2018 S Class exterior noise intrusion!
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 217
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From: Los Angeles, CA
S65, SL65
2018 S Class exterior noise intrusion!
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.
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.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Los Angeles, CA
S65, SL65
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.
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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
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From: Los Angeles, CA
S65, SL65
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
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
Perhaps that will get MB’s QA attention.
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2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
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.
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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!
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!
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Los Angeles, CA
S65, SL65
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!
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!
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?
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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?
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.
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S65, SL65
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.
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.
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2014 S550 4matic, 2014 Corvette, 2016 Camaro SS 2011 Lexus RX350
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.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 217
Likes: 15
From: Los Angeles, CA
S65, SL65
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.
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.
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
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.
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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.
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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!
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S65, SL65
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Would be cool if you could make this post a POLL, but don't know if it will let you edit it to add a poll afterwards?
Edit, poll added:
New S560 is much louder inside cabin than my s550, POLL
.
Edit, poll added:
New S560 is much louder inside cabin than my s550, POLL
.
Last edited by Jason B; Feb 18, 2018 at 02:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 217
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From: Los Angeles, CA
S65, SL65
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!
2 others have raised the issue in the past 2 days.
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New S560 is much louder inside cabin than my s550, POLL
.
Last edited by Jason B; Feb 18, 2018 at 02:49 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Los Angeles, CA
S65, SL65
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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.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 217
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From: Los Angeles, CA
S65, SL65
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.
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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
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.
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