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Has anyone experienced problems with radio signals inside cars equipped with the PAF code?
I ask because I'm currently borrowing a 2011 S550 until my 2018 E300 arrives and it has IR-reflecting glass. Anything above 1000MHz is seriously attenuated in this car, including cell phone, GPS, and WiFi signals. I notice that my phone doesn't seem to have as much trouble with the lower frequencies as it does the higher ones.
I've had zero issues with cellular reception even with the phone placed in the console on the recharging pad. The entertainment system uses external antennas that are not affected by the IR glass. There are two clear rectangles on the windscreen for mounting a Sun Pass transponder.
Thank you both for confirming that. The loaner E300s I've driven lacked PAF so I wasn't sure. I was about to order a cell repeater for the new car. I'm also glad to hear SunPass works. Even with my SunPass stuck in the proper location on the W221, most of my tolls have been ITOLS (Image) over TTOLs (Transponder). I do notice that the old, larger SunPass box works better in the W221 than the new smaller ones. My HOA's gate sticker is absolutely useless in the W221 no matter where I put it.
I know that his option raises the price by 1K, but, I think that virtually no one buys an E class based on a price point, given that is the most expensive car in its class regardless of equipment level. Why not simply offer the car with the acoustic comfort and air suspension as standard equipment?????? By making it standard it would be cheaper overall and it would make all E's even more prime than they are..
If it were standard then then the title of this thread would have been “why is the acoustic comfort standard” the same thing was said about the pano roof on the S class but people whined about the fact that it was standard on the W222. I like my cars pretty much fully loaded so if they made all options standard I wouldn’t complain. But take a guess at how many people here would complain about all the standard features. Lol
Each of the options has a downside as well as a benefit. The acoustic comfort package adds weight, blocks IR as well as many radio signals. This adversely affects having multiple transponders as there are only 2 small places on the windshield where they will work.
If it were standard then then the title of this thread would have been “why is the acoustic comfort standard” the same thing was said about the pano roof on the S class but people whined about the fact that it was standard on the W222. I like my cars pretty much fully loaded so if they made all options standard I wouldn’t complain. But take a guess at how many people here would complain about all the standard features. Lol
Hey, you are here too? I see you on the Z06 forum, too lol.
I am currently building my E wagon and wonder if too quiet will project other noises...some times some white noise in an already quiet isn't a bad thing!
I have the Acoustic Package on my 2018 E43, which is Selenite Gray with a black interior. I would have ordered a gray interior, but that is not available. I have had it for 5 weeks.
I am happy with the Package. I wanted a performance car for every-day driving. I could have settled for an E400 sedan if available, so the E43 is more than the minimum I wanted to have. Being in Dallas, we do get many days above 100 F during the Summer. Even though I avoid uncovered parking, sometimes there is no other choice. I have not had the car over the Summer yet, but I expect the interior will be several degrees cooler in that case.
I also liked the idea of more noise insulation. Sure, I like having close to 400 hp, but I do not need to hear each one of them! The interior of the car is very quiet and the engine noise only appears when power is in high demand. It is the right balance at least for me: The car does not feel like a living room on wheels like the S550, nor like a drag racer. Your taste may vary though. For comparison, I sometimes drive a 2012 E350. It is much louder. When the gas pedal is fully pressed, it feels like that engine goes in "desperation" mode compared to the E43.
Even though I had several delivery hiccups, I love the car and I recommend the E43 and the Acoustic Package.
I have the Acoustic Package on my 2018 E43, which is Selenite Gray with a black interior. I would have ordered a gray interior, but that is not available. I have had it for 5 weeks.
I am happy with the Package. I wanted a performance car for every-day driving. I could have settled for an E400 sedan if available, so the E43 is more than the minimum I wanted to have. Being in Dallas, we do get many days above 100 F during the Summer. Even though I avoid uncovered parking, sometimes there is no other choice. I have not had the car over the Summer yet, but I expect the interior will be several degrees cooler in that case.
I also liked the idea of more noise insulation. Sure, I like having close to 400 hp, but I do not need to hear each one of them! The interior of the car is very quiet and the engine noise only appears when power is in high demand. It is the right balance at least for me: The car does not feel like a living room on wheels like the S550, nor like a drag racer. Your taste may vary though. For comparison, I sometimes drive a 2012 E350. It is much louder. When the gas pedal is fully pressed, it feels like that engine goes in "desperation" mode compared to the E43.
Even though I had several delivery hiccups, I love the car and I recommend the E43 and the Acoustic Package.
+1 It further compliments the 43's dual character. Luxo and sport happily coexisting.
To those who have the Acoustic package, where are you hearing the majority of the noise? In my W212, the only real noise I hear is road noise. Currently driving a 2011 S550 until my new '18 E300 arrives and I absolutely delight in its quietness. It's tranquil and peaceful. I do worry about the run-flats ruining an otherwise great car.
My '04 Infiniti M45 had a ton of wind noise, which I assume was due to its frameless glass. You also would get a bit of a shower if you were driving in extreme rains (ie: 50+mph winds + heavy rain).
The most noise in my car comes from B63, engine noise over speaker. Mercedes is deliberately piping noise into the cabin. Unfortunately it cannot be turned off.
My E43 with the quiet package is virtually silent at any speed. Aside from a little tread noise the car is almost silent. The engine is only noticeable above 3k rpms. If I want any " AMG" engine soundtrack the car has to be in sport plus and the windows open.There is a big plus to the quietness, It highlights how good the radio is! The only vehicle quieter in my book is the S class and our yet to arrive GLS. Both of which are loaded to the gills with soundproofing. On the GLS 550 the only sound at all is when you rev the glorious V8. Its never loud, just enough basso profundo to let you know the gorilla is happily flexing its muscles.
Last edited by c4004matic; 11-22-2017 at 11:55 AM.
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by ua549
The most noise in my car comes from B63, engine noise over speaker. Mercedes is deliberately piping noise into the cabin. Unfortunately it cannot be turned off.
I am unfamiliar with the term “B63.” Please elaborate.
Is that B63 code on just the AMG models, or does the bog standard E300 get it as well? If the latter, I'm not going to accept delivery of my car until that's disabled.
If you have your VIN, you can view the data card info here to determine if B63 is present. I was told by my dealer's shop foreman that B63 cannot be disabled. That said, the noise is most noticeable when accelerating from a stop. My "grocery getter" has never been over 40 mph so I don't know if the noise goes away when a certain speed is reached.
@konigstiger: Do you have any tech literature on how this works? I'm hoping that it'll give some insight into how to disable/remove it. I've seen speculation on other models that it might have a dedicated speaker underneath the dash somewhere.
Digital sound processor built into sound system control unit (amplifier) in trunk. See if dealer will agree to swap out amplifier (2139001821) to MY18 e43 part # 2139008315 or e63 2139008715.
Last edited by konigstiger; 11-28-2017 at 10:54 AM.
• Laminated safety glass with acoustic foil and infrared absorbing foil for the windscreen and side windows • Laminated safety glass with infrared absorbing foil for the rear window • Thickness of the fleece in the doors to 20 mm (+10 mm compared to the standard) • Rear floor carpet over the series with significantly increased basis weight • Side rail panels with additional acoustic fleece • Additional sound insulation measures in the cross member of the driver's seat, in the air channels in the rear footwell and on the B-pillars • Hat rack with increased basis weight and additional insulation to minimize the sound transmission
We have the Acoustic Comfort Package in our S213 wagon and you notice the difference in transmitted sound. If all the doors are shut and the windows rolled up, you can't hear someone outside the car -- which you couldn't say without this package. On the highway, the only sound you hear is that made by the tires. On a wagon where you have a lot of glass, it is worth having additional sound insulation.
Digital sound processor built into sound system control unit (amplifier) in trunk. See if dealer will agree to swap out amplifier (2139001821) to MY18 e43 part # 2139008315 or e63 2139008715.
Is the above part number the same for the 18 E300?