20 G550 Speaker rattles
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 432
Likes: 40
From: Savannah GA
2020 G550
20 G550 Speaker rattles
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?
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?
Last edited by E552006; Oct 31, 2020 at 02:49 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 127
2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
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?
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?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 133
From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 432
Likes: 40
From: Savannah GA
2020 G550
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.
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.
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.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 432
Likes: 40
From: Savannah GA
2020 G550
A well designed audio system should have enough vibration deadening to keep resonance at a minimum for any frequency the system can produce.
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 1,117
A gaggle of MB's
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 127
2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
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.
A well designed audio system should have enough vibration deadening to keep resonance at a minimum for any frequency the system can produce.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 133
From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
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.
Last edited by Floobydust; Jul 7, 2020 at 09:17 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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A gaggle of MB's
"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..
"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..
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 432
Likes: 40
From: Savannah GA
2020 G550
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!
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!
Last edited by E552006; Jul 22, 2020 at 06:31 AM.
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'19 G63 Ed 1,'18 M5, '16 G63,'12 458 , '11 E63, Brabus SL55-K8, '10 S63, '94 E500 "Wolf", '91 560SEC
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!
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!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 432
Likes: 40
From: Savannah GA
2020 G550
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.
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From: Northeast
2012 S350 Bluetec, 2014 GLK250 Bluetec, 2026 E350 4Matic
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.
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A gaggle of MB's
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..
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 432
Likes: 40
From: Savannah GA
2020 G550
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..
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.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,300
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
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.
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.
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...
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'19 G63 Ed 1,'18 M5, '16 G63,'12 458 , '11 E63, Brabus SL55-K8, '10 S63, '94 E500 "Wolf", '91 560SEC
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.
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.
+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...
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...
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
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.
sounds like the G is your daily driver! How is it holding up after 36K miles? Any surprises?
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'19 G63 Ed 1,'18 M5, '16 G63,'12 458 , '11 E63, Brabus SL55-K8, '10 S63, '94 E500 "Wolf", '91 560SEC
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.
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 117
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From: North East
P cars
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...
