Mercedes: Mercedes 240, wheel arches, mercedes 240

Question
Hi Robert

I have the opportunity to buy a 2001 Mercedes 240. The mileage is 65,000 and generally the condition is immaculate. There is some corrosion on the wheel arches and I have been warned that this is can be a serious problem with these cars. Should I be especially worried and would this be covered by the Mercedes corrosion warranty>

Thanks and Regards

Roy Tunley U.K.

Answer
Roy,
I expect that the corrosion is where road salt has infiltrated areas under the finder and not been kept washed away over time.

If the vehicle has been repainted, you really have no way of knowing what plastic filler and primer/paint has been used to mitigate the rust.

Back in the 1930s my dad would drive from Georgia to Chicago and buy used vehicle for resale here. He related that they would tow one vehicle with another. This particularly newly painted Plymouth looked very nice with the new paint.
He hitched it up to tow  and at their first gas stop several hundred miles down the road, he happen to notice that paint under the doors has some ripples and minor cracks.
Upon close inspection he discovered the body filler used was plaster of paris.
Needless to say by the time they arrive back in Georgia, all the bottom quarter panels and rocker panels under the door ware completed gone.

The balance goes toward a couple of things. How long do you expect to keep the vehicle, what is the asking price against the book value, and are you willing to live with the present corrosion/rust.

The best way to determine warranty issues its to contact a dealer. You would need to see the 'written warranty' for that particular vehicle. Even it it is covered under warranty, you would need to know what deductible if any is required, and are there any hidden charges to cover materials etc. and is the warranty transferable to you.
Good Luck
Rob