Road Noise

[madferret]

Hi all
Hope I am posting this in the correct area.
I have recenty purchase a 2004 ML 270CDi Auto Estate, I made a mistake in not taking the car on the motorway. I have not done this and fine that its very noisy regards to road - acceptable and engine - engine is fine but its like you are say on top of it and there is minimal sound proofing?

Can anyone confirm how quiet these should be on the motorway?
Thanks for any reply.

 

[television]

Welcome Ferrit


Do not forget that incorrect or certain makes of tyres can be noisy

 

[jberks]

its not a normal complaint. If the soundproofing was poor, you'd hear the engine, the 270 isn't the quietest of lumps. Generally, road noise is down to the tyres you are running rather than the car itself. I recently changed tyre brands on my E class and its made a massive difference.

 

[hawk20]

I agree. Tyres are most likely the cause. And motorway surfaces vary enormously with the amount of noise they generate.

My ML270cdi was pleasantly quiet at motorway cruising speeds and I've not seen any others menbtion noise as a problem.

Just to be safe I'd drop into a dealer and have a quick check about the noise. Friend of mine had a very noisy A class. I went with him to my local dealer and it turned out the bearing on one of the pulley wheels was shot- I think it drove the aircon unit IIRC.

 

[madferret]

Thats excactly what I am hearing a constant engine roar where I would expect to hear wind and types and a muffled engine noise.

 

[television]

Hawk has a good point and things like the alternator pulley can fail,,as he also says, we have never had anyone complain before

 

[madferret]

Cheers Guys, I have booked it in for a mercedes engineer at my local dealer to take the car out and put my mind at rest.
Thanks again.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Thats exactly what I am hearing a constant engine roar where I would expect to hear wind and types and a muffled engine noise.

If it is constant, it is unlikely that road noise is the culprit. Road surface is a major contributor to noise levels inside the vehicle however. Cement surfaces, as on earlier motorways, cast up lots of spray and were very noisy - but were durable. They are gradually being replaced and newer surfaces are blissfully quiet by comparison. You just don't realize how little noise the car itself generates until you try the peage in France. Breathtaking!

Sadly, it is likely that your consistent noise is mechanical, and worth dealing with before it lets you down on a dark wet Friday night on a bank holiday.

 

[madferret]

All
Just to confirm I should be expecting little engine noise in the cabin area when driving at 70 mph. Thanks

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I wouldn't mind betting that some sound insulation is missing. Perhaps one of the undertrays, or perhaps a seal has gone on the steering column, the padding under the bonnet, the polystyrene under the carpets - etc.

What does the engine sound like when you're stationary, and you rev it? Is it noisy then?

 

[madferret]

When stationary and reving you hear the engine pretty loud, reminds me of a bus...

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Well I have no experience of the ML, but on my coal-fired cast iron E300TD revving the engine sounds nothing like a bus, its more of a loud fan. Get on your knees and peek under the front wheels - unless I'm mistaken you shouldn't be able to see anything but plastic all the way down the car (apart from the exhaust).

 

[madferret]

Cheers
I will post the outcome from Mercedes Dealer on Thursday.