Have any 2018 S Class owners noticed increased noise penetration levels over 2014 - 2017 S cars?
I’m experiencing significantly increased exterior sounds penetrating my 2018 S560 passenger compartment. I never heard tire whine from passing vehicles and the other driving sounds that I’d actually forgotten about. Dealer claims car is “within specifications “ subtly suggesting that I’m imagining it. I did back to back drives in both cars and there is very clearly more road noises penetrating the cabin in the 2018 over my really quiet 2015.
Anyone else hearing this increase in noise? Anyone had success resolving a problem with MB USA on an issue like this?
I’m contacting an acoustic engineer to quantify the situation.
What a disappointment on an otherwise wonderful sedan.
Do both cars have the exact same brand and style of tires installed?
Good point. I had the 2015 S550's forged 20" wheels & Goodyear Asynch 2 Eagle F1s installed on the new 560 to eliminate that issue. It came w/ 19".
I was surprised they agreed. Made no difference. There is something different between the two vehicles. Dealer claims that the door seals are not adjustable...I keep pressing the window up buttons - that's what it sounds like...a window is not fully closed.
Dealer claims that the door seals are not adjustable...I keep pressing the window up buttons - that's what it sounds like...a window is not fully closed.
Seals aren't "adjustable" but could one of them be defective or improperly installed? I have heard of that sort of thing happening with some Teslas, particularly early production Model X.
One suggestion would be to drive around and have a friend use a sound meter (just search for sound meter or decibel meter on amazon) to try to isolate where the noise is coming from, then you could point the dealer in that direction
Seals aren't "adjustable" but could one of them be defective or improperly installed? I have heard of that sort of thing happening with some Teslas, particularly early production Model X.
One suggestion would be to drive around and have a friend use a sound meter (just search for sound meter or decibel meter on amazon) to try to isolate where the noise is coming from, then you could point the dealer in that direction
Thanks. I have db app on my phone. I’ve decided to retain an expert forensic acoustic consultant to document indisputable measurement data.
Perhaps that will get MB’s QA attention.
Does MB gaurantee a certain db level in their cars? I certainly empathize with you as all S Class and SL Class cars are very expensive but getting them to do anything will be a up hill battle. I look forward to your results as I am looking at a S Class Sedan at the present time.
I had a bit of wind noise on our 2015 S550. Seals are never adjustable but so are the doors. The can tighten the fit a bit; same on the S560. You can also have them replace the seals with new ones.
I found occasionally that lowering the window a touch (like a eight of an inch or so) can actually create a better window seal. I was told that was due to the window motor stop was off and the glass was pressing too much onto the rubber seal, deforming it a bit.
Btw, all S550 wheels are cat aluminum, not forged...
I had a bit of wind noise on our 2015 S550. Seals are never adjustable but so are the doors. The can tighten the fit a bit; same on the S560. You can also have them replace the seals with new ones.
I found occasionally that lowering the window a touch (like a eight of an inch or so) can actually create a better window seal. I was told that was due to the window motor stop was off and the glass was pressing too much onto the rubber seal, deforming it a bit.
Btw, all S550 wheels are cat aluminum, not forged...
Good luck!
Thanks for the correction on the wheels, Wolf. So to confirm, there is adjustment possible of the door fitment; the seals could be replaced. This makes sense.
i was told by the dealer that there is no door adjustment possible due to the robotic assembly system.
Does MB still have regional tech service engineers who get involved when issues like this can’t get resolved at the dealer level?
Thanks for the correction on the wheels, Wolf. So to confirm, there is adjustment possible of the door fitment; the seals could be replaced. This makes sense.
i was told by the dealer that there is no door adjustment possible due to the robotic assembly system.
Does MB still have regional tech service engineers who get involved when issues like this can’t get resolved at the dealer level?
Robotic assembly? Well, they are still using screws on hinges and door locks. Assembly has zero influence on this. MB support can get involved but so far the dealer seems to have not done anything for you. If dealer denies work on your car you can get them involved.
This is typical for issues with noises; most of the techs work on C or E class sedans/SUV's so to them a louder S-Class sounds just fine. No frame of reference. I once has a super charger issue on our SL55. Multiple techs drove it and said the car was fine because to them even a diminished engine was faster than anything else they had driven. Then an AMG tech saw it and recognized the issue in less than 2 minutes.
The wind noise is typically only on the front door/s. Try to drive another S-Class from their lot for at least 15-20 minutes for different road surfaces for reference. Then bring your car in and tell them to adjust the doors and swap seals, otherwise you are not interested to keep the car.
Robotic assembly? Well, they are still using screws on hinges and door locks. Assembly has zero influence on this. MB support can get involved but so far the dealer seems to have not done anything for you. If dealer denies work on your car you can get them involved.
This is typical for issues with noises; most of the techs work on C or E class sedans/SUV's so to them a louder S-Class sounds just fine. No frame of reference. I once has a super charger issue on our SL55. Multiple techs drove it and said the car was fine because to them even a diminished engine was faster than anything else they had driven. Then an AMG tech saw it and recognized the issue in less than 2 minutes.
The wind noise is typically only on the front door/s. Try to drive another S-Class from their lot for at least 15-20 minutes for different road surfaces for reference. Then bring your car in and tell them to adjust the doors and swap seals, otherwise you are not interested to keep the car.
thanks Wolf; great advice. Will do. It’s actually not wind noise. It’s literally hearing vehicles passing by, other cars tire whine, vehicles ideling. Never heard any of that to a troubling level in the 2015 550. It’s exactly like it would sound if a door or window was partially open. Bad surprise.
S classes have had an option package in the past that included acoustic glass for quieting down the interior. Seems to me I've heard it used as standard in the windshield, optional on side windows (front or back?) Not sure if it's thicker or "better". I would do some research there, wouldn't be the first time a factory did not put in the right stuff. Option packages etc are different here in Canada so I can't help you there.
Have any 2018 S Class owners noticed increased noise penetration levels over 2014 - 2017 S cars?
I’m experiencing significantly increased exterior sounds penetrating my 2018 S560 passenger compartment. I never heard tire whine from passing vehicles and the other driving sounds that I’d actually forgotten about. Dealer claims car is “within specifications “ subtly suggesting that I’m imagining it. I did back to back drives in both cars and there is very clearly more road noises penetrating the cabin in the 2018 over my really quiet 2015.
Anyone else hearing this increase in noise? Anyone had success resolving a problem with MB USA on an issue like this?
I’m contacting an acoustic engineer to quantify the situation.
What a disappointment on an otherwise wonderful sedan.
Any other 2018 S Class owners experiencing this problem?
You might get better answers by contacting local MB Clubs in your area. I doubt seriously that more than 1-2% of MB drivers frequent these types of forums so your sampling of drivers is very, very slim.
S classes have had an option package in the past that included acoustic glass for quieting down the interior. Seems to me I've heard it used as standard in the windshield, optional on side windows (front or back?) Not sure if it's thicker or "better". I would do some research there, wouldn't be the first time a factory did not put in the right stuff. Option packages etc are different here in Canada so I can't help you there.
I don’t ever recall Accoustic Glass being an option on the S Class, only on the E Class, at least in the U.S.
HSCLA: I see you live in L.A. Within the space of an afternoon, you could, seriously, test drive a half dozen 2018 S Class Cars, simply going from one dealer to the next. You could even schedule the test drives in advance and then, boom, boom, boom! That’s what I would do for starters. Again, good luck!
HSCLA: I see you live in L.A. Within the space of an afternoon, you could, seriously, test drive a half dozen 2018 S Class Cars, simply going from one dealer to the next. You could even schedule the test drives in advance and then, boom, boom, boom! That’s what I would do for starters. Again, good luck!
Actually, now living full-time in San Francisco. Need to update profile. But yes, you’re correct I can certainly do that and I plan to. Very worried now that it’s a design defect.
2 others have raised the issue in the past 2 days.
Very worried now that it’s a design defect.
2 others have raised the issue in the past 2 days.
I wouldn't worry too much. Mercedes will address the issue. These cars are KNOWN to ride whisper quiet over 100 mph on the autobahn all day long. It's part of the S class history. I'd get the regional Mercedes rep involved also, can't remember if you said you did yet.
I wouldn't worry too much. Mercedes will address the issue. These cars are KNOWN to ride whisper quiet over 100 mph on the autobahn all day long. It's part of the S class history. I'd get the regional Mercedes rep involved also, can't remember if you said you did yet.
if the fix for my car (and others) is replacing the pano roof, do you think they will step up?
I wouldn't worry too much. Mercedes will address the issue. These cars are KNOWN to ride whisper quiet over 100 mph on the autobahn all day long. It's part of the S class history. I'd get the regional Mercedes rep involved also, can't remember if you said you did yet.
I think that’s a bit of “blue sky” there. The car is very quiet at 65 mph, but there is wind noise. I don’t think any car is silent at speed.
Absolutely. If it is found to be a defective part or defective workmanship, I’m sure they will do pretty much whatever it takes to cure it.
That would great; I’m counting on it. Here’s a summary of my MB CARS owned in past 10 years:
2007 SL65. Perfect car. No issues.
2007 S65. Perfect. No issues.
2012 CL63. Perfect. No issues.
2013 SL65. Perfect. No issues.
2015 S550. Perfect. No issues.
2018 S560. Miserable driving it.
That would great; I’m counting on it. Here’s a summary of my MB CARS owned in past 10 years:
2007 SL65. Perfect car. No issues.
2007 S65. Perfect. No issues.
2012 CL63. Perfect. No issues.
2013 SL65. Perfect. No issues.
2015 S550. Perfect. No issues.
2018 S560. Miserable driving it.
sad.
I don’t mean to pollute this thread, but you obviously like SL65’s. What is the attraction? I have a 2013 SL550 that is so frigging fast. What do you do with way more horsepower? In that little car, what do you do with all that torque? Just curious.
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