Rumour control: V8 Engined W210 Benzes

[Battles]

Can anyone confirm (or shoot down in flames) a rumour I heard that V8 W210s (non-AMG cars) were built either in a different plant (seems unlikely) or in a different way (plausible) than four and six cylinder cars?

I'm aware of the rust issues that some W201s have, though I've seen plenty of four and six cylinder cars with no rust, and someone I trust on Benzes has said that he's heard that V8 cars (including estates but not including the AMG cars) were better made and have better rust protection due to being built differently or in a different plant.

V8s are a bit thin on the ground so I've never had a good look at one.

Obviously, I'm asking because I've seen a nice looking one for sale at a decent (but not phenomenal) price but it's far, far away and it may have a gearbox problem so I really don't need to add rust to the buying equation...

Some pictures of much nicer cars than I will ever have...

[mjphotography2016]

i would think the v8's where done exactly the same as the base model, the outlay of having to set up a second plant just for 430's would be tremendous especially considering the lack of popularity.

even the amg cars start life on a normal production run although these used to be based on high spec models, what couldve been destined to be a c280 turned to a c36, e320 to e36. e430 to a e55, slk320 to a slk55 and so on, 

[Battles]

Jan 23, 2015 12:39:06 GMT mjphotography2016 said:

even the amg cars start life on a normal production run although these used to be based on high spec models

I guess this accounts for the rusty W210 E55s I see on Gumtree all the time then?

I think I knew that it was probably a load of baws when I asked the question but I was hoping someone here would lie to me to make me feel better about it

[mjphotography2016]

it's a mercedes they come with built in rust from new sadly at least with the early Amg spec cars they did come off the production line to have additional work done, after the w210 The Amg cars became more main stream so i would expect that some these never even see an AMG workshop unless they where special orders,

in 1997 you could order a c36 Amg with the 5.5 v8, but it was a bloody expensive option!



they do look good given the treatment but spraying water onto steel is only going to have one outcome

[Deleted]

I can verify that the V8 models are not immune to the rust issues. Although my old 430 wasn't too bad after I had fitted new wings and done some other work.

[welshpug]

I believe the rumour may have originated fromthe fact the older cars used different gauge steel and braces in different places, have a read of Dez's thread.

[madmog]

Jan 23, 2015 14:12:35 GMT mjphotography2016 said:

in 1997 you could order a c36 Amg with the 5.5 v8, but it was a bloody expensive option!

Yup there was the (w202) C36 6 cyl, the C43 V8 and the C55 V8, the latter being rare and expensive.

That said, bigger V8 from E55s and the like will slot in in place of the 430 engine and even use the same ECU as peer this thread

mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c43-amg-w202/366184-c43-55-swap-thread.html

Whether the 6.3 litre engines would also fit I don't know but that's a bit off topic anyway.

To get back on, would the AMG/V8 versions have extra strengthening welded to the bodyshell? If so that might be the point where extra paint/rustproofing might have been added.