Have to wonder if the belts in the Michelins are delaminating and causing the pulsating. You could have a tire company look at the tires - I'm sure they'd be able to tell right away.
In my experience, a freewheeling wheel with noise / pulsations is almost invariably a tire problem, not a mechanical one.
I don't doubt it is a tire problem. However, it is something they should have resolved in the first visit. It seems as if no one test drove the car after the re-balance. This obviously is not a major issue for me, as I have not taken the car back for this issue since the first time. At this point, this issue is a moot point...just one of many minor problems.
update:
currently 20K miles and counting.
1 st visit: wheels pulsating. Dealer re-balanced and rotated wheels. Problem persists.
clunking sound when rear windows go all the way down. Dealer "tightened some bolts". Problem fixed at that time.
2nd visit: transmission clunking when upshifting, not smooth when downshifting to first coming to stop. Dealer updated software. Problem persists.
Tailgate fails to open 80% of the time. Dealer "adjusted tailgate". Tailgate still fails 60% of the time.
3rd visit: Transmission cluncking when upshifting, not smooth when downshifting to first coming to stop. Was told by shop foreman that this is normal for the MB seven speeds. No action taken.
Tailgate fails to open 60% of the time. Dealer replaced latch and re-adjusted. Tailgate fails to open 30% of the time now. Can not re-produce at will, but still an issue.
4th visit: Car stalled in the middle of the road while coasting to stop. (CPS recall already completed) Check engine light came on. Dealer read error code as "low fuel rail pressure". Fuel pump deemed the cause and was replaced. Car sat in shop for 2 weeks awaiting parts from Germany.
Windows clunking again when all the way down. Dealer said it was a known issue and replaced regulator.
All in all, during the first year of ownership, this car has been in the shop collectively for almost three weeks.
Current outstanding issues are
1. wheels pulsate around 60 mph.
2. Tailgate fails to open 30% of the time.
While most of the above issues can be overlooked by me, the car stalling out on me and my family in the middle of the road presents a dangerous situation and is not acceptable. We contacted MBUSA and they are looking into this now. This car is coming awfully close to qualifying for Maryland lemon law. Hope you guys have better luck...
12K on our 2007 R500. Thought I'd add my experience.
We have had two issues that I have not seen on any forums.
1. Check Engine light twice in the first two months of ownership. (Very small evap system leak was the code). Taken in twice, nothing done initially (typical). On second visit, ECM was updated with latest code...voila, no more codes since.
2. We had the climate control freak out on a road trip. If you turned the temperature dial to a lower temp, it would not go to a higher value. (a real bitch in the winter) Again, HVAC computer was reflashed/reset and haven't seen that issue since. (did have one time where the A/C would not turn on and blow...pulled over, restarted car, never happened since)
We love the car, and after our initial issues were worked out, we wouldn't trade the car. (even with the low-end gas mileage )
Well, to keep this ball rolling . . .
2007 R350. The wife wanted an SUV "family" car, and after driving almost everything out there, the short list was the R, the ML (the GL was also in the mix, but too much more $$$ than the R) and the LX350. Wanted the CDI but got good lease deal on the 350.
Only issue has been the liftgate, which would occasionally/often try but fail to open. Dealer massaged it, and replaced the plastic sill plate, which showed some scratching around the latch area. It's better, but still stubborn sometimes. Not really an issue, and I think a little armor all or other vinyl dressing on the door seal would also help.
Keep up the good Stats work! Any numbers on front brake longevity? Thanks
1. Small headlight burned out.
2. 3rd row vent wasn't working. No air was coming out of the vent.
Brought the car to the dealer and they fixed them all. Everything
is working great for now.
Blower motor got blown out and replaced as a fix for the 3rd row vent.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LLCD
1. at 27K miles the car developed a whinny noise when braking hard and the
the steering wheel would vibrate along with it. The noise would also track
when pressing the gas pedal.
I went to dealer about the problem and they said they didn't find any problem with it. After picking it up from the dealer I test drove it and did the various tests. I braked really hard and I could not re create the problem anymore. ??
I also got the tailgate problem fixed only after printing the solution to the problem from this forum. Thanks to the forum the dealer finally got it right when they fixed the tailgate problem.
@27k The passenger front parking light also went out. Are burned lights covered in the warranty?
Well, lets start easy, we love the car/truck what ever you prefer to call it but...
We have had the R calss in for the last time to fix the rear hatch, total of 5 times...
Issue, the rear hatch will reopen after it reaches the close position. They have replaced all the parts there is, they have "tried" to adjust the rear hatch, but so far no luck.
They claim taht it never happends in the work shop??? why would they replace parts if it does not happen???, evertime we get the R class back it will work for 2-3 days and then it starts again.
We are recording every time we use the rear hatch now as the R class is in for revue, the escalating cutomer rep explained that it will be a buy back or replacement, the issue is however that we had to order the r calss as we liked it due to no black with xenons and package 2 + key less go
As the first visit at the dealer with this issue was after less that 1 week and 300 miles the rep explained that it will be no issue with the miles driven now...
Have to say that the escalating rep at MB USA is very straight forward sofar
What will we do, I do not know as we like the R class alot, it has room and pleaty of power in the CDI version and desent milage
Well I'll keep it posted what ever the out come might be
Well, lets start easy, we love the car/truck what ever you prefer to call it but...
We have had the R calss in for the last time to fix the rear hatch, total of 5 times...
Issue, the rear hatch will reopen after it reaches the close position. They have replaced all the parts there is, they have "tried" to adjust the rear hatch, but so far no luck.
They claim taht it never happends in the work shop??? why would they replace parts if it does not happen???, evertime we get the R class back it will work for 2-3 days and then it starts again.
We are recording every time we use the rear hatch now as the R class is in for revue, the escalating cutomer rep explained that it will be a buy back or replacement, the issue is however that we had to order the r calss as we liked it due to no black with xenons and package 2 + key less go
As the first visit at the dealer with this issue was after less that 1 week and 300 miles the rep explained that it will be no issue with the miles driven now...
Have to say that the escalating rep at MB USA is very straight forward sofar
What will we do, I do not know as we like the R class alot, it has room and pleaty of power in the CDI version and desent milage
Well I'll keep it posted what ever the out come might be
Bring back to the dealer. There is a STB from MB already out for 06,07.
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2008 R350 4 Matic w/P1 package/7 seater/Ipod/Front heated seats/TOMTOM Go 720 GPS/ 10.2" LCD Overhead Mobile Video system w/ 30 Sega Games, Wireless HeadPhone, hard wired to OEM HK sound system, B/U Camera, hard wired Passort Escort X8500, Mtec HID 4300k (swapped out 6000K)
My 2008 R350 ( just hot 1k miles) has no problems as yours except doors rattles which come and go.
Took mine to the the dealer for 1k check up and they fixed the door rattles by sprayed special lubricant to all door seams / windows.
Hopefully, the creaking noises not coming back.
My dealer didn't give out MB loan car anymore except sending me to Enterprises car rental that has the office@ the dealer.
Last edited by AsianBlackR350 : 08-01-2008 at 07:14 PM.