CooperE350

Just purchased a 14 E350 with the 4Matic and "sport" package. Nice car and love the way it drives. I'm coming from a 2006 Passat 3.6 sport which gave me 182k great miles but started to show it's age. The E350 was surprisingly one of the few cars that gave me all the options my 13 year old vw gave me - minus the side rear passenger shades and cooled glove box and center console.
One question I have that I haven't been able to find an answer to yet. Today was the first time i had the windows down. when shifting from park or drive, I hear a little click (not loud, not a clunk...just a click) coming from the front end.
Is this normal?
when I first got the car, I was worried about the engine tick...but that seems normal since they all make it, even the new ones.

Just trying to feel out the car, and what's normal, and what's not. I'd like to take advantage of the warranty if I can.

thanks in advance!

SteveE400

If you are hearing the "clicks" when the linkage is shifted from park into gear, that is pretty normal. If you are hearing the drivetrain (driveshafts, universal joints, differential, etc.) taking up slack when going into gear, that is not usual. The "normal" clicks are heard before you feel anything engage, and they are just the solenoids and shift mechanism being electrically moved to put the transmission into gear.

CooperE350

Thanks! it sounds like it's the "normal" click - immediately when shifting from park to drive. Nothing after that. It doesn't feel like any sort of slack - I can't even feel the gears change when accelerating.
I'm definitely no mechanic , just trying to get used to what it's supposed to sound and feel like.

thanks again for your help
I appreciate it.

Mud

Engine steady tick around the intake area is typically normal injector sound as they operate.

CooperE350

Yeah, the tick surprise me when I started looking. I expected whisper quiet, but they all ticked, even the new ones.
I'm loving the car, a lot smoother and tighter then what I got used to after 13 years in the same car.
thanks again for your help, this forum is very helpful.

Skeechan

My 2011 W212 valve train sounds like 2 skeletons doing the nasty on a tin roof. My 2008 R350 was the same way...unusually noisy top end that is really noticeable when you get the echo, like when in a drive-thru.

bigjule

I get the same click sounds when putting car into drive from park .. completely normal

abdnimer

I have it also.