2018 S Class exterior noise intrusion!
#77
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Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Birmingham, AL
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2019 S560, 2022 Audi S8
Have an appointment w/ the MB regional engineer at the dealership tomorrow. I'll also be driving another 560. My strong preference is to have MB fix this car...this car is what I spec'd out and ordered. If they can't fix it and / or tell me "car is within specifications" or "Can't verify customer complaint", etc...guess I'll find out what being an MB "Diamond Rated Customer" actually means...
#78
Senior Member
If in any way you can wiggle your way out of the problematic car that you have ( and yes, I believe you do have a problem as my car has more squeaks, rattles, buzzing interior parts than any car I've ever owned), then I would definitely do what you can to get that Maybach.
#79
Member
Thread Starter
I’ve leased or owned about 18 MB cars in total. He may have said that puts me in the top 1%. I find that hard to believe. Lots of folks must have bought far more of these cars than me. What’s it mean? Let’s find out.
Many since 2003 have been high end S, SL & CL AMG models. Based on cumulative spend with MB?
Number of vehicles? Type of vehicles? Nothing?
#80
Senior Member
i have no idea. Probably something the guy made up on the spot when I called the NJ US HQ and started the formal complaint process. Sounds impressive.
I’ve leased or owned about 18 MB cars in total. He may have said that puts me in the top 1%. I find that hard to believe. Lots of folks must have bought far more of these cars than me. What’s it mean? Let’s find out.
Many since 2003 have been high end S, SL & CL AMG models. Based on cumulative spend with MB?
Number of vehicles? Type of vehicles? Nothing?
#81
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#82
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Corona Del Mar, CA
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2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
All the jokes and kidding aside, do we really know if there is such a thing as a Diamond Rated Customer????
#83
MBWorld Fanatic!
I find no reference to it on the Internet so it is either a internal Mercedes secret or a self imposed title by snowflakes.
#84
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#85
Senior Member
#87
Member
Thread Starter
As my unwanted new hobby of solving the odd increase in road noise penetrating into my 560 continues to evolve, as of yesterday I know the following:
Now driven two 2018 560 cars in addition to mine - both quieter than my car.
New 2017 Maybach & S63, both quieter than my car
Troy, the service manager at the SF dealership is a serious pro & truly wants to solve this problem one way or another
Yes, there is a Diamond customer status based upon total Spend with MB - don't know the threshold for this revered status, but clearly they treat folks in this category more seriously when issues arise. Actually, I'm surprised.
Maybachs are designed and built quite differently than other S cars in subtle ways. More sound proofing material, insulation, different tire fitments (they actually inject a special foam into the tires to reduce noise!). I thought they were just stretched 8 inches and came with all options. Apparently there is much more going on w/ these sedans.
I'm happy to see that others are happy with their new 560's. Perhaps I'll join that cheerful group at some point.
Now driven two 2018 560 cars in addition to mine - both quieter than my car.
New 2017 Maybach & S63, both quieter than my car
Troy, the service manager at the SF dealership is a serious pro & truly wants to solve this problem one way or another
Yes, there is a Diamond customer status based upon total Spend with MB - don't know the threshold for this revered status, but clearly they treat folks in this category more seriously when issues arise. Actually, I'm surprised.
Maybachs are designed and built quite differently than other S cars in subtle ways. More sound proofing material, insulation, different tire fitments (they actually inject a special foam into the tires to reduce noise!). I thought they were just stretched 8 inches and came with all options. Apparently there is much more going on w/ these sedans.
I'm happy to see that others are happy with their new 560's. Perhaps I'll join that cheerful group at some point.
#88
Senior Member
As my unwanted new hobby of solving the odd increase in road noise penetrating into my 560 continues to evolve, as of yesterday I know the following:
Now driven two 2018 560 cars in addition to mine - both quieter than my car.
New 2017 Maybach & S63, both quieter than my car
Troy, the service manager at the SF dealership is a serious pro & truly wants to solve this problem one way or another
Yes, there is a Diamond customer status based upon total Spend with MB - don't know the threshold for this revered status, but clearly they treat folks in this category more seriously when issues arise. Actually, I'm surprised.
Maybachs are designed and built quite differently than other S cars in subtle ways. More sound proofing material, insulation, different tire fitments (they actually inject a special foam into the tires to reduce noise!). I thought they were just stretched 8 inches and came with all options. Apparently there is much more going on w/ these sedans.
I'm happy to see that others are happy with their new 560's. Perhaps I'll join that cheerful group at some point.
Now driven two 2018 560 cars in addition to mine - both quieter than my car.
New 2017 Maybach & S63, both quieter than my car
Troy, the service manager at the SF dealership is a serious pro & truly wants to solve this problem one way or another
Yes, there is a Diamond customer status based upon total Spend with MB - don't know the threshold for this revered status, but clearly they treat folks in this category more seriously when issues arise. Actually, I'm surprised.
Maybachs are designed and built quite differently than other S cars in subtle ways. More sound proofing material, insulation, different tire fitments (they actually inject a special foam into the tires to reduce noise!). I thought they were just stretched 8 inches and came with all options. Apparently there is much more going on w/ these sedans.
I'm happy to see that others are happy with their new 560's. Perhaps I'll join that cheerful group at some point.
#89
Member
Thread Starter
No idea. Every customer issue should be handled immediately and professionally. Can only relay what I've been told by MB. Hopefully, you won't have to find out. I'm not enjoying the experience.
#90
Senior Member
Thank you and I do hope it all turns out the way you want it to. So far, my experience with MBZ service ( for my wife’s E Class cabrio ) at 2 seperate dealerships has been stellar. One of the reasons I chose a MBZ over a different brand. But I do have an ace up my sleeve if I ever do have an issue as my wife is a very fine attorney. I hope I never have to play that card.
#91
Member
Thread Starter
Thank you and I do hope it all turns out the way you want it to. So far, my experience with MBZ service ( for my wife’s E Class cabrio ) at 2 seperate dealerships has been stellar. One of the reasons I chose a MBZ over a different brand. But I do have an ace up my sleeve if I ever do have an issue as my wife is a very fine attorney. I hope I never have to play that card.
#92
MBWorld Fanatic!
What were the results?
#93
Member
Thread Starter
I outlined my external consultant proposal to the dealer service team and was asked to wait until MB USA approved opening a PTSS case and let that process proceed without introducing external consultants. It was also (appropriately) suggested that we obtain the factory test model for sound intrusion testing so that our consultant testing if & when performed, will conform to the same methodology being used by the factory engineers; don't want to generate data that they may not consider valid. I may be asked to sign a NDA w/ MB USA on the findings... they would want ownership and control of the captured external test data. And, unfortunately my quiet, wonderful 2015 550 was sold last week - no longer have access to it as a "comp" but it appears i will be able to use any S560 in that regard. Unfortunately, i can see this is going take some time however, the SF MB staff is totally supportive of this process and wanting me to be happy. That means a lot to me.
#94
MBWorld Fanatic!
The plan was to first drive other 560 and new 2017 S cars. I've now completed that process effective yesterday. My car is definitely an outlier. All others are quieter.
I outlined my external consultant proposal to the dealer service team and was asked to wait until MB USA approved opening a PTSS case and let that process proceed without introducing external consultants. It was also (appropriately) suggested that we obtain the factory test model for sound intrusion testing so that our consultant testing if & when performed, will conform to the same methodology being used by the factory engineers; don't want to generate data that they may not consider valid. I may be asked to sign a NDA w/ MB USA on the findings... they would want ownership and control of the captured external test data. And, unfortunately my quiet, wonderful 2015 550 was sold last week - no longer have access to it as a "comp" but it appears i will be able to use any S560 in that regard. Unfortunately, i can see this is going take some time however, the SF MB staff is totally supportive of this process and wanting me to be happy. That means a lot to me.
I outlined my external consultant proposal to the dealer service team and was asked to wait until MB USA approved opening a PTSS case and let that process proceed without introducing external consultants. It was also (appropriately) suggested that we obtain the factory test model for sound intrusion testing so that our consultant testing if & when performed, will conform to the same methodology being used by the factory engineers; don't want to generate data that they may not consider valid. I may be asked to sign a NDA w/ MB USA on the findings... they would want ownership and control of the captured external test data. And, unfortunately my quiet, wonderful 2015 550 was sold last week - no longer have access to it as a "comp" but it appears i will be able to use any S560 in that regard. Unfortunately, i can see this is going take some time however, the SF MB staff is totally supportive of this process and wanting me to be happy. That means a lot to me.
Brand new ultra smooth blacktop gave me readings between 56-58 decibels. Smooth concrete was 62-64 decibels and rough blacktop was the loudest ( by rough I mean no pot holes but old enough to have a acne type surface) at 66 decibels. This is with Michelin Pilot Sports installed. What surprised me was riding with the top down and all windows and windscreen up the numbers were the same. The SL is the quietest convertable I have ever owned.
I assume a S Class Sedan on the same roads would be quieter. On two door, two seaters, the rear differential is right behind the seats so there is always some extra noise coming from behind.
Last edited by Utopia Texas; 02-28-2018 at 07:07 PM.
#95
Member
Thread Starter
Hopefully this will all end well for you and other S Class owners that have the excess noise also. Not a comparison really but the other day I took my 2017 SL450 on the freeway here and two back county roads I drive to our closest weekend place using a sound meter on three types of pavement at 70 mph.
Brand new ultra smooth blacktop gave me readings between 56-58 decibels. Smooth concrete was 62-64 decibels and rough blacktop was the loudest ( by rough I mean no pot holes but old enough to have a acne type surface) at 66 decibels. This is with Michelin Pilot Sports installed. What surprised me was riding with the top down and all windows and windscreen up the numbers were the same. The SL is the quietest convertable I have ever owned.
I assume a S Class Sedan on the same roads would be quieter. On two door, two seaters, the rear differential is right behind the seats so there is always some extra noise coming from behind.
#96
Senior Member
So I picked up my 2018 s63 this past Monday and I keep getting exterior noice from the drivers side also. It honestly sounds like a window is slightly cracked open but my wife says she hears nothing on the passenger side. I pretty much only hear it when a car drives by , but it’s enough to bother me
#97
Member
Thread Starter
So I picked up my 2018 s63 this past Monday and I keep getting exterior noice from the drivers side also. It honestly sounds like a window is slightly cracked open but my wife says she hears nothing on the passenger side. I pretty much only hear it when a car drives by , but it’s enough to bother me
#98
Senior Member
Will do. I’m going to check everything today including any weather stripping. It’s nothing to bad and seems to only start once I hit around 35-40 mph. Otherwise I love the car. Nice change from a Range Rover
#99
MBWorld Fanatic!
I've been following this thread intently. Does anyone have a youtube video of this? / sound recording yet? I know it was mentioned a while back but I don't see/hear anything.
#100
Member
Thread Starter
If you picture driving along at 50 mph in the right lane and a vehicle passes by you on the left, you hear it’s tire whine, engine / exhaust sounds...to a far greater extent than I ever experienced in my 2015 S550. Like it wasn’t even an issue before. That’s why it’s so annoying. It’s exactly like the window is not fully closed. But then you pull up on the button to find it is closed. So far, the dealer tech staff is reporting the car is within specification. A
PTSS file has been opened and there is dialogue with MB NJ about what to do next. The two other 560 sedans I drove had this issue to a lesser extent but not as quiet as my 3 year old S550.