Hi everyone. I need your help.

A month ago I took delivery of a 2020 S560. This is my 2nd S Class (Traded a 2017 off lease) and my 5th Mercedes overall. When I drove the car off the lot, I immediately heard a whining noise coming from the rear between 50mph and 60mph, with a peak at 55mph. When coasting at 55mph, or over 60mph the noise goes away. I can control it by pressing the gas pedal slightly. I took back to the dealership a week later and after two weeks in the shop, they replaced the rear differential. Because Mercedes field engineering is not coming to dealership due to COVID, they were unable to successfully get a sound byte prior to installing the new rear diff. They simply are unable to use the sound machine correctly as engineering usually controls it.

I picked up the car this week and immediately heard the noise when driving home. The dealership said they didn't hear it and drove the car up to 70mph to which I replied that I made clear the noise was only between 50 and 60mph with a peak at 55mph.

Last night while driving home, I noticed a new issue of the car sputtering while coasting in traffic under 5mph as if it was ready to turn off. I was able to duplicate this several times so it wasn't an isolated issue. And then since day one the downshift in sport mode between 3 and 2 is very rough, as well as putting the car in park or neutral while in sport mode (from 1st gear). You can literally feel the car jerk while it disengages.

I've found this board to be a group of experts and true brand lovers. What could be going on? The car now has 1100 miles and it is a 1/2020 build. I took delivery 5/2020.

I am taking it to another dealership next week to have them try to diagnose. The dealership who replaced the Rear Diff has basically said I'm stuck until field engineering begins to make visits again. And yes I have made a case with Mercedes Corporate customer service.

Thanks

 

It will be difficult to solve the problem if the dealer can’t recreate the problem. Use a dash cam to document your issues and see if that can help your case.

 

They’re able to recreate it as they’ve done it several times prior to replacing the rear differential. The service manager conveniently forgot the peak points prior to me picking it up. Not an issue of the noise only happening occasionally or when I’m in the car.

 

I would contact MBUSA and open a case with them. I would also check to see if you have a “Lemon Law” in your state and what the requirements are to use it. If your state has one, I would consult an attorney who specializes in them. I do not believe it is premature to do so right now. Lemon Law cases are most always done on a contingency basis, so it will cost you nothing. MB and other new car dealers will try to sweep anything they can under the rug. You need to be very firm in dealing with them or they will just shine you on. Usually, the first letter from an attorney will get them to respond proactively. Good luck.

 

Not a Lemon yet under PA Law. They need to try and repair it 3 times or it be out of use for 30 days. I’m on one repair attempt and out of use 13 days

 

I would push it. I’d try to get them to keep the car as long as possible. Run up the number of days as best you can, as it exerts pressure on them as the 30 number approaches.

 

Not sure about your noise. But, I have the exact same transmission issues with my 2019 S560. I only have 4300 miles at this point and it has been to the dealer three times. Apparently, a lot of owners have the rough shifting, high revving issue. Mine does the sputtering on the first start of the day until it warms up a bit. MB is aware of it and they have been working on a software update for some time. It was supposed to be available in January, but nothing yet. It is very frustrating.

 

Ah, come on now, cut them some slack! They have their hands full bringing out ridiculous “Coupé” versions of every SUV imaginable, offering AMG versions of every model they produce, figuring out ways to use up the space where spare tires are supposed to go, coming up with some of the ugliest interior color combinations, trying to find yet more shades of black & gray exterior colors and figuring out how to word their warranties so that it sounds like everything is covered, but pretty much nothing is. And, here you are complaining! How dare you! Remember their motto: “The best or nothing.” You are getting the “nothing.” They promised you one or the other and gave you the latter. See, they keep their word!

 

But when you say that, you have to include the get nothing clip.

 

Here’s an update

There’s definitely a concern. They are replacing the Axle Shaft tomorrow. Rear Differential was replaced a week ago. They were leaning to replacing it again but want to try the Axle Shaft.

No updated on the hard shifting but another concern they verified wasn’t there in a similar model.

 

I LOVE IT!!!

 

Good day, Sir!

I said, good day!

 

It's important to have younger service personnel verify the noise for you, as once over the age of ~40 one's sense of high pitched sound generally diminishes and only gets worse as we age. I understand some over 40 or even 50+ still have no issues but it's a fact it gets worse with age. You may also want a younger female to get involved, as they can hear these kinds of things better. Hope this helps and you get this resolved.

 

As someone who has pretty much ALWAYS wanted a “younger female” involved, I can attest to the hearing loss thing. While in the company of a younger female, I attended a Bruce Springsteen concert. Wanting to impress the sweet, young thing, I got us floor seats, so close that we could see the sweat on the performer’s faces. I was never able to hear well again after that concert, but it didn’t affect my lady friend, because she convinced me afterwards that she could, literally, breathe through her ears!

 

I had the same situation with my 2019 S560 and have already PMed you my contact info to give you some tips!

 

lol