scrowley

Hello. I have a 2010 E550 with 90k miles. I just bought is recently. It was dealer maintained its whole life. I will be calling them tomorrow to see if they have more maintenance records than Carfax had.

The engine runs very strong but at idle it shakes a little bit. Like a loping shake I can feel in the body of the car. I have not looked into it yet but are these things prone to motor mounts or trans mounts failing?

Any tips on tune up or other items that it could need?

I will be running some fuel system cleaner through it on the next couple tanks to see if that will change the shake

bob2011

Mine is a 2011 E550 with 46k miles, and I feel the same thing. I've felt the same thing since I've bought it at 16k miles, so I'm guessing it's normal, however I did put a tune on mine at one point and it smoothed the idle out quite a Bit.

scrowley

Wow. That's good to know. I can't believe that though. Why would they make such a nice car that has a shaky drivetrain at idle. Geez. Most people wouldn't notice I suppose but being a car/truck fanatic I notice everything. That's a possible curse I think a lot of us on here share. Ha

cetialpha5

Motor mounts and transmission mounts are known to go. There's a $100 off a $200+ service coupon out there, search for it, I think it ends at the end of May. Usually you never really get any luck calling for the VMI, you have to get that in person. I'd go to the dealer and ask for it in person when you make the appointment. If they say no, tell them you'll make another appointment at a different dealer. Most dealers will give it out in person, but not on the phone, but some will refuse so you just have to try a different one. They usually say they can't give it out because the name of the previous owner is on it, but you just tell them to black it out.

scrowley

Thanks for the heads up. Can I go to any Benz dealer for the info?

I will be doing all the service on the car. I'm a auto nut. Wrenching is as fun as driving for me.

cetialpha5

There's a few things that the dealer can do that you can't. Probably one of them is the Comand update, they don't really sell that separately although they used to in the previous generation. I believe the VMI stands for Vehicle Master Inquiry. It will have all service done at the MB dealer. Of course if service wasn't at an MB dealer, they won't have it. Any benz dealer should have it. It's why you go in person so they can read the VIN off the car so that they know you're the owner, when you call, you can be anybody.

blegthbloo

I had the rough idle in my E350... turning off then back on got the smooth idle back... never figured out why it did that. My E550 doesn't do that, although it makes a loud clicking sound, which I believe is also normal for this car.

tresean1

My E550 would do the same thing, intermittent trembles and rough idling sometimes. Drove me crazy because I hear and feel everything; dealership changed engine mounts, etc and I still felt it. So I just learned to ignore it and live with it. Dealer says it's "normal for the big powerful V8 engines". But I am with you, I cannot believe that MB would make these engines and not design something to shield the vibrations. I said "the S-class has the same exact engine and it doesn't shake the car"...to which they responded "well the S has special dampening materials that soundproof and eliminate vibrations".

So they can do it for the S (which tells me the technology and innovation EXISTS), but cannot put the same effort into the E????

sleeperZ96BT

It was motor mounts on my 2013 E550 when I notified (i.e. complained) to the dealer about it. Similar symptoms. There's a million things that can cause a driveline vibration. I see, more often that not, it's a mount of some sort.

tresean1

it's a pity they put these big V8's in the car, but don't know how to control their "symptoms"...lol

jahquan3

I have 40k more miles then you and I don't have any vibrations of note.

Just a heads up I dumped to much fuel cleaner in not enough fuel a couple of weeks back and it gave me a CEL for a day or so. I only put like 60% of a tank with the full treatment. I had my sensors noticing the fuel was running too rich. After I filled it up all the way and some spirited driving it went away. Just a heads up to fill it up all the way.

davidjohnbamber

Have your engine/transmission mounts checked. They are oil filled, and don't last forever. X2 on obtaining the cars service history. Get the car checked out by a qualified shop with M-B Star, and take it from there. Enjoy your new ride!

raja777m

I could completely wrong, but coming from Motorcycle world.
If we have vibrations, our possible problems will be:
1. Spark Plugs (clean or replace accordingly)
2. Engine Mounts (re-torque all mounting bolts, usually)
3. Fuel injector problem(fuel treatment)
4. Tire uneven worn. (get new tires, align and balance them, update the riding style)
5. Unknown issue, needs mechanic's help (my hammer couldn't fix the issue anymore)

Coming to the car, I would like to start with similar.
1. Check the Wheel Alignment.
2. When was spark plugs changed? This problem gives minimal/negligible/unnoticeable vibrations for a car, contrary to a motorcycle, vibrating the foot pegs, handlebars and eventually mirrors, lol.
3. How are the tires doing?
4. Engine Mounts.
5. Tranny fluid and Oil change, when were they done? Did you check the levels lately?

Can you post a video of the current problem? If you have a gopro/action camera or a mount for phone..!

I would suggest a fuel treatment, but, most of the members from this forum are kind of hesitant. Look for "Project farm" see the results of before and after, just to get an idea.

Abrown3mtg

I have noticed it as well. I'm planning to change the belt tensioners, pulley and belt. I will report back.

Mud

My regular maintenance on any of our vehicles includes cleaning of the throttle body and MAF sensor about every 45k miles or so. I actually remove the TB and the sensor and use TB cleaner and non contact electronics cleaner respectively. Sometimes the slight idle quality issue can be solved by this type of cleaning.
I just did our Silverado 1500 and this actually resolved a slightly bumpy and low idle. I'm about to do my MB at 48k miles. I'm assuming it too has a TB
I prefer to remove the TB as I can focus the spray away from any throttle position sensors etc plus I can really get it clean on both sides. I also replace the gasket or o ring , they are cheap and may as well start again with new.
Just a thought, as in tank cleaners can't do this sort of cleaning.

LindseyDA

My car has the same issue. Does'nt do it all the time though. The first time I noticed it...I turnded off the AC and smooth as butter. Turned the AC back on with no roughness. Not sure what that could.