Rust on R170 SLK
Discussion
While wasing car the otherday noticed a few small bits of rust beginning to blister through on edges of front wings. Very small patches but on having a further good poke about the wheel arches are suffering as well. Local body shop quoted me £250 to treat and respray but have advised that more rust patches are inevitable.
So thought I would investigate how much to replace the wings to prevent any future woes. (not had this quote yet)
Quite irritaed by this loving the car so far but you would of thought a car that cost over £45k and is only 10 years old would be so well known for having rust problems.
So thought I would investigate how much to replace the wings to prevent any future woes. (not had this quote yet)
Quite irritaed by this loving the car so far but you would of thought a car that cost over £45k and is only 10 years old would be so well known for having rust problems.
There was a comprehensive examination of the problem in the Mercedes-Benz Club Gazette about 18 months ago. The articles are available online as PDFs. The SLK suffers like all Mercs of the period. There is no excuse for it. Thankfully it does not seem to be structural. What is worse is Merc's disgraceful attitude to honouring its 30year warranty against corrosion from the inside out. I'd like to see somebody publicly sue them for welching on this commitment. When I threatened to do so, the dealer quickly paid for new wings and a very comprehensive repaint. Back to your SLK: wings are £200 each and the rust is likely to return if it is merely treated. Look at the boot lock, rear wheel arches and bonnet slam panel as well.
I'm awaiting the call to get squeezed in with a local guy who's main business in concours restoration work (booked up for the next two years - but its a fill in job).
Mainly the rears with a little bit on the front. Just concerned because my colour is the Designo Orange - matching a 10+ year old colour. Price quoted is similar to what you mentioned.
When its done I intend to get a Carcoon for this coming winter to help look after the car. Luckily is a fair weather car so I hope it will last a while before it needs doing again - which it will.
Mainly the rears with a little bit on the front. Just concerned because my colour is the Designo Orange - matching a 10+ year old colour. Price quoted is similar to what you mentioned.
When its done I intend to get a Carcoon for this coming winter to help look after the car. Luckily is a fair weather car so I hope it will last a while before it needs doing again - which it will.
ewan221 said:
I got a second opionion from another bodyshop that a fellow PHer had used who told me that treating the areas would be sufficient. So it was taken back to bare metal around the effected bits, treated and resprayed.
I am very happy with the results
Do you mind saying roughly what that cost?I am very happy with the results
I had small blisters of rust on both front wings where they meet top of bumper, a bit on bottom edge of front wing and the usual bit at boot handle. The body shop had a good look over the car and found a couple of stone chips that would turn to rust in rear arches so they were done as well. Final bill was £475.
Compare this to one of the big multi nationals who quoted me £850 for the front only.
The work done was very high quality and paint match totally spot on
Compare this to one of the big multi nationals who quoted me £850 for the front only.
The work done was very high quality and paint match totally spot on
B'stard Child said:
gtidriver said:
Why didn't you take it back to Mercedes and get them to do it. I got four doors and a tailgate from them under warranty. 06/06 a class.
probably because Mercedes didn't offer a 10 year anti corrosion warrenty on a 2001 SLK
Riff Raff said:
B'stard Child said:
gtidriver said:
Why didn't you take it back to Mercedes and get them to do it. I got four doors and a tailgate from them under warranty. 06/06 a class.
probably because Mercedes didn't offer a 10 year anti corrosion warrenty on a 2001 SLKBut if your fsh and it's from a recognised merc specialist I cant see a problem. The manager where the wife works has a a150 and that's started to go on the lower parts of the doors, but she had a local do the last service, Mercedes Uk was still willing to look into it. Don't know the out come. Ours was bought at Vikings at Canterbury which Is a merc specialist, and we had no problems getting it done.
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