SL/R231: Excellent Service/Dealer Review
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,636
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From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
Excellent Service/Dealer Review
A little background: I live in Hagerstown, MD a small city of about 40,000 in western MD. Surprisingly, we have a family owned Mercedes dealer that has been in business for many years. I tried to buy a nice CPO SL from them but after several months they couldn't find one with the right colors and mileage so I ended up buying from a much larger dealer in Baltimore about 80 miles away.
After taking delivery I felt there was excessive vibration at idle and I also found out that the neither AirScarf was working. I took the car to Mercedes of Hagerstown for diagnosis of these two issues. I cannot say enough about the excellent service provided by this dealer. From the Service Advisor to the lady who provided the loaner to the lady who checked me out when I picked up the car.
They replaced the transmission mount, 2 engine mounts and a control unit for the AirScarf. All were done under the CPO warranty at zero cost to me and they provided a nice C300 4Matic as a loaner for 3 days at no cost.
This is the way a dealership should operate. Even though I did not buy my car from them they treated me as if i was an old friend. If anyone is ever in the Hagerstown area and needs service or repair of their Mercedes I highly recommend our local dealer. https://www.drivemb.com/
After taking delivery I felt there was excessive vibration at idle and I also found out that the neither AirScarf was working. I took the car to Mercedes of Hagerstown for diagnosis of these two issues. I cannot say enough about the excellent service provided by this dealer. From the Service Advisor to the lady who provided the loaner to the lady who checked me out when I picked up the car.
They replaced the transmission mount, 2 engine mounts and a control unit for the AirScarf. All were done under the CPO warranty at zero cost to me and they provided a nice C300 4Matic as a loaner for 3 days at no cost.
This is the way a dealership should operate. Even though I did not buy my car from them they treated me as if i was an old friend. If anyone is ever in the Hagerstown area and needs service or repair of their Mercedes I highly recommend our local dealer. https://www.drivemb.com/
Last edited by rmorin49; Feb 26, 2020 at 06:51 PM.
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,636
Likes: 522
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
First time for me as well but this is my first Mercedes. My car was sold new in Florida and stayed there for 4 years until it was bought at a Mercedes auction and brought to Maryland.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,636
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From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
This was my first experience and the SL is my first Mercedes. I noticed after starting the car it would idle smoothly until I put it into either R or D. When idling in gear I could feel a lot of vibration in the seat and steering wheel. Once underway things smoother out but at idle the vibration was quite noticeable. Also the vibration was more pronounced at temperatures below freezing.
Doing some further research I have learned that Lexus also uses similar motor mounts in some of their vehicles. As long as they are in good condition they work well to isolate engine vibrations. I also believe that V6 engines are not as smooth running, i.e. as well balanced as a V8. I have the V6 in my SL.
Doing some further research I have learned that Lexus also uses similar motor mounts in some of their vehicles. As long as they are in good condition they work well to isolate engine vibrations. I also believe that V6 engines are not as smooth running, i.e. as well balanced as a V8. I have the V6 in my SL.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,447
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From: South Florida
2013 SL550 (Lux Sport), 2006 CL55 AMG (Muscle). S550 (Wife's Sedan)
I have believed for sometime now that MB's Motor Mounts and Transmission Mounts were 'designed to fail'. I've had to replace them on every MB that I have owned....and sometimes more than once on the same car!....
You're basically dealing with a 'jelly doughnut' with these mounts, and too soon, the jelly begins to 'squish out' until the mount just 'collapses'. Once that happens you can expect to feel a considerable amount of vibration and/or ride harshness so you'll want to 'bite the bullet' and have this expensive repair done...
Solid, (hard rubber) mounts would of course, last much longer, but it's clear that MB prefers the 'jelly doughnut' variety despite knowing they fail much faster than the alternative type. Terrible for reliability but I would bet it's a very popular and profitable service repair among the MB's Dealer Service Departments...Wonder just how long it will be before the motor/transmission mounts require replacement on my SL 550. (Currently 15,800 miles and counting).....
You're basically dealing with a 'jelly doughnut' with these mounts, and too soon, the jelly begins to 'squish out' until the mount just 'collapses'. Once that happens you can expect to feel a considerable amount of vibration and/or ride harshness so you'll want to 'bite the bullet' and have this expensive repair done...
Solid, (hard rubber) mounts would of course, last much longer, but it's clear that MB prefers the 'jelly doughnut' variety despite knowing they fail much faster than the alternative type. Terrible for reliability but I would bet it's a very popular and profitable service repair among the MB's Dealer Service Departments...Wonder just how long it will be before the motor/transmission mounts require replacement on my SL 550. (Currently 15,800 miles and counting).....
Last edited by bob55; Feb 27, 2020 at 12:04 PM.
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
I have believed for sometime now that MB's Motor Mounts and Transmission Mounts were 'designed to fail'. I've had to replace them on every MB that I have owned.
You're basically dealing with a 'jelly doughnut' with these mounts, and too soon, the jelly begins to 'squish out' until the mount just 'collapses'. Once that happens you can expect to feel a considerable amount of vibration and/or ride harshness.
Solid, (hard rubber) mounts would of course, last much longer, but it's clear that MB prefers the 'jelly doughnut' variety.
You're basically dealing with a 'jelly doughnut' with these mounts, and too soon, the jelly begins to 'squish out' until the mount just 'collapses'. Once that happens you can expect to feel a considerable amount of vibration and/or ride harshness.
Solid, (hard rubber) mounts would of course, last much longer, but it's clear that MB prefers the 'jelly doughnut' variety.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 334
From: South Florida
2013 SL550 (Lux Sport), 2006 CL55 AMG (Muscle). S550 (Wife's Sedan)
If solid rubber mounts were to be offered for the 231 I would certainly be willing to install those at my next 'collapse', but to the best of my knowledge, no such 231 hard rubber mounts are available from any parts seller..
Anybody know of a source for 231 solid rubber motor/transmission mounts?
Last edited by bob55; Feb 27, 2020 at 03:32 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 697
Likes: 238
From: Illinois
S560/SL550/LS460/Q70L 5.6 AWD
I have 30,000 miles on my CL600 and no motor mounts problem so far (the V12 engine seems a lot heavier then the V8 one), it is true I drive both CL and SL only in the summer and the roads I usually go are very smooth....
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 260
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From: Canada
AMG GT-S, AMG C43, Ferrari Roma, Maserati MC20, Genesis GV70 Electrified
What's the cost to replace both mounts? I had one engine and one transmission mount fail over an 8 year period with heavy track usage, one replaced under warranty and the other one I changed myself. It was not that expensive or even a very hard job. Just a few bolts each and one connector, lift engine or tranny a bit to replace.
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Last I checked Mercedes Benz of Hagerstown charges $185/hour labor rate. That was about a year ago.
We have seen some very diverse prices depending on your location, so it would be hard to give you a price. ASRA can give you the book hours and you would have to know the rate of your dealer. OR...just ask your dealer.
We have seen some very diverse prices depending on your location, so it would be hard to give you a price. ASRA can give you the book hours and you would have to know the rate of your dealer. OR...just ask your dealer.
