Is it the car, or the wheels?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 52
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From: Nashville, TN
CLS55
Is it the car, or the wheels?
I've had my CLS55 for 3 months now and I get a small vibration/bouncing feel at various mph (mainly between 25-35 mph) as if the road has very small lumps in it.
A good friend bought his CLS55 new, has had it for over 2 years, and his does the same thing. His response was basically that it's just how these AMG cars drive.
Of course, the dealership says its normal. Interestingly enough, it doesn't do it all the time, which makes it hard to prove.
Has anyone had issues with this small "bouncing" feeling? It seems hard to believe that this is acceptable for this car.
Any infomration is helpful. Thanks.
A good friend bought his CLS55 new, has had it for over 2 years, and his does the same thing. His response was basically that it's just how these AMG cars drive.
Of course, the dealership says its normal. Interestingly enough, it doesn't do it all the time, which makes it hard to prove.
Has anyone had issues with this small "bouncing" feeling? It seems hard to believe that this is acceptable for this car.
Any infomration is helpful. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 52
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From: Nashville, TN
CLS55
Thanks for the quick response.
I have the stock 19" AMG wheels.
I ask b/c I had an Infiniti M45 (RWD also) and it had no vibrating or bouncing feel. I was also cautioned not to expect the ride comfort of the Lexus/Infiniti RWD vehicles. Is this a fair statement?
I have the stock 19" AMG wheels.
I ask b/c I had an Infiniti M45 (RWD also) and it had no vibrating or bouncing feel. I was also cautioned not to expect the ride comfort of the Lexus/Infiniti RWD vehicles. Is this a fair statement?
Senior Member
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2006 CLS55 AMG; 2006 Infiniti FX45;
Haven't noticed anything. I've only had some vibrations one time on another car. It was a Saab. Had the car inspected and found out the wheels were bent. Needed new wheels and alignment and the vibration went away.
Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 162
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The pirelli tires that are on our cars are the worst tires in the world. They are very loud and made from very hard compound, they feel like plastic. I can't believe mb is putting those tires on top of the line amg cars.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 52
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From: Nashville, TN
CLS55
Thanks for all the responses.
IS3Mike: The small "bouncing" does not come thru the steering wheel, which makes me believe that it's not from the wheels. I doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, it's usually between 25-35 mph and sometimes between 70-75 mph.
Last weekend I took a road trip, and at around 70-75 mph, the small "bouncing" feel seemed to come and go about every 4 seconds. This very consistent frequency makes it hard to believe that the road had small, perfectly distanced lumps.
Notice that I keep describing it as a "small bouncing" feel as opposed to vibration. It is small where, if I never figure it out, I would be fine! It's just bothers me that the car doesn't ride perfect!
IS3Mike: The small "bouncing" does not come thru the steering wheel, which makes me believe that it's not from the wheels. I doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, it's usually between 25-35 mph and sometimes between 70-75 mph.
Last weekend I took a road trip, and at around 70-75 mph, the small "bouncing" feel seemed to come and go about every 4 seconds. This very consistent frequency makes it hard to believe that the road had small, perfectly distanced lumps.
Notice that I keep describing it as a "small bouncing" feel as opposed to vibration. It is small where, if I never figure it out, I would be fine! It's just bothers me that the car doesn't ride perfect!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 52
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From: Nashville, TN
CLS55
BTW, I have all new Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season tires on the car. I chose these over the traditional options (i.e. P-Zero, PS/2, etc.) because I wanted to see first hand if the tread would/could really last more than 20,000 miles.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Los Angeles / Orange County CA
2006 CLS55 AMG
If you aren't getting any feedback through the steering wheel I don't think its your rims. It's unlikely that you bent the stock wheels.
I suspect it could be uneven tire wear. What leads me to that is your description of the bouncing at 70-75 mph every 4 seconds. At certain speeds it can give off a pulsing sensation, and it would be in consistent intervals.
Then again if you have brand new tires, it shouldn't happen. This is a tough problem to track down.
What are you suspension settings? Comfort? Sport?
I suspect it could be uneven tire wear. What leads me to that is your description of the bouncing at 70-75 mph every 4 seconds. At certain speeds it can give off a pulsing sensation, and it would be in consistent intervals.
Then again if you have brand new tires, it shouldn't happen. This is a tough problem to track down.
What are you suspension settings? Comfort? Sport?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 52
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From: Nashville, TN
CLS55
It happens in both comfort and sport modes.
This morning as I actually let the car warm up for a few minutes. I usually warm the car for ~30 seconds and them I'm off. After a minute or so the car starting "trembling" while it was in park. It wasn't as noticeable as the bouncing feel that I described in the posts above, but it was close enough!
I think it may have something to do w/ the engine so the next time I'm at the dealership I'll have them check it again.
Has anyone noticed a very small "trembling" feel while their car is in park?
This morning as I actually let the car warm up for a few minutes. I usually warm the car for ~30 seconds and them I'm off. After a minute or so the car starting "trembling" while it was in park. It wasn't as noticeable as the bouncing feel that I described in the posts above, but it was close enough!
I think it may have something to do w/ the engine so the next time I'm at the dealership I'll have them check it again.
Has anyone noticed a very small "trembling" feel while their car is in park?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 407
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From: Los Angeles / Orange County CA
2006 CLS55 AMG
It happens in both comfort and sport modes.
This morning as I actually let the car warm up for a few minutes. I usually warm the car for ~30 seconds and them I'm off. After a minute or so the car starting "trembling" while it was in park. It wasn't as noticeable as the bouncing feel that I described in the posts above, but it was close enough!
I think it may have something to do w/ the engine so the next time I'm at the dealership I'll have them check it again.
Has anyone noticed a very small "trembling" feel while their car is in park?
This morning as I actually let the car warm up for a few minutes. I usually warm the car for ~30 seconds and them I'm off. After a minute or so the car starting "trembling" while it was in park. It wasn't as noticeable as the bouncing feel that I described in the posts above, but it was close enough!
I think it may have something to do w/ the engine so the next time I'm at the dealership I'll have them check it again.
Has anyone noticed a very small "trembling" feel while their car is in park?
Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 158
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From: Earth
MTA
The same thing happened to me a while ago. I brought it to the stealership and they was a bubble in my r/r tire. If you don't feel it through the steering wheel, it could be coming from your rear tires/rims.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 419
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08 CLS63
It happens in both comfort and sport modes.
This morning as I actually let the car warm up for a few minutes. I usually warm the car for ~30 seconds and them I'm off. After a minute or so the car starting "trembling" while it was in park. It wasn't as noticeable as the bouncing feel that I described in the posts above, but it was close enough!
I think it may have something to do w/ the engine so the next time I'm at the dealership I'll have them check it again.
Has anyone noticed a very small "trembling" feel while their car is in park?
This morning as I actually let the car warm up for a few minutes. I usually warm the car for ~30 seconds and them I'm off. After a minute or so the car starting "trembling" while it was in park. It wasn't as noticeable as the bouncing feel that I described in the posts above, but it was close enough!
I think it may have something to do w/ the engine so the next time I'm at the dealership I'll have them check it again.
Has anyone noticed a very small "trembling" feel while their car is in park?
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Sherman Oaks, CA
06 CLS55 w/ P030, 05 Jag S Type R, 05 TBird-68 Dodge Charger R/T-440 w/4speed I'm original owner
I have the P 030 stock rims and have none of the problems you describe. To resolve the issue I suggest:
1. Have tires balanced.
a. If out of round tires and/or rims, the balancing will detect this issue.
2. If still continues, have the dealer check the airmatic units, rear suspension, and driveshaft, (if 06 drive by wire brakes/ESP can malfunction or pulse-check it out)
3. If still continues, change tires.
4. If still continues, contact your MB Regional Service Tech
5. If still continues, change cars.
1. Have tires balanced.
a. If out of round tires and/or rims, the balancing will detect this issue.
2. If still continues, have the dealer check the airmatic units, rear suspension, and driveshaft, (if 06 drive by wire brakes/ESP can malfunction or pulse-check it out)
3. If still continues, change tires.
4. If still continues, contact your MB Regional Service Tech
5. If still continues, change cars.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,597
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From: Kuwait
CLS55 2006, CLS 63S 2015
sorry
as others have said get wheels tires checked...suspention, and lastly could be steering rack as there is a TSB for it
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 527
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From: South Florida
'10 Panamera S, '06 AMG CLS55, '07 Miata MX5, '02 MB SPRINTER, '99 Spec Miata Race Car (2X)
I have had this same situation - I have a CLS55 with the 030 wheels. I only notice it on VERY smooth roads at slow speeds (30mph) as I leave my home and it disappears completely after a few miles. In my case I suspect that it is the low profile tire sitting for 12 hours in one spot on my concrete garage floor developing a slight square edge that disappears as it starts rolling. I have NO high speed vibration, and the slow speed vibrations disappears quickly - just my $0.02
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 52
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From: Nashville, TN
CLS55
I had my wheels fixed by a local shop (which does all the local MB dealer's wheels) and while it rides a lot better, it's still not like the OEM ride ... most likely b/c they are still OOR.
From my experience, this is what I've learned:
1) Vibration is usually caused by wheels that are out-of-balance (OOB) or out-of-round (OOR)
2) If a wheel is balanced, but still OOR, it could vibrate
3) It's almost impossible to get an OOR wheel back to OEM condition (i.e. true/straight)
4) When diagnosing vibration issues, most MB dealers will look at the wheels first because they know they're a lot of bent wheels out there ... and also b/c they know their AMG wheels are horrible, bend and crack easily ...
5) Its hard to conclude that vibration issues result from bad brakes, suspension, etc. if the wheels are OOR
6) It helps if you see the wheel (while spinning) on the balance machine (most shops don't mind)
7) Look for repaired/welded cracks, missing balance weights, etc. that may cause OOB
I love the way the stock AMG wheels look, but to be honest, they're made worse than the cheap wheels out there! I have had 22's and 20's on "rubber bands", with worse roads, and never had this many problems with bent/cracked wheels.
Sure, all bends and cracks come from road hazard (potholes, etc.) ... but it's still not acceptable based on the cost for these wheels, and the "advertised" quality and durability.
Hope this helps.
