ImInPA

Some noises are just hard to pinpoint. Also, the dealers, at least in my case, are somewhat constrained by what the MB techs tell them to try. Part of the popping noise I had was in the seatback. MB sent out a shim kit, then a seat height adjuster, and finally the entire seatback frame. That one seems to have mostly fixed it. I truly believe my dealer would have replaced the entire seat during the first visit if it were totally up to them. Patience is sometimes the most important element. Consider this, while you are waiting for your issue to be resolved, you still get to drive a Mercedes Benz.

danlnyc

can recording video's prove anything? (if you can hear the noise inside the recording)

MCF

I do have the sound recorded. Check this out..I actually had a local MB dealer call me and said they would love to trade my 2011 E350 with 6000 miles (MSRP $59K)...and offered me 'sight unseen $35 - $40k' for the car. I actually laughed. Don't they even check NADA or Black Book or do they actually take us for complete fools?? Black book lists a 2010 with 6000 miles at around $44k trade value. A 2011 is surely worth more than a 2010!!

MB37

MCF, first congrats with a new baby. Boy or Girl? Is this your first baby?

If this is your first baby (boy/girl), I would have to say that the problems with the car are blessing in disguise. Yes. You can reread the first sentence. If this is not your first baby, then I understand your frustration.

Assuming this is your first baby (boy/girl), the issues with the car is precursor to test your temperment. Kids will do that to you 10x times compared to the issues you are having with your car. Try to get some perspectives anyway you can because you do not want to react like such (or worser) when it comes to taking care of (or be in front of) babies/kids.

I understand your frustration as I had my share with the notorious BMW door sill creaking. It was like a wooden boat creaking over every bump. It still occurs, but after two kids, the creaking is like road/wind noise (I do know how to fix it now, but I could careless for it).

MB37

Does your car qualify for a lemon in the state you live in? Check into that.

MCF

First baby!!! Went to the dealer today and met with the service advisor, service manager and a different tech (interesting the one that has worked on the car the last four visits is no longer at the dealership). Very cordial meeting and the new tech is very enthusiastic about solving the problem. He even listened to my recording and said, "damn, sounds like pop corn or an arc welding". He even found a TSB about the front left suspension causing a 'popping' sound that fits my VIN number. He has ordered the replacement part (a shim) and we are going to see if maybe that is it. If he said that doesn't solve it he is going to check a bushing behind the steering wheel. If that it is not it he is going to look into the headlight switch as some people have had issues with it. I am now confident they will eventually find the problem. I even mentioned that this 'minor' problem may be a blessing in disguise as I am focusing more on it as the baby is almost overwhelming and when I start to worry about him it is just too much. Maybe I am obsessing about this little problem to keep from worrying about the 'what if's' with the baby. We are TOTALLY prepared (well, as much as first timers can be prepared) for the baby so it's not like I am avoiding the inevitable, it's just much easier to lay awake in night thinking about the clicking than think about 'what if's' about the baby! I will keep you all updated on the baby and the ticking. Maybe everything will come together at once - I will pick up the wife's eternity band on Monday and everything will be perfect, the car will get fixed on Monday when they install the part, and Jake will be with us all healthy and happy on Thursday!!!

park423

congrats and congrats, remember, the days will years but looking back, the years will feel like days (talking about your baby, not the car)

FraKctured

But $60,000 ain't what it used to be either, so maybe cost cutting is only part of the answer.

MB37

When baby Jake comes, you will probably not notice anything on the car even if it had a hand that reaches out and slap you. Either you will be too sleepy taking short naps during the night, or you mind is focus on baby Jake. I am sure all events will be in your favor, and if the car doesn't ge fixed right away, you still have good news coming. There are plenty of people who has it worse.

hyperion667

after the problem is gone, tip the tech and no one else.....

how did you pick the name? gratties man! you're going to be a DAD!!!!

MCF

Funny thing is the tech IS my SA's husband!! Go figure!!! How did we pick Jake....well, we had NO IDEA it has been the most popular boy name for the past several years (that is a negative) but here was our process:
1. No one we know has a child named Jake...check.
2. My wife never dated anyone named Jake that turned out to be a total loser (dating someone named Jake would have been fine with me but she didn't want to think of some loser she dated when she was younger).
3. We can't think of any crack head alcoholic movie stars that are named Jake (you know, like the equivalent of Lindsey Lohan, etc.etc.....).
4. The cool guy from the movie Sixteen Candles is Jake..hahaha.
5. It gives him options - Jake, Jacob, JC....(Jacob may be reserved for discipline purposes..hehehe).

Pretty scientific approach, huh??? Hahaha. His name is Jacob Charles. Charles is my middle name, hence, MCF.

hyperion667

that's my middle name too, and lol at #4

MCF

Apparently contractions suck
Pretty bad!!

SolidGranite

So, is it fixed? We are all dying to know!

MCF

They claim they put the shim and and it actually made it worse so now they have ordered new front struts for both driver side and passenger side. Then they come in they are going to install them, but I have a sneaky feeling this is not the issue. With my luck they will f*k up the alignment....hehehehe...

michael10128

SixPak,
i am not generally a fan of aftermarket wheels etc.. but i gotta tell you -Your GL is arguably the best looking GL i have ever seen.. period. Stunning ride my freind !! FYI IMO - toronto is one of the most underrated cities...love it there...spend a lot of time at UofT for business....Really Really Gorgeous Rims Dude.

MCF

Induction is scheduled for tomorrow....call the hospital starting at 6am.

hyperion667

GOOD LUCK MAN........

let us know how it goes eh
??

MCF

Thanks. The waiting game begins!! Called and hospital said we should be able to come up shortly but nobody knows what that means.

ngerstman

It would be a shame if Mercedes didn't fix the problem before the newbie drives home in your car. Not the way to be introduced to the world in a Mercedes with an annoying rattle!!! Congrats again. Ned.

MB37

Don't forget to post pictures of the baby!

MCF

All is great!!! Jake was born at 6:58pm on 01Sep11 (9/1/11). 7lb 6.5oz and 20" long. Cool little dude!!! Everything went great and glad to be home!! Amazing the things you can do that you had no idea how to do the day before (hold a baby, wrap a baby, swaddle a baby, CHANGE a baby diaper, feed a baby). Pretty cool feeling. I was right there was he came to us and that was pretty awesome...I will never forget it.

220S

Congratulations.

'Labor Day' weekend will have a whole new meaning for your wife, no doubt.

MCF

It's my shift now, but thankfully he is 'sleeping like a baby', but like that damn rattle, you NEVER know when he may 'explode' and cause total mayhem!!! I have to say he has been a pretty good little guy so far!!! Even with only getting 3-4 hours sleep the last several nights, I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world (check back with in my six weeks...hehehe...j/k).

MB37

He's a keeper. Congrats and welcome to Fatherhood!! Now you have more liabilities and more reasons to avoid daring situations.

We will be seeing more of your posting in the wee hours. You'll either forget about the MB issues, or go nuts with it. Those late hours is like LSD (drugs not limited slip differentials, car nuts). It either magnifies your concerns or eliminate it completely.