E552006

UPDATE on 10/31/20 on last post.

I’m pretty frustrated right now.
Just picked my G up from the dealer after it sitting there for 5 days to diagnose speaker/panel rattles in the front door.

Service tech starts by telling me that he thinks my iPhone is the issue..HUH?!
Also says it could be the network or the Bluetooth settings.

Evidently MB tech goes straight to coding or software issues and doesn’t look at physical observations.
I went to engineering school and have worked on audio systems before, even done custom install. I know what a resonating door panel or speaker grill sounds like.

So I get to the dealer to pick up the truck and I was able to reproduce the issue multiple times with multiple phones and several songs with the service advisor in the vehicle with me but MB is basically saying it’s not an issue or the issue is due to my phone.

I get home and fire up my tone generator app and I get substantial resonance at 70-80 Hz and also at 138 and 210 Hz.

It seems that MB used the door panel and cavity as the speaker enclosure for the mid speakers in the door and there is something loose inside both doors.

I’m about ready to just go get some dynamat and pull the door panels myself. Pretty ridiculous for a $145k new vehicle.

Seems common sense and ability to observe and diagnose is out the window these days at MB.

Now that my rant is over, question is, anyone else have this issue and found a solution short of insulating the door panels?

newyorktoLA

no solution here but my door panels also make sound. Creaking when pulling door handle! Sorry to hear about the speaker troubles.

BCMgunner

The front passenger speaker on my 20’ rattles when I listen to Kanye.

Floobydust

These days if a technician can't read the answer on a laptop plugged into a port, they don't know what to do. And if they don't know what to do, it's always your fault that there is problem.

IMHO, you are dealing with two issues. One, the new G platform is still in beta so there are still many quality/design issues to be worked out and, two, MB's current attention to audio detail is simply abysmal. Their audio systems are designed to be nothing but background "filler" as exemplified by the fact that they still use a 30 year algorithm to implement their annoying (and non-defeatable) speed controlled volume. Turn things up to a nice level at a stop light, and the speaker cones will be popping out at 60 MPH. It's a disaster.

pateljb

Simple fix, Don't listen to Kanye!

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

E552006

Exactly

The non diagnosis was delayed due to their diagnostic system being down. They told me they needed to connect the vehicle to diagnose the issue. I knew things were not going to go well at that point.

Me, I get out a tone generator and figure out the exact frequencies that are resonating the door panels in about a minute. Only fix is to dampen the enclosure but the “techs” can’t figure that out in 5 days.

drew138

Technically the car is working as they designed it but obviously not a good design. I'd be curious how the dynomat performs in the door cavity.

newyorktoLA

Front passenger rattles on my car only for certain songs, but it is not consistent. Feels like it's designed this way

E552006

It occurs only at the frequencies I listed in my first post in my vehicle but evidently what I listen to often hits those frequencies.

A well designed audio system should have enough vibration deadening to keep resonance at a minimum for any frequency the system can produce.

fabbrisd1

I need to correct one post here - no, the new G is not in Beta.

In both Mercedes New Car Warranty - and especially with Mercedes Certified Warranty - MBUSA takes a "more active" stand on warranty/process/approval.

Yes - with the "enclosure" design of the speaker cavities - like with any designed auto enclosure - there will be resonance frequency points - especially at volume.

A Mercedes dealer service dept - and frankly the Mercedes Warranty Service process - is simply not oriented to diagnose or address this as a "issue." The only area they possibly could address - is a defective speaker - or defective speaker mounts/assembly.

If you choose to pursue solution - I would first check to see if any owner, or any audio shop, has posted a video guide to door panel removal, and just like any custom mods to a manuf's entertainment system - a competent Audio Specialty Store might be able to insulate/add-deadening to lower the frequency or eliminate the resonant frequencies.

newyorktoLA

I agree...In order to replace the window regulator/window rubber surround on my driver's side window, dealer had to take apart the door panel. After putting it back, I had a creak when closing the door for some reason. Took the leather off the handle today (which you need to do to access the bolts to remove the door panel) and snapped it back together in 5 minutes and the noise went away (for now). the point is that the more you tinker with the car, the more these annoying squeaks/rattles might come up! Not sure if it's worth it - I listen to a lot of hip hop, so I turn the bass down a little bit and it seems to fix the issue with the passenger speaker vibrations.

BCMgunner

Floobydust

Ya, it is. Read all the threads about early design issues and you will see that early adopters have become part of a user beta and are paying a price. Given the low production numbers of the new G, give it 3 or 4 MY's for things to be sorted.

fabbrisd1

"Given the low production numbers of the new G, give it 3 or 4 MY's for things to be sorted."

"Consumer G's" are about 27% of MY20 production - "Utility G's" make up the other 73% - on the "issue" side ALL world-wide warranty data gets "data dumped" back to MB Engineering and Magna weekly which is the way it should be..

I am not part of that flow.. from what I've seen or heard so far mechanical issues have not been endemic..

E552006

So, an update. G has been in the shop since last Monday. MB finally acknowledged that there is a “rattle in the door panel” so parts were ordered. Evidently they have to remove my door panels and apply some insulation.

Unbelievable that it’s taken this long for them to come up with a solution I suggested weeks ago.

I’m pretty dissatisfied with my ownership experience MB!

abhatti55

Would be interested to see what this "insulation" is. Maybe they will list the part number on the repair ticket. I share the same frustration. I have seen on some Russia based social media accounts, where they strip the entire interior and dynamat it. Makes sense.

E552006

I’ll ask for that info and post it when they finish. Almost sounds like a retrofit kit for the G. Was told there was insulation, adhesive, and felt to be installed.

300SE1993

This reminds me of an S class I had a few years back. It had some sort of noise (I can't remember exactly) but felt was on the RO as the solution. It worked.

fabbrisd1

This is a case of one speaker - one door panel - rattling at volume - on specific frequencies ..... and this 550 owner - is Sooo Disappointed In Mercedes... and another fuzz head here calls New-G owner's "Beta Testers"... more than one person contributing to this thread needs to get-a-real-life... or get Real-Problems..

E552006

I’ve owned over 50 vehicles in the past 30 years so yes, I’m very disappointed with the initial quality of this vehicle. If you took the time to search you would also see this vehicle has died while I was driving.
Not the best experience so far.
BTW, it is both doors panels and it has been recognized as an issue now after 16 days in the shop. I’ve owned the vehicle for a month now and it’s been back at the dealership for more days than I’ve driven it.

newyorktoLA

+1 - this car has more rattles and squeaks and build quality issues than my $200/month Chevrolet Bolt or my Tesla. I don't know what the people in the factory are smoking, but while the design may look "pretty," build issues compared to the last model are ridiculous.
W/in first 1K miles - broken multifunction camera, multiple dynamic seat issues (I think 3), window trim falling off, window still rattles, speaker rattles, door handle creaks, etc.

Honestly, while the issues are ridiculous, it makes sense as automakers use cheaper and sh*ttier materials in new cars for cost savings...

abhatti55

Amen. At this price point and especially the paying over sticker BS, the sound system should be comparable to atleast the mid-level one in a Range Rover, not even the Autobiography (which it should). At 36k miles in my '19 I can certainly tell that it isn't going to hold up near as well as '16 G63. Likely 6 more months and my honeymoon will be over with the "new" G. I'd still like a '17 or '18 in my permanent collection.

newyorktoLA

sounds like the G is your daily driver! How is it holding up after 36K miles? Any surprises?

abhatti55

I get some of the squeaks and rattles that you mention and just live with it. Mine is an Edition 1 so I was one of the earliest production cars. The biggest complaint is the door speakers and I think Dynamat is going to have to be the fix there. My wiper motor is unusually loud, but that may be normal. Haven't seen another car to compare to. I also have that weird HVAC cabin pressure issue occasionally. Remembering to turn off ECO start-stop every time gets annoying.

Overall it is an amazing car, but when I step in a new Cayenne Turbo or other higher-end SUV's I can't help to notice the build quality is lacking somewhat.

n3rd

My 63 rattled so much it drove me nuts. CarPlay failed repeatedly. It also had two episodes of violent bucking followed by CEL. It warranted a partial tear down and a compression check. The final straw was when the interior door handle failed and I had to put the window down and open the door from the outside. The car is gone, I lost 5k but I don’t have to deal with that POS. I have a new one on the way. Let’s hope this go round is better otherwise it’s back to RR...