Jim Waschura

My 2000 E430 is in the shop for a WOB-WOB-WOB tire vibration that begins about 2000 miles after new tires or tire rotation. The vibration transfers to the steering wheel and causes a pulsation that is especially dangerous on high speed wide turns. The vibration increases with speed and gets worse with mileage.

I have about 38K miles, and have replaced tires three times, high-speed balance, replaced the wheel, did alignment, rotated often. The WOB-WOB-WOB always comes back. The Service Foreman says that every E430 does this because of the aggressive tires, and that most customers put up with it or switch to less-aggressive tires with tread parallel to the direction of motion. Once again, they are recommending new tires and alignment (the present tires are 7 months old, about 4500 miles).

I can't believe every E430 owner is putting up with this vibration and a pulsating steering wheel after 2000 miles?

Since they said all E430's do this, I am URGENTLY seeking fellow E430 drivers' experiences with regard to the WOB-WOB-WOB tire vibration that apparently everyone is putting up with.

Does your E430 act like this?

Or could this be ?

Maybe I should switch to the less-aggressive tires - has anyone done this?

Please reply here or email me:
jim_waschura@synthesysresearch.com

THANK YOU !

E430_4MATIC

I also have a 2000 E430 however I have not experienced what you're describing. My tires are perfectly balanced and the car drives smoothly. I have about 42,000 miles.

OTOH, I think it was a mistake to put 17" wheels with performance tires on a car like the E430. IMHO, they should have been left for the Sport Package only. Right from the 2000 sales brochure, "W-rated and Z-rated are optimized for performance driving and may provide slightly reduced ride comfort, increased tire noise and substantially increased treadwear compared to the standard all-season tires. Please consider these factors when selecting an E430."

What kind of tires do you have and what kind are they recommending?

Paul

Kar don

michelin pilot sport A/S

Maja216

I have a 97 E 420 with a set of 20 inch wheels and tires and I have yet to feel a wob wob wob. I would take it to another shop and get a second opinion.

AJChenMPH

I think your dealer is feeding you a load of . While I always complained about the noise of the GS-D2's, they never deteriorated to the point of the wob-wob-wob that you described. It sounds more like you have an issue with the brakes or a bad bearing or something.

Find another dealer.

TomMercBenz

Jim
I can only reflect the views so far. I've a 98 E430 with 90K and seem to be getting at least 35-40K on Michelins. No funny noises and I can be quiet heavy with the right foot on pick up!

The only problem seen is a slightly greater wear on the front wheel, outside but have had the tracking confirmed by the dealer twice (maybe time for an independent opinion). I just rotate the wheels at 8-10k miles.

Tom

Randy B

I have a 99 E430 with factory rims-Non sport. Just turning 60K. No wheel issues here, got 54K out of the first set of Conti's on the car, and put a slightly more aggressive set of Conti's on the car now. Wnet from CH95's to Contact Sport's. Rides slightly noisier but handles much better. No wob wob noise though and the steering wheel is very precise. Sounds like you have been taken for a ride. Sorry.

pakman

I'm driving a 1998 e430 sport with the 17" wheels and Michelin
Pilot Alpins, about 43k miles on the car. No noise or vibration
at any speed all the way up to 130mph.

Have you had the ball joints/steering mounts etc. checked?

johndoyle

I think you can rule out tires after so many attempts. Sounds like there must be a mechanical problem behind it. Good luck!

bcapp

I have a 2000 E430 as well with 57,000 miles and have experienced the same wob-wob you describe. I think it initially started when the OEM GS-D2 tires started to wear. I replaced them with the same tires and have had the problem intermittently. Never had the problem with the snows on in the winter. A buddy has the Pilot Sports and loves them. I think they're probably a much better tire than the GS-D2's. By the way, the OEM tires only got about 12,000 miles before they were shot - you might get better wear with the A/S Michelin's as well.

paomien

My 99 E430 with 54K had that wob wob problem with the original GS-D2s (which were noisy to begin with)... I got so irrirated I replaced them before they were even worn out...and after replacing them with michelin pilot sport A/S, the car rides much smoother, and no tire noise...been over 10K with the tires, and still as good as the day I had them mounted...

MikeyE430

I have a 2000 E430 Sport that just turned 30K miles. I am currently running Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position S-03 tires. Have also run the factory Goodyears and Dunlop SP9000. No problems except when the Dunlops wore out they were extremely noisy. Roar, no wob.