W204 C180 2012 - vibration/noise on auto reverse

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Wjk167

New Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2017
Messages
28
Location
Belfast
Car
2012 C180 AMG Sport +
Hi Everyone,

I'm new here. Got my first Mercedes a few weeks ago. 2012 C180 - 1.6 Turbo - AMG Sport Plus. Really nice car. Enjoying it immensely. Very smooth. Surprising nippy for being such a small engine. I do very low miles, mostly city so happy with the petrol. Car is 4.5 yr old with 28K miles.

I'm noticing a substantial vibration noise when I put it in reverse in the mornings. It's like its labouring. I can feel it though the steering wheel can shifter. Revs look OK on the dials. Vibration/noise disappears once I move off with a little speed. Seems to happen more so if the outside temp is cold.

Also happens in Drive sometimes as well.

It is intermittent, but very noticeable.

Seems to go away almost completely once car has warmed up a bit.

Tried to explain to the dealer but cant show him as its gone by the time I get there.

Is this normal? or should I be worried. Car has 6 month Engine/gearbox warranty.

Best regards
 
Welcome Wjk167.

Mine is a 2013 C180 CGI with the same M274 1.6L Turbo engine and the same 7G-Tronic Plus 7-speed automatic transmission, and it does not vibrate in this way, so I would say its not normal.

I am assuming that the dealer connected the car to MB STAR Diagnostic Computer and there were no present or stored fault codes relating to the transmission? and that they have applied whatever software upgrade might be available for the transmission in your car?

I don't know what the issue might be, but if the above have already been done by the dealer, then I would look at external causes first (gearbox mounts etc), then consider an ATF and filter change which is due at 5 years anyway (and will therefore most likely be included in the next service later this year).
 
Thanks there for the reply.

Yes, dealer did check for codes, although they are not an MB dealer.

I had suspected possible mounts/ATF Filter change but wanted to at least get a diagnosis and get dealer to address. I did highlight it as soon as I took the car.. Cant blame the dealer - If they cant detect it.

However, I did get a recording of it this morning - which I hope to share as soon as I work out how to upload and post a link.
 
Keep in mind that the car needs to be tested with MB STAR equipment, not generic code scanner, to ensure that any MB-specific codes are read. Unless the trader is an MB specialist, they are unlikely to be equipped with the required kit. It's best if you take the car to a specialist who has (and knows how to use) MB STAR for diagnostics, then submit the report and any findings to the trader from where you purchased the car.
 
I think you really need to let the dealer have the car overnight so they can check it from cold; they should be able to provide a courtesy car in the meantime. Things I would be checking are engine/gearbox mounts, exhaust, etc, but the thing I would be most worried about would be the torque converter, but somebody really needs to get under the car when the noise is present to trace its source.

A call to the previous owner might also be worthwhile if you can trace them.

Remember that if push comes to shove, you have the Trades Description Act on your side, as in 'fitness for purpose', etc., but...don't let this drag on for too long before you force the issue.

Ernie

ps, Do you know which engine is in your car? I ask because there was also a 1.6 271 engined version of the CGi and yours could be from around the changeover time.
 
Last edited:
Definitely an M274 engine - I checked the VIN.
 
That engine seems to be very reliable, at least as far as this forum is concerned, either in the A class (M270) or in the C Class like yours. I know it's not relevant to your problem, but I had a thermostat problem on one of mine which pinged on the engine management light and had two MB dealerships foxed for a while.

I still think you need to get it back to the garage for a cold start check.

Ernie
 
Thanks for all the comments. I'll definitely be going back to the dealer for them to have an overnight look at it and hopefully track down the cause.
 

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