PeteInGilroy

Thanks for that TSB reference. The one I gave to the dealer (from earlier in the thread) was different than that one. I think the dealer is aware of it though, because when I picked up the car they said the TSB applies when decelerating with a cold engine. I neglected to mention the decelerating part and only mentioned the clicking noise when cold. The clicking is pretty loud so it should record ok.

Maritime

this is awful. Mercedes should replace these cars.

kram1

At the very least, if they're not going to replace these cars or replace the motors, they should be offering lifetime warranties on these rebuilt engines. Like I said earlier, I'm glad I leased this car as in 2 more years (if not earlier) I'm turning this car in. I feel bad for those who purchased and are dealing with this mess!

Jadis

I had this issue on my early build (late 2014 build date) C300. Noticeable rattling noise especially on cold starts and on coasting eventually reducing or going away after several minutes as the engine warmed up.

I brought the car to my dealer - they inspected it the next day after keeping it overnight to try it out the next morning with a cold start. They then told me the pistons needed to be replaced, I didn't need to convince them to look up the TSB or anything. They said they had done this 5 times already for other cars.

They ordered the parts which came in a little less than 2 weeks and then I brought the car in and it was fixed in 6 calendar days. The work order detailed the disassembly and replacement of parts and named the TSB # that is discussed in this thread and other threads.

The car seems fine now, the noise is gone, driving mileage seems the same as before. I had a problem and they fixed it. I'm happy.

gfmohn

There is no chance that MBUSA will compensate owners or extend the warranty. My 2007 C280 (W203) was a member of The Dreaded M272 Balance Shaft class action. (I was notified after I ordered my C300, but before receiving delivery. At the delivery, I said goodbye to my beloved C280. ) The Dreaded M272 Balance Shaft (actually the balance shaft pinion) was a part that failed typically between 60-80,000 miles, well after the warranty period. MBUSA's position was that they owed the owners NOTHING. Repairs ($3,500-$7,000!) were entirely at the expense of the owners. The terms of the class action settlement were so strict that owners who had actually had repairs received very little and those who had not had repairs received nothing. There was NO compensation for loss of value or extended warranty.

I myself lost a sale to a very interested buyer. He wanted to replace his older C-Class with another C-Class, but he was a mechanic who worked on high-end cars. He had access to the Mercedes Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC), and once he checked my car's VIN on it, I never heard from him again. That was actually my first indication that my car was affected. (Actually, anyone can access the EPC, and it's free. But it's difficult for amateurs to use.) I believe I took a $1000 hit on the trade-in value. But there was no way I was going to sell it to an unsuspecting private party and maybe get a call from "Vinnie" at 2 o'clock in the morning a couple years later.

Compare this MBUSA attitude with the actions of the much derided GM when a former landlady of mine got a cracked cylinder head in her Pontiac. GM had already extended the warranty on the head to 100,000 miles, but she had 110,000 miles. GM replaced it free of charge anyway!

gocal73

You need a new dealer. They won't take care of your engine and wind noise? Why? It's money in the bank for them as MBUSA is paying the bill. The documentation is there, so what is wrong with your dealer? Time to move on.

Popcrnchicken

Hey guys, I just started noticing this sound on my car as well. I recorded it and uploaded to youtube. Is this the same sound you guys are talking about? You can hear it on deceleration after I press the gas:
I'm taking it in on Monday for inspection.

MASSC450

There's still one other option left for the disgruntled Mercedes owner...buy a BMW or Audi next time.

Matts2015c300

Amen!

Matts2015c300

thats it. Don't expect to see your car for a while.

BlackjackM

Yes, that's the noise. Easy fix.


Nah. Definitely not BMW with the hideous interior. The new A4 isn't bad but nothing special.


I dropped off my car Monday afternoon (got a brand new GLC loaner, nice ride!) and it was done on Thursday afternoon. Not long at all.

topsider

wow pretty great they worked on it so quick. If mine wasn't a lease I would take it in to get it fixed

kram1

Yes that's the noise. Good luck!

kram1

Definitely going to take a long hard look at them next time that's for sure!

kram1

That was my initial thought too. Then the more I thought about it I came to the conclusion that because it's a lease I'm OK with them doing this work as I knew I'd be turning the car in within 2 years - plus the noise started to annoy me and seemed to be getting even louder in the mornings..

MASSC450

With the recent improvements BMW has made to the 3 series in 2016, a 2016/2017 340i xDrive is looking better and better. A well equipped M Sport Line can be had for about $51,000 these days.

Popcrnchicken

What's the fix? I emailed the TSB information found in this thread to the service department and sent them my video. They said they can hear what I'm talking about, but they said it's probably not related to that TSB.

Could it be anything else?

kram1

The dealer confirmed today my car is indeed suffering from the wrist pin issue. They said the parts have to be brought in from Germany and won't know the lead-time on that until mid next week. They did tell me that the tech who was originally working on my car is being switched out for a tech who has already done several of these repairs. I asked them what the lead-time is to do the repairs once the parts are received. The SA said she would have to check with the tech but he was already gone for the day. I mentioned I've read on this forum that people have reported repair times ranging from 2 weeks to 2 months! I said if its longer than a month I feel like Mercedes should compensate me somehow as I'd feel like I'm making a lease payment for a car I cannot use (even though they are providing a courtesy car). The SA told me they had an E-Class in the shop for over a month and believes Mercedes picked up the lease payment for that month. She said she would ask for me as it doesn't hurt to ask. So we'll see what happens.

gfmohn

Are you up to date on what BMW is up to recently? Sounds like corporate convergence.

MASSC450

I did read recently that starting MY2017, BMW's free maintenance drops from 4 yr/50,000 miles to 3 yr/36,000 miles. That's a bummer for sure.

I'll be the first to admit the BMW 3 series interior does not come close to the level of luxury offered in the W205, but it's roomier and can be had with heated rear seats. The M Sport steering wheel can also be had as heated (not so with the Mercedes sport wheel), and you get headlight sprayers as well. Together with the reports out there stating xDrive is superior to the Mercedes 4Matic in the snow, the BMW just seems to be the better Winter vehicle overall...an important factor up in my neck of the woods.

The turbo lag in my 2015 C300 Sport 4Matic is bad, way worse than my wife's 2014 328i xDrive...so when I read reports like these for instance from NY Daily News, it makes me what the BMW even more...

"Unless you’re saving up for the wild M3 sport sedan, the 340i model is the most powerful version of the ‘regular’ 3 Series range. Powered by a turbocharged inline-6 cylinder engine, coupled to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, this powertrain delivers 320-horsepower and a stout 330 lb.-ft. of torque at a low 1,380 rpm. This means there is no perceptible turbo lag, no hesitation from the engine whatsoever as speed and revs climb."

gfmohn

BMW (still) builds near-luxury sports sedans; Mercedes builds luxury cars with a sporting image (except AMG). Got it.

Further evidence: Mercedes can give you turbo lag even without a turbo. For a few days, I have been driving a 2016 E350W4 loaner. Even in Eco mode, it has been reasonably quick until a couple nights ago. I was frankly jumping out into a 40 mph line of traffic ahead of an oncoming car. I floored the E-Class and NOTHING! I recreated the timing in my head: "One thou..." - at least half a second! And the 3.5 liter V-6 of the E350 is naturally aspirated!

Possible explanation: in Germany, around-town traffic is very disciplined. German drivers save their aggression for the Autobahn. It's dangerous to gracefully glide out into the passing lane and back. The Razer (racers) come up on you so fast (120-130 mph) that you can't look back far enough to see them coming. Whatever you are driving, you floor it to get into the passing lane and back as quickly as possible.

kram1

Definitely going to look at the 3 series and maybe a 428i Gran Coupe - love the way those look!

Popcrnchicken

They look like every single BMW ever produced ever. They just look like the template of a "car". No style.

kram1

To me it's sleeker, sits lower and just has sportier lines overall when compared to a 3 series. I really notice it when I see one in person vs. photos - but to each his own I suppose..

kram1

UPDATE - The dealer called me today stating the parts do not have to come from Germany after all. The Service Advisor told me they found out that Mercedes has these parts "in stock" in the US in Fontana. Apparently, they've been having so many of these repairs starting to show up in Mercedes dealers around the country, that they're now stocking the parts. She told me they expect to receive the parts by Wed or Thursday of this week. The tech says it will take 3-4 days to do the repairs - so they're hoping my car will be done by the end of next week.