Since day one, my GLE, when it goes over 150 km/h and specific conditions are met (like windy weather), produces a sound similar to the one in this video: VIDEO

It’s unbearable and honestly unbelievable that a car at this level is built so poorly. I also experience the whistling noise from the mirrors and all the crackling sounds people have mentioned here in the forum, but this particular issue is just on another level.

I’m hesitant to take it to the dealership because I can’t imagine them going 150 km/h, waiting for windy weather, and trying to replicate the exact conditions to figure it out.

Does anyone have an idea where I could start looking to find out where the air might be causing this flute-like noise? Any advice or suggestions would be really appreciated!

 

Does switching to/from air recirculation mode change or eliminate the sound?

 

Not at all. I tried it all, like turning A/C on off, raising, lowering, closing the external air etc. no change.

 

In fact is the same sound as in this review video someone posted in the noisy mirrors thread:

 

On that video, the driver had to reach about 190km (120mph), so it's hard to say how common this problem is to make a guess if it's a design or an assembly issue. In most states in the US driving that fast may put you in jail.

 

Clearly a design issue. It shouldn’t happen at all, whether it’s legal in places like Germany or not in terms of speed limits.



In the case I’m presenting, my video shows it happening at 150 km/h, and the issue isn’t about legality in the US, as this isn’t the US.

if anybody can help identifying this, it’d be appreciated.

 

Could probably try commenting on that video and asking, Max typically responds to comments.

 

What makes you say that? The behavior of your car at 150 km/h "under certain conditions" or one video online where it happens at 190 km/h?

I'm not trying to brush off the issue you're experiencing, but you totally missed the point of my comment about legality. The design issue will affect most cars, which you can't validate with your sample size. At the same time, most forum members, unless they live in Germany, can't help you validate your issue without committing a civic violation or a criminal offense, same for dealers.

To my knowledge, Germany's Autobahn is the only place where you can legally drive 190 km/h in public, and 150 km/h requires "rather specific conditions". I know some forum members race their AMG versions of the V167 on a track, so maybe they'll have more insight if it's the speed they typically reach. @mikapen

 

Can't help.
Windows are required to be open at the track, for recovery if needed.
Can't hear s**t at 90mph.

Wind noises are hard to track.
I use a stethoscope with a long hollow tube instead of the listening head, which I can aim around the noise to pinpoint it.

 

It sounds like bad seals somewhere around the windscreen. I wonder if you got your windscreen replaced, it would fix it. You could try testing this theory by taping with painters tape around the entire windscreen to see if that changes it.

 

I do 90+mph everyday commuting to work with windows up, never hear any noises (not even sirens - LOL). I consider NJ Turnpike my personal Autobahn LOL.

 

Did you get the AMG cluster coded onto your 450?

 

Yes, @rjautomotive did it when they coded ILS+. Much nicer displays options.

 

Gotcha. He did mine too but they disappeared a while back and I thought it would be best to wait until I got a recall addressed before asking him to reprogram it - - for fear of it getting wiped a second time.

 

MB has performed, way too many, updates on mine. All I ever lost was Energizing Comfort, which sounded good but was worthless, and the ILS+ menu option, but the ILS+ still works.

 

I lost both of those as well as my Auto Start Stop last used setting.

 

I know @rjautomotive will recode ILS+ for free, but not sure about the other items.

 

You need certain conditions at 95mph, maybe a strong head wind as per the OP. Alternatively, as on that youtube video linked, you gotta push to 120 mph to hear the magic. And no, I'm not encouraging you to do on NJ turnpike lol.

Jokes aside, it's not clear if the OPs car is on steel or on air springs, I'd imagine it would make a difference too due to different road clearance affecting the aerodynamics.