E350 harsh engine/exhaust note
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2015 E350
E350 harsh engine/exhaust note
Hi. I've got a 2015 E350, sedan, automatic, about 20k miles on it. Love the car but have a couple minor issues that maybe someone has a solution for.
I really dislike the sound of the direct injected v6. Most of the time I can't hear it, but when I'm on the accelerator the harsh v6 sound floods into the cabin.
It's mostly exhaust noise, but might be some intake, injector or general engine clatter, not quite sure.
My last couple cars have been BMW's with inline 6's (naturally aspirated, port fuel injection). Beautiful engine sounds on those cars. Also had a Chevy with a 350 v8 which sounded great too.
Has anyone been able to mask or improve the v6 engine sound on the E350? I'm assuming additional sound insulation might work, but what area needs improvement, to specifically address engine/exhaust noise? It seems fairly well insulated already.
Or is there some other solution someone has tried?
I really dislike the sound of the direct injected v6. Most of the time I can't hear it, but when I'm on the accelerator the harsh v6 sound floods into the cabin.
It's mostly exhaust noise, but might be some intake, injector or general engine clatter, not quite sure.
My last couple cars have been BMW's with inline 6's (naturally aspirated, port fuel injection). Beautiful engine sounds on those cars. Also had a Chevy with a 350 v8 which sounded great too.
Has anyone been able to mask or improve the v6 engine sound on the E350? I'm assuming additional sound insulation might work, but what area needs improvement, to specifically address engine/exhaust noise? It seems fairly well insulated already.
Or is there some other solution someone has tried?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 725
Likes: 189
From: Chicago area
2015 E400 and 2015 GLK350
The 3.5l is known to be "not the smoothest" engine out there. I have a 3.5l in a GLK and a 3.0l TT in an E400, and the smaller turbo engine is far smoother.
The inline 6 cylinder engines, like the BMW, are inherently balanced, and will almost always be smoother. MB is coming out with an I-6 soon.
The inline 6 cylinder engines, like the BMW, are inherently balanced, and will almost always be smoother. MB is coming out with an I-6 soon.
Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 87
Likes: 19
From: Essex Fells, NJ
2016 E400 Sedan, 2018 E400 Cabriolet
The Sport (Avantgarde) versions definitely have a more aggressive tuning for the suspension, exhaust system, and driving dynamics. Friends have the Luxury (Elegance) versions of the E350 and they're decidedly different from my Sadie. Having test driven a number of E350s, and E300s, it was very noticeable when I was driving a Sport vs Luxury version. The E400, from what I've seen, only comes to the US in Sport guise.
