Clunk in E320 4matic

I have a 2001 320 4matic with 14,689 miles on it (recently purchased) and when I take my foot off the gas and coast for a few seconds and then apply the gas I get a slight clunk in the back. And, when rolling to a stop, as the car downshifts into 1st gear I ocassionally hear a light clunk as well. Took it into Mercedes today and they told me that the noise is normal on the

4matics. Does that sound like a snow job or legitimate information?? I've started an informal poll (spoke to a 320 4matic owner at a gas station today and will ask others I encounter on the street) and would like to hear from the folks on the forum. For all the engineering prowess that has made Mercedes a premier brand I find it hard to believe that this annoying clunk would be a "standard feature" on their cars.

Thanks,

Jeff snipped-for-privacy@optonline.net

Reply to
Jeff Sloane
Loading thread data ...

Could be a baffle in the gas tank of the car.........This would be more apparent with LESS then a full tank of gas in the vehicle. -Dana

Reply to
Dana

Huh?

Sounds more like slack in the drive line to me. Perhaps a driveline carrier, or u-joint or rubber ujoint type thingie... Could also be something slack in the rear end?

I don't know about 4-matics but this doesn't sound "normal" or acceptable to me.

Reply to
Martin Joseph

Is the noise from the right side around the gas filler? If so, there is a plastic canister for something (gas fume?) in the tire fender. Mine got off the fastening clips and made a clunking (thumping) noise. After removing the tire fender fasteners you will see it between the rear tire and the rear bumper. I have 2002 E430 reg. automatic so yours might be a different problem. Good luck!

- Mo -

Reply to
Mo

I had the same vehicle with the same noise. The dealer worked on it many times change several parts in the drive train. They eventually had a MB rep look at the car and claim it "normal". We both drove another 4matic and it also had the noise. I ended up selling the car because I don't need to hear that noise everyday from a "luxury" car. Glenn

Reply to
glennbaz

I dropped the car off at Mercedes of Greenwich and I got a call from them in the afternoon telling me that the clunking noise was because one of the transmission brackets was broken and the tranny was shifting a bit when gas was appplied or taken off. They noticed that there was a few drops of oil leaking from the trans-axle case so they were going to replace the seal, the air flow for the air conditioner was "Ok" not quite what is should be and since it is a known problem they were going to replace the air conditioning regulator, the squeaking when the steering wheel is turned is a known issue and there is a fix for it, there was a squeak every so often in the cabin - seemed to happen when the car was leaning in a turn - yep - known problem the driver side seat frame is being replaced. Software is being updated, oil change, wipers... and a full service update - at no cost. They asked me if they could have the car for 2 days to make sure they got everything - hell yes, take 3 days if you want. I'm smiling on this side of the keyboard.

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff Sloane

Let us know if the smiling continues when the car comes back...

Reply to
Martin Joseph

Your smiling but your car is in the shop. Instead of more dealers like this, we need less cars like that. I was seriously looking at a e320 this week but just cant do it. To many horror stories.

Someone tell me about how great their newer merc is. I need some reassurance. I actually went to look at lexus, infinity and Volvo of all places. I dont know what the heck I want now. (sub 35k 2003 or newer smallish sedan is all I know now) KH

Reply to
Kevin in San Diego

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.