Bizzare knocking noise. Defeated me, the mechanic and logic

[danclyon]

I am so disappointed in Mercedes. I really like the brand, the look of the cars and see it as a much classier option to BMW, however my experience has lost all confidence in them. I hoped that the B class would have been my stepping stone into future Mercedes ownership but I now see them as inferior to the likes of Subaru and Honda. Why pay more for something that is worse and then pay through the nose when it falls apart because it's a 'Mercedes'?

Ive heard the expression 'Jap cr@p' often spouted by German car owners...I would love to know where that came from.

We moved to German from Japanese. My old Mitsubishi went to a family member, and in 40k miles it's cost him a driveshaft - £70 from a specialist and oil changes. It's still on the set of brakes I put on it at 40k miles when I decided the effective but rapidly vanishing OEM pads that had been replaced twice by 40k were not cost-effective and put Ferrodo on it instead. It's still going strong.

My A4 has after a few niggles been trouble free. OK it blows a few bulbs now and then, but other than that, in now 110k miles has just had routine servicing, a set of tyres, and a set of brakes all round. Since the warranty ran out, touch wood, it's been endlessly reliable when maintained to "forum" recommendations.....

Wish the wife's B had been all that......really wish it had, as it's a practical car, but with so much having gone wrong on it and so much having to be "put right"......shame really as I like the look of the car!

 

[ivandraganov]

I've bouhgt MB W203 and now I regret doing it.Stepper motor-120£,I wont mention that I spent more than 2500£ for 3 years ownership.Sell,sell,sell and buy Vw or Audi.Bmw probably will be even more expensive.Dont keep you will regret.New Audi a4 recommended.No offence to MB I love the ride and the rust,maybe latest Bmw 5 series F-10 will be superior to latest dull E class.Cheers

 

[MB-BTurbo]

VW or Audi? I have had bad experiences with them as well and know many people who have also.

Anyway the strut didn't fix it. I think I know what it is now but Im not saying anything until I know for sure.

 

[ivandraganov]

Still owner of B5 1996 A4-all front suspention arms 120£ from Germany we are talking about a box with all front suspention arms in it, 10 arms and ball joints,you make the calculations.Cheers.

 

[MB-BTurbo]

OK, here it is. After fitting shock absorbers, top mount and drop links costing a total of £300 in parts plus 9.5 hours labour it turned out to be...


...the bumb stop. it had got loose and was riding up and down the shock crashing against the top mount, making the knocking noise. Cost £17.50 plus 1/2 hour labour!

 

[danclyon]

OK, here it is. After fitting shock absorbers, top mount and drop links costing a total of £300 in parts plus 9.5 hours labour it turned out to be...


...the bumb stop. it had got loose and was riding up and down the shock crashing against the top mount, making the knocking noise. Cost £17.50 plus 1/2 hour labour!

Erm, balls?