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Mercs - rust!?! What else should I look for?

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  • 09-08-2007 7:47am
    #1
    Quatre Mains
    Registered Users Posts: 622 ✭✭✭


    Hi folks
    I've been offered a cheap E-class Merc. Overall the car looks alright but it has rust around the wheel arches and on the bonnet (at the base of the grill). It doesnt look too deep - however I am a bit of a novice in this area so
    I've just spent a few mins researching this issue and I can't believe the amount of people complaining about E-class rust!
    I had my heart set on a cheap merc - any thoughts on the w124 coupe folks?


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    #2
    Anan1
    Registered Users Posts: 22,815 ✭✭✭✭Anan1


    The trick with the W124 is to buy pre-facelift. That grille can be easily replaced, the arches will be a lot more work. A pre-facelift coupé will hold its value well. They're a nice drive, if a bit waggy of tail. You really need six cylinders.


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    #3
    BrianD3
    Registered Users Posts: 8,387 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    Rusty rear arches is common enough on many older makes and models and especially on UK imports. The W124 is getting on a bit now so it's not a surprise to see some rust.

    A lot of the rust complaints about the E class are about the later model W210. There is an article in this month's Car Mechanics showing shocking (and dangerous) front subframe rot on an 8 year old W210. This rust was hidden by the undertray and the car passed its MOT as MOT testers can only test what they can see and are not allowed to disassemble anything.

    I don't know if the W124 suffers from rot in this area however.


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    #4
    kyote00
    Registered Users Posts: 1,587 ✭✭✭kyote00


    jaysus...thats not rust...


    this is rust : http://cortina.blog.com/

    (my current restoration project)....


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    #5
    mike65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 88,978 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    The critical time period is 1993/94 when Mercedes switched to water based paints. Its still perfectly possible to find a rot free late w124 example but they are more prone than the earlier year models. The areas to watch are the front wheel arches - you can buy patten wings for 60-70 euro or find rot free earlier examples.

    The w210 was just badly built and screwed together generally! :p

    Mike.


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    #6
    Wishbone Ash
    Registered Users Posts: 24,991 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    BrianD3 wrote:
    A lot of the rust complaints about the E class are about the later model W210
    The only evidence of rust that I am aware of in my W210 is a bit of "bubbling" in the paintwork around the boot keyhole.

    (Then again, I do live in the driest town in Ireland. :D)


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