Hit A Pothole Hard - Now a Different Car
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
From: NY/NJ
2014 E350S4 Coveline Blue, Grey Leather, P1, Lighting, Sport, Keyless Go Pkgs.
Hit A Pothole Hard - Now a Different Car
It happened Monday night while away in Chicago, bringing the car in tomorrow morning with symptoms as described to local MB Dealer/Service. Purchased car CPO with added 2 year warranty;
I hit a pot hole hard Monday evening in Chicago. I had just bought the car two weeks earlier at 40K miles and it drove like new, no rattles, squeeks or noises of any kind. It was quiet and confident over uneven pavement. Now it drives nothing like that. It doesn't track properly, its uneasy and shifts over road imperfections, there is vibration noise around 60mph, sounds like loud exhaust and rattling/rubbing. There seems to be a rubbing noise from engine compartment when turning wheel to left intermittently. There are squeeks from the rear cargo area over slightly rough city streets that didn't exist before. Looks like a plastic underbody cover is starting to come loose.
Ever since hitting the pothole, the whole car just seems off. But I don't see damage to the wheel or tire.
I would like to to have the steering/suspension components inspected, wheel bearings, brake rock shield, exhaust mounts, engine mounts, differential,inspected and anything else that a hard hit in a pot hole could affect in one way or the other.
The car is feels night and day from what it was. Unbelievable .
Ever since hitting the pothole, the whole car just seems off. But I don't see damage to the wheel or tire.
I would like to to have the steering/suspension components inspected, wheel bearings, brake rock shield, exhaust mounts, engine mounts, differential,inspected and anything else that a hard hit in a pot hole could affect in one way or the other.
The car is feels night and day from what it was. Unbelievable .
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 443
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From: California
2013 E550 4MATIC - P1, P2, SPORT
Cracked rims have been a huge issue with these cars, so that's my immediate jump-to, despite the fact that you're not able to see any damage. I couldn't imagine frame damage/tweak from just hitting a pothole, but maybe you did it at 110 mph.
But yeah, since it's CPO just take it in and let us know the results!
But yeah, since it's CPO just take it in and let us know the results!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 10
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From: NY/NJ
2014 E350S4 Coveline Blue, Grey Leather, P1, Lighting, Sport, Keyless Go Pkgs.
traveling about 60 on the Kennedy Exwy. in Chicago at night. Drove to work today and car gets progressively worse. Took the day off tomorrow and will bring it in for 8:30AM appt. Will update as I get information.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,243
Likes: 932
From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
Pot Holes can kill cars....
Ruin wheels - crack or bent
Egg a tireor blow out.
Ruin ball joints, bushings and anything else with steering.
If big enough and car drags ground... ouchhhhhhhh
Ruin wheels - crack or bent
Egg a tireor blow out.
Ruin ball joints, bushings and anything else with steering.
If big enough and car drags ground... ouchhhhhhhh
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 296
Likes: 65
2015 E400
I wonder if this is another reasons why sedans are being ditched for SUVs? My previous W211 had a sport package with staggered wheels and low profile tires, but I cracked 3 of the 4 wheels on a small patch of potholes one winter and I was only going about 35 mph. After that, I decided, the sport package would only be for 3 out of 4 seasons, pothole season meant the old RRC would be the daily driver. Only problem was garage ceilings in the city. I guess that's why small SUVs exist...
However, SUVs with low profile tires are probably just as susceptible to cracked rims as sedans. That's a trend I'll never understand, SUVs with low profile tires...
So I guess construction on the Kennedy is finally over? ISTR, it seemed like that road was always under construction in the 90's and 00's.
However, SUVs with low profile tires are probably just as susceptible to cracked rims as sedans. That's a trend I'll never understand, SUVs with low profile tires...
So I guess construction on the Kennedy is finally over? ISTR, it seemed like that road was always under construction in the 90's and 00's.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Yeah this town is pothole central. They will ruin your day. Shine a flashlight underneath your car across to the opposite wheel and look for bends. Many times the inside barrel will sustain the most damage and you can’t see this from looking at the outside of the wheel.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 10
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From: NY/NJ
2014 E350S4 Coveline Blue, Grey Leather, P1, Lighting, Sport, Keyless Go Pkgs.
The car is in the shop now, but I have to tell you, it's got to be much more than a bent wheel. The car goes down the road like an out of body experience, wallows over minor road bumps and squeeks, rattles all the way to the tailgate. We'll see what they say
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 296
Likes: 65
2015 E400
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 443
Likes: 69
From: California
2013 E550 4MATIC - P1, P2, SPORT
Maybe that's dependent upon where you live and the car we're talking about... I've never replaced a wheel outside of a legitimate car accident. Nothing from my Civic at 19 to my Benz now.
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 183
Likes: 25
From: San Francisco
W212, R171
happened to me once recently, had to replace 2 front wheels and tires, all 4 shock absorbers,
and I toss in the front lower ball joint since they're working around that area,
cost a bit over $3K total with the inspection
and I toss in the front lower ball joint since they're working around that area,
cost a bit over $3K total with the inspection
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 443
Likes: 69
From: California
2013 E550 4MATIC - P1, P2, SPORT
What the hell? Did you hit a pothole or a ****ing crater?
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 10
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From: NY/NJ
2014 E350S4 Coveline Blue, Grey Leather, P1, Lighting, Sport, Keyless Go Pkgs.
Ok, back from shop. The service rep didn't want to say I was hypersensitive and that I did the right thing bringing it in to have checked out. Both left driver side wheels have minor bends on the inside, but not enlnough to be concerned about right now. The impact did dislodge the heat shield around the drive shaft and was hitting the exhaust. They fixed that. That noise must have had me hypersensitive about what else might have been wrong. 18" AMG's. Nothing crazy low profile. I feel better now.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2014
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2011 E-350 4Matic Sport
To the OP, sounds like you came out ok, not as bad as you thought. Maybe you did get overly sensitive thinking about it but easy to so sometimes.
Could be worse, you could've been stuck in an SUV instead of a nice sedan......
Could be worse, you could've been stuck in an SUV instead of a nice sedan......
Last edited by Mud; May 31, 2019 at 09:14 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
Any bend in those AMG wheels is going to transmit something into the cabin. I have them too and while pretty, are a royal PIA sometimes too. It’s not but $125 to get them fixed by a tire shop though, give or take a side of Lasagna from Rosebud on Taylor!
Yeah, I know Chicago.
When we moved here to DC from Chicago in late 2011, my then 07’ GTI vibrated something awful on these smooth blacktop roads. Took it to the VW dealer to have it checked out. They called to ask if I had been in an accident before. “No, why?” I said. “Because all 4 of your wheels are bent. What did you hit?”
“I hit Chitcago”....
That one stayed at the dealership, and I bought a new one instead. Wanted white anyway..
Yeah, I know Chicago.
When we moved here to DC from Chicago in late 2011, my then 07’ GTI vibrated something awful on these smooth blacktop roads. Took it to the VW dealer to have it checked out. They called to ask if I had been in an accident before. “No, why?” I said. “Because all 4 of your wheels are bent. What did you hit?”
“I hit Chitcago”....
That one stayed at the dealership, and I bought a new one instead. Wanted white anyway..
