S600's - Engine noise from driver's footwell

Subscribe
Apr 13, 2015 | 12:55 PM
  #1  
I traded a 2010 BMW 760Li Individual, a 2012 BMW 750i Individual and a 2008 Merc S65 AMG for new 2 new 2015 S Classes: a S600L (my car) and a S500L (wife's car). Out of the showroom floor the S500L air conditioner didn't work, so I returned it and bought another S600L that was available. So I now have 2 X S600L's for just under a month.

My initial impressions were that these W222 S classes were amazingly quiet and refined, especially at speeds below 120km/h. Engine noise was genuinely non-existent.

However when one S600 clocked 570 kms and the other 2500 kms, annoyingly audible engine noise began emanating from the driver's footwell. The noise can be described as a hiss building to a metallic rattly sound as engine revs increase. It's clearly audible on acceleration - moderate or hard. It can even be heard at idle.

One S600 has been at the dealership for 4 days now and the technicians have not been able to identify the source. After comparing the noise in my S600's with his Managing Director's S600, the workshop manager agrees that the noise is abnormal and should not be there.

I've looked through the very informative bulletins and posts on this forum but can't find related material.

The dealer has undertaken to escalate the matter to Mercedes Benz Technical after they've completed their "procedures". But in the meantime I'm left without one S600 and with one noisy S600 - less than one month since taking delivery.

I'd appreciate any thoughts/advice on this.

BTW, the technology in the W222 is amazing. I've done one long distance trip and a lot of bumper to bumper city driving in one of the S600's. The Distronic Plus with Steer Assist feature has been a revelation. It's almost autonomous driving. Magic Ride Control has great potential - but it only works "50%" of the time, the remaining times you get a rude jolt or clunk that's out of character with the car. Hope Mercedes works on this and pushes out software updates to improve it.

The W222 is way ahead of the BMW 7's in terms of sheer luxury and refinement. BMW will have to do wonders with the next 7 to compete. I just hope that my early issues with both S600's aren't the start of many visits to the dealerships - like was the case with the BMW's.
Reply 0
Apr 14, 2015 | 03:10 PM
  #2  
Quote: I traded a 2010 BMW 760Li Individual, a 2012 BMW 750i Individual and a 2008 Merc S65 AMG for new 2 new 2015 S Classes: a S600L (my car) and a S500L (wife's car). Out of the showroom floor the S500L air conditioner didn't work, so I returned it and bought another S600L that was available. So I now have 2 X S600L's for just under a month.

My initial impressions were that these W222 S classes were amazingly quiet and refined, especially at speeds below 120km/h. Engine noise was genuinely non-existent.

However when one S600 clocked 570 kms and the other 2500 kms, annoyingly audible engine noise began emanating from the driver's footwell. The noise can be described as a hiss building to a metallic rattly sound as engine revs increase. It's clearly audible on acceleration - moderate or hard. It can even be heard at idle.

One S600 has been at the dealership for 4 days now and the technicians have not been able to identify the source. After comparing the noise in my S600's with his Managing Director's S600, the workshop manager agrees that the noise is abnormal and should not be there.

I've looked through the very informative bulletins and posts on this forum but can't find related material.

The dealer has undertaken to escalate the matter to Mercedes Benz Technical after they've completed their "procedures". But in the meantime I'm left without one S600 and with one noisy S600 - less than one month since taking delivery.

I'd appreciate any thoughts/advice on this.

BTW, the technology in the W222 is amazing. I've done one long distance trip and a lot of bumper to bumper city driving in one of the S600's. The Distronic Plus with Steer Assist feature has been a revelation. It's almost autonomous driving. Magic Ride Control has great potential - but it only works "50%" of the time, the remaining times you get a rude jolt or clunk that's out of character with the car. Hope Mercedes works on this and pushes out software updates to improve it.

The W222 is way ahead of the BMW 7's in terms of sheer luxury and refinement. BMW will have to do wonders with the next 7 to compete. I just hope that my early issues with both S600's aren't the start of many visits to the dealerships - like was the case with the BMW's.
How much cash did you have to pay to get those S600/500s, if at all? I'm afraid I can't help you with much, but I want to ask is, are both S Class' noisy from the drivers footwell? Could the cars be part of a "bad batch" then? I wish you get these cars back soon to good condition, but do you have a loaner from Mercedes? With the amount of business you have given them, I'd either request for another S Class, an AMG or a car to your liking.
Reply 0
Apr 14, 2015 | 06:20 PM
  #3  
Quote: How much cash did you have to pay to get those S600/500s, if at all? I'm afraid I can't help you with much, but I want to ask is, are both S Class' noisy from the drivers footwell? Could the cars be part of a "bad batch" then? I wish you get these cars back soon to good condition, but do you have a loaner from Mercedes? With the amount of business you have given them, I'd either request for another S Class, an AMG or a car to your liking.
Im thinking the same thing. Ask your dealer if they were delivered at the same time. My ML the rear seat lights wouldn't turn on and after two times in the shop they said it was a problem with the batch.
Reply 0
Apr 15, 2015 | 08:58 AM
  #4  
Resolved
Great news. Both my S600's have been repaired.

It appears that the engine sound was travelling up the hollow steering shaft possibly because a seal on the engine side had come loose. The hollow was sealed ... and I know have 2 properly silent S600's.

Reply 0
May 6, 2015 | 01:00 PM
  #5  
quiet
how quiet is your S600 exhaust? I saw a video where the exhaust growled and rumbled like an SLS AMG. I expected the S600 to be Rolls Royce quiet.

When you floor it, does it rumble like an AMG?
Reply 0
May 6, 2015 | 01:25 PM
  #6  
Quote: how quiet is your S600 exhaust? I saw a video where the exhaust growled and rumbled like an SLS AMG. I expected the S600 to be Rolls Royce quiet.

When you floor it, does it rumble like an AMG?
When the car starts up in the morning after no use for the night it always growls like an AMG and is fairly loud. However after 45 seconds or so the car mellows down and the engine is barely audible. If you floor it, it definitely does not growl like an AMG and is fairly quite.

When driving around the car is whisper quite and the Eco start function is barely noticed
Reply 0
Subscribe
Currently Active Users (1)
 
story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE