Road Feedback Through Steering Wheel
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
Road Feedback Through Steering Wheel
Trying to get a sense as to whether what I am experiencing is fundamental to this chassis or a function of worn parts on my car.
Pretty much since I have owned this car for the last 3.5 years I have I felt like I get an unacceptable amount of vibration through my steering wheel. It isn't a persistent shimmy that is obviously a wheel imbalance and sometimes the car is fairly smooth. But at highway speeds on less that perfectly smooth concrete type roads it seems like I feel the road imperfections and an vibrations associated with them. The car just rarely feels perfectly solid and impervious to the road surface.
I just had new engine mounts installed and a year ago had the transmission mount replaced. Also a year ago I had new Michelins put on. When They replaced the tires I asked to check the rims to see if they were straight. Along with the engine mounts I had the front differential replaced and because that required the dropping of the subframe I asked them to check the control arms and they said that they were fine. My car has 132k miles on it.
Other than that this issue the car is smooth and quiet which makes it more of a distraction.
So I am wondering whether my expectations are too high for this chassis or something is wrong with my car.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Pretty much since I have owned this car for the last 3.5 years I have I felt like I get an unacceptable amount of vibration through my steering wheel. It isn't a persistent shimmy that is obviously a wheel imbalance and sometimes the car is fairly smooth. But at highway speeds on less that perfectly smooth concrete type roads it seems like I feel the road imperfections and an vibrations associated with them. The car just rarely feels perfectly solid and impervious to the road surface.
I just had new engine mounts installed and a year ago had the transmission mount replaced. Also a year ago I had new Michelins put on. When They replaced the tires I asked to check the rims to see if they were straight. Along with the engine mounts I had the front differential replaced and because that required the dropping of the subframe I asked them to check the control arms and they said that they were fine. My car has 132k miles on it.
Other than that this issue the car is smooth and quiet which makes it more of a distraction.
So I am wondering whether my expectations are too high for this chassis or something is wrong with my car.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Last edited by MBNUT1; Jan 31, 2020 at 09:57 PM.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Even with your well written description, it is hard to fully understand what exactly you're experiencing. You have the first year of the W212 and I have the last, so I'm not sure what changed over time but I get almost no feedback through the wheel on my car. The car feels solid but it is not an S-class in terms of being impervious to all road imperfections.
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
Even with your well written description, it is hard to fully understand what exactly you're experiencing. You have the first year of the W212 and I have the last, so I'm not sure what changed over time but I get almost no feedback through the wheel on my car. The car feels solid but it is not an S-class in terms of being impervious to all road imperfections.
Thank you kindly for your response. This is the type of feedback I am looking ie your you don't feel much if any random vibration coming through the wheel (I should add also in the pedal box) when you drive on less than perfect surfaced highways. To try to clarify what I am experiencing Its as though the control are bushings are too soft and the wheel hits a little bump and vibrates a little which is why I asked the tire shop about bent wheels and the shop that dropped sub frame to replace the differential about the control arms.
Assuming that they all don't do it I also wonder whether worn shocks could cause it.
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2011 E-350 4Matic Sport
It's a tough call, sometimes road roughness can set a sort of resonance into the suspension, especially with normal wear in parts. One thing I've come across is a strut that still works fine but has just enough wear in top mount or bushings to cause a slight vibration but only intermittently. I'm not saying to start replacing struts but if they are original they may have that sort of wear. Often difficult to push on them by hand or lever enough to see or feel anything as its hard to mimic dynamic car weight.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
At your mileage, I would consider a refresh of the front bushings even if they look "OK". You say you have driven a relative's 2013? Was it the same? Is there anyone else with a 2010 you might could test?
Alternatively, you could ask a Benz specialist independent shop to investigate for a labor charge. I'm not sure about Cincy but there are lots of them here in Atlanta.
Alternatively, you could ask a Benz specialist independent shop to investigate for a labor charge. I'm not sure about Cincy but there are lots of them here in Atlanta.
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
At your mileage, I would consider a refresh of the front bushings even if they look "OK". You say you have driven a relative's 2013? Was it the same? Is there anyone else with a 2010 you might could test?
Alternatively, you could ask a Benz specialist independent shop to investigate for a labor charge. I'm not sure about Cincy but there are lots of them here in Atlanta.
Alternatively, you could ask a Benz specialist independent shop to investigate for a labor charge. I'm not sure about Cincy but there are lots of them here in Atlanta.
Thanks. To give this a little additional perspective. With the new mounts, differential, transfer case and tires it drives pretty quietly. Which makes any lack of isolation from road imperfections more apparent. It's kind of my last frontier to conquer in reaching what I think should be entitlement for the car in terms of driving refinement for this chassis.
As you suggest the next place I should go is to drive a lower mileage example and see how it compares. If it is the same I guess there is no where else for me to go but an S Class
but I rather doubt it will be. I remember driving my sisters 2013 when it was new and thought it was all that.
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
It's a tough call, sometimes road roughness can set a sort of resonance into the suspension, especially with normal wear in parts. One thing I've come across is a strut that still works fine but has just enough wear in top mount or bushings to cause a slight vibration but only intermittently. I'm not saying to start replacing struts but if they are original they may have that sort of wear. Often difficult to push on them by hand or lever enough to see or feel anything as its hard to mimic dynamic car weight.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Another thing I forgot - I test drove both 4Matic and RWD and found the 4Matic system had a negative impact on how the W212 drove. Obviously a lot of people may not feel that way, but it might account for what you feel and what I do not in the wheel. Make sure you test drive another 4Matic. I am lucky to live in a mild climate and will never buy a 4Matic Benz after trying several.
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From: San Diego, CA
2016 E350 Sport; Mom Wrecked the 2008 E350; sold the 2002 C320
Besides the shocks and struts, you may want to check the strut mounts. What suspension does your car have?
I just installed performance springs on my car and although I'm thoroughly satisfied with the results, I get noticeably more road feedback
I just installed performance springs on my car and although I'm thoroughly satisfied with the results, I get noticeably more road feedback
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
Another thing I forgot - I test drove both 4Matic and RWD and found the 4Matic system had a negative impact on how the W212 drove. Obviously a lot of people may not feel that way, but it might account for what you feel and what I do not in the wheel. Make sure you test drive another 4Matic. I am lucky to live in a mild climate and will never buy a 4Matic Benz after trying several.
This is really interesting. I actually first noticed increased transmission of road vibration to the steering in my 4matic W211 relative to what I had experienced in my prior RWD Mercedes 89 190E 67 250SE 62 220SE and 59 220SE. I wrote it off to the recirculating ball steering vs rack and pinion and when I talked to the dealer about it he blamed the larger lower profile tires.
Given that I have had to replace the front diff and have the transfer case rebuilt, my experience with 4matic sucks and am seriously considering going RWD on my next one. Its getting to the point that it rarely snows here anymore anyway and believe this or not once upon at time people actually used to be able to get where they were going with RWD regardless of the weather. Even more shocking without the benefit of ABS or ESP. Not saying these aren't life saving driving aids but I could do without the claptrap of the 4matic.
Last edited by MBNUT1; Feb 1, 2020 at 09:04 PM.
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2010 E350 4Matic
Thanks. It has the luxury suspension.
Last edited by MBNUT1; Feb 1, 2020 at 09:15 PM.
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From: San Diego, CA
2016 E350 Sport; Mom Wrecked the 2008 E350; sold the 2002 C320
As a last resort short of changing cars, you might consider going with a quieter tire (touring/grand touring - assuming you haven't already since you haven't specified what tires you are using) or going with a smaller diameter rim which will result in taller sidewalls.
Thread Starter
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
As a last resort short of changing cars, you might consider going with a quieter tire (touring/grand touring - assuming you haven't already since you haven't specified what tires you are using) or going with a smaller diameter rim which will result in taller sidewalls.
Thanks again for the thought. I purchased the Michelin's Primacy Tours a year ago under the belief that they would provide the most luxurious driving experience. The luxury model wheels are 17 in which nowadays are generally considered small. But you certainly are right that the smaller the rim the better the ride.
Other than this final quest I really do like the car. Given what it would bring if I sold it it is a super nice car. Just trying to get that last bit of refinement.
Last edited by MBNUT1; Feb 2, 2020 at 01:05 PM.
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From: Chicago area
2015 E400 and 2015 GLK350
Another thought - what is your tire pressure?
I have the sport suspension/steel springs (not airmatic) and 18-in AMG rims on my E400. I get a LOT of harshness into the cabin, but I keep my tire pressure at 41 lbs. all around. This is the "heavy load" pressure recommended for my car. The car is much smoother with pressure set to 34-36 lbs., but the handling is not as crisp.
Also, I am not current with all the tires. Are your new ones run-flat tires? I have noticed that in a number of 2017-19 E300's with run-flat tires, it often feels like the tires bounce like basketballs when you hit some road imperfections.
I have the sport suspension/steel springs (not airmatic) and 18-in AMG rims on my E400. I get a LOT of harshness into the cabin, but I keep my tire pressure at 41 lbs. all around. This is the "heavy load" pressure recommended for my car. The car is much smoother with pressure set to 34-36 lbs., but the handling is not as crisp.
Also, I am not current with all the tires. Are your new ones run-flat tires? I have noticed that in a number of 2017-19 E300's with run-flat tires, it often feels like the tires bounce like basketballs when you hit some road imperfections.
