My ML320 started to show rust marks on the bonnet after 2 years. By early 2005 these had spread to each wing front, and back, and to the roof.
The rust marks have spread like measles.
The top of the back lift door has now rusted badly.
There are also substantial rust signs on the front wing panels under the bonnet, around the heads of the bolts holding them to the body shell.
In spite of the £40,000 + car being regularly serviced the Mercedes dealership has refused to accept any responsibility and blames "stone chips", interestingly I have no rusted stone chips on my wife's Toyota!
The cheap arrogance of this car maker is unbelievable. Mercedes should either improve their quality and service or accept the the falling sales that will inevitable follow selling junk cars like this.
Take a look at www.troublebenz.com
Even owners of CL500 & CL600 cars have had similar problems with the paintwork.
I too own an '02 ML320 and live in Canada. My dealer claimed the same excuse about stone chips. When I confronted him about stone chips on the back part of the roof, he hesitated and didn't know what to say. There is definitely a problem here and M-B is not prepared to handle it responsibly.
BTW, there is a service bulletin no.T-B-98.10/186 on the tailgate rusting prematurely. Mine was rusted beyond recognition. It was promptly repaired by M-B at no charge even though I was well past my warranty. Unless you mention it, they will not budge. This is my last M-B product.
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