Knock on startup
Do you guys think this is a typical MB thing? In the old days, I could understand the lifters needed to "pump up" but on a new motor - it makes we wonder. It's a 2009, so this could not be related to the timing gear issue, right...?

There are basically 3 potential areas for rattle/knock in the engine. Hydraulic lifters, cam chain until under full hydraulic tension & slight piston slap until oil pressure is up & the engine warm with all clearances normalised due to ultra short skirt pistons.
Should this happen - No. But in reality it does. A lot of Benz V6 & V8 engines have the slightest cluck, cluck noise until warm. I would not worry about it but just monitor it & see that it does not get worse.
My previous car with an M112 V6 had a slight cluck, cluck when new that went away as mileage went up never to return. The present M272 is silent thusfar but only has 15,000 miles on it.
There are of course a number of accessories on the Poly V belt drive that make noises from time to time. I hate to say it but German engines have never been the quietest. But they are generally extremely durable.







