Rust on cars... Especially Mercedes!
Discussion
I took our old Corolla in for MoT earlier today and got talking to the tester about rust. What prompted the conversation was a 2002 silver E Class Mercedes that was the next test, it had rusty wings, doors, boot, it looked a right mess!
He said its unusual these days to see cars with significant structural rust and they hardly do any welding now, where as years ago it was a large part of their business...
He was saying that Mercedes from around 2000 - 2006 all rust badly, quite a sweeping statement!
Is that true, does rust affect all Mercedes modles of that era?
What other cars these days have proved to rust badly, say up to 15 years old? My 1997 BMW 7 series which I sold last November had NO rust on it at all, despite quite a high mileage... I thought rust was a thing of the past...
He said its unusual these days to see cars with significant structural rust and they hardly do any welding now, where as years ago it was a large part of their business...
He was saying that Mercedes from around 2000 - 2006 all rust badly, quite a sweeping statement!
Is that true, does rust affect all Mercedes modles of that era?
What other cars these days have proved to rust badly, say up to 15 years old? My 1997 BMW 7 series which I sold last November had NO rust on it at all, despite quite a high mileage... I thought rust was a thing of the past...
My last 3 series had a little rust around the wheel arches, apparently thats quite common.
I've also heard its quite common around the wheel arches on focus' too, never had that problem with my one but a few I viewed when I was looking to buy did. I had a little bubbling on the boot on that car but it wasn't any thing major.
I've also heard its quite common around the wheel arches on focus' too, never had that problem with my one but a few I viewed when I was looking to buy did. I had a little bubbling on the boot on that car but it wasn't any thing major.
My year 2000 Vauxhall Omega has a rusty wheelarch and sunroof surround and I recently spotted rust bubbles coming under the windsreen rubber. But then it is 11 years old with 170k on the clock. Going to dump it soon as I dont go for the rat look. Its non structursal but looks nasty and isnt worth repairing.
My Golf Mk4 (also 2000) has not a spot of rust anywhere on top or underneath.
My 97 TVR has a chassis that is turning to swiss cheese and will need replacing soon *sigh*
My Golf Mk4 (also 2000) has not a spot of rust anywhere on top or underneath.
My 97 TVR has a chassis that is turning to swiss cheese and will need replacing soon *sigh*
Saw an early A class recently that looked a complete state - bottom of the doors & the arches were almost entirely rusted.
Surprisingly, given the French reputation for build quality, my mum's 1996 Citroen ZX estate is almost entirely rust free, this is despite it being being left in open store for 15 months after being pre-registered (first took to the road in Jan 98), having a frontal collision with a deer, repaired after 3 months of open storage while the insurance was sorted and having had years of sod all care or attention paid to it, it gets washed about once a year!
Overall, that car's been a brilliant buy.
Surprisingly, given the French reputation for build quality, my mum's 1996 Citroen ZX estate is almost entirely rust free, this is despite it being being left in open store for 15 months after being pre-registered (first took to the road in Jan 98), having a frontal collision with a deer, repaired after 3 months of open storage while the insurance was sorted and having had years of sod all care or attention paid to it, it gets washed about once a year!
Overall, that car's been a brilliant buy.
alangla said:
Surprisingly, given the French reputation for build quality, my mum's 1996 Citroen ZX estate is almost entirely rust free, this is despite it being being left in open store for 15 months after being pre-registered (first took to the road in Jan 98), having a frontal collision with a deer, repaired after 3 months of open storage while the insurance was sorted and having had years of sod all care or attention paid to it, it gets washed about once a year!
Overall, that car's been a brilliant buy.
Peugeots are the same, I have owned 2 306s and not a speck of rust on them despite being over 10 years old. Try that with the equivalent ford / vauxhall...Overall, that car's been a brilliant buy.
Peugeots and Citroens might have bad build quality but they dont rust.
I think they were one of the first companies to really put effort into galvanizing all their shells.
406's, 306's, ZX's, Xantia, all those type of 90's models dont really rust unless they've been really abused or badly repaired/repainted.
I think they were one of the first companies to really put effort into galvanizing all their shells.
406's, 306's, ZX's, Xantia, all those type of 90's models dont really rust unless they've been really abused or badly repaired/repainted.
clarkmagpie said:
Our 2000 CLK has rust on every panel 
Not worth doing anything with as it's fairly worthless.
Lovely place to sit but the outside just looks tatty.
Completely agree. My 1998 C240 Sport is rotting, engine and drivetrain are A1 at 192k, Im just losing the will to live with it rusting to bits. Every panel has major rust.Not worth doing anything with as it's fairly worthless.
Lovely place to sit but the outside just looks tatty.
My 2000 C43 saloon had perfect paint (and still did a year ago when I last saw it).
My 1999 C43 estate, however, was shocking - the paint was spidering all over the place, the arches went twice, etc. I had to get a sill welded up to get it through the MOT last time round (!). And it was rusting where the roof rails met the roof.
My current 2005 E Class is fine.
The quality took a real dive when MB bought Chrysler and subsequently recovered.
My 1999 C43 estate, however, was shocking - the paint was spidering all over the place, the arches went twice, etc. I had to get a sill welded up to get it through the MOT last time round (!). And it was rusting where the roof rails met the roof.
My current 2005 E Class is fine.
The quality took a real dive when MB bought Chrysler and subsequently recovered.
Edited by angusc43 on Wednesday 4th May 16:09
Nissan Almeras and Primeras are shocking in shocking places, like structural stuff, crossmembers and inner wings etc.
Mazda 323 and 626 have impressive rear arch conditions, i have a 99 626 as the daily dog which is slowly disappearing and our 52 plate 323 sport had rapidly vanishing arches, hugely common, especially the 323.
Mazda 323 and 626 have impressive rear arch conditions, i have a 99 626 as the daily dog which is slowly disappearing and our 52 plate 323 sport had rapidly vanishing arches, hugely common, especially the 323.
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