fganter

Hi, all,

Forgive this ignorant question. I just got my first Mercedes.

I've noticed that the engine is a lot louder in the cabin than my prior cars (Lexus, Toyota, Honda, Jeep), particularly while accelerating. It's a "throaty" noise - like a sports car. As I have the E350 Sport, I could see it being the case to a degree. However, is it really normal to be so loud from the cabin? Have any of you noticed this?

I've been told by a friend that generally European cars have louder engines than Japanese cars.

Just trying to make sure it's not something wrong like a bad muffler.

Thanks for your help.

Sunnyslope48

My 2016 E350 Sport does NOT have a loud exhaust system. If you have owned the car since new, I would think that something has happened to the exhaust that is causing this. If you live in cold, snowy salt country, I wouldn't be surprised.

ItalianJoe1

Your mounts are probably collapsed. They will transmit a lot of powertrain noise when they give out. Have the engine and trans mounts replaced and it will feel like a new car.

LALALAND

Open the hood to check the firewall insulation behind the engine has sag. Kind of suspect that it let some engine noise into the cabin. I know that my insulation sag like around 1 inch in 2 area. Going to get the dealer to take a look at it to see if they can adhesive glue it back next time I'm in service. Maybe buy high heat resistance tape from amazon to tape it back flush against the plastic barrier/wall if the dealer won't take care of it.

fganter

Thanks to those of you who have already replied.

It seems there are some differing opinions as to what it is.

To help hone in here is a video of the engine noise ->
What is that?

I bought it used with 60K miles, if that helps.

VegasE

Sounds quieter than mine

KEY08

Patje.db

I have the same problem with my E200 cgi Convertible.
Engine noise when acceleration from 1500 to 3000 rpm
My engine mounts and transmission mount are replaced, distribution chain replaced, exhaust replaced. Nothing helps.
The noise is coming from the passengers side.
My garage says to me, all the W212 coupé and convertible cars have the same noise, it's normal.
Try this : open one window and listen, i think you hear nothing!!!!!!
So, what is the solution ??? I don't now it.
:-(


*

fganter

Yeah, the video doesn't do a great job representing how loud it is.

I included it so people could hear the type of noise.

C280 Sport

No. My 2012 E350 is pretty quite while sitting in park. When you get on it the noise comes but nothing like posted in the video. That sounds like you have a modified exhaust.

LALALAND

Imho our cars are quieter than Testla model 3 at 70 mph and 80+ mph. I rode in my friend's performance 3 a couple times, and the wind and road noises were louder than our MB. Of course anytime during accelerating and between speed of 0-55 mph our car are louder.

The new Audi E-Tron suv I read in reviews has lot of wind and road noises suppression/isolation that will make it one of the quietest car on the road.

pezzy669

My '11 E350 Sport 4Matic has a throaty sound when getting on it but my engine mounts are shot so that is most likely the issue. My '09 C300 was much quieter in comparison but while its mounts were going bad they were not as bad as my E350 mounts.

Under normal acceleration (up to ~3000RPM) the M272 3.5 does have more of a grainy sound than my M272 3.0 did. It's not objectionable but is noticeable, again this could be because of the failing mounts.

fganter

Took my wife on a date last night.

After dinner, we got in the car, I started it and without me saying anything, she says, "Your engine sounds loud."

My response: "Right?!" LOL

So even at idle, my engine sounds louder in the cabin than our other cars.

fganter

I used a sound meter app inside the cabin...
50 dB at idle
72 dB while accelerating

Does that look about right for an E350? (as if all of you are pulling out sound meters in your car... LOL)

KEY08

SteveE400

Not likely a head gasket -- those would create a host of other problems. Could be anything in the exhaust system, though, so I would have that checked. Also check for anything rubbing/buzzing against something else. Check things like exhaust system rubber hangers, etc. If one of the pipes is leaning on another body or frame part, some vibration/noise could result. Could also be a small exhaust leak.

C280 Sport

Ya like baby!!

But in all honesty you should get that looked at ASAP.

MBNUT1

Shouldn't sound like that. These engines are much smoother sounding, I would have somebody check the exhaust for a leak or to insure somebody didn't do something stupid like a resonator delete.

fganter

Took the car to a Mercedes mechanic.

Me: The noise in the cabin sounds pretty loud. Definitely louder than my other cars. Other Mercedes owners [those of you who have responded to this thread] have said it sounds abnormal.
Mechanic: Sounds pretty normal. Nothing to worry about.
Me: You're saying other Mercedes are this loud?
Mechanic: Don't know. I don't have an E350 to compare.
Me (in my head): Then, how can you say its normal?

I suppose I need to try a different mechanic.

BTW - I rode in an E300 yesterday and it was very different - quiet like my prior cars.

I'm definitely not imagining this.

fganter

Are you saying you had this problem, then replaced the mounts and the problem went away?

KEY08

fganter

mechanic said mounts would not fix the problem and I have at least 6 months before they need to be replaced.

KEY08

fganter

yes, mechanic recommended by multiple people.

local mercedes dealer is a joke. Told me I needed $2600 of work without visually inspecting the car - recommended a bunch of stuff based on miles.

have you listened to the recording? I would be a tad bit surprised if that sound is because of mounts, but, hey, I'm new to this, so that's why I'm asking.

Sunnyslope48

Sounds like an exhaust leak to me. My 2016 makes no such noise upon acceleration.