C43 2019 Sedan - Another vibration/noise issue
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 23
Likes: 8
C43 2019
C43 2019 Sedan - Another vibration/noise issue
Hi All,
- Took possession of the brand new car 3 weeks ago.
- 300km after leaving the dealer I felt an abnormal harmonic, cycling and humming vibration in the steering wheel between 100-130km/h.
- It is not engine related as it happens independently of the engine RPM.
- Not a loud noise or aggressive vibration, but a cycling, humming vibe that is noticeable to anyone with a bit of driving experience.
- Took the car to the dealership and has been sitting there for the last couple of weeks... ... ...
3 Technical advisors, the service Director, the General Manager and the regional Mercedes head have tried the car.
All agree this is abnormal and "bizarre".
They thought it was the wheels or tire, so they mounted the car on new rims and tires, and it didn't solve the issue - just no impact.
Now they are in conversation with AMG, blablabla ... ... ... and more blablabla for now...
I have read quite long threads on C450 and C43 2016-2017 and 2018 with a similar type of noise/vibration issues.
Some owners have seen a resolution to their problem after a differential or drive shaft center bearing replacement (not talking about wheels and RFT).
Anyone with 2019 C43 with a similar problem?
I would think after 3-year model on the market Mercedes would have solved these types of recurring QC issues.
Yes, as you can imagine, I am quite annoyed at Mercedes given they seem to have ongoing problems of this type, in addition to the car being brand spanking new.
Will provide updates as they come.
Comments are more than welcome, as we have no lemon law here in Canada that could force Mercedes take the car back... so in the end, I am condemned to wait and see how things turn out...
- Took possession of the brand new car 3 weeks ago.
- 300km after leaving the dealer I felt an abnormal harmonic, cycling and humming vibration in the steering wheel between 100-130km/h.
- It is not engine related as it happens independently of the engine RPM.
- Not a loud noise or aggressive vibration, but a cycling, humming vibe that is noticeable to anyone with a bit of driving experience.
- Took the car to the dealership and has been sitting there for the last couple of weeks... ... ...
3 Technical advisors, the service Director, the General Manager and the regional Mercedes head have tried the car.
All agree this is abnormal and "bizarre".
They thought it was the wheels or tire, so they mounted the car on new rims and tires, and it didn't solve the issue - just no impact.
Now they are in conversation with AMG, blablabla ... ... ... and more blablabla for now...
I have read quite long threads on C450 and C43 2016-2017 and 2018 with a similar type of noise/vibration issues.
Some owners have seen a resolution to their problem after a differential or drive shaft center bearing replacement (not talking about wheels and RFT).
Anyone with 2019 C43 with a similar problem?
I would think after 3-year model on the market Mercedes would have solved these types of recurring QC issues.
Yes, as you can imagine, I am quite annoyed at Mercedes given they seem to have ongoing problems of this type, in addition to the car being brand spanking new.
Will provide updates as they come.
Comments are more than welcome, as we have no lemon law here in Canada that could force Mercedes take the car back... so in the end, I am condemned to wait and see how things turn out...
Last edited by Eric Lessard; Sep 11, 2019 at 01:06 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 23
Likes: 8
C43 2019
Quick update as of September 11th.
Car is still in the shop.
The dealer is in conversations with Mercedes technical services and awaiting instructions as to how to handle to situation.
All in all, it took a couple of weeks to find out it is not tire or rim related.... hopefully it will not take weeks and weeks...
The joy of a brand new car sitting in the repair bay of a dealership... for how long is the question...
On God knows, but the Devil is in doubts about it
Car is still in the shop.
The dealer is in conversations with Mercedes technical services and awaiting instructions as to how to handle to situation.
All in all, it took a couple of weeks to find out it is not tire or rim related.... hopefully it will not take weeks and weeks...
The joy of a brand new car sitting in the repair bay of a dealership... for how long is the question...
On God knows, but the Devil is in doubts about it
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 23
Likes: 8
C43 2019
Just finished a call with the dealer.
They have taken out the driveshaft, repositioned it 1/3 rotation further twice, no change.
Next steps, as per the Service Director : Going in direction of (Bot yet confirmed) a differential changeover.
Seems similar to some of 2017-18 issues as per the following thread :
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...-thoughts.html
Will keep updating.
They have taken out the driveshaft, repositioned it 1/3 rotation further twice, no change.
Next steps, as per the Service Director : Going in direction of (Bot yet confirmed) a differential changeover.
Seems similar to some of 2017-18 issues as per the following thread :
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...-thoughts.html
Will keep updating.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 797
Likes: 141
2018 C43
Just finished a call with the dealer.
They have taken out the driveshaft, repositioned it 1/3 rotation further twice, no change.
Next steps, as per the Service Director : Going in direction of (Bot yet confirmed) a differential changeover.
Seems similar to some of 2017-18 issues as per the following thread :
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...-thoughts.html
Will keep updating.
They have taken out the driveshaft, repositioned it 1/3 rotation further twice, no change.
Next steps, as per the Service Director : Going in direction of (Bot yet confirmed) a differential changeover.
Seems similar to some of 2017-18 issues as per the following thread :
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...-thoughts.html
Will keep updating.
My dealer replaced the diff week after ordering it. Then proceed to replace not repositioning the driveshaft a month after ordering it from Germany.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 23
Likes: 8
C43 2019
Dealer is Mercedes Benz Gatineau (Near Ottawa).
There a new AMG performance center.
My understanding about changing the positioning, as per the Service Director, is to validate a potential wrongfully balanced driveshaft... They apply what Mercedes is basically telling them, step by step.
You have a 2019 also ?
There a new AMG performance center.
My understanding about changing the positioning, as per the Service Director, is to validate a potential wrongfully balanced driveshaft... They apply what Mercedes is basically telling them, step by step.
You have a 2019 also ?
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 797
Likes: 141
2018 C43
Dealer is Mercedes Benz Gatineau (Near Ottawa).
There a new AMG performance center.
My understanding about changing the positioning, as per the Service Director, is to validate a potential wrongfully balanced driveshaft... They apply what Mercedes is basically telling them, step by step.
You have a 2019 also ?
There a new AMG performance center.
My understanding about changing the positioning, as per the Service Director, is to validate a potential wrongfully balanced driveshaft... They apply what Mercedes is basically telling them, step by step.
You have a 2019 also ?
And after extended testing, noise was produced between 80kmh to 90kmh.
Changing the driveshaft didn't improve the noise, but diff did.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,829
Likes: 95
'20 GLC300 SUV
My car has been at the dealer for the same issue (experiencing identical symptoms) since last Tuesday.
They said they couldn’t hear the noise on the lift, but could hear it when test-driving the car and that the noise was normal.
I’ve never heard anything like it before, especially in a car with less than 5k miles.
They’re still looking into it.
They said they couldn’t hear the noise on the lift, but could hear it when test-driving the car and that the noise was normal.
I’ve never heard anything like it before, especially in a car with less than 5k miles.
They’re still looking into it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,829
Likes: 95
'20 GLC300 SUV
Will do. Thank you for all your detailed updates, as well. Good luck. This is starting to seem like a design defect spanning the entire design life, even through the LCI.
Perhaps post your updates in this thread as well:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...houghts-5.html
Perhaps post your updates in this thread as well:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...houghts-5.html
Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 82
Likes: 21
From: Toronto ON
2017 C43 Sedan
@Eric Lessard is it a noise or like a faint a repetitive humming / vibration ? If it’s the latter I had/ have the same issue with my 17 Sedan, and after much back and forth with dealer, Mercedes, AMG specialist, they determined that it was normal and they tested other cars that performed the same. To be honest since a swapped out to non RFT , it’s improved but it’s still there as soon as I hit 100 kmh, til around 110-112 then it goes away. Sorry if I mis-read above but if it is same issue be curious to see what if any resolution they come up with!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,829
Likes: 95
'20 GLC300 SUV
@Eric Lessard is it a noise or like a faint a repetitive humming / vibration ? If it’s the latter I had/ have the same issue with my 17 Sedan, and after much back and forth with dealer, Mercedes, AMG specialist, they determined that it was normal and they tested other cars that performed the same. To be honest since a swapped out to non RFT , it’s improved but it’s still there as soon as I hit 100 kmh, til around 110-112 then it goes away. Sorry if I mis-read above but if it is same issue be curious to see what if any resolution they come up with!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 438
Likes: 84
A Benz and a BMW
36 months of ownership later and I can confirm that the harmonic vibration is just part of the package. My car has done it since day one. I've driven the car on 3 sets of tires, 2 sets of rims, and had alignment / balancing done here and there between seasons. Nothing ever really fixes it, but changing out to non-RFTs made a slight difference. Some people can't notice it when they sit in the car with me even if I point it out, others notice it right away....I guess it depends on how sensitive your physical senses are. Either way, it doesnt seem to be dangerous, but it is kind of disconcerting to experience it on a car this price.
Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 82
Likes: 21
From: Toronto ON
2017 C43 Sedan
@zibby43 totally separate issue, 3rd diff installed in my car and whining at 80kmh is gone. That’s why I was asking OP if his was more feel than sound, cuz I have the same issue.
Hope this clarifies.
Hope this clarifies.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,829
Likes: 95
'20 GLC300 SUV
@zibby43 totally separate issue, 3rd diff installed in my car and whining at 80kmh is gone. That’s why I was asking OP if his was more feel than sound, cuz I have the same issue.
Hope this clarifies.
Hope this clarifies.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 23
Likes: 8
C43 2019
@Eric Lessard is it a noise or like a faint a repetitive humming / vibration ? If it’s the latter I had/ have the same issue with my 17 Sedan, and after much back and forth with dealer, Mercedes, AMG specialist, they determined that it was normal and they tested other cars that performed the same. To be honest, since a swapped out to non RFT , it’s improved but it’s still there as soon as I hit 100 kmh, til around 110-112 then it goes away. Sorry if I mis-read above but if it is same issue be curious to see what if any resolution they come up with!
As this is my second C43 (I owned a 2017 before, then a c63s and finally a e63s that I have just sold), indeed running non-RFT always improve the ride quality I have installed non-rft on all prior cars.
This being said, having owned 3 MERC AMG in recent history that had no issues whatsoever, the problem I have currently is not tire and wheels related. It is a completely abnormal situation, which is quite annoying and would drive any car lover totally crazy in hearing the constant vrrrr...vrrr.vrrr.vrrrr.vrrr sound and feel it easely through the steering wheel. All at the dealer specialists and techies agreed this is not normal. Will provide updates of course as we move forward with the situation.
Last edited by Eric Lessard; Sep 12, 2019 at 10:35 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 23
Likes: 8
C43 2019
36 months of ownership later and I can confirm that the harmonic vibration is just part of the package. My car has done it since day one. I've driven the car on 3 sets of tires, 2 sets of rims, and had alignment / balancing done here and there between seasons. Nothing ever really fixes it, but changing out to non-RFTs made a slight difference. Some people can't notice it when they sit in the car with me even if I point it out, others notice it right away....I guess it depends on how sensitive your physical senses are. Either way, it doesn't seem to be dangerous, but it is kind of disconcerting to experience it on a car this price.
What I am going through is not a simple "feel" thing as anyone reading this thread could easily notice the problem.
I don't believe that harmonic vibrations are a "normal" thing, being a slight vibe or bigger.
A basic car like a 12K$ Chevy Spark doesn't do it! (I know my daughter has one lol).
A dealership making you believe that harmonic vibrations are normal because of other cars doing the same is an invalid argument IMO.
My 2017 C43 Coupe never had anything like this, why should my 2019 Sedan be ridden with abnormal vibrations?
If you currently experience this annoyance on your car, it IS NOT normal, and Mercedes being the company they pretend to be shouldn't make any of their car owners believe that such situations are "normal".
I have owned over 40 cars in my life to this day, I have never encountered such a problem.
We all buy AMG with the performance and assembly quality in mind, and at the price they sell their toys, asking them to provide a quality and smooth ride is not being picky and should just be the norm.
Last edited by Eric Lessard; Sep 13, 2019 at 09:56 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 23
Likes: 8
C43 2019
Update :
Dealership confirmed first step, change of Driveshaft.
Awaiting when they can do this.
Based on conversations with them, chances are this is step 1, and step 2 may end up changing the differential.
Dealership confirmed first step, change of Driveshaft.
Awaiting when they can do this.
Based on conversations with them, chances are this is step 1, and step 2 may end up changing the differential.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 65
Likes: 11
CLA250
Just hope the driveshaft and/or the differential is indeed the solution.
Did they happen to give you another C43 loaner? Cuz if that car doesn't have the problem .......
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,829
Likes: 95
'20 GLC300 SUV
Gosh ... followed this thread and I feel your anguish too! At least they are trying to resolve the issue.
Just hope the driveshaft and/or the differential is indeed the solution.
Did they happen to give you another C43 loaner? Cuz if that car doesn't have the problem .......
Just hope the driveshaft and/or the differential is indeed the solution.
Did they happen to give you another C43 loaner? Cuz if that car doesn't have the problem .......
That car did not appear to have the issue, but I only drove it a short distance. My car wouldn't make the noise all of the time. It seemed worse in cooler weather, but as the mileage increased, it appeared more frequently and over a great speed range (between 40-50 mph).
I've had a '19 C300 loaner for over 2 weeks now and that car has not produced any differential noise whatsoever.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 65
Likes: 11
CLA250
I test drove a 2019 C43 sedan back when I intially took my car in.
That car did not appear to have the issue, but I only drove it a short distance. My car wouldn't make the noise all of the time. It seemed worse in cooler weather, but as the mileage increased, it appeared more frequently and over a great speed range (between 40-50 mph).
I've had a '19 C300 loaner for over 2 weeks now and that car has not produced any differential noise whatsoever.
That car did not appear to have the issue, but I only drove it a short distance. My car wouldn't make the noise all of the time. It seemed worse in cooler weather, but as the mileage increased, it appeared more frequently and over a great speed range (between 40-50 mph).
I've had a '19 C300 loaner for over 2 weeks now and that car has not produced any differential noise whatsoever.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,829
Likes: 95
'20 GLC300 SUV
I'm getting to the point that I don't want this car anymore.
lol I wish!
Junior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 65
Likes: 11
CLA250
well ... maybe with the newer car releases it hurts a little more
like when my car was hot and new and had a transmission control unit die it took a week to get the replacement unit from germany etc
plus another week for the techs to learn from the german experts on how to code it back in blah blah the usual
that warranty event was kinda freaky cuz mine was the first such job they did
good news was the young tech took his time and did a good job
like when my car was hot and new and had a transmission control unit die it took a week to get the replacement unit from germany etc
plus another week for the techs to learn from the german experts on how to code it back in blah blah the usual
that warranty event was kinda freaky cuz mine was the first such job they did
good news was the young tech took his time and did a good job
