More rust talk please

[softtop]

I have been through the forums and have the following questions.

1. Which is the 'C' Pillar?
2. If rust is repaired, how long will it take to come back?
3. Looking at a car that has lived near the sea for the last four years, do I already know the answer?
4. Will independent MB services still allow you to get paint repaired?
5. Why is rust such a big deal? I know cars don't rust now but is this not something you would repair once every five years if you loved the car enough? TVR owner used to spending!!
6. This is on a 53 plate e class estate

[cptsideways]

softtop said:

I have been through the forums and have the following questions.

1. Which is the 'C' Pillar?
2. If rust is repaired, how long will it take to come back?
3. Looking at a car that has lived near the sea for the last four years, do I already know the answer?
4. Will independent MB services still allow you to get paint repaired?
5. Why is rust such a big deal? I know cars don't rust now but is this not something you would repair once every five years if you loved the car enough? TVR owner used to spending!!
6. This is on a 53 plate e class estate

1) a = window pillar, b = door pillar, c = rear quarter pillar
2) Depends how well its done
3) Yes
4) Doubt it
5) Its a terminal disease
6) Worst cars were the "C for Corosion class" remember 1980's silver Datsuns?

I'd inspect the car very very thouroughly, my bet is you'll find very faint fingers of rust on nearly every panel beneath the paint (looks like very fine lightning style marks)

[softtop]

thanks Captain, I wil look closely. Just read that 03 e class cars were galvanised, there may be some hope??

[The Rock]

I bought a 4year old E300TD in 2003 which had always been main dealer serviced, albeit only at 20,000 mile intervals. (Not exactly what the service book says, eh?)

Anyway. I started having it serviced independantly so when I claimed for rusty wings, door tops, boot lock and bonnet in 2005 I was expecting to get the cold-shoulder. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everything was corrected free-of-charge by MB.

In 2008 (past the 8 year deadline for rust related free repairs) MB agreed to a 50% contribution to do both rear wings again, one door bottom and the bonnet. I took this opportunity to have a brand new bonnet (at my own expense) and let them contribute half the cost of replacing and painting it.

My point being: You do not need to have main dealer servicing for MB to offer free rust repairs, nor does the car necessarily have to be under 8 years old if previous history reveals a poorly executed repair.

The Rock