I am disappointed, I hope I will be able to resolve this as soon as possible. Any advise is appreciated 
Buzzing of door panels (2013 S550 4matic)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 64
Likes: 6
2013 S550 4Matic
Buzzing of door panels (2013 S550 4matic)
I have an annoying buzz coming from the center of the door panels around the door latch when driving on less than smooth paved roads. The buzzing stops when I push against the panel below the chrome trim (accent light). Worse on the passenger side. The resonance is probably amplified by my 20" low profile AMG wheels. Disappointing for an S class with less than 10kmiles, my 2007 E63 was completely buzz/rattle free.
Has anybody encountered this? What is the fix?
Has anybody encountered this? What is the fix?
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 2
From: Iowa
2022 GLC 300
I've had the same issue on mine, and let me tell you, it's not easy to fix.
Dealer replaced the LED/wood trim strips with new ones; no better.
I've had my door apart so many times I can have it off and in pieces in under 5 minutes.
I removed the door panel and led strip, glued the rattling plastic diffuser in.
When this didn't do it, I took the trim piece apart, siliconed it together, then placed foam between the door panel and the back of the trim. I think this may do it.
BTW, shoving a card behind the light strip only works temporarily.
If you lightly touch the door panel, you feel tremendous vibration transfer to this panel -- I think this is the root cause.
If you think it's bad now, wait till it gets cold -- mine gets much worse.
I'm hoping my problem is solved, but won't know till winter.
Dealer replaced the LED/wood trim strips with new ones; no better.
I've had my door apart so many times I can have it off and in pieces in under 5 minutes.
I removed the door panel and led strip, glued the rattling plastic diffuser in.
When this didn't do it, I took the trim piece apart, siliconed it together, then placed foam between the door panel and the back of the trim. I think this may do it.
BTW, shoving a card behind the light strip only works temporarily.
If you lightly touch the door panel, you feel tremendous vibration transfer to this panel -- I think this is the root cause.
If you think it's bad now, wait till it gets cold -- mine gets much worse.
I'm hoping my problem is solved, but won't know till winter.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,433
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From: Behind the wheel
The best or nothing
Very good answer pleeson.. Looks like you've had many Mercedes and you can solve problems.
Door panels are easier to solve than dashboard rattles. Drove me crazy on my W221. Right now I deal with door wood creaking on my W126. I use vaseline to lubricate rubbing parts. Lasts more than 12 months.
Door panels are easier to solve than dashboard rattles. Drove me crazy on my W221. Right now I deal with door wood creaking on my W126. I use vaseline to lubricate rubbing parts. Lasts more than 12 months.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 64
Likes: 6
2013 S550 4Matic
Thanks pleeson. Do you have to take the whole door panel off to remove the trim? Where did you put the foam? Behind the main panel or between the trim/led and main panel? Thanks
Last edited by gsholz; Sep 11, 2016 at 08:56 PM.
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 2
From: Iowa
2022 GLC 300
First easy thing to try is pushing some foam strips between the door panels and the LED strip.
This may work...
If not, then you're removing the door panel and then the trim piece from the back of the door panel.
Having done all this, my buzz is still there, but diminished by about half.
I've thought about putting Dynamat along the back of the LED strip, but I have my doubts
IIRC, someone was getting a whole new panel under warranty on one of the forums, maybe that would work.
This car has been 90% wonderful and 10% infuriating....
This may work...
If not, then you're removing the door panel and then the trim piece from the back of the door panel.
Having done all this, my buzz is still there, but diminished by about half.
I've thought about putting Dynamat along the back of the LED strip, but I have my doubts
IIRC, someone was getting a whole new panel under warranty on one of the forums, maybe that would work.
This car has been 90% wonderful and 10% infuriating....
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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2016 C300
It's likely coming from the strip of LED lights directly under the wood trim. With time a little play develops. To rule them out as the source, take small pieces of cardboard, and fold them in half so they're the shape of a tent. Jam them under the backside of the LED strip at equal intervals along the length.
If that works, a more permanent fix is to get a thin strip of black felt and pack it into the crease.
If that works, a more permanent fix is to get a thin strip of black felt and pack it into the crease.
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Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 2
From: Iowa
2022 GLC 300
I never could silence that noise.
The LED tricks didn't work, including gluing them in and replacing the trim strips altogether.
I think there is just too much vibration transmitted into the doors from the road.
My solution was to sell the car...
The LED tricks didn't work, including gluing them in and replacing the trim strips altogether.
I think there is just too much vibration transmitted into the doors from the road.
My solution was to sell the car...
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 804
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From: Staten Island, NY
2010 MB S550, 2017 MB SLC 300
I have the same issue coming from both front doors. It is coming from the wood trim. If I hold it down with my hand it stops. If I open and close my windows it stops too. It's kind of annoying.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Staten Island, NY
2010 MB S550, 2017 MB SLC 300
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
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2016 C300
Today I installed felt strips in the C on the gauge binnacle, a trim strip on the dash, two of the AC vents, and above and below the trim on both front doors. It's got 10k miles and is less than a year old. The rattles in the W205s are numerous and wide spread. Same for the new E. They don't build anything like they build the S.
That said, the little C is still a blast to drive and while I wasn't jazzed about the looks when I got it, after a few mods and new wheels it's definitely grown on me.
That said, the little C is still a blast to drive and while I wasn't jazzed about the looks when I got it, after a few mods and new wheels it's definitely grown on me.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
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2011 mercedes w221 s class
I found that the noises i was getting from both my front doors on my 2011 s350 bluetec was because my engine mounts had failed i dont know which one so replaced all three now i get no noise what so ever super quiet you may want to try that as it is a common problem on uk w221 facelift s class!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
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2016 C300
True, the engine mounts are fluid filled and they can leak and collapse but I've never had them go south of 50k miles. Possible though. The tell (aside from fluid oozing down the sides) is a harsh vibration in the cabin at idle and a lot more noise from the drive train.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 804
Likes: 74
From: Staten Island, NY
2010 MB S550, 2017 MB SLC 300
I found that the noises i was getting from both my front doors on my 2011 s350 bluetec was because my engine mounts had failed i dont know which one so replaced all three now i get no noise what so ever super quiet you may want to try that as it is a common problem on uk w221 facelift s class!!
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
2013 S350, 1994 SL320
Not a good type of buzz!
I too have had issues with the passenger door panel on my S350 Bluetec. The dealer failed on this completely, claimed the buzzing was seat related (I knew it was not). No improvement at all once they claimed to "fix" this.
