I have a 2003 e55 amg with 65,000 miles on it. I just recently purchased it about a month ago but just recently a slight vibration has started occurring. The vibration occurs from 1,800 rpm to 2,400 and only happens when slightly accelerating. The vibrations are mainly in the rear and it sounds and feels like going over the rumble strips. It’s mainly noticeable on the highway. The motor mounts, transmission mount and flex plate all look good, just wanted to hear people’s thoughts on what it could possibly be.
also the rear airbag suspension was changed at 52,000 miles so it’s relatively new.

 

Transmission is ruined. Glycol contamination from a leaking trans cooler. Common to 2003 models.

 

This actually has the updated radiator and trans cooler for the recall.

 

Is this an engine vibration or rear-end related:
engine rpm vs. vehicle speed ?

Is your MAF CLEAN... ?
LT Fuel trims not too lean, unbalanced... ?

 

Im not sure if it is power train related or not. It only occurs from 1,800 rpm to 2,400 rpm only when slightly accelerating and doesn’t do it when cruising. The car had the recall for the radiator done in 2009 with the torque converter and trans cooler replaced at the dealer. It weird because in the low gears it sometimes does it and other times the car feels normal and you cant hear it. But it always does it on the highway and its most noticeable at 65-75mph because thats when the rpms are in that range again only when slightly accelerating and not just cruising. Its a slight vibration (enough to feel it in the whole cabin) coming from what feels like the rear end and it sounds like your going over the rumble strips. I dont believe its a MAF or a fuel trim issue as the car runs incredible otherwise wise with great power and not running rough. I also hooked it up to the star computer and there were no codes. The tires are also new and properly balanced.

 

What you are describing is a torque converter shudder. You'll need to have it diagnosed locally, the internet can't help you. On some cars, you could temporarily turn off the TC lockup clutch with Xentry; if the problem stopped then you knew for sure it was the TC. I've personally seen most MB's with glycol contamination ruin the complete transmission, even after just the torque converter was replaced, the car would come back shuddering again and get a complete transmission, with another new TC. But since 2009...is a long time for yours. Other than that, are you SURE the trans mount isn't collapsed? Check it with a mirror, they are a common failure item and only seem to last a few years before they collapse again, they are made in India and not a good design.

 

Thats very interesting, thank you for that. I had the car in the air about a 3 weeks ago doing a oil and filter change and the transmission mount looked fine. It is possible it may have collapsed in that time span. Im gonna have the car again in the air hopefully this Sunday to do a transmission fluid and filter change and will inspect again. If it’s collapsed i will swap it out for a black series mount.

 

I tried the black series mount and did not care for the added roughness. I went back to stock and just change it out every 3 years, it's cheap and easy.

 

So i did a transmission service, changed out the mount with a oem standard mount and also replaced the transmission connector. The fluid was clean and was pretty new so it looks like the previous owner kept up on servicing it. But, the vibrations are still there and at the same rev rang. When the car was in the air everything looked good so im wondering what is causing this.

 

You'll have to get it diagnosed locally. Again, what you are describing sounds like torque converter shudder and if so you'll need to replace it.

 

Driveshaft flex disc's and center bearing most common cause for what you describe.

 

Sorry to sound like Captain Obvious, but at highway speeds when the shudder is being felt, did you shift to neutral to see if anything changed? At least then you might be able to rule out the post-transmisiion driveline.