2011 Mercedes Benz E350 4Matic Sedan

Tiny
TOROVIEJO1979
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 MERCEDES BENZ E350
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 10,026 MILES
We bought this vehicle from the dealer brand new with only 6 miles on the odometer. Tremendous ride, handling and performance until you are coming to a stop. We noticed the following when the odometer read around 3,000 miles: As the vehicle is slowing down, and doing less than 20 miles per hour, it begins to wobble from side to side just before coming to a dead stop. At the moment, it has 10,026 miles and still under factory warranty. The dealer can't find any thing wrong with the breaks or 4Matic system, but there is something causing this wobble and is very frustrating. Can you tell me what the problem is? Or is this normal for a 4Matic system?
Saturday, February 1st, 2014 AT 9:13 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
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That very much sound like a separating tire. Look at them across the tread for eggs. If you don't see any pull forward so the 6 oclock position is at 12 oclock and lok again
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Saturday, February 1st, 2014 AT 9:18 AM
Tiny
TOROVIEJO1979
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This wobble would be present at all speeds if a tire was defective.
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Saturday, February 1st, 2014 AT 9:26 AM
Tiny
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Not necessarily. Ive seen it many times. It will wobble the car at very low speeds but then be smooth until a certain hwy speed is reached and becomes a high pitched vibration. If its a bad tire itll get worse very quickly. You've had other things checked out to be ok. Its not the brakes because it does it even when you aren't braking, right? An unbalanced tire wouldn't wobble the car at such low speeds.
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Saturday, February 1st, 2014 AT 10:02 AM
Tiny
TOROVIEJO1979
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Good points, but this condition is only present when the brakes are applied and the car is doing less that 20 mph. I will have the car put on the lift and the tires checked.
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Saturday, February 1st, 2014 AT 11:04 AM
Tiny
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Ah, ok, that changes things. We're gonna get this yet. Now, I feel like theres either brake rotor warpage, a faulty joint in the front end, or possibly a wheel bearing with too much play. Does the wobble move the steering wheel or shake the back end? I ask to determine whether you've got a front brake issue or rear.
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Saturday, February 1st, 2014 AT 11:26 AM
Tiny
TOROVIEJO1979
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The steering is perfectly smooth during this wobble. There are times when it is minimal, and then other times very exaggerated. When this happens, its the whole car and not front or rear. I'm wondering if the 4Matic computer is flaky?
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Saturday, February 1st, 2014 AT 3:15 PM
Tiny
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Very strange indeed. The best I can tell you from here is to take it back to MB and ride with one of them to demonstrate the problem
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Saturday, February 1st, 2014 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
TOROVIEJO1979
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Well, I am back to square one. The Mb dealer has investigated this 'problem' twice already and found no problems to report. During this check, I had an E350 loaner that was a rear drive, and not a 4Matic like mine. No wobble to speak of.
Thanks for your suggestions.
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Sunday, February 2nd, 2014 AT 7:49 AM
Tiny
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Did they do a ride along with you? I hope you can come to a happy place soon. Im here to help if I can
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Sunday, February 2nd, 2014 AT 2:02 PM
Tiny
TOROVIEJO1979
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Yes, I took their top tech with me and in the end he said that what I noticed was the transmission down shifting. This is not so.
I will try another dealer. Don't have much choice. I am still open your advice.
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Sunday, February 2nd, 2014 AT 7:52 PM
Tiny
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Another dealer sounds like a good idea to me. Go higher if you don't get satisfaction there. Im here to help further if I can at all but I don't want to misadvise on a car under warranty. Let me know what happens, ill do what I can
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Monday, February 3rd, 2014 AT 8:22 AM
Tiny
TOROVIEJO1979
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Understand, thanks for the advise.
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Monday, February 3rd, 2014 AT 8:31 AM
Tiny
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Youre very welcome! Good luck
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Monday, February 3rd, 2014 AT 11:05 AM
Tiny
TOROVIEJO1979
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To your REF: " I feel like three's either brake rotor warpage, "

I finally took my E350 to a different dealer. Their ' front-end' expert and I went for a test drive and before we had driven 2 miles, he said the problem were the brake rotors! As soon as the brakes were released, the wobble quit.

My car will be FIXED today. You were right about the rotors, Thanks.
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Thursday, February 27th, 2014 AT 7:42 AM
Tiny
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BRAVO! There you go, and now you've got a good dealer to go to that you can trust
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Thursday, February 27th, 2014 AT 5:37 PM
Tiny
TOROVIEJO1979
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FYI:
The tech that fixed my E350, said that the mechanics at the 'other dealer' were let go from this one. I now know where not to go.

Cheers!
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Friday, February 28th, 2014 AT 6:28 AM
Tiny
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Youre so welcome! You've made my day with your thanks.
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Saturday, March 1st, 2014 AT 6:45 AM

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