Just had the rear subframe replaced on my SLK 200 following a scary moment on Monday when a suspension arm let go exiting a roundabout. Picture below of old subframe!
![577330]( "577330")
Subframe woes
engineerbill
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Also had success with MB of Tunbridge, following Peter's excellent advice. It took them a while to get approval (2-3 weeks) but afterwards it was smooth sailing. I opted to have them replace the brake lines/pipes while they were at it since mine were corroded and would be due for replacement in a few years, and the job involves taking out the subframe as well.
Thanks a lot @peterkw for your posts!
Thanks a lot @peterkw for your posts!
Mine doesn’t look too bad thankfully. Just got a price for new one, £780! How on earth can anyone justify that for a bit of a welded up pressing? I would have thought under the circumstances MB would at the very least sell these at a reasonable price? Robdogs!
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Actually itza reasonable price : £80 for the part and £700 storage for 15 years 😉
Update! Positive news! Mercedes Bristol are going to replace my sub frame for free, fully covered under warranty! I took the car in 10 days ago for a visual health check, yesterday I got a call simply saying the part had arrived and when would I like to book it in!? No back and forth, just bring the car in and we'll fit it for you. Happy days 
. Again thanks @peterkw for your help and sleuthing!
. Again thanks @peterkw for your help and sleuthing!
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Great News
If Your planning to keep Your SLK for a few more years, consider paying for the rear brake pipes to be replaced while they are replacing the sub-frame..??
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incorrect !
Rear Brake pipes can be replaced without removal of rear axle chassis . 😎😎
Just had another success story!
Booked my 2006 350 in with the main dealer this week with a view to inspecting subframe, after I noticed a hole.
Got the video link back yesterday, and low and behold dreaded subframe rot. Multiple holes mainly on welded joints.
Phoned them today to see course of action over a hopeful warranty claim.
They had already contacted merc, and the work to replace FOC has already been approved.
Car left at dealer waiting on 5 day delivery for parts from Germany.
Also going to get them to change out rusty brake lines at same time.
Thanks for all the people posting, would probably never had thought to try the dealer for replacement otherwise.
Booked my 2006 350 in with the main dealer this week with a view to inspecting subframe, after I noticed a hole.
Got the video link back yesterday, and low and behold dreaded subframe rot. Multiple holes mainly on welded joints.
Phoned them today to see course of action over a hopeful warranty claim.
They had already contacted merc, and the work to replace FOC has already been approved.
Car left at dealer waiting on 5 day delivery for parts from Germany.
Also going to get them to change out rusty brake lines at same time.
Thanks for all the people posting, would probably never had thought to try the dealer for replacement otherwise.
Do you have a contact name for merc bristol ,As i now have same problem,Update! Positive news! Mercedes Bristol are going to replace my sub frame for free, fully covered under warranty! I took the car in 10 days ago for a visual health check, yesterday I got a call simply saying the part had arrived and when would I like to book it in!? No back and forth, just bring the car in and we'll fit it for you. Happy days
Cheers
My subframe gave up the ghost this week after 15 years. MB dealer says that there have been almost 500 subframes ordered for these cars so these are not isolated incidents. MB should bear some responsibility for the poor quality of a major structural part of the car and offer free replacement part or free labour to fit new one. Someone will be seriously injured one day if this is allowed to continue!
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Dealer depending, some will sort for free, others not.
Mine is asking for the best part of £2000 to sort this out! It was a decision to scrap the car or continue with the repair. I decided to go ahead and have the work done but I have written to MB in Germany voicing my opinion.
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Typical of what folks get told.
It is very random whether they will do for free, or ask for muchos money.
What puzzles me, is if one dealer can get it done free, then another wants to charge, why is MB not yanking their collar. This is one reason I will not be buying an MB SUV when mine needs replacing.
Shoddy workmanship is another.
If you want brand loyalty, then treat customers well.
It is very random whether they will do for free, or ask for muchos money.
What puzzles me, is if one dealer can get it done free, then another wants to charge, why is MB not yanking their collar. This is one reason I will not be buying an MB SUV when mine needs replacing.
Shoddy workmanship is another.
If you want brand loyalty, then treat customers well.
I've been told in the past that dealers don't get paid as much by manufacturers to do warranty work as they do by customers. So I wonder if you are a busy dealership that has no shortage of work that maybe you're not going to push too hard to do loads of warranty work when you can keep your service department busy with more lucrative customer work. I have found this to be true with my local Kia dealer that has a tiny, busy workshop. It does seem pretty random who gets the best service.
This forum helped me enormously on this matter. By reading about other peoples’ experiences and outcomes I found out about my subframe before a serious accident happened. I would advise all owners to try to assess their subframes before someone is killed by a failure at speed. I was happily driving around at 70 m.p.h unaware of the state of the subframe. Take the time out to check.
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Not related to slk, but my c280 2009 has been flag up by mot for rusty rear subframe.
Went to main dealer for inspection, they did a video with the whole and they will replace it for free.
In my case they said is a 2 week waiting for the parts.
Very impressed with mb, for the first time =)).
Went to main dealer for inspection, they did a video with the whole and they will replace it for free.
In my case they said is a 2 week waiting for the parts.
Very impressed with mb, for the first time =)).
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See post #1 here:
www.slkworld.com
Corroded rear subframe
This may be of interest to those affected with the tin worm.
www.slkworld.com
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6,706 Posts
If its Metal it will corrode Eventually
Not seen any on 172 YET !!!
R171 has the same chassis as the W203. R172 has the same as the W204. Lots of reports of the same problem on the W204 in other forums. So my guess is R172 has the same potential problem.
Don't know about the R170. That one is based on the W202. Did not hear of problems with that one.
Can't say it enough,if you have this problem it pays to persevere at the dealer. Over here subframes are replaced with a new one FOC or for a small fee even with 17 year old cars with no service history. If you have an unwilling dealer don't take no for an answer!
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