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I appreciate your technical discussion of variability, however things like upholstery quality, which has been so much in discussion, are not as easy to quantify.
My vehicle had to spend 2 weeks at the dealership after one week of taking delivery to correct several issues: rattling/sqeaking sunroof, misaligned fuel door, the wiper jets spray above the windshield, logos that came off. The dealer is telling me there is no adjustment to correct the problem with the fuel door and wiper jets. The sunroof, the seals were installed incorrectly. These are assembly/product quality issues that were not thought out. How could you design a non-adjustable wiper jets or not make any room to adjust the fuel door?.
My vehicle had to spend 2 weeks at the dealership after one week of taking delivery to correct several issues: rattling/sqeaking sunroof, misaligned fuel door, the wiper jets spray above the windshield, logos that came off. The dealer is telling me there is no adjustment to correct the problem with the fuel door and wiper jets. The sunroof, the seals were installed incorrectly. These are assembly/product quality issues that were not thought out. How could you design a non-adjustable wiper jets or not make any room to adjust the fuel door?.
So for the duel door, they would have to paint the replacement door, which means its no longer a factory paint job and quite a bit to disassemble under rear quarter panel. Sometimes the fix is worse than the problem. Mine is not as bad as in the pics but still calls to question the build/assembly quality. This is a 100k vehicle that should have been assembled properly and to proper tolerance, whatever that may be. I've never had these issues with the Audis and VWs I've owned, not to mention the Acuras and Hondas which my family is fond of and these were designed and assembled in the USA.
I appreciate your technical discussion of variability, however things like upholstery quality, which has been so much in discussion, are not as easy to quantify.
Is it though? What process do they use to cut the leather pieces, and what is the variability? How accurate is the sowing process employed (i.e., the location accuracy of the stitching), and what is the measured variability? Do they use a robot with an accuracy of +/- .001"; or is it a rushed human with a paper template, scissors, a sowing machine, and an accuracy +/- 0.5 inches. In the case of the seat vendors, I'm guessing the latter. No way they employ a 6-Sigma manufacturing process...the seat cover variability is out of control.
Good to hear that there's another member (SEPicks) who resolved the noise issue with the carbon fiber mirror cover. So far, two members including me confirmed that.
Dealer told me they have a fix coming and wrapped mine with PPF which didn't help. This (photo) works to eliminate the noise and I'm happy to do some free advertising for Mercedes in the meantime.
My car only have 148 miles now but I noticed the high wind noise from the driver side as soon as I hat around 70 mph. This is not the normal wind noise. It sounds like I did not fully close the window.
I didn't bother to research if there was any issue with these good looking SUVs but here I am where many comments are posted about the similar noise.
I will drop of the vehicle soon and I hope they fix the issue right away.
Originally Posted by mbgle
I purchased a 2020 GLE350 a few months ago. Has anyone else noticed a whistling sound outside the drivers window when driving above 70mph? I don't hear it at lower speeds but once I get on the highway, I can certainly hear it. It's not overwhelming but certainly noticeable and annoying. I had a 2017 GLE and this was not an issue. I didn't order the acoustic comfort package but I didn't think I would hear so much noise outside the window on a $70,000+ car.
My 2 week old GLE 350 has the same wind noise issue. After reading some of the threads, this has been a long standing problem carrying over several years. I am reading that a MB fix is on the way and I will wait and see. Just wondering if I should advise my dealership of this issue and have it noted for my vehicle. I am enjoying this GLE however how could a company like Mercedes allow this to continue for such a long time without offering a remedy. Please let me know what your dealership did for you or told you so I can proceed with the most recent information. Thanks
Here is what I found out about the wind noise when I visited the dealership.
The noise is generating from the side mirror that was falsely designed by the manufacture.
According to the certified MB mechanic, there are two embossed lines on the mirror towards the door window that causes the gap to make the whistle noise.
MB is aware of the issue and redesigned the side mirror with two more lines on the top of the side mirror which resulted the whistle noise to be gone.
The service advisor said the new side mirrors are on the way and he will be calling me to schedule a service to replace the side mirror covers.
It kind of made a sense that the noise is from the outside of the vehicle once I heard what the problem was.
Hopefully the replacement fixes the issue regardless how fast I drive. I will update the review after the replacement.
Meanwhile, you should let them know this is what you found out about the noise and the service people should be able to open up the suggested repair info.
Confirm with them about the newly designed side mirror and ask when you can get your replaced.
Here is what I found out about the wind noise when I visited the dealership.
The noise is generating from the side mirror that was falsely designed by the manufacture. According to the certified MB mechanic, there are two embossed lines on the mirror towards the door window that causes the gap to make the whistle noise.
That doesn't explain why some have the noise and many don't. I have never experienced this at any speed.
That doesn't explain why some have the noise and many don't. I have never experienced this at any speed.
My only guess is newer GLEs would have the new mirrors already, but GLEs that were bought from dealership stock may have an earlier build date without the fix.
Just mu thought and likely inaccurate, but plausible at the same time.
Not everyone drives over 65mph and hears the same noise. Some people are not sensitive to the abnormal noises and some listens to the music which makes the noise disappear.
Thanks, it is annoying in any vehicle let alone a MB. I will let them know what you informed me regarding the replacement mirror cover and see if they can open a file without an actual visit. Perhaps I can call MB corporate and they can document my concerns. I rather not have some patchwork repair done , especially if there is actually a replacement cover arriving shortly.
My 450 was built 2/18/21 delivered to dealer 3/8/21. Driving home that evening I noticed wind whistling noise drivers side window area around 50mph but cannot pinpoint exactly where it’s coming from.
And I have the acoustic package installed.
Before my car came in I was driving a 2021 GLE 350 loaner basic options on it for 3 months and that car was silent inside no noise anywhere.
Whistle drivers side only 2020 GLS at highway speed
Thanks for covering this topic at length. I hope there is a permanent fix coming. I have a new GLS and it’s as many of you described. It’s as if the window was left a crack open type of sound. Very shuttle, yet like nails on a chalk board. It only is over 55 or 60 mph. Thank you for giving me a reference for when I bring it in to be “fixed”. Your posting is helpful.
I have 3 lines on the inside part of the mirror casing that I can see looking out. They are kind of raised up a bit for some kind of aerodynamics I am guessing.
My only guess is newer GLEs would have the new mirrors already, but GLEs that were bought from dealership stock may have an earlier build date without the fix.
Just mu thought and likely inaccurate, but plausible at the same time.
Mine was built February 2021 and I have the noise.
When I had a loaner GLE 350 for 3 months basic package car drove quiet no noise anywhere I was surprised and happy thinking my car will be exactly like this one in terms of quietness.
Now that my GLE 450 with AMG exterior and acoustic package is here since 3/9 I do have slight wind noise coming from driver side. You hear it more when it’s windy outside like yesterday in SoCal.
Not ready yet to take it in.
not in mood not to have car for who knows how long they’ll take to see it. Move things around inside and who knows what they’ll take apart and not put right when finished to have more noise from somewhere else.
And come back with a we don’t hear anything sir. But your GLE is ready for pick up minus the car wash😂
I’ll wait till 10k service or something that really needs to be taken care of to mention the noise.
When I had a loaner GLE 350 for 3 months basic package car drove quiet no noise anywhere I was surprised and happy thinking my car will be exactly like this one in terms of quietness.
Now that my GLE 450 with AMG exterior and acoustic package is here since 3/9 I do have slight wind noise coming from driver side. You hear it more when it’s windy outside like yesterday in SoCal.
Not ready yet to take it in.
not in mood not to have car for who knows how long they’ll take to see it. Move things around inside and who knows what they’ll take apart and not put right when finished to have more noise from somewhere else.
And come back with a we don’t hear anything sir. But your GLE is ready for pick up minus the car wash😂
I’ll wait till 10k service or something that really needs to be taken care of to mention the noise.
I skipped the panorama sun roof on this one and it helps ad well.
The cabin is very quiet so I think that wind noice is heard more as well than other cars where the road noice takes over. This one doesnt have any road noice.