[Lazlion99]

Newbie MB owener - I purchased a 2007 CPO clk350 five days ago and I’m planning to take it back to the dealer after experiencing two irritating issues.

First one - after braking to a complete stop on a slight incline/ uphill this car would roll back the moment the brake was released - potentially dangerous and definitely annoying at the very least. This first was experienced last Friday - day of the delivery, while I was heading home, going up the incline and stopping at the first light which is only 1/4 from the dealership (it was late so I didn't turn back...) The same characteristic was re-confirmed driving along with the stop-and-go traffic on innercity hwy on the way to work

Second - at low speed (5 ~ 25mph), there is a rhythmic, low frequency frictional "groan" coming from the general area of the front wheels (likely on the driver side) - it's both an audible sound and a perceivable sensation through one's hand on the steering wheel.

Anyone here has had similar experience? Any idea/ feedback is appreciated.

Other than the above, everything works wonderfully - smooth shifting and powerful acceleration. Car has every available option: keyless go/ GPS/ blue tooth/ heated/ vented seats/OnStar/ CD changer/ Remote Trunk...

Thanks.

 

[unitfreebie]

Rolling backwards on a hill is normal as far as I can tell... My car does the same thing on the hills of San Francisco. Some car's engine idle speed/transmission will hold on a hill and some will not, ask the dealer if they can make it hold for you but not at the expense of increased idle speed and brake wear. I always use two feet when on the hill, the left on the brakes and right on the accelerator pedal to minimize the roll back.

Frictional growling sound and feeling it in the steering wheel is bad... probably the brake pads dragging on the rotor. If it pulsates the steering wheel then the rotor is warped too. Tell the dealer to replace the brake pads and rotors on both sides of the car as it is still under warranty. And make sure the tech tightens the lug nuts evenly with a torque wrench, not an air power driver, otherwise the new rotors will warp for sure.

Please tell us how you like the Bluetooth and how it works.... I need one.

A word of caution on the Keyless GO.... treat the door handles gently... as sudden pulling of the doors will break the switch in the handle.

Keep the car if you like it... find another dealer if they do not fix it correctly or treat you courteously. You can always take it to good independent to service it and back to the dealer for the warranty work.

Be sure to read the Owner's manual front to back as there is a lot of good information in there and it will answer a lot of questions that will pop up as you get used to your new car.

What color is it? Please post a pix showing the wheels.... enjoy the ride :thumbsup:

 

[DougCLK320]

Your item 1 is normal. You need to hold the car with the foorbrake on anything steeper than a slight upward incline. Most manage okay holding the brake down with the left foot and gradually releasing it as you accelerate away. Could hold it with the parking brake, but don't like the "BANG" when this is released.
Item 2 sounds like a warped disk (rotor in the USA???). Holding the car, stationary, with the brakes on after a really hard stop (disks / rotors can be red hot!) can cause distortion as the brake cools unevenly.

 

[ranxerox]

A low speed (5 ~ 25mph), rhythmic, low frequency frictional "groan" could also come from your tires, are they evenly worn out, some brands and types can have these "bad" noises after a certain mileage even low (~15000 - pirelli scorpio...I had on my XC90).
This is just food for thought to avoid focusing on a single possible source of your concerns...Is the sound changing with the revetment?....
I just bought a 350 convertible, so perfect and which you solve this issue because it's definitely worth it..

 

[unitfreebie]

Hi,

Well, looks like that guy never came back to read the answers!!!

Yes the CLK350 is really nice... mine is a coupe as we don't get much sun here, mostly fog which is fine with me in this age of Global warming!!! Hahaha!!

What options do you have besides the rag top???

 

[Lazlion99]

A low speed (5 ~ 25mph), rhythmic, low frequency frictional "groan" could also come from your tires, are they evenly worn out, some brands and types can have these "bad" noises after a certain mileage even low (~15000 - pirelli scorpio...I had on my XC90).

Funny - after 2 trips to the dealer and 3 road tests with its service director and 3 different foremen (that is after I sent an complaint to MB USA), that was exactly what they concluded. Other than that, I agree the car is faultless. I must also admit that MB dealer tries very hard to please its customers.
Yup - I am keeping the car.

Thanks for the responses.:bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

 

[keyhole]

Re brake 'groan'. I can sometimes induce this noise from my front brakes, if I brake to a stop - then quickly release, and then brake again. I've never considered it to be a problem, but it could be annoying to some folks.

 

[unitfreebie]

Cheap tires causing problems...

Your car must have those cheap Continential tires!!! Before they wear down, demount them and sell on eBay and buy good Michelin Pilot APS tires... you will not regret it!! :thumbsup:

 

[keyhole]

I do have 'those cheap Continental tires' ... :crybaby2:

but the 'groan' is definitely coming from the front disc brake system. I can't see how the tires affect that, at the very low speed involved.

 

[wynway]

Well, I agree with the "cheap Continental tires" as I have them on a 2006 CLK350 Cabriolet that I bought in June only to discover an annoying almost vibration like sensation at 35 mph or higher regardless of what road I'm on, althought it is not felt in the steering wheel or driver's seat like you would expect if tires are out of balance.
So far the dealer has checked the rims to ensure they're not warped, balanced all 4 tires, replaced both front tires, again with the ContisportContact3 and a front-end alignment, yet it still has an annoying vibration like sensation. Everyone at the dealership is telling me this is normal because it's a convertible with the body flexing. I have drove other convertibles like the SL and SLK without experiencing this issue. So I've come to the conclusion that the ContisportContact3 tires with their big block design are causing the issue.
Does anyone have any thoughts or same experience with these tires or their CLK350 Cab?

Thanks,
Frustrated in Bay Area CA.

 

[unitfreebie]

Big block thread design combined with a hard compound is an invitation to noisy tread buzz riding down the highway. It's worst with the newer highway that uses the larger asphalt rocks (meaning cheaper cost) which makes for a rougher road... the buzzing will drive you crazy after a while!

Michelin MXV4 were the best for smooth riding, quiet tread design, until they changed to a harder compound (wear rating = 600)in their current Primacy brand model which makes noise on the cheaper asphalt road a lot louder.

I think the Michelin Pilot AS series is still very quiet but the approx. 250 tread life makes it wear out faster.

 

[keyhole]

I have never considered that my Continentals were a 'noisy' tire. As has been stated it can also depend on the road surface.

Here in the UK there has been some experimentation recently when re-surfacing by using a new 'puroelastic' road surface composed of asphalt and what is termed 'crumb rubber' - a by-product of recycling old tires.

I have driven on this new surface and the results are remarkable. The published noise reduction claimed is 4 to 6 dB(A), remembering that with a 3dB(A) reduction the sound is halved.

 

[wynway]

Big block thread design combined with a hard compound is an invitation to noisy tread buzz riding down the highway. It's worst with the newer highway that uses the larger asphalt rocks (meaning cheaper cost) which makes for a rougher road... the buzzing will drive you crazy after a while!

Michelin MXV4 were the best for smooth riding, quiet tread design, until they changed to a harder compound (wear rating = 600)in their current Primacy brand model which makes noise on the cheaper asphalt road a lot louder.

I think the Michelin Pilot AS series is still very quiet but the approx. 250 tread life makes it wear out faster.

It very well could be the resurfacing they have been doing in the CA Bay Area. I wouldn't mind spending the money on the Michelin Pilot AS if I knew that would resolve my issue, but would be really disappointed if I still had the same issue. Considering I'm planning to trade the CLK in on the new E Cabriolet next year, I guess I'll just suck it up and deal with the buzz.

 

[wynway]

I have never considered that my Continentals were a 'noisy' tire. As has been stated it can also depend on the road surface.

Here in the UK there has been some experimentation recently when re-surfacing by using a new 'puroelastic' road surface composed of asphalt and what is termed 'crumb rubber' - a by-product of recycling old tires.

I have driven on this new surface and the results are remarkable. The published noise reduction claimed is 4 to 6 dB(A), remembering that with a 3dB(A) reduction the sound is halved.

It could very well be the road surface since California has been doing a lot of resurfacing lately. I wouldn't mind changing the tires as UnitFreeBie recommends to the Michelin Pilot AS if I knew it would resolve my issue, but since I'm planning to trade my CLK on the new E Cabriolet next year I guess I'll just deal with the buzz!

 

[effects66]

I am having the same problem with my 05 clk320. The noise issue that is. I have the Michelin Pilot Primacys and they SUCK!! At least, this is what i believe is making that annoying growling sound. Very Very noticable from 25-5 mph. I have only had the car since Jan with now only 35,000 miles. I hope it is the tires. I am looking at replacing them in the very near future. Hopefully then the car will sound like a Mercedes (no growling and quite)

 

[wynway]

I am having the same problem with my 05 clk320. The noise issue that is. I have the Michelin Pilot Primacys and they SUCK!! At least, this is what i believe is making that annoying growling sound. Very Very noticable from 25-5 mph. I have only had the car since Jan with now only 35,000 miles. I hope it is the tires. I am looking at replacing them in the very near future. Hopefully then the car will sound like a Mercedes (no growling and quite)

I had Michelin's on my E320 driving on the same roads as with my CLK and never noticed this buzzing noise, but all Michelin's are not created equally either! I would like to know if your issue goes away with the tire change. What are you considering as replacements? You mention it's very noticeable from 25 to 5, but do you still hear it at higher speeds? Mine starts around 35 and still noticeable at 65-80, but seems to go away between 80--120, then at those speeds who's thinking about tire/road noise!

 

[effects66]

It is really noticeable from 25-5 while slowing down. And yes, i have just slowed down with out using the breaks to make sure it wasn't the pads. Well, at higher speeds it really isn't that noticeable. I can tell that there is still road noise at higher speeds but not as obtrusive. At higher speeds i can chalk it up as regular road noise because of high performance tires. Just when slowing down or driving at slow speed it is very very annoying. Almost embarrassing. Especially cause it should be a benz, luxurious sporty and quiet

 

[wynway]

It is really noticeable from 25-5 while slowing down. And yes, i have just slowed down with out using the breaks to make sure it wasn't the pads. Well, at higher speeds it really isn't that noticeable. I can tell that there is still road noise at higher speeds but not as obtrusive. At higher speeds i can chalk it up as regular road noise because of high performance tires. Just when slowing down or driving at slow speed it is very very annoying. Almost embarrassing. Especially cause it should be a benz, luxurious sporty and quiet

I would be interested in hearing what the issue is with your car should it ever be determined.
Well, I especially agree with your last two sentences. Maybe it's a good thing this is the last year for the CLK! I know I can't wait until the 2011 E Cabriolet is released, then my CLK is history!

~Wynway

 

[unitfreebie]

I think for quiet tires you want the Michelin Pilot Spot PS2 tires... Not the Primacy.

read this:

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 Review

so what do you think?

 

[07fj]

Well, I agree with the "cheap Continental tires" as I have them on a 2006 CLK350 Cabriolet that I bought in June only to discover an annoying almost vibration like sensation at 35 mph or higher regardless of what road I'm on, althought it is not felt in the steering wheel or driver's seat like you would expect if tires are out of balance.
So far the dealer has checked the rims to ensure they're not warped, balanced all 4 tires, replaced both front tires, again with the ContisportContact3 and a front-end alignment, yet it still has an annoying vibration like sensation. Everyone at the dealership is telling me this is normal because it's a convertible with the body flexing. I have drove other convertibles like the SL and SLK without experiencing this issue. So I've come to the conclusion that the ContisportContact3 tires with their big block design are causing the issue.
Does anyone have any thoughts or same experience with these tires or their CLK350 Cab?


Thanks,
Frustrated in Bay Area CA.

I have ContisportContact 2's on my 06 CLK350 coupe and have no tire noise issues at any speed. Diff road surfaces change the sound, but that is no different in any of my vehicles.