My 2000 E320 has excessive rust issues through out the entire body. I was told by Mercedes Benz of North America this is a common issue because of the use of a new water based paint used between 1997-2002 but because I am out of warranty and the car is over 10 years old they can not help me or offer me any further assistance with the issue. I have located online forums with consumers who own the same car as myself and have the same exact issues in the same places and received the same information from mbusa. The worst areas are in every wheel well causing the wheel wheels to buckle and chip into the suspension and break area and it has cause the frame of the car to severely weaken, in addition my rear trunk key hole area is rusting through and I was advised it will rust through and at that point the locking mechanism will come off and I will at that point need to replace the trunk lid possibly causing the trunk to involuntary open while operating the vehicle.

- Hillsdale, NJ, USA