Squeaks and rattles, true?
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Manchester, UK
Mercedes-Benz A170 CDI
Squeaks and rattles, true?
I've heard a lot of horror stories regarding the new E-classes reliability, but one thing that bother me most about any car is squeaks and rattles, I'd rather be stranded than have a car that rattles inside.
Is it true that your E-classes rattle? Or just some? I thought build quality was up recently? Our 1995 E-class drives like new, partly because its been well cared for, but there are absolutely no squeak or rattles anywhere. Now I know, 1996 was probably the last era of well-built Benzes, are we returning to that era, or is Mercedes still playing tricks?
PS, I'd like to hear from UK owners, we have some of the worst roads in the world, and you all know what a bad road, hard ride can do to interior rattles...
Thanks in advance.
Is it true that your E-classes rattle? Or just some? I thought build quality was up recently? Our 1995 E-class drives like new, partly because its been well cared for, but there are absolutely no squeak or rattles anywhere. Now I know, 1996 was probably the last era of well-built Benzes, are we returning to that era, or is Mercedes still playing tricks?
PS, I'd like to hear from UK owners, we have some of the worst roads in the world, and you all know what a bad road, hard ride can do to interior rattles...
Thanks in advance.
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From: Northern NJ
2014 BMW 550i
Well, here in New Jersey we also have some of the worst roads around too. I've noticed a decent amount of rattles, but I am rattle conscious too. MB seems to have a lot of problems making rattle free seats these days. I've noticed that the S and the E both have the same type of seat with storage on the bottom, and that is where I hear a lot of squeeks from. Also the pop up cupholder design tends to rattle a little bit too.
But, my 04 seems a little bit better put together tham my friends 03.
But, my 04 seems a little bit better put together tham my friends 03.
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From: Singapore
E200 Kompressor (sold 2008), BMW 7 series (2009), now waiting for the E63
My car makes more noise than a rattlesnake on viagra. I'm bringing it into the workshop AGAIN for yet another attempt at fixing it....
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From: Scotland, UK
2019 Mercedes Benz S500L AMG Premium Plus
I have rattle paranoia, however @10,000 miles I have absolutely no rattles whatsoever!!! I also live in the area with the worst roads in the UK. It takes me all my time to miss a pothole and hit a piece of tar.
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From: Manchester, UK
Mercedes-Benz A170 CDI
Thanks for all your comments guys, NOT what I wanted to hear. I suppose the ratting with the seats is down to the material used around the bottom, that infernal cheap plastic. I seriously hope MB becomes what it used to be, I regard the E-class as the true Mercedes, lets hope in the future the car will live up t that claim in terms of build quality. 
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From: Canada
2004 E500 / 2001 C240
Originally Posted by Bilal
Thanks for all your comments guys, NOT what I wanted to hear. I suppose the ratting with the seats is down to the material used around the bottom, that infernal cheap plastic. I seriously hope MB becomes what it used to be, I regard the E-class as the true Mercedes, lets hope in the future the car will live up t that claim in terms of build quality.
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Another vote for no rattles. We've only got 11,000 miles/18,000 km on the car, but so far it's totally free of squeaks and rattles. The body also feels very solid and flex-free. That's not to say it's quiet over bumps and potholes - lots of thumping coming up through the suspension - but no secondary symphony from loose bits of the car. I can deal with road noise; it's rattles that would drive me 
-ier.
To compare our cars with a car that really is rattle-prone, go here and search under "rattle":
http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=61
(the Acura TL is built in Ohio, not Japan). We don't know just how good we have it, so far as build quality is concerned.
-ier.To compare our cars with a car that really is rattle-prone, go here and search under "rattle":
http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=61
(the Acura TL is built in Ohio, not Japan). We don't know just how good we have it, so far as build quality is concerned.
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From: Torquay, England
E-class E300e Estate, Sprinter (stretched limo)
As a much travelled person I can honestly say that the roads I frequent are definitely not the worst in Europe never mind the rest of the World, but I do take your 'subtle' point on the condition of them. Our car has no rattles or squeaks, but I would not fancy driving it on some of the Eastern European roads!!!
that I have seen.Regards,
John
Dusk in Torquay
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From: Irvine, CA
07 M6, 05 Noble, 01 S4, Smart ForTwo
my pano roof creaks when closed.. taking it in. this is a known problem for some people. otherwise, very few if ever squeeks. only going over rough terrain, as I have 19s now. In my Audi and My 03 M3, I could be driving down the freeway on a straight road and have the headliner and B-pillar squeeling like a stuck pig. Audi drove me nuts. Bimmer was getting there.
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From: California
2014 C250 sport
my grandpa has an '04 E320 with about 6000 miles on it, and there's zero squeaks or rattles, but there is a pretty loud creak from the rear shelf(where rear headrests are) when, for instance, going up a steep driveway/entrance into somewhere diagonally from a level road where the car "bends". I agree with DWP ,there's a lot of thumping from thes suspension over bumps and potholes, but the car never booms, shudders, or jiggles, it's tight as a drum.
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From: New Jersey USA
2014 E350 4Matic/2011 E350 4matic / 2003 E500 /2000 CLK 430
i have one annoying rattle that comes from somewhere between the dashboard and the engine compartment..when i hit bumps in the road (new york city), arguably the worst roads in North America.
The first time in the dealer they wedged felt between the radiator splash guard and the attachment point, i am almost sure it worked, then it came back... The second time they replaced the bearings and sway bars...that didnt work either..;.so i am going to have them look at the radiatior splash guards again...its like a squeeking noise, similar to the sound of the overhead compartments on an airplane when you take off and land........its making me absoultely nuts, because now i am so focused on it....
The first time in the dealer they wedged felt between the radiator splash guard and the attachment point, i am almost sure it worked, then it came back... The second time they replaced the bearings and sway bars...that didnt work either..;.so i am going to have them look at the radiatior splash guards again...its like a squeeking noise, similar to the sound of the overhead compartments on an airplane when you take off and land........its making me absoultely nuts, because now i am so focused on it....
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
Well, Colorado has some of the worst roads! But not as bad as the roads (or what they call roads) in South America and other remote place I have traveled and lived. One thing that Colorado has that will have all of you beat is that we can have studded snow tires all year round!!! YES!, they are perfectly legal. Now you can imagine what our roads look like. We only have two seasons: Winter and Road Construction. (I know, not too original).
Now back to my car, it only has 3,500 miles, and totally quiet and rattle free. My 1991 E had a bunch that I personally tracked and fixed. I hate rattles!
Steve
Now back to my car, it only has 3,500 miles, and totally quiet and rattle free. My 1991 E had a bunch that I personally tracked and fixed. I hate rattles!
Steve
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From: Washington State
E-500
I have had no rattles or noises of any kind and I have had two W211's.
Put 18,000 plus miles on the first one and about 11,000 on the 2nd one.
Don't think rattles are a concern with the W211.
Put 18,000 plus miles on the first one and about 11,000 on the 2nd one.
Don't think rattles are a concern with the W211.
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From: Northern NJ
2014 BMW 550i
For the first 10K it was very solid. Some have developed over time.
Funny thing, was that I just went in for service to replace my brakes, and without me prodding them at all, I saw that they replaced some parts on the front seats. The note said that the tech had noticed that the seats squeek when you sit on them (which they do), so they recommended this fix. It was a pleasant surprise.
Overall, the car is pretty solid. I should try riding on Comfort Airmatic setting and see if that helps things a tad.
Funny thing, was that I just went in for service to replace my brakes, and without me prodding them at all, I saw that they replaced some parts on the front seats. The note said that the tech had noticed that the seats squeek when you sit on them (which they do), so they recommended this fix. It was a pleasant surprise.
Overall, the car is pretty solid. I should try riding on Comfort Airmatic setting and see if that helps things a tad.
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by alewifebp
The note said that the tech had noticed that the seats squeek when you sit on them (which they do), so they recommended this fix.
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From: San Antonio, Texas
04' E500 w/Appear. PKG, Panorama Roof
In Texas we have a pavement texture used on remote highways called Texas Grade which is a shade smoother than an unpaved gravel road.
Unfortunately, as I cut my busy swath back and forth across the state- I encounter these roads frequently. I have 1 single rattle that drives me insane and the dealer cannot ever seem to hear it to duplicate... It is in the 'B" Columm Drivers seat belt retraction device just to the left of my head as I sit.
3 visits and they cannot either find it, hear it or whatever....
Unfortunately, as I cut my busy swath back and forth across the state- I encounter these roads frequently. I have 1 single rattle that drives me insane and the dealer cannot ever seem to hear it to duplicate... It is in the 'B" Columm Drivers seat belt retraction device just to the left of my head as I sit.
3 visits and they cannot either find it, hear it or whatever....
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
I find my E55 quieter over rough roads than my allroad.
Very surprising given the allroad has a far softer ride with much higher profile tires. The E55 feels much more solid.
Very surprising given the allroad has a far softer ride with much higher profile tires. The E55 feels much more solid.
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From: Virginia
2005 Carlsson CD32 E320 CDI Inline-6
(3) distinct rattles
1) Back bumper reverbrates to the tune of the diesel engine at idle and back bumper also rattles when trunk or doors are closed. Tap on the bumper and it sounds like a cheap piece of brittle pastic or loose metal clips somewhere.
2) Rattle at idle inside the dash. Bring RPM's up 200 RPM and it dissappears. This one will be a tough one, I'm guessing, to find.
3) Rattle from passenger side headrest.
2300 miles so far, will address with dealer at 3K.
2) Rattle at idle inside the dash. Bring RPM's up 200 RPM and it dissappears. This one will be a tough one, I'm guessing, to find.
3) Rattle from passenger side headrest.
2300 miles so far, will address with dealer at 3K.
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From: Singapore
E200 Kompressor (sold 2008), BMW 7 series (2009), now waiting for the E63
Here are my shakes/rattles & rolls (sorry, U2 fans out there):
1. Both headrests rattle, the passenger one obviously more pronounced when that seat's empty.
2. Both driver's and passenger's seats squeak. The dealer says it's due to the new leather being worn in. I say that's utter baloney.
3. There's an irritating rattle in the left corner of the dashboard, where the passenger's A pillar meets it (here in Singapore, it's right hand drive) - the plastic is probably loose, we can isolate it, and we'll take it back to the dealer to get it addressed.
4. There's still that high-pitched, electronic buzz/whine that emanates from God only knows where, when the brakes are depressed.
They just don't make Mercs the way the used to anymore
1. Both headrests rattle, the passenger one obviously more pronounced when that seat's empty.
2. Both driver's and passenger's seats squeak. The dealer says it's due to the new leather being worn in. I say that's utter baloney.
3. There's an irritating rattle in the left corner of the dashboard, where the passenger's A pillar meets it (here in Singapore, it's right hand drive) - the plastic is probably loose, we can isolate it, and we'll take it back to the dealer to get it addressed.
4. There's still that high-pitched, electronic buzz/whine that emanates from God only knows where, when the brakes are depressed.
They just don't make Mercs the way the used to anymore
