Rear subframe on W203

Rear subframe on W203

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nobrakes

Original Poster:

3,303 posts

205 months

Wednesday 16th March 2022
quotequote all
May need to have the rear subframe on my W203 replaced.

Does that mean full suspension, diff, and exhaust out? Say 2days work?

It’s in A1 apart from that. Obviously would need to do a bit of ‘whilst you’re there’ refurbishment.



Edited by nobrakes on Wednesday 16th March 20:35

Tom8

3,055 posts

161 months

Thursday 17th March 2022
quotequote all
What year is the car? I had a subframe replaced on mine as it had basically rotted like an old mini's used to. The dealership was really helpful and went back to MB and we got an agreement that they would cover a large portion of the cost. Can't remember exactly but it was a good chunk because it shouldn't have got into that state. Cost wise it was a few grand in total.

nobrakes

Original Poster:

3,303 posts

205 months

Friday 18th March 2022
quotequote all
Tom8 said:
What year is the car? I had a subframe replaced on mine as it had basically rotted like an old mini's used to. The dealership was really helpful and went back to MB and we got an agreement that they would cover a large portion of the cost. Can't remember exactly but it was a good chunk because it shouldn't have got into that state. Cost wise it was a few grand in total.
2006

I don’t have a quote, just planning. Better the devil you know in the old car market.

Full MBSH so might be sympathetic(whilst over the barrel)!

Tom8

3,055 posts

161 months

Friday 18th March 2022
quotequote all
Try it, they were very good with me, I didn't expect anything and got quite a lot!

nobrakes

Original Poster:

3,303 posts

205 months

Friday 18th March 2022
quotequote all
Tom8 said:
What year is the car? I had a subframe replaced on mine as it had basically rotted like an old mini's used to. The dealership was really helpful and went back to MB and we got an agreement that they would cover a large portion of the cost. Can't remember exactly but it was a good chunk because it shouldn't have got into that state. Cost wise it was a few grand in total.
2006

I don’t have a quote, just planning. Better the devil you know in the old car market.

Full MBSH so might be sympathetic(whilst over the barrel)!

Touring442

3,096 posts

216 months

Tuesday 29th March 2022
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This is a major problem on not just the W203 but the W204 as well with a number of rotten subframes and some failures. The R171 SLK is also badly affected - the newest I have heard of is a 2013 W204 C Class where a rusty subframe has broken.

This is a 2010 car - google Mercedes subframe rust and there are many more like it. How they have avoided a scandal so far is odd.


Terzo123

4,444 posts

215 months

Tuesday 14th March 2023
quotequote all
MB USA appear to be officially recognising the issue.


Dog Star

16,488 posts

175 months

Tuesday 14th March 2023
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Mrs DSs 2006 R171 has new front and rear subframes - one owner, fmbsh, full mb tier 1 warranty from new (god knows what that cost), garaged 50k miles from new. The rest of the car is like new, no rust whatsoever so how the subframes got into a state of needing replacement is an odd one.

It was a picked up by MB without quibble.

trevalvole

1,270 posts

40 months

Wednesday 15th March 2023
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Terzo123 said:
MB USA appear to be officially recognising the issue.

I note this doesn't include the W203 C-Class. My impression is that the worst rear subframe problem, that of the rust-from-the-inside-out, was introduced with the 50mm-wider R171 SLK and continued with the likes of the W204 C-Class and W212 E-Class.

For the OP, getting the rust-prone brakes lines done at the same might be a good move - they may also need to drop the fuel tank to do this.

mwstewart

8,038 posts

195 months

Wednesday 15th March 2023
quotequote all
trevalvole said:
...

I note this doesn't include the W203 C-Class. My impression is that the worst rear subframe problem, that of the rust-from-the-inside-out, was introduced with the 50mm-wider R171 SLK and continued with the likes of the W204 C-Class and W212 E-Class.

For the OP, getting the rust-prone brakes lines done at the same might be a good move - they may also need to drop the fuel tank to do this.
That's also my understanding. Not to say that it won't happen on the 203 & 209, but certainly it seems to be a genuine, widespread issue on the later cars.

DaveyBoyWonder

2,741 posts

181 months

Thursday 16th March 2023
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Mercedes I think are pretty good at recognising the issue on the 204 era cars and replacing the subframes for free. Worth contacting them about it to see if theres anything, even a goodwill gesture...