I've searched the Internet and forum and can't find anything similar to this, apologies if there is...
I have a 2008 SLK350 and I noticed last week that there is rust on the inside of the boot lid all around where the lid sits on the rubber seals when closed. One part to the extent where the paint has come off, the rest bubbling paint. I have attached some pictures.
My assumption is that this is the result of the rubber getting damp at some point due to a leak and/or insufficient draining. I've not noticed any water in the boot or signs of it other than this rust.
I got the car a few months ago and what baffles me is that I didn't see it and neither did the RAC inspector so assuming that the paint has only recently come off, or that both myself and the inspector need better glasses.
Has anyone seen this before? Have any ideas of what may have caused it and also how big a job it will be to get the boot lid fixed up.
The roof also rattles when up, but I am aware from the many other threads about roof noises that this could be unrelated.
I'm taking it to a Mercedes specialist next week to have it looked at but always like to have some idea of what I'm looking at before going.
Any thoughts/advice would be really appreciated, this is a great forum, I have been silently browsing it before and after I got my SLK and it has been lots of help
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I've recently bought a 2008 280 also in black, thankfully the bodywork/paintwork is pretty good less a few stone chips on the bonnet. Has the boot lid been off at some point and then damaged during refitting or poorly aligned on refitting resulting in damage to the paintwork? I hope you can get it sorted out soon. Enjoy the car >
That is definitely not normal - the R171 cars are much better protected than the previous R170 series (had both, my 2002 R170 had multiple MB rust repairs in its life!) and rust - even on UK cars - has not been raised as an issue.
Well.... On the German MBSLK.de - The SLK-Community forum, there is a sticky on the topic "Rust underneath the boot/trunk rubber". Sure, these postings all refer to the vertical panel in between the tail lights and not to the boot/trunk lid, but the point is that the R171 can have rust as well.
Another location for rust is the battery compartment (multiple postings on that one at the current forum).
Unfortunately, I recently discovered rust in both places in my car
On topic: The boot/trunk lid is a rare place for rust. It looks as if it was misaligned, or impacted by an earlier collision.
Does anyone know if I may be able to get anything out of the Mercedes rust warranty? Have read that it depends on if the rust is from the inside out? Also that there seems to be a mix of other T&Cs and largely goodwill dependent from MB dealers
I'll update this thread when I know more and have hopefully fixed it or en route to...
I think you can only get a warranty claim if it has MB service history?
30 years on the SLK. Every time it is Serviced they should check the Paint for damage.
Try it at your local MB dealer you have nothing to lose.
I have just looked at mine and it seems that area is in fresh air when the boot is down.
Someone must have trapped something in the past and damaged the paint. Are there any Dents?
I would take it to a Body Shop and get it sorted ASAP.
If you don't have any success with MB, and you are quite willing for a bit of DIY. The area is not in plain sight, so it could be sanded down and "Rust Remedy Treatment" applied (This chemically seals the rust) once dry the area can be sanded smooth, primer applied and then top coat. Paints can be mixed to manufactures specifications and color....Probably acquire all that is needed from Ebay...Just a suggestion and I hope you get it sorted....:wink:
So a quick update... I took this to a nearby dealer, who submitted it for a warranty claim and yesterday got a call from the bodyshop that they use, to book it in for the work to be done under warranty, happy days!! Thanks everyone for your help.
They were surprised to see the rust and were baffled as to why it happened too
In that location i don't understand how water would sit against it to rust as it would be in a vertical position. i wonder if something is trapped inside the sheet metal and not able to drain out.
Hmm, my 2007 r171 has bubbles under the bottom edge of the boot lid either side of the lock mechanism. Also what looks like the beginning of rust along the panel edge under the rubber seal to the sides of the boot lid. It looks like rainwater get trapped under the seal edge in the channel there. I have lifted the seal, cleaned out the gunk and because the rust is microscopic applied rust proofing wax for the moment. The patches, each 10-20 mm long will need cleaning back, priming and painting.
Not the kind of story you want to here about MB.
Incidentally, anyone know of any other places where the slk rusts. I have cleaned out the battery box drain where an inch of water had gathered! Fortunately no damage there obvious.
On taking to the dealer's authorised body shop to get it fixed under warranty got a complete new boot lid fitted (rather than the rusting one being fixed up) and the pleasure of a smart forfour for a week as the courtesy car...
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