Jun 12, 2015, 07:21 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Why is My interior rattling?
Guide to diagnose trouble and recommended solutions
Interior rattles, noises and/or creaking sounds?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 46
S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
Thanks. Got it back this morning, drove around for about 4 hours. I would say it is about 98% noise free now - there is still an occasional small noise (and I am VERY picky), but I can easily deal with that.
From the invoice (in case anyone in the future needs help):
PTSS Case. See previous repair attempts. Inspected vehicle with customer again. Do hear intermittent creaking noises from rear shelf area during periods of sunny warm weather. Removed all rear shelf trim and roller blind components. Inspected all as both assembled and individual parts. Found noises occurring at the 3rd brake light assembly,roller blind, speaker grill, and rear trim panel. Replaced all mentioned parts, and addressed noises during assembly. Utilized several different methods of insulation, bonding, mass dampening, lubrication, and modifications, to eliminate noise sources. A significant reduction in noise was gained by trimming both shelf panels, as to loosen the fit of the plastic grilles. Opened and closed PTSS case.
From the invoice (in case anyone in the future needs help):
PTSS Case. See previous repair attempts. Inspected vehicle with customer again. Do hear intermittent creaking noises from rear shelf area during periods of sunny warm weather. Removed all rear shelf trim and roller blind components. Inspected all as both assembled and individual parts. Found noises occurring at the 3rd brake light assembly,roller blind, speaker grill, and rear trim panel. Replaced all mentioned parts, and addressed noises during assembly. Utilized several different methods of insulation, bonding, mass dampening, lubrication, and modifications, to eliminate noise sources. A significant reduction in noise was gained by trimming both shelf panels, as to loosen the fit of the plastic grilles. Opened and closed PTSS case.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 29
S350 BT 4MATIC
Thanks. Got it back this morning, drove around for about 4 hours. I would say it is about 98% noise free now - there is still an occasional small noise (and I am VERY picky), but I can easily deal with that.
From the invoice (in case anyone in the future needs help):
PTSS Case. See previous repair attempts. Inspected vehicle with customer again. Do hear intermittent creaking noises from rear shelf area during periods of sunny warm weather. Removed all rear shelf trim and roller blind components. Inspected all as both assembled and individual parts. Found noises occurring at the 3rd brake light assembly,roller blind, speaker grill, and rear trim panel. Replaced all mentioned parts, and addressed noises during assembly. Utilized several different methods of insulation, bonding, mass dampening, lubrication, and modifications, to eliminate noise sources. A significant reduction in noise was gained by trimming both shelf panels, as to loosen the fit of the plastic grilles. Opened and closed PTSS case.
From the invoice (in case anyone in the future needs help):
PTSS Case. See previous repair attempts. Inspected vehicle with customer again. Do hear intermittent creaking noises from rear shelf area during periods of sunny warm weather. Removed all rear shelf trim and roller blind components. Inspected all as both assembled and individual parts. Found noises occurring at the 3rd brake light assembly,roller blind, speaker grill, and rear trim panel. Replaced all mentioned parts, and addressed noises during assembly. Utilized several different methods of insulation, bonding, mass dampening, lubrication, and modifications, to eliminate noise sources. A significant reduction in noise was gained by trimming both shelf panels, as to loosen the fit of the plastic grilles. Opened and closed PTSS case.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 46
S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 126
From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
Got my first rattle today. Was taking my son to camp this morning and the whole 3 mile trip the plastic surround on the driver side door window was rattling like crazy. Car has 1100 miles on it and is only 6 weeks old. If I lightly hold my finger against the plastic surround, the noise goes away, as soon as I let go, it comes back. since its right next to my ear, its very annoying. I tried to make sure all the trim was tight, nothing appeared to be out of place. On the trip home after dropping my son off, the same noise.
going to give it a few days before contacting the dealer about it. The car has already spent the 3 out of the first 6 weeks of ownership at the dealer for repairs. I'd hate to be without it again.
going to give it a few days before contacting the dealer about it. The car has already spent the 3 out of the first 6 weeks of ownership at the dealer for repairs. I'd hate to be without it again.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 29
S350 BT 4MATIC
Got my first rattle today. Was taking my son to camp this morning and the whole 3 mile trip the plastic surround on the driver side door window was rattling like crazy. Car has 1100 miles on it and is only 6 weeks old. If I lightly hold my finger against the plastic surround, the noise goes away, as soon as I let go, it comes back. since its right next to my ear, its very annoying. I tried to make sure all the trim was tight, nothing appeared to be out of place. On the trip home after dropping my son off, the same noise.
going to give it a few days before contacting the dealer about it. The car has already spent the 3 out of the first 6 weeks of ownership at the dealer for repairs. I'd hate to be without it again.
going to give it a few days before contacting the dealer about it. The car has already spent the 3 out of the first 6 weeks of ownership at the dealer for repairs. I'd hate to be without it again.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 126
From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
So before I went to pickup my son at camp today, I pushed all the plastic trim around the window a bit. and on the way to camp, no rattles, on the way back still no rattles. we'll see how it does tomorrow morning when its colder.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 29
S350 BT 4MATIC
hopefully that does the trick and solvs the issue.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 831
Likes: 13
From: N.C. USA
2015, ML250 BlueTEC
Noise surpression
Since I really like the interior/exterior of this car and I plan to keep this car at least 5 years, I decided to just soundproof this car. I ordered Fatmat rattle trap and my sound guy will install it when it comes in. $600 all told and done and its the whole car which includes the engine hood, wheel wells, dashboard, roof(not much since its pano roof), doors, floor, rear deck and the trunk. Hope it solves the rattles. Here is the link for fatmat just in case anyone else is interested. I find this to be better than Dynamat and at half the cost.
http://www.amazon.com/Rattle-Trap-Fa...6649576&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Rattle-Trap-Fa...6649576&sr=8-1
At the same time changing front grill to the Star style used on the E Coupes. I am going to keep this car a long time so don't mind this type of expense. Currently have 11,000 mi on it and for me it is a Keeper. No problems and great mpg.
Will post results in a few days.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 56
Likes: 4
2011 E63 M156 :) - previously: 2016 GLE63 with U21 (missed); 2012 ML550 , ML63 2009 - E550 W212 2010
@chrisvr6:
If you're still following this thread... my seat click and tilting issue came back. The washer replacement didn't last long. After escalation to MB I got a new seat frame installed. That fixed all complaints with the seat. Until today, about four weeks later, I noticed a light clicking noise again. Not sure if that means it will develop over time and become louder or stay the way it is. Certainly the new seat frame helped a lot.
My rumbling noise from the right rear wheel hasn't been eliminated. After looking through forums I understand this can be anything from a bad strut to as small as a worn bushing. Hard to find without systematically replacing parts.
Oh and the clicking noise in the sunroof wind deflector is also still alive.
Many years ago when living in Germany I drove a 190E2.6 and it was built like a tank. Having driven all kinds of brands since then and coming back to MB this year with the expectation that all those issues from the 2000s area should be resolved it is just sad.
If you're still following this thread... my seat click and tilting issue came back. The washer replacement didn't last long. After escalation to MB I got a new seat frame installed. That fixed all complaints with the seat. Until today, about four weeks later, I noticed a light clicking noise again. Not sure if that means it will develop over time and become louder or stay the way it is. Certainly the new seat frame helped a lot.
My rumbling noise from the right rear wheel hasn't been eliminated. After looking through forums I understand this can be anything from a bad strut to as small as a worn bushing. Hard to find without systematically replacing parts.
Oh and the clicking noise in the sunroof wind deflector is also still alive.
Many years ago when living in Germany I drove a 190E2.6 and it was built like a tank. Having driven all kinds of brands since then and coming back to MB this year with the expectation that all those issues from the 2000s area should be resolved it is just sad.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 56
Likes: 4
2011 E63 M156 :) - previously: 2016 GLE63 with U21 (missed); 2012 ML550 , ML63 2009 - E550 W212 2010
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 395
Likes: 5
07 M6 | 09 RX-8 | 07 LGT Wagon | 17 Bolt
I might have that seat clicking too.
Is it for folding seats?
Does it sound like a rattle in the rear part of headliner or rear deck?
I just notice that after having rear seat passengers it goes away.
Therefore, whenever I put someone in back seat to find rattle it dissapears.
Car is at dealer now and of course its not rattling now.
Is it for folding seats?
Does it sound like a rattle in the rear part of headliner or rear deck?
I just notice that after having rear seat passengers it goes away.
Therefore, whenever I put someone in back seat to find rattle it dissapears.
Car is at dealer now and of course its not rattling now.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 46
S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
I am on a roadtrip in my car. Heading out of town on Snoqualmie Pass, which has a lot of rough pavement (for traction maybe), I had a ridiculous buzz coming from the back seat area somewhere, and a rattle coming from somewhere on the passenger side, low near the console. The rear buzz was annoying to the point where I almost pulled over to investigate. Now I am a ways east, and spent the day driving on smooth low volume state and county roads. Nary a peep out of the car all day, tight as a drum. Maybe the car was engineered for smooth roads.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
The car certainly wasn't engineered for rough roads as I found it handles them extremely poorly.
Both of my E's had that rear "buzz" which was annoying enough to have me literally swinging my arms back to attack the seats like a mad parent trying to hit their kids. I'd usually pull over and start banging things around back there, which would sometimes help for a while.
My 2011 had an especially bad rear "buzz" which I attributed to either the furthest point of where the rear headliner ends (if you "bang" on it you'll see it's not tightened down back there, kind of able to "flap"), or coming from the rear headrests when the car was fumbling around rough roads. However, with more miles it seemed the rattles on my 2011 actually got better instead of worse.
Both of my E's had that rear "buzz" which was annoying enough to have me literally swinging my arms back to attack the seats like a mad parent trying to hit their kids. I'd usually pull over and start banging things around back there, which would sometimes help for a while.
My 2011 had an especially bad rear "buzz" which I attributed to either the furthest point of where the rear headliner ends (if you "bang" on it you'll see it's not tightened down back there, kind of able to "flap"), or coming from the rear headrests when the car was fumbling around rough roads. However, with more miles it seemed the rattles on my 2011 actually got better instead of worse.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 46
S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
I wonder if maybe testing for the car was only done on a mule with lux/elegance suspension and normal tires, so a car like mine which is "sport" with runflats won't act the same. I suspect the softer sprung cars have less noise issues.
The car certainly wasn't engineered for rough roads as I found it handles them extremely poorly.
Both of my E's had that rear "buzz" which was annoying enough to have me literally swinging my arms back to attack the seats like a mad parent trying to hit their kids. I'd usually pull over and start banging things around back there, which would sometimes help for a while.
My 2011 had an especially bad rear "buzz" which I attributed to either the furthest point of where the rear headliner ends (if you "bang" on it you'll see it's not tightened down back there, kind of able to "flap"), or coming from the rear headrests when the car was fumbling around rough roads. However, with more miles it seemed the rattles on my 2011 actually got better instead of worse.
Both of my E's had that rear "buzz" which was annoying enough to have me literally swinging my arms back to attack the seats like a mad parent trying to hit their kids. I'd usually pull over and start banging things around back there, which would sometimes help for a while.
My 2011 had an especially bad rear "buzz" which I attributed to either the furthest point of where the rear headliner ends (if you "bang" on it you'll see it's not tightened down back there, kind of able to "flap"), or coming from the rear headrests when the car was fumbling around rough roads. However, with more miles it seemed the rattles on my 2011 actually got better instead of worse.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I remember watching the W212 development phase very closely and I rarely if ever saw "Sport" models being tested. It seems the car during its extensive and rigorous development/testing phase was definitely dialed in more closely and tested more thoroughly as a Luxury/Elegance model indeed.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
2010 E550 with some rattles that sound like come from the rear deck.
Yesterday took the trunk floor up and installed paper towel between all the tools and between plastic parts for the tire change tool kit. Also put a 1" thick cover on the spare wheel and the tool kit under the floor.
RATTLES AND ANNOYING SOUNDS 90% GONE!!!
I think majority of the noises in my car are coming from this stupid compact design spare wheel / tool kit combo.
Yesterday took the trunk floor up and installed paper towel between all the tools and between plastic parts for the tire change tool kit. Also put a 1" thick cover on the spare wheel and the tool kit under the floor.
RATTLES AND ANNOYING SOUNDS 90% GONE!!!
I think majority of the noises in my car are coming from this stupid compact design spare wheel / tool kit combo.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 595
From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
2010 E550 with some rattles that sound like come from the rear deck.
Yesterday took the trunk floor up and installed paper towel between all the tools and between plastic parts for the tire change tool kit. Also put a 1" thick cover on the spare wheel and the tool kit under the floor.
RATTLES AND ANNOYING SOUNDS 90% GONE!!!
I think majority of the noises in my car are coming from this stupid compact design spare wheel / tool kit combo.
Yesterday took the trunk floor up and installed paper towel between all the tools and between plastic parts for the tire change tool kit. Also put a 1" thick cover on the spare wheel and the tool kit under the floor.
RATTLES AND ANNOYING SOUNDS 90% GONE!!!
I think majority of the noises in my car are coming from this stupid compact design spare wheel / tool kit combo.
I am pretty lucky as my W212 is pretty tight. However I do foresee some of these fixes with paper towels, cardboard and whatever other felt will come in handy. There seems to be a couple weak spots inside the W212's
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,229
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
At 1600 miles, I have a thermal plasticky creaking when the AC comes on, or the heat (nowadays) that happens once during the whole drive... seems to come from the roofliner. Occasional creaks over larger bumps in the dash center console area -- also some creaking from drivers side belt buckle receptacle. Had a creaking in the steering column, the whole column was replaced under warranty and resolved this issue.
I have the sport suspension, no airmatic to drown out all harshness with the boaty cushion ride...
I have the sport suspension, no airmatic to drown out all harshness with the boaty cushion ride...
