S63 E Performance - clunking in start stop traffic
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Edinburgh, Scotland
2024 W223 S500L
S63 E Performance - clunking in start stop traffic
Looking for insight from anyone who owns / drives the w223 S63.
When pulling away or coming to a stop, I often get a click / clunk from the rear of the car as it starts / stops. Happens just at the moment of pulling away or coming to a halt. Almost sounds like something heavy rolling around in the trunk, but I’ve checked there are no loose items anywhere in the car. Feels like it happens as the drivetrain shifts from stationary to being under load, as I can minimise / remove the noise if I move off or come to a halt very very smoothly.
I did read a UK Autocar magazine review that stated “This hybrid driveline is also noisy at times, clicking and clunking in a way that makes the car feel fragile, even if it is just business as usual mechanically.”
Wondering if anyone on the forum has experienced this? I’m less concerned if it’s just a “characteristic”
of the car and a compromise of having it handle the huge power and torque.
When pulling away or coming to a stop, I often get a click / clunk from the rear of the car as it starts / stops. Happens just at the moment of pulling away or coming to a halt. Almost sounds like something heavy rolling around in the trunk, but I’ve checked there are no loose items anywhere in the car. Feels like it happens as the drivetrain shifts from stationary to being under load, as I can minimise / remove the noise if I move off or come to a halt very very smoothly.
I did read a UK Autocar magazine review that stated “This hybrid driveline is also noisy at times, clicking and clunking in a way that makes the car feel fragile, even if it is just business as usual mechanically.”
Wondering if anyone on the forum has experienced this? I’m less concerned if it’s just a “characteristic”
of the car and a compromise of having it handle the huge power and torque.
Last edited by ndevlin; May 17, 2026 at 06:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Edinburgh, Scotland
2024 W223 S500L
Thanks for the insight. I did only pick it up on Monday, and driven just 200 miles so far. Hopefully it calms down.
Member
Joined: Nov 2003
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Takes about 500-1000 miles to learn your driving and will definitely improve. It freaked me out the first time it happened which immediately prompted a call to the dealer.
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Joined: Feb 2010
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'25 S63 AMG E Performance, '26 CLE 53 AMG
I guess mine never learned my habits after over 10,000 miles. Still "clunked" after 10k miles. I no longer own the car as MBUSA purchased the car back under lemon law. I must say (IMHO), this is the worst S Class I have owned after buying new S Classes over 35 years. Hope the expected new 2027/2028 S63 is a much improved car!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Edinburgh, Scotland
2024 W223 S500L
I guess mine never learned my habits after over 10,000 miles. Still "clunked" after 10k miles. I no longer own the car as MBUSA purchased the car back under lemon law. I must say (IMHO), this is the worst S Class I have owned after buying new S Classes over 35 years. Hope the expected new 2027/2028 S63 is a much improved car!
Yes I agree it’s objectively not a very good car. I love the design but Mercedes just doesn’t seem to be able to assemble them to a consistent standard.
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Joined: Feb 2020
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From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
2023 S580
I watched this video over the weekend where he mentions that Mercedes is reducing the complexity of the S63 post refresh likely to combat some of the challenges they've had with the current S63. For example, Raz says they are dumping the complicated hybrid config and replacing with a mild-hybrid like our cars have.
Skip to time index 12:57 for details on the S63.
Skip to time index 12:57 for details on the S63.
Last edited by Mem30306; May 18, 2026 at 09:48 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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'25 S63 AMG E Performance, '26 CLE 53 AMG
I had many other issues--it was not the noises you referred to. Here in the US where Lemon Law is relatively strong in most states, you will see a very high rate of buybacks for the 24/25/26 S63 for multiple reasons but most is tied to the P3 Hybrid system. It is rumored that the 27/28 S63 will not be a P3 Hybrid due to the many issues MB has had with the system. My car had a check engine light with less than 100 miles on the odometer and spent months in the service department to attempt to fix issues. With less than 100 miles they removed most of the rear part of the car to fix the evap sensor. Spent its first 2 months in the shop. I enjoyed the car when it worked--but most days/months in was in the shop.
That’s a shame to read. Was it specifically the noises that caused you to get rid of the car, or did it have other problems?
Yes I agree it’s objectively not a very good car. I love the design but Mercedes just doesn’t seem to be able to assemble them to a consistent standard.
Yes I agree it’s objectively not a very good car. I love the design but Mercedes just doesn’t seem to be able to assemble them to a consistent standard.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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'25 S63 AMG E Performance, '26 CLE 53 AMG
Yes--I am waiting to buy the NEW S63 when it arrives WITHOUT the P3 Hybrid system. I hope it is like my '19 S63 as this was the BEST S Class I have purchased in 35 years. My '19 S63 (this was a Euro Delivery that I picked up at the factory in Sindelfingen and shipped it back to the US after experiencing the Autobahn with it) was the best S Class purchase in 35 years and my '25 S63 was the worst S Class purchase. I am hoping the 27/28 S63 I purchased will again be the best S Class purchase in 36 years!
I watched this video over the weekend where he mentions that Mercedes is reducing the complexity of the S63 post refresh likely to combat some of the challenges they've had with the current S63. For example, Raz says they are dumping the complicated hybrid config and replacing with a mild-hybrid like our cars have.
Skip to time index 12:57 for details on the S63. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpE0ioaauOw
Skip to time index 12:57 for details on the S63. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpE0ioaauOw
Last edited by MTrauman; May 18, 2026 at 09:59 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Edinburgh, Scotland
2024 W223 S500L
I watched this video over the weekend where he mentions that Mercedes is reducing the complexity of the S63 post refresh likely to combat some of the challenges they've had with the current S63. For example, Raz says they are dumping the complicated hybrid config and replacing with a mild-hybrid like our cars have.
Skip to time index 12:57 for details on the S63. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpE0ioaauOw
Skip to time index 12:57 for details on the S63. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpE0ioaauOw
Mercedes must have had significant amounts of issues / buy backs etc with the PHEV system to dump it on a mid cycle refresh.
I hope I haven’t made a very expensive mistake going for it!
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 42
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From: Arizona
‘26 S63, ’19 E63s wagon; prior: SL55; CLS55; G63, GT-R
I’m still relatively early days on my ‘26 S63, and no real issues yet. Plenty of in town driving, and a few longer road trips. I actually like the PHEV much better than I thought I would. The only “odd” behavior I’ve noticed in when the regen breaking is set to max, it can be a little jerky is some situations. So far my biggest complaint is brake dust - it’s bad! Fingers crossed the car continues to behave reasonably.
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I’m still relatively early days on my ‘26 S63, and no real issues yet. Plenty of in town driving, and a few longer road trips. I actually like the PHEV much better than I thought I would. The only “odd” behavior I’ve noticed in when the regen breaking is set to max, it can be a little jerky is some situations. So far my biggest complaint is brake dust - it’s bad! Fingers crossed the car continues to behave reasonably.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2024
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From: Edinburgh, Scotland
2024 W223 S500L
That’s odd. My UK car has them, and they do show as an option on the US configurator.
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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
You are correct, my mistake. AND, the option is still only $8,950.00, which is the same as it has been for several years now. I retrofitted them to my SL450, just because of the no dust factor and I spent almost $18K as I recall. The option price is an absolute bargain!
Last edited by Streamliner; May 18, 2026 at 11:21 AM.
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'25 S63 AMG E Performance, '26 CLE 53 AMG
Most of the issues appears to be with 24/25 models so maybe your '26 is benefiting for us that have had problems. My '25 had a MSRP of $240k with virtually every option--enjoyed the car when it was not in the shop. Let's hope you have great luck with your '26! The reason I had ordered mine with the Carbon Ceramic brakes was the weight of the car--much much heavier than my '19 S63 was. Virtually no brake dust with the CCB brakes.
I’m still relatively early days on my ‘26 S63, and no real issues yet. Plenty of in town driving, and a few longer road trips. I actually like the PHEV much better than I thought I would. The only “odd” behavior I’ve noticed in when the regen breaking is set to max, it can be a little jerky is some situations. So far my biggest complaint is brake dust - it’s bad! Fingers crossed the car continues to behave reasonably.
Last edited by MTrauman; May 18, 2026 at 11:59 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 42
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From: Arizona
‘26 S63, ’19 E63s wagon; prior: SL55; CLS55; G63, GT-R
I have CCB’s on my wife’s E63s wagon - amazing stopping power and no dust. I didn’t appreciate how bad the iron brakes would be on the S63 (the polished wheels are beautiful, but make the problem even worse). I’m hoping I can find a better pad option when the time comes around for new brakes. I also have a ‘20 Defender that weighs every bit as much as the S, but much less dust. So pads have to be part of the equation.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,154
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I have CCB’s on my wife’s E63s wagon - amazing stopping power and no dust. I didn’t appreciate how bad the iron brakes would be on the S63 (the polished wheels are beautiful, but make the problem even worse). I’m hoping I can find a better pad option when the time comes around for new brakes. I also have a ‘20 Defender that weighs every bit as much as the S, but much less dust. So pads have to be part of the equation.
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Current/Last 5-years:GLS;G70;Alpina B8;X7;Accord. Sold:X7,TeslaS;S560;S550,X5;530e;L.Navigator;LS460
Looking for insight from anyone who owns / drives the w223 S63.
When pulling away or coming to a stop, I often get a click / clunk from the rear of the car as it starts / stops. Happens just at the moment of pulling away or coming to a halt. Almost sounds like something heavy rolling around in the trunk, but I’ve checked there are no loose items anywhere in the car. Feels like it happens as the drivetrain shifts from stationary to being under load, as I can minimise / remove the noise if I move off or come to a halt very very smoothly.
I did read a UK Autocar magazine review that stated “This hybrid driveline is also noisy at times, clicking and clunking in a way that makes the car feel fragile, even if it is just business as usual mechanically.”
Wondering if anyone on the forum has experienced this? I’m less concerned if it’s just a “characteristic”
of the car and a compromise of having it handle the huge power and torque.
When pulling away or coming to a stop, I often get a click / clunk from the rear of the car as it starts / stops. Happens just at the moment of pulling away or coming to a halt. Almost sounds like something heavy rolling around in the trunk, but I’ve checked there are no loose items anywhere in the car. Feels like it happens as the drivetrain shifts from stationary to being under load, as I can minimise / remove the noise if I move off or come to a halt very very smoothly.
I did read a UK Autocar magazine review that stated “This hybrid driveline is also noisy at times, clicking and clunking in a way that makes the car feel fragile, even if it is just business as usual mechanically.”
Wondering if anyone on the forum has experienced this? I’m less concerned if it’s just a “characteristic”
of the car and a compromise of having it handle the huge power and torque.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Edinburgh, Scotland
2024 W223 S500L
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