Is wind noise at highway speeds a "known issue" for W126 cars, such as my 1991 420SEL? I used to drive a 1984 300SD and it was noisy at highway speeds, but I "blamed" the noise on the fact that it was a diesel. Same with my old 1967 250SE, it was noisy, but the window seals and weatherstripping were kinda ratty, so I "blamed" it on the seals. (By comparison, my 1988 Cadillac Seville is library quiet even at highway speeds). Normally, my "new" 1991 420SEL is tight as a drum, no squeaks, no rattles, nothing loose, (no noises except for the A/C aspirator fan whirring).

BUT...at highway speeds there is a lot of wind and tire noise (running Michelins MXV4, I think). Because the car is so quiet otherwise, the wind noise is a bit of an annoyance. Tire noise is a fact of life, so I don't mind. But wind noise is another issue. I read some of the posts here and I see that wind noise appears to be a fact of life for these cars, even for the newer bigger M-Bs. But is that true across the entire W126 line?

I read where M.B.DOC indicated that there was a service bulleting from M-B for the E320, where M-B suggested removing the air intake grill (located by the windshield wiper area) and applying double sided tape to seal leaks in that area. The "cure" worked for member Shaun McCarren.

Is there a similar bulletin/cure for the W126? Most of the nosie seems to come from the windshiled area. It is not a whistling sound (so I am assuming there are no air leaks) but more like a roar. There are no other wind noises.

Just for kicks I squirted water with a water hose all around the windshield chrome trim, under and over the trim and no water leaks there, so the air must be rushing past some other place.

I guess I could just crank up the stereo, but I would like to find a solution. Thanks in anticipation for your help.

I have a 89 300SEL and I must say that I do not experience any wind noise in the car. Maybe there ia some weather stripping not right in your car. Just my input.

The seals wouldn't have to be worn or loose enough to let water in to cause wind noise, especially at highway speeds. I had some bad windnoise and replace the rear passenger door seals and the driver's window, that's right the window. A previous owner had replaced the glass with non-Mercedes glass, it was not as thick and even though it fit, it was not quite right. Have a good look over the seals, doors, sunroof, and even the seals over the firewall and around the trunk. Also, outside the car on both sides of the windshield under the lips of metal that run up both sides of the front of the car there is rubber stripping that runs through there. A lot of wind finds its way into this area. Check those seals as well. My 420SEL is much more quiet than my old DeVille, and that was pretty quiet.

I drive a W126 and have had that wind noise investigated thoroughly. IN fact - almost any kind of noise.

*Wind Noise*

I found it useful to use a musking tape and tape all areas where you suspect wind is diving in from. On my W126, I taped the sides of the door wherever there was a rubber seal, and to the sides of the window glass to the frame where there is a velvet seal resting against the door frame. Then I take the W126 up to the point where I could normally hear the wind. Its good to have someone with you to check on the other side where you can't possibly bend over while driving. Then, having observed the serenity, stop the car and tear out section by section of the tape. Then drive again and observe. You would find some parts letting in a slight whistle, and thus concentrate on this particular section.

Start with the rubber seals, then the velvet seals. Repeat the same procedure. If it doesn't work, then check the door frame, and how it shuts. Is it aligned? If not, then you might have to get them aligned or tightened.

That should do for wind noise.


*Road Noise*

The W126 is pretty well insulated. Choice of tyre makes a vast difference. The tyres you used are good. I use them too. However, to cut off further tyre noise, I padded the boot with extra foam and sound deadening materials. Padded the spare tyre area too. Checked the 4 tyre mudflaps/guards for any visible holes that may result when one of those rubber stoppers have come off - that too has a slight effect on tyre noise.


*Other Wind Noises*

I found out that the side view mirror could be the cause too.

Check your doors seals, if they are good then try moving the stationary door latch in a very little to snug up the door and seal a little. My right hand door was just a little difficult to close so I moved the latch out 1mm and the wind noise was a roar so I moved it back and whisper quiet.

My door weather stripping has a small crack in it, maybe the size of a tip of a pencil. I get wind noise on an intermittent basis, as in when a gust of wind hits the car the right way at 70 mph+. I'm tempted to try masking tape just to cover up the crack, because the rest of the stripping is in pretty good shape. Any other "cheap fix" ideas for this one? Also, my hood pad is completely gone, so my SD reminds me of a NASCAR stock car going down the road. (OK, except for the lack of power.)

Wind noise & door seals
 

Years ago an appliance repair person said the way to test seals is by using a dollar: Put a dollar in a door seal with just enough to hold on to. Close the door. The seal is tight if you can't pull it out, not tight enough if it slide out easily. I've been using this test for years and it works great.

I've found many MBZ doors are not quite evenly sealed all around a door opening.

Hope this helps.

Repairing Weather Stripping...
 

To fix superficial surface cracks as well as small gaps in the weather stripping I have used "black rubber sealant " by PermaTex (it comes in an orange tube). It is a fairly low viscosity goop that has a fast dissipating solvent so that it dries fairly quickly. It sticks to rubber (obviously) and what remains is very soft & pliable, which makes it excellent for this use. Do not confuse this with silicone sealant.

The best "tool" to use is your finger -- I just use some disposable nitrile gloves. Where the weather stripping is cracking on the surface, put a small blob of this stuff on your finger and rub it into the surface. You'll need to work quickly as this stuff does dry fast; try to leave as smooth of a surface as possible when you first smear it on. For small gaps, you can build up a few coats and form it with each successive buildup. This method works surprisingly well.

RTH