jpparker30

I went to the dealer to purchase a new 2012 E 350. However, I did not purchase because I was very dissappointed with the loud engine noise. I heard a very strange ticking noise. Is this common with the new engine? I did not hear this noise with the 2011 engine.

Mr Snappy

I have not heard the 2012 E-350, but my Caddy CTS had basically the same engine. The sound is the direct injection. It is normal.

Don't judge an engine by its click.....go back and give it a test drive.

K-A

Uh oh, a lot of people were warning about the "loud click". Maybe it's true after all.

Anything that I can do to not want the 2012 motor is a good thing for me (been switching E's too much lately ), so I hope it clicks nice and loud when I go to check one out.

jpparker30

I did test drive the 2012. Unfortuneatly after hearing the clicking noise I did not care how good it drove. I actually had the salesman let me listen to another 2012 and it also sounded bad. It's a shame because I was excited about the added horsepower and have been waiting for the 2012 model, but I can't bring myself to buy a car that sounds like it is going to fall apart. I am going to buy a new 5 series.

B6JoeS4

GM's new 3.6 V6 used in the CTS is pretty noisy at idle too. Pretty normal for newer engines as compression goes up and different timing is used for better fuel economy.

Wig

I haven't heard much about the sound of the 2012 550 motor, but I assume it 'clicks' the same as the V6. Disappointing if both new engines are louder than their predecessors.

MB-JIM

I haven't heard one of the E350 cgi engines since my dealer hasn't received any but here is what the factory says about the new engines:

"Direct injection microscopically tunes the fuel spray, reducing emissions, fuel consumption and noise."

The factory claims lower noise so what gives?????

BenzMan369

Is this ticking noise heard inside the car or when you're standing outside or the hood is open and you're standing at the engine?

Inside the car, my 302 D.I. V6 E350 Coupe does have a little drone when accelerating. No ticking noise. When not accelerating, i.e. not depressing the gas pedal, the engine is dead silent and totally vibrationless. When I first began driving it, I thought the engine had died when I stopped for a traffic light.

My 2012 feels like a very different - more eager - car from the 2010 version, and with slightly better fuel mileage as a bonus. The difference in responsiveness/performance is significant. It's not all due to the engine; the newly updated transmission also helps.

I'll be very interested to read 2012 W212 driver reports. I suspect those who can make comparisions with the previous drivetrain will have mostly favorable opinions.

axhoaxho

I am also coming from the last 268hp 3.5L EFI V6 (2009 C350) to the new 302hp 3.5L DFI V6 with the new 7G Tronic Plus transmission (2012 E350 Coupe.) Since both cars are based on the similar chassis, I think I have a somewhat-ly-close comparison reference between the two engines.

The last engine was never lack of power to me, but the new engine is noticeably more sporty, lively, and responsive.

For the new engine, inside the cabin it is as quiet as any Mercedes (minus the AMG models, of course.) Yet, once I step on the throttle, the new engine has a nice sporty engine 'roar' that I like very much.

And I agree that when standing next to the car when it is idling, it has that infamous characteristic DFI engine noise (some say it reassembles a little bit like the good 'ol diesel engine), which is very normal for modern DFI engines across many car brands.

Regards,

MB-JIM

Thanks for the encouraging report. It appears that the sound shouldn't be objectionable. I will find out soon, for sure, since my boat will arrive tomorrow and I should have my E350 Luxury Model a week from now.
Jim

mac jones

I'm going to be looking at one of these 2012's and they had better be quiet.

After all it's a luxury car that's supposed to be quiet.

Even the idea that it's noisy is wacky.

Germancar1

Good luck. Do your research man. BMW's direct injection + turbo engines aren't any better reliability wise (they're actually worse) and they also make noise. All direct injection engines do upon start up.

I can't believe this thread. Like listening to little old ladies at the market who are clueless.


BMW + Turbo + Direct Injection = Problems, or has done so in the recent past.


M

Germancar1

They're talking about during operation, once the engine is warmed up, noise from inside the car. Not to someone standing outside the car listening to the engine.


M

K-A

Just wait until you start driving it over rough roads. Your W212 with Sport Suspension will be anything but poised and luxurious/quiet sounding (hate to say it). Fortunately, it does a pretty good job of going the extra mile toward attempting to make up for it on the smooth roads.

hyperion667

there wasn't even a 12 at the dealer for me to play with!!!! lol

justdonating

I'm purposely avoiding going to the dealer. I want a 2012 550, but can't justify it to myself less than 6 monts after buying by last new car.......a guy could have worse problems.

Mr Snappy

+1
As one of the very few people here who have actually OWNED a Direct Injection engine, most of the post here sound like a bunch of bone-heads who know nothing about cars and just want to ***** about change...regardless of the benefit, they are just going to bash something new.

I suspect that most of those bashing the new engine simply want a way to feel better about their old engine. I have a 2011 and like the engine, but would have loved to have the new one for the power and better MPG's.

jpparker30

I am not bashing the new engine becasue I "want to feel better about the old engine". In fact, I was waiting on the new engine for the additional power and better MPG. I understand that a direct injection engine will sound louder. I am watching this thread and hoping to hear thoughts from other people who have heard the 2012 engine in person. After personally hearing the engine, I didn't want to be the fool who purchased a car with no re-sale value because the general public (bone-heads who know nothing about cars) thinks the engine sounds terrible. Go to the dealer and sit in the car with the window down and radio off, you will see what I am talking about. A little noise is OK, but I'm not sure MB will see a lot of demand for this engine in the US if my ears where working properly the day I was at the dealer. Trust me, I was all set to buy a 350 and would have saved a lot of money. I had to change direction and I have almost talked myself into a 2012 550i with the M sport package (about $10k more than what I was going to spend on the 350).

Germancar1

Much ado about nothing IMO. All direct injection engines make some noise, especially upon start up. The CL550's V8 makes a whistle (turbos) and then quiets down. You're dealing with a lot of technology here and things change. The 550i has a direct injection + turbo V8, same technology (if set up differently turbo placement wise) as the E-Class engines. Ditto for Audi = Direct Injection + Supercharger. I guess changing because you don't like the sound is one thing, but don't think you will escape the technology by going with a BMW.



M

Marz1

I went to test drive a 2012 E350 yesterday. I started the car with my window open and waited for the car to warm up. The engine was so loud after 2 minutes I had to double check the rpm to see if the car was ready to go. The rpm was 800 but the noise was still there. I really liked the the older engine noise. I also think the older engine is smoother and more refined comparing to the new one. I could feel the difference in power. It was definitely faster and felt lighter. I also heard a number of rattles coming from doors and center consul. Overall I was not impressed.

K-A

Keep the negative reviews coming! Lol. As little incentive I can get the better.

ImInPA

DI fuel injectors operate at vastly higher PSI than the old port injectors. To an educated ear, it is pure music. To traditional port injected aficionados, it can sound like noisy lifters, especially when cold. Hopefully no one bought their vehicle to stand outside of it and listen to the engine. This sound is virtually unperceptible inside the car. Personally noises like that only cause me concern until I understand the cause. THen I just enjoy the added benefits. I can remember going with a cousin back in the 60's to shop Firebirds. He ended up buying the 400 because he did not like the "knocking" noise of the 454 (455?) engine. I tried to explain to him that that was because it had a more aggressive cam and that was a good thing.

Germancar1

This is how ridiculousness gets started. Now everyone will be going to test drive with the windows down, listening for something that they've never paid any attention to before. All just because someone mentioned it on a forum. Can't express how stupid that is.

Rattles in the doors and interior ~ a serious problem and unacceptable.


M

YYZ-E55

The new di 350 is quite loud at idle from outside the car. Inside is a non-issue; there are no NVH issues.

ghstudio

Has anyone listened to the sound of a Mercedes or BMW with the aux electric cooling fan going...it's as loud as a jet fighter. Doesn't seem to have stopped many from buying though.

This noise discussion is crazy. Infiniti intentionally made their exhaust louder to make the car sound more sporty. Has any rational car person complained about the noise from a Ferrari or Lamborghini or Viper.