goober71

Hi,
I just brought my 2014 E-350 to the dealer for an A service. Everything was fine with the service, but they did an inspection and told me that my motor and transmission mounts had collapsed and needed to be replaced immediately. The charge is $1370 for the replacement!
Is this normal? Do the mounts only last 50K? I have never replaced mounts for any of my other cars, even having driven a couple to 100K miles.

Please let me know.

Thanks.

G

cetialpha5

There's several threads on here about people doing it themselves. The two mounts are probably around $100 or so online, list at the dealer is probably more like $200 each, transmission mount is around $70, more at the dealer.

And yes, they can go as low as 50k. If you don't notice it though, you can keep going for a while. Basically you'll just notice vibrations that it didn't have before. They may only be slightly collapsed so it might not be that noticeable right now. They're liquid filled so they tend to go earlier than other car makers who may just use rubber engine mounts. The MB ones are better mounts, they just don't last as long. You've got to pay to play. You can shop around for other indy shops that may charge less. Nothing really special about them, just a lot of work to take stuff apart to get at them.

KEY08

...not withstanding all of that info, please take it to another shop and have them check. SA gets paid for sticking it to you.

chassis

Agree with @KEY08

Also, mounts are a weak spot, among many others, for MB. The dealer knows this and milks the customer early, often and hard, when possible.

Toadroller

They can go early, they can go late. My (son's) 11 E350 4matic has 110k and the original engine mounts, riding fine. Comparing its ride with my 11 E350 wagon was one of the ways I knew the wagon's needed to be done.

So they don't all fail all the time at 50-60k.

nc211

It’s more about the age and less about the mileage when it comes to mounts. I relaxed mine at 50k as well, a 2014 too. Did it earlier this year for about that price. I was getting a hard vibration when shifting from 4th to 5th for a brief second. Not a shutter, but a vibration. The trans Mount was going. I had the engine mounts done as well at that time. Shop told me it was a good idea as when they pulled them, they had compressed a decent amount when compared to the new ones going in. Mine is 4Matic. A bit trickier to do. It made a world of difference in tightening up the car overall.

My mechanic told me on the 212, the engine mounts are a known weak spot, in some part due to being so close to the exhaust manifold and what the heat does to the rubber.

Mount are under constant pressure regardless if the car is in motion or just sitting. I’ve had many a Toyota product that needed them before 100k as well. LS400, GS430, V8 4Runner, and our most recent Highlander (that has now been replaced with a 2020 GLS450). Honestly about the only car I’ve owned that has seen no issues with the mounts have been my 3 VW GTI’s....I know, a head scratcher!

LILBENZ230

I assumed that hydraulic engine mounts are wear items, not really an indication of poor quality/reliability.

nc211

That’s my opinion about them in general as well - a wear item. I don’t think it would really make a difference if my 2014 had 110,000 or 50,000 miles - it’s the 6 years aspect that matters the most in my opinion. Brakes for instance are more of a mileage thing (and of course driving technique). But a soft rubber mount is destined to get compressed regardless under the constant strain of the weight and the seasonal changes.

S-Prihadi

The more sensitive one is, the more observant one is, engine and transmission mounts are and can be a VERY consumeable set of items.

TRANSMISSION MOUNT, 1 unit.
The trans mount is super soft, for comfort sake, but this one indirectly controls the propeller shaft angle towards the differential, albeit there are two flexible disc on propeller shaft ( 2 piece shaft ).
A sink-in trans mount will cause shaft misalignment in the vertical axis, that is where the vibration comes from.
It only takes 4mm ish of position change ( sink in ) on trans mount to feel minor vibration under acceleration, easy to detect while at 140 - 160 KM/Hour.

The more agressive one drive with hard kick down and often, the faster the trans mount will sink in. The more powerful the engine is, the faster good bye for trans + engine mount.
Agressive ( and often ) sudden kick-down where while at higher gears , the trans can engage to as low as gear 1 and 2 , are the most abusive for trans mount. I just described my driving habits

NC211 is correct, years of age is also a big factor and not only mileage, if car is low mileage..... as these mounts are under compression 24/7 everyday of the ownership since built or last mounts change.


14,000KM only and 20 laps at the circuit. Trans Mount



Right side is new as of 12 Oct 2020 at 24,000KM , left side WAS replaced at 10,773 KM Aug 2017.






I know my car well enough and I am very sensitive on vibrations.


So engine + trans mount is a must change often set of consumeable.
Below, my 1st time engine + trans mount change in Aug 2017 at 10,773KM from new, it is still decently good but I want back them back to a 100% good state.
Technically these are 4 years old because VIN data card stated date built was 2013 Aug, even though registration is a 2014 June.



99.99% of W212 owners on their own , will need to wait for some sort of cluncking noise or excessive vibrations to come to conclusion on these 3 mounts need to go.
A trained technician visually can see trans mount condition in less than 2 minutes.
For engine mounts. Idling vibration quality at the engine itself and by feel at steering wheel and how engine reacts to fast RPM change (while in neutral), is also an easy visual clue,
well before any obvious mechanical noise under sudden gear change kick-down.

Since the wear is progressive and slowly, most owners do not realize it... until the 2nd time change.
1st time mounts set change from new as a learning curve.

.

cvx5832

This. Over and over again across friends and family, so much work "recommended" but very far from needing replacement.

goober71

Thanks for all the good advice! I haven't noticed any excessive vibrations, the car is super smooth, even at 80-90MPH. It was under the 7 yr/unlimited miles extended CPO warranty until July this year, so I'm super bummed that this came up just after the warranty expired. Does the warranty cover the engine and transmission mounts?

G

KEY08

Yes, I believe the mounts are covered by CPO.
If it’s determined they are indeed collapsed by other parties, you should ask your dealer for a “good will” replacement since you just came off warranty and have always used them for service. They may step up.

MBNUT1

The engine mount vibration is really an idle thing. It is most pronounced just off idle when you start to accelerate the engine. If you don't experience that and they won't replace them under good will I wouldn't worry about it. You will know when they need to be replaced. I had mine done at around 120K

nc211

I agree, for them to do a good will repair like this, the mounts are probably going to need to be broke and not just worn down.

for me, worn mounts also mean a sense of sloppiness in the driveline and overall feel of applying and reducing power. The engine and/or transmission has some wiggle room in it and the torque application of the engine will enhance that feeling as it rocks back and forth in its seat. I also like the comment about lining up on the driveshaft, and agree.

whenever I’ve had new mounts put in a car, the difference was the most dramatic of all repairs. Just solidifies the overall feel and brings it back to feeling new again.

mellonc

Mine was covered under CPO extended warranty. It is ridiculous that mine went south at 70K or so miles. Without the warranty it would have easily been 1K+ repair. Super fragile cars, these....... but when everything is working, it feels wonderful to drive.

ChrisB

The mounts changed on my 2011 E550 at 60,000 miles. Under extended bumper to bumper Old Republic Warranty.
Was done furring some transmission warranty work ...
I was skeptic - but the car does seem more solid, responsive & powerful now.

There was no vibrations before though ... that I noticed.

I am thinking I should do this now on my 1999 SL 500 ... 150,000 miles.

goober71

Talked to the dealer, and they talked to MB. They are willing to discount the replacement, so my cost will be $500 for both sets of mounts. That's a hefty drop from almost $1400! So I'm considering getting it done, since it does seem to improve the ride and drivability, as per the comments on here, and 50K miles does seem to be the usual life of these mounts.
Thanks for all the helpful responses!

G

KEY08

Good for you and thanks for dropping in. Price is too good not to wait, especially if you are hanging onto the car for awhile.

Jack McCarty

the older E's had solid rubber mounts, including my 2001 E320 4matic Wagon & my 1991 300CE Coupe. Durability & longevity depend on vehicle condition & age, driving technique & climate, too.
I replaced the S210 engine mounts @ 90K, & the CE @ 150K after a terrible AAA tow with the front end bouncing on a terrible highway
(the flat-bed requested was not available).

Fast Forward to the 212 models which have hydraulic mounts that are really oil-filled plastic bags, often leaking with early age, often under 100K, a known weak point.

I suggest getting any E you're considering fully inspected by a certified MB Dealer or MB Shop, including all 3 mounts (the 2 engine mounts & the 1 transmission mount)
if the mounts are iffy, make their replacement
part of the negotiation.
I test drove a 2012 Wagon with 58k miles, with
strong vibrations through the chassis & wheel
& confirmed that mounts were shot.