My wife's 2006 ML350 has from day 1 made a squealing noise shifting in and out of park. It sounds like a clutch noise. She asked the dealer to fix it yesterday with her first A service ($226!) but their response was basically "they all do that". She knows for a fact that that's not true as she has a friend with an ML500 which does not make the same noise. I called the service advisor who is usually very helpful, and was told "It's a solenoid in the transmission. All ML's make that noise, including other 164 chassis vehicles, plus the new S-class. I have a service bulletin saying it is normal. I'll ask Mercedes for permission to replace the solenoid, but can't guarantee that it won't make the same noise".

I will take it in and have the solenoid replaced (assuming she gets the OK from Mercedes), but I can't believe "it's supposed to sound that way". Did the 164 product planning team sit around writing the spec: "the transmission shall make a loud grinding noise whenever it shifts in and out of park as audible feedback to the driver that the shift has occured"? I can't see it.

Anyone else have this noise? If so what happened when you complained to Mercedes service?

I've included the scanned "star bulletin" dated 15Aug06 below.

 

I'm sure you saw in the TSB the mp3 file that the technician can listen to hear the "normal" sound this module makes. If it were me, I would ask to hear it along with them to see if it's the same sound you're hearing.

 

My wifes ml350 makes a similar grinding type noise. I was told it was normal. My service adviser used the word "hydraulic"

 

The noise is actually a servo that puts the car in Park, Drive or reverse. Its an electro mechanical device and the noise is normal. Doesen't disturb me but it is something that you do not hear in cars with conventional shifters.