So whats with the E and vibration?
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From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
So whats with the E and vibration?
OK so after my trip up north here recently I got on the gas on a freeway on ramp only to enter a 50mph speed limit zone.
The trip down the onramp was solid but as soon as I hit the 50mph zone it felt as though I had square wheels.... I pulled the parkbrake handle (dunno why) and it improved a bit but was still there. Then after maybe 15mins it was completely gone. The road surface did change but did not seem materially different.
Is this due to the air suspension getting itself into a harmonic oscilation with the road surface.. what else could it be?
Rest of the trip home it was fine.
Ive noticed a number of times vibration problems have been raised before and at 14k miles I cannot believe its down to ball joint wear and tear and also the fact that it comes and goes is wierd.
I was quite surprised this last time and hopefully it was the harmonics of the road and the speed... but one thing I really hate about this car is the airmatic... allot more trouble (and weight) than it is worth.
Could be ..?
engine mounts
gearbox mounts
diff carriage
any bushings
airmatic
Quaife
shocks
Anything stand out/missed?
The trip down the onramp was solid but as soon as I hit the 50mph zone it felt as though I had square wheels.... I pulled the parkbrake handle (dunno why) and it improved a bit but was still there. Then after maybe 15mins it was completely gone. The road surface did change but did not seem materially different.
Is this due to the air suspension getting itself into a harmonic oscilation with the road surface.. what else could it be?
Rest of the trip home it was fine.
Ive noticed a number of times vibration problems have been raised before and at 14k miles I cannot believe its down to ball joint wear and tear and also the fact that it comes and goes is wierd.
I was quite surprised this last time and hopefully it was the harmonics of the road and the speed... but one thing I really hate about this car is the airmatic... allot more trouble (and weight) than it is worth.
Could be ..?
engine mounts
gearbox mounts
diff carriage
any bushings
airmatic
Quaife
shocks
Anything stand out/missed?
Last edited by stevebez; May 18, 2010 at 07:46 AM.
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
I get a similar vibration when my SL is cold and it is more noticeable in cooler outside air temps. Once the car warms up, the vibration almost completely disappears. I think some of the issue is the super soft tire compound (T1Rs). Once they warm up and get round again things get better. I just had the car into the stealer to check this problem out. They said my motor mounts were flat. Not leaking just flat. I had them replaced, but it does not seem to have improved much.
Thread Starter
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From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
Thats just the thing... we get a vibration, we find a fault, fix it and its still there - really wierd.
I was wondering if the car needs strut braces to firm things up a bit.
I was wondering if the car needs strut braces to firm things up a bit.
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From: Bay Area
2015 E63S, 2018 E63S
Could be your tires being cold or it could be your tires slightly out of balance or underinflated causing an out of balance feeling. Start with having them rebalanced and air'd up to 34-36psi. For a little softer feel go with 34 or for a stiffer feel go with 36.
Last edited by Hammer Down; May 18, 2010 at 12:41 PM.
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
Good advice. It is hard to diagnose problems when there could be multiple issues contributing. In my case which could be a bit different than the OP, I was quite sure I had some bent rims thanks to living right here in pothole city. I know, most people can make that claim. Turns out three out of four wheels bent. Wheels straight, air'd up good and even an alignment. Still vibration. $1,000 lighter in the pocket book and new motor mounts (third set by the way) and still the vibration. I thought tranny mounts, but the stealer said they were good. The vibration goes away above about 1800 - 1900 revs.
Thread Starter
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From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
The vibration was over the whole car and not in the s/w ... whats wierd is it went away after a while.... felt like a oscilation that was being amplified by the chassis somehow ... mbe I should ride my car in C mode setting for a while to get more travel out of the shocks and see.
I also have a vibration under braking - but traced that down to front discs (I hope) which are going to be swapped out soon.
I also have a vibration under braking - but traced that down to front discs (I hope) which are going to be swapped out soon.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
The vibration was over the whole car and not in the s/w ... whats wierd is it went away after a while.... felt like a oscilation that was being amplified by the chassis somehow ... mbe I should ride my car in C mode setting for a while to get more travel out of the shocks and see.
I also have a vibration under braking - but traced that down to front discs (I hope) which are going to be swapped out soon.
I also have a vibration under braking - but traced that down to front discs (I hope) which are going to be swapped out soon.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
OK so drove the car today and she was - well perfect.
I am pretty puzzled.
Anyhow drove today in C mode and maybe the shocks / airmatic needed to stretch their legs a bit ... I actually think C is better for traction anyway as the weight seems to plant deeper into the rear than in S/S2.
In corners C is pretty hopeless....
O well c'est la vie... happy for now I guess.
I am pretty puzzled.
Anyhow drove today in C mode and maybe the shocks / airmatic needed to stretch their legs a bit ... I actually think C is better for traction anyway as the weight seems to plant deeper into the rear than in S/S2.
In corners C is pretty hopeless....
O well c'est la vie... happy for now I guess.
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
OK so drove the car today and she was - well perfect.
I am pretty puzzled.
Anyhow drove today in C mode and maybe the shocks / airmatic needed to stretch their legs a bit ... I actually think C is better for traction anyway as the weight seems to plant deeper into the rear than in S/S2.
In corners C is pretty hopeless....
O well c'est la vie... happy for now I guess.
I am pretty puzzled.
Anyhow drove today in C mode and maybe the shocks / airmatic needed to stretch their legs a bit ... I actually think C is better for traction anyway as the weight seems to plant deeper into the rear than in S/S2.
In corners C is pretty hopeless....
O well c'est la vie... happy for now I guess.
I know I know, my SL isn't a lot better
Thread Starter
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From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
Car is just too heavy, understeer on turn in, oversteer on power out, not much good going for it there, but then again I bought the car for the motor... As long as it can go straight ... I'm happy!
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
Yep, that's were the beast really shows itself. That visceral punch in lower back from the torque monster becomes addicting.
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From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
I still can't believe the mod list is all checked off! I remember when it was just a couple X's.
Can't wait to see the new list on the tt car when you buy one.
Never have seen better systematic modding.
Can't wait to see the new list on the tt car when you buy one.
Never have seen better systematic modding.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
How is your beast running?
Last edited by stevebez; May 23, 2010 at 04:14 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
Senior Member
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From: Houston
CLK-63 BLACK/2014 E63S/2013 ML350
I've got the same sort of Vibration, at 70 MPH i get a viration through the whole car, I guess it could be my tires but it doesnt feel like it, if i keep the car at the same speed same RPM's the vibration comes and goes, It feels to me like the Tailshaft is out of balance or the center tail mount is screwed, I let you all know what I found if anything.
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From: The Great Pacific NW
2008 Mercedes Benz E63 AMG, 2017 Porsche Macan S
wow...I'm at 20K miles and nothing but smooth-as-glass road manners at any speed. I do have Michelin Pilot Sport Plus A/S tires (living in the rainy Pacific Northwest).
And believe me, squeeks, rattles, odd vibrations drive me ape-sh&t...
And believe me, squeeks, rattles, odd vibrations drive me ape-sh&t...
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From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
How is your beast running?
OH and on the vibration, nothing here at any speed. Wonder what the heck is happening?
Thread Starter
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From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
Its really wierd as I said before she is now running smooth again when used in C mode last - have not gone into S/S2 since. There are just so many things it could be... but the coupler sounds like it fits best - why only when cold though?
I need to check the parking brake tension too mbe I am picking up some drag from when I repaced rear discs. I think its either the centre coupling, tyres, shocks - might even have been the road - it was being repaired but I did not notice any major surface changes ... then again the vibration did stop after about 10 mins when I had that patch of "WTF!?!" ... but as long as she is behaving now then I won't complain.
Might have been a bushing that got stuck / trapped... ugh ill do my head in thinking about it.
Sometimes the beast needs to be enjoyed and not tinkered with... thats kinda where I am at.... bit like sound systems...!
I need to check the parking brake tension too mbe I am picking up some drag from when I repaced rear discs. I think its either the centre coupling, tyres, shocks - might even have been the road - it was being repaired but I did not notice any major surface changes ... then again the vibration did stop after about 10 mins when I had that patch of "WTF!?!" ... but as long as she is behaving now then I won't complain.
Might have been a bushing that got stuck / trapped... ugh ill do my head in thinking about it.
Sometimes the beast needs to be enjoyed and not tinkered with... thats kinda where I am at.... bit like sound systems...!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 85
From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
Its really wierd as I said before she is now running smooth again when used in C mode last - have not gone into S/S2 since. There are just so many things it could be... but the coupler sounds like it fits best - why only when cold though?
I need to check the parking brake tension too mbe I am picking up some drag from when I repaced rear discs. I think its either the centre coupling, tyres, shocks - might even have been the road - it was being repaired but I did not notice any major surface changes ... then again the vibration did stop after about 10 mins when I had that patch of "WTF!?!" ... but as long as she is behaving now then I won't complain.
Might have been a bushing that got stuck / trapped... ugh ill do my head in thinking about it.
Sometimes the beast needs to be enjoyed and not tinkered with... thats kinda where I am at.... bit like sound systems...!
I need to check the parking brake tension too mbe I am picking up some drag from when I repaced rear discs. I think its either the centre coupling, tyres, shocks - might even have been the road - it was being repaired but I did not notice any major surface changes ... then again the vibration did stop after about 10 mins when I had that patch of "WTF!?!" ... but as long as she is behaving now then I won't complain.
Might have been a bushing that got stuck / trapped... ugh ill do my head in thinking about it.
Sometimes the beast needs to be enjoyed and not tinkered with... thats kinda where I am at.... bit like sound systems...!
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 120
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From: Calgary AB
09 E63 AMG
I emailed my SA the suggestion of possible coupler in the middle of the drive shaft. He said the coupler would make noise at all times not just when it is cold. He also said new motor mounts at $1,000 would solve my vibration problem which it did not. I'll cut him some slack though. These damn vibrations can be difficult to diagnose.
Did you ever get yours figured out? Was it the coupler?
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
turned out to be tranny mounts.
