I have a 2003 E320 with about 2k miles. After the first 500 miles, my engine began to make a loud ticking sound like a cross between diesel and a sewing machine at idle and low revs.

After listening to several other e320's at the dealership, we are convinced that our car is louder than the others we've heard. The dealership says the car sounds normal, but has agreed to bring the matter up with a MB rep next week.


Has anyone else experienced this loud ticking noise from the e320 engine, and what fix if any is out there?

I thought that this noise only comes from the lower sized C class 4 bangers like my C180. I said it was tractor like or like the good old Singer sewing machines, even some new motorbikes have quieter and smoother sounding engines except for the HDs which are designed to be noisy and macho and attention seeking. Maybe you have a problem there like timing chain, valves and so on. Good luck!

The M112 V-6 can become pretty noisy at idle after 1-2k miles
as it breaks in. Without hearing it, I can't tell you if it is normal or not. There have been issues with our M113 V-8's in the E500,
CLK500, and SL500 with noisy motor mounts this year.
The DTB bullitin does not apply to V-6's like yours, but that is not to say you might have the same issue.
Those darn aluminium sub-frames seem to amplify engine noises.
I would let the MB tech specialist they are calling make the call.
He may recommend new engine mounts or just say it is normal.
Good luck.
Dr.D

Thanks for your input Dr. Diesel. Do you think the problem could be caused by a faulty purge valve. I see a lot of references to a ticking noise on the C320 being caused by a sticking fuel purge valve and/or bracket.

The purge valve is a very noisy unit on our newer cars.
On the 01+ C-classes, there was an updated purge valve
line bracket that secured the evap line with rubber instead of solid plastic to help isolate this noise from the body.
MB is aware of this similar issue on the new E classes and
I belive they are working on a revised bracket and evap line
clips to isolate the valve from the body. ( Or at least that's what the Tech Specialists for MB have said.)
I don't know when these will be available. Soon I hope.
I would continue to have your dealer put heat on their Factory MB
representitive. This can only help speed things up.
Dr.D

Funny, I had the same loud ticking problem on my 1999 Volvo C70 coupe and it was the purge valve sticking. The noise started, though, after about 40,000 miles. For that and a number of other design defects, I finally got tired of the poor quality build and sold it!

Since my last post, MB has refused in writing, to have a rep listen to my car because the dealer says the sound (diesel like ticking at idle and low revs) is normal. Any advice on my next steps?