2000 Mercedes-Benz CL CL500 from UK and Ireland - Comments

To the poster on "27th Sep 2005, 06:00", I had the timing chain snap in my engine at 66,000km. As you know it's sealed for life and not meant to be changed like an ordinary timing belt.

Read my comments about it here: http://www.carsurvey.org/review_70778.html

E320 CDI estate, November 2000. Almost everything electrical has gone wrong with this car, most recently the ESP/BAS/ABS warning lights which I have had checked by the dealer who found nothing amiss. They continue to come on from time to time. The car has had four new doors and as I write this is having a new bonnet (hood) fitted, all because of rust. The tailgate has been "treated" four times now for rust in different places. What worries me, apart from the obvious, is what is going on underneath in the load bearing structure of the car? If I were Mercedes I would re-call all vehicles, have the dealers remove all the plastic protective panels below the car, clean and thoroughly spray with a wax based product to prevent any further problems. I cannot afford to change my car and fully intend to keep it for as long as possible during which time I shall comply with the requirements of the bodywork warranty by having it serviced by a MB dealer at least every two years. Has anyone considered bringing a "class action" against MB over these problems? I would have thought that the currently fashionable "unfit for purpose" expression might be relevant. My e-mail address is johnandrosemarygriffiths@btinternet.com should anyone wish to develop this idea with me.

I have to agree on all the comments I have read, on MB customer services. And I have yet to collect my new car from them, shame I paid my deposit and traded my old car with MB

Mr k price

I'm glad to read these comments. As I recently went to several Mercedes car dealerships looking for a 2000-2003 E class. I was surprised to see stone chips on the bonnet of every single one and rust in places that would make a Mk3 Escort seem positively rust proof. I shall never go near a 'newish' Mercedes having read these comments. I think Mercedes stopped being Mercedes post 1998 when cutting costs came into the equation.

I own a 2001 S55 and live in Canada. I just found out that my car has MAJOR rust problems on the fenders, trunk and door panels. I have had nothing, but SERIOUS problems with the car sinc the day I bought it. For everything I got done from MB, I had to fight for it.

At one point, the engine started to show low oil between services. MB's response was "it is within acceptable levels" :-) Well, finally, the engine started to make a funny noise. At this point, I had just under 100,000 miles and had the extended warranty (thank God) on the car. Inspite of the warranty, I had to fight and argue with them to fix the noise. They replaced two cylinders (from what I was told). MAGICALLY, no more low oil warnings from the car -- think it was a problem and NOT just "within acceptable limits??".

Now, I have heard so much about the rust problems. I am dreading their response to how they are going to solve this. My car does have a lot of miles, but, from what I hear, this is a KNOWN issue. An MB employee told me that the only reason there was not a recall on the cars was because this is not a safety issue. He said he has has more cars come in with rust problems than he cares to remember. Obviously, he won't go on record because he would loose his job.

I have had MB cars for close to 12 years now and the service is absolutely unacceptable and completely arrogant. I will keep you all posted on how they respond to the rust problems.

I can't say I have had any rust problems with the previous 4 Mercedes cars I have had, but problems like my 1999 SLK going into safe mode, my 2003 E240 rear footrest getting wet with no sign of a leak, My wifes 1999 CLK/s speedometre not going higher than 40mph and on my current CL500, SRS warning coming on everytime I start the car. All of these problems may I add have not been fixed by my dealer, but I have been charged £90 an hour labour rates, the problem is my next car will more than likely be another Mercedes because I can't see myself in anything else, BMW are just as bad and Audi who do seem to be flawless are just too bland.

Further to my earlier comment in October 2006 I now have rust on the front edges of the rear wings. Once again the car has to go to the MB appointed bodyshop to be "treated". John Griffiths - johnandrosemarygriffiths@btinternet.com.

Rob-Just bought a 2000 E430, when I bought the car from my friend we discussed the rust, I didn't think it would be such a big deal, now after reading this I am very worried. I have a half dollar size spot on the right rear door, quarter size spot on the left rear door, small spot under the key entry on the trunk, and some rust on the right rear wheel well. I was wondering how long it will take before these spots get bigger? Also how much replacing doors cost? Or having the spots sanded or stripped and repainted costs? I still think the cars are nice.. There has to be something that can be done that's worth it to fix the problem...please reply with advice.. I really need it. Thanks.

I had 2 MB A classes niggly problems from day one. the first one yr99 needed a new anti roll bar which was replaced under warranty.

The second car 51 plate must have been built on Friday afternoon, 3 wiper motors, rear door struts, cracked steering colum, broken alloy wheel. The engine was brilliant over the 2 cars I covered 128 k miles no problems. And the dealers well that's another story, service, no idea, they are arrogant and very expensive. The merger killed the quality for sure, I used to respect MB, but not now, give me a BMW or Audi thanks.

320d se superb quality all the way.

Doesn't MB give an anti rust warranty? I have just bought a 2002 mb SLK 320 and found two rust spots, both on each panel that holds the windscreen in, same height on each arm, it must be a MB fault, what can I do? adamthomson@flintinsurance.co.uk.

For all those with MB problems I sympathise. Might I suggest a Jaguar XJ or Lexus?Much better than Audi I find (hate front wheel drive).BMW is also a non runner because of their ludicrous ashtray design. Superb cars, but such a small thing spoils it. Non smokers only for Beemers it seems. For the record I have owned 3 Mercs. An 88 230E, a 97 E Class, and a 1986 560 SEL. I have to admit the 97 falls short of the quality evident in my eighties cars. Moral of the story, you want a new Mercedes that actually meets your expectations?Buy an old one!

P.S. I love my 560 SEL!The best car I have ever owned!

I am considering buying a 2001 CL500 but all the problems with "rust" is worrying. I thought the CL500 had aluminium doors and other body parts which cannot rust. Do you mean aluminium corrosion? I have had BMW's for years without any of these problems. I thought rust was a problem of the distant past for quality German marques.

I have a mb e280 94 and there is not rust at all on it. I advice anyone who wants to buy a mercedes to buy before 1996 to be sure of rust problems. I am looking of at buying a cl420 95 at the moment and it is built like a tank with no rust at all.

I have a 2002 S320 CDI which I bought new for over £50K with a view to keeping it for 10years. I now find I have rust at the edge of both rear wing panels, along the edge of the sunroof and along the lower border of all doors. The local MB repair centre took pictures of the areas of rust, but say they are so inundated with similar complaints it will be some time before they can get back to me,if ever?

This car has also had to have a new brake master cylinder, a new mass air sensor and a new inter-cooler installed in the last two years, what a disappointment, I thought this was a quality car, but its turning into a heap of junk. My last Mercedes I think!

E Class estate. 2 previous entries re. rust since when it has received a new bonnet (hood) and the rear wheel arches have been treated. Having noticed extensive rust under the rear of the car I referred it once again back to MB. They disallowed the claim this time because it was not, in their opinion, "inside to outside" corrosion, but was caused by external factors i.e. salt etc on the roads and was considered normal for a car of this age. I have therefore had the plastic protection taken down and the entire underside sprayed with a fantastic product from the aircraft industry called ACF50. John Griffiths.