Durbanwala

Hi Paul

I live in South Africa and I bought a C200 Automatic exactly 1 month ago. 1 week ago I started to hear this irritating noise when I start the car, 1-2 minutes into driving and when I stop the car. I also hear a creaking noise as if the suspension is loose.

My wipers start of smooth and then after 10 cycles it becomes jerky and makes a terrible sound.

I have contacted my dealer and they said they never heard about this cricket noise.

This cant be a feature of the car as they did not disclose this when we purchased the car, else I would never have purchased it.

Do we have any recourse with MB in Germany? I want to take it up legally in South Africa as there is a degree of consumer protection.

Do you have any further info?

Thanks

PaulArthur

I don't have any more information except for what is in this thread at the moment.

I agree that they can't call it a feature. A feature has a benefit. It is a side-effect. And one that is annoying.

Please can you complain to your dealership and show them the recording that is on Youtube? The more people complain through their dealerships, the more likely it is that MB in Germany will take a bit of notice and do something about it.

JurassicPark

I've got a 2014 August SA built S205 C250 sport prem+ with keyless go and I get this annoying cricket chirp as well. My wife's previous Lexus IS220 from 2007 had keyless go without this chirping, and I've driven S-Class and Range Rover's with keyless go and no noise!

My car is currently stuck at the dealers as they've bricked the entertainment system trying to fix the lack of satnav traffic information, so I'll also asked them whether the keyless go system has an update available when the contact me.

ManiacGT

I have this in my new S205. It doesn't bother me that much, its just a quiet chirp now and then. I quite like having a pet bird in the dash.

Eilers

I second that. I have it too, and was thinking about it the other day. Probably they will never get a fix for this one.

Unless it becomes more prominent then i can live with it. At the moment it only chirps every now and again.

tgrx1901

I'll "third" that.

I listened out for it today. During a 30min journey, the car "chirped" 8 times, all within the first 5 mins of startup. For me, it was not loud or annoying.

Road noise, wind noise and general traffic noise dwarf it by comparison.

mgfan

Yep, I have this as well. UK based C300 Hybrid built this month. It's a little annoying and I'd been wondering what it was

digitallust_aus

Took delivery of my W205 yesterday afternoon absolutely no clicking, cricket noises at all. Definately glad to report that

Boudicca

Congratulations on the new arrival. I know you've been waiting a long time. Nice smooth cruise up from Bunbury.

W124-FTW

I didn't notice mine at first - especially with the Burmester on full whack.

Doesn't bother me too much now - I almost know when to expect it. Straight after setting off and after switching off ignition.

Just annoying MB don't seem to have a fix. Toyota/Lexus keyless entry by comparison is bulletproof.

ManiacGT

It's there, as it's not a fault. Just wait.. You'll hear it at some point but it's pretty quiet.

BlackjackM

I sat in a showroom C today and hit the start button. Since there was no key present, nothing happened but I heard the cricket noise searching for the key. It was so faint that I couldn't imagine hearing it or it bothering me with the car running and the radio on. Who knows though, maybe the US version is different.

digitallust_aus

Thanks was smiling like a crazy guy the whole way to Mandurah... I was blown away by how quiet and smooth it was... within minutes I had distronic sussed and sat back and enjoyed ... hope all going well with yours.

digitallust_aus

Probably right, although I drove two hours and half of it with the Burmeister sound off and didn't hear anything.. I am guessing its very faint? because I am probably the worlds most pedantic car owner and I usually pick up on the smallest of noises etc. Will let you know when I end up hearing it.

Boudicca

It is very faint in mine and just seems to occur a couple of minutes after setting off for a few quick chirps- when I was growing up my Irish mother always welcomed a cricket in the home as it was considered a sign of good luck, so now I quite like my lucky cricket.

ManiacGT

It occurred to me today while in traffic and I could hear it a little more that it could well be interference via the cars sound system. If it's a key check via radio waves it could well need supression.

gnus

December US build, no clicking noises to report.

ManiacGT

Do you have keyless go/start? Did you also listen with no music playing/in a quiet car?

gnus

Yep, have the keyless GO, and I drive about 60% Music off, 40% with radio/CD.

The 60% in silence is just something I like to do with new cars to get a feel for its normal sounds, and identify any problematic ones.

ManiacGT

#ClickGate lol

digitallust_aus

Keyless GO is standard in Australia for the C250 and above, however I finally heard this noise (which I thought up until yesterday I didn't have) and I have to say... It doesn't bother me whatsoever, it so subtle and quiet. Normally I am very picky when it comes to my car however this noise means absolutely nothing..

BlackjackM

I haven't noticed it once during my first week with the car.

PeteInGilroy

Nor have I in the 6 weeks of driving my car.

digitallust_aus

I hadn't noticed it either, maybe because I always have the burmester cranked up high haha.. but after reading this thread I deliberately went listening for it... found it and thought "Meh"

I just think some people have a little too much time on their hands

PaulArthur

I suppose it depends on whether you have acute hearing or not. It annoys me intensely. But even it doesn't annoy you, I'm surprised anyone is happy to just accept faulty design and arrogant customer service that aren't interested in listening to a customers concerns. This is bad design, and yet Mercedes say that everything is normal. It's a principle thing at least, even if the noise doesn't bother you. If Merdedes' attitude on this sucks, it will be the samw when there's an issue you actually are bothered about.

It's their attitude to this all that has really gotten me angry. My wife is a barrister and we're actually looking at taking Mercedes to court over it to make them take it seriously. The dealership even remove keyless go from all their cars, so now that they know about the fault, they could be argued to be deliberately hiding the fault. They're certainly not holding up their end of things under the sales of goods act, so we're going to sue them to make them take issues like this seriously.