SL/R230: Car vibrates, especially when cold. Any thoughts?
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Car vibrates, especially when cold. Any thoughts?
A couple of weeks ago, our SL600 (late 04 build) started feeling rough when driving. After about 10-15 minutes, it seems to drive smoother.
The roughness feels like a vibration, especially in the mid-section of the car (for example when the car stands in park and you step on the gas).
The engine actually sounds smooth while revving but not when you sit in the car.
I brought the car to the MB dealer, which observed the same thing over the a few days, but couldn't find any fault codes, etc.
Now at 75k, we had the spark plugs replaced (their first thought) as well as one of the coils a while back.
Eventually they found that the motor mounts have collapsed on the left side and thought that might be the cause.
At $3100 to repair that I don't feel that I want to just take their word do it, especially as the behavior should be consistent, cold or warm if that's the issue.
Plus when I revv-up the engine in the garage, it's sit rock solid in the car (no engine movement whatsoever), yet I still feel the vibration.
Could it be something besides the engine? Exhaust, catalytic converter, etc.
The cars pulls strong and still fights with the traction control at 60+mph, so I had ruled out motor mounts as a cause.
Sorry for the long explanation, but am looking for clues.
Thanks!
The roughness feels like a vibration, especially in the mid-section of the car (for example when the car stands in park and you step on the gas).
The engine actually sounds smooth while revving but not when you sit in the car.
I brought the car to the MB dealer, which observed the same thing over the a few days, but couldn't find any fault codes, etc.
Now at 75k, we had the spark plugs replaced (their first thought) as well as one of the coils a while back.
Eventually they found that the motor mounts have collapsed on the left side and thought that might be the cause.
At $3100 to repair that I don't feel that I want to just take their word do it, especially as the behavior should be consistent, cold or warm if that's the issue.
Plus when I revv-up the engine in the garage, it's sit rock solid in the car (no engine movement whatsoever), yet I still feel the vibration.
Could it be something besides the engine? Exhaust, catalytic converter, etc.
The cars pulls strong and still fights with the traction control at 60+mph, so I had ruled out motor mounts as a cause.
Sorry for the long explanation, but am looking for clues.
Thanks!
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
It's a SL600.
The engine is significantly larger than the V8 and must be completely removed to replace the mounts. Parts including the transmission mounts are only a couple hundred bucks, but the labor is estimated at a whopping 18 hours!
Which unfortunately is not unrealistic
Since I am toying with the idea of a 2013 SL63 (if I ever get used to the front-end), I am weighting the value of the repair. Especially since the dealer will not guarantee that the vibration will be gone with new mounts...
The engine is significantly larger than the V8 and must be completely removed to replace the mounts. Parts including the transmission mounts are only a couple hundred bucks, but the labor is estimated at a whopping 18 hours!
Which unfortunately is not unrealistic
Since I am toying with the idea of a 2013 SL63 (if I ever get used to the front-end), I am weighting the value of the repair. Especially since the dealer will not guarantee that the vibration will be gone with new mounts...
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
All MB repairs without a warranty will be expensive, wether it is a 500, 600 or AMG variant.
That engine will put a smile on your face every time you drive the car
and with an chip tune, you'll blow just about anything out of the water, including many AMG and M-cars...
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
2006 S600
I think the first thing to do would be replace the transmission mount. Its only a few $ and a few minutes. It might not be the solution (though it often is) but I would like to cross that off the list first.
Otherwise I'd guess it probably is the engine mounts.
Otherwise I'd guess it probably is the engine mounts.
Thread Starter
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Sounds like a great idea. They were going to replace the transmission mount just as a matter of completeness, but that should be cheap one to start.
Perhaps it makes a difference...
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From: Norway
SL 55 and a GT 3000 vr4 Here's my car: http://home.online.no/~ludvs/index.cfm
Maybe a stupid question...
Why is the engine mounts design on the sl600 and sl65 made so you have to remove the motor??
I'm not an mechanic, but I would think that mercedes could have made a different design to the mounts so they didn't have to do that big a job?
I'm not an mechanic, but I would think that mercedes could have made a different design to the mounts so they didn't have to do that big a job?
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Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Here is a great picture thread. Wish it would need that kind of effort either:
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...sl-models.html
Wolfman
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From: Texas
2003 CL55
Check your tranny mount first, that is an easy change.
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E63 Biturbo, UPD Cold Air induction kit, UPD performance crank pulley and UPD adjustable rear suspension with ride height adjustment.
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E63 Biturbo, UPD Cold Air induction kit, UPD performance crank pulley and UPD adjustable rear suspension with ride height adjustment.
CL55 UPD Cold Air Boost kit, UPD 3000 stall converter, UPD 77mm SC clutched pulley and beltwrap kit, Custom long tubes, UPD crank pulley , UPD suspension kit, UPD SC pulley, Aux. HE, Trunk tank w/rule 2000 pump, Mezeire pump, UPD 5pc idler set, Aluminum rotor hats.
www.ultimatepd.com
instagram @ultimate_pd
facebook.com/ultimatepd
Thread Starter
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Update.. We ended up replacing both the motor mounts and transmission mounts and while the engine was out also took take of replacing the seals of both turbos.
Pricey as expected but it made a world of difference. Now runs smooth as silk
Just wish we wouldn't have all this snow around
Pricey as expected but it made a world of difference. Now runs smooth as silk
Just wish we wouldn't have all this snow around
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 72
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From: Washington DC Metro
2003 SL500, 2005 ML500 SE, 2005 CLK500 Cabriolet Avantgarde
OK. Seems I need new mounts too then, because I am experiencing the same symptoms. It seems these mounts go out quickly because I remember changing mounts not too long ago. A year or so ago...
Thread Starter
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
These things are cheap for any car and relatively cheap to replace on 500's or 55's.
On the V12's the engine just has to come out, hence the huge labor bill (20 hours)
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
