relatively low miles (27k) in the Cleveland area. Its at a dealer, so no ability to talk to its prior owner. I am a little concerned about the potential for rust from a few years of harder winters up north than we get here, but was told by a few pals that its not as much of a concern as I am making it.
Curious about the opinions of those wiser than me - is rust from salt something to worry about, or is it not as big a deal on cars these days with better rust coatings, etc.
Thanks for all thoughts.
Curious about the opinions of those wiser than me - is rust from salt something to worry about, or is it not as big a deal on cars these days with better rust coatings, etc.
Thanks for all thoughts.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: SNH
2006 E55
I'd be more concerned about oil consumption issues with the 5.3 liter with cylinder deactivation. I had an 07 that I put 120K miles on. At 75K it started using oil pretty badly. they replaced the lifters and installed a oil pan splash guard under warranty. the problem really never went away. It was a fairly widespread problem on those motors. I religously changed my oil using all synthetic from the start too. Do a search on it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 9
From: NY
Sold - 05' E55
I agree, it depends how the previous owner maintained the vehicle.
Some people think I'm nuts but I don't care.
A few of my cars won't use in the winter, the ones that I do use I not only wash the exterior I do my best to hose underneath because of the use of calcium or salt on the roads.
The things that will fail over time are the brake lines, and fuel lines, actually the frames crap out (rust) over time too. A quick wash buys a lot more time on the under carriage.
Some people think I'm nuts but I don't care.
A few of my cars won't use in the winter, the ones that I do use I not only wash the exterior I do my best to hose underneath because of the use of calcium or salt on the roads.
The things that will fail over time are the brake lines, and fuel lines, actually the frames crap out (rust) over time too. A quick wash buys a lot more time on the under carriage.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
2010 E350, 2011 ML350, 2003 996TT
I bought a GMC Yukon years ago that was from an area with harsh winters. It ran fine, but had some undercarriage rust. That bothered me enough that I eventually sold the truck. Well, that and the fact that it only got 11.5 MPG.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 389
Likes: 8
From: Louisville, Kentucky
Formerly: 2007 e63; 2012 GL450
Wow. Great thoughts - much appreciated.
Sounds like I should give more consideration to Plan 2 - a 2008 ML550 from Atlanta - no rust, and no 5.3 cylinder deactivation issues.
Sounds like I should give more consideration to Plan 2 - a 2008 ML550 from Atlanta - no rust, and no 5.3 cylinder deactivation issues.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 112
Likes: 1
From: medina ,ohio
05,cl65;33ford3wc.
Hello from the rust belt. I live in northern ohio, the winters are often rough and we have a lot of freeze thaw cycles, and we use a lot of salt. The cars take the salt much better now than years ago, but it is still a problem, a car here five years old will usually show no body rust, but will have under carriage corrosion. Get a hundred miles south of the lake and its less trouble.I use my truck in the winters and store my two cars.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
