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I've been putting off writing about this for years, but I just can't help myself. I'm afraid that even the impressive MBClub brain trust could be stumped by this one.

A weird "bong" sound emanates from our 2014 W166 ML whenever we go North or South via Strensham Services on the M5 in Worcestershire.

This one "bong" sounds remarkably like the bong noise you would hear on an airplane just before an announcement is given. Neither the Attention Assist nor the Collision Avoidance Assist are responsible for this.

Nothing on the binnacle display, cockpit screen, or COMAND screen indicates a problem, and there are no errors or messages recorded in the service menu.

Although we can't rule out the possibility that it occurred as we drove by Strensham services, we also can't rule out the possibility that it happened somewhere else at some time.

As we go by Strensham, it must occur at least nine times out of 10. There's little doubt that the automobile is the source of the noise; it occurs regardless of whatever phone is paired with the MMI or Bluetooth.

We don't even know what it might be. I'm open to any and all recommendations.

It's possible that you've stored a preferred destination in the satnav's memory.
I'm afraid I'm at a loss beyond that.

It sounds like my car's personalized POI (speed camera alerts, etc.), but I haven't used it and didn't realize it also provides this "bong" as I go close to a favorite spot.

Honestly, I have no idea and am only speculating.

Is it a speed camera or a radar detector (there's a leftover sensor from the road construction)?

Some other experimental technology that someone on the committee forgot to tell them to turn off.

The real facts are out there.

Like the others, I think it's a point of interest (POI) on the GPS.

The eyes of Big Brother are upon you.

My ML is prone to the same flaw. When I return to the automobile after being away for two weeks, the satellite navigation system reports that it is "lost." Each time, our location is shown as a little field by the road outside of Newport on the Isle of Wight's main island. Only once have we set foot in that arena. Once a year, the J. Miller Circus calls this place home. I have no idea what happened to the automobile when we were in the circus, but whatever it was must have been horrific enough that the car remembers it every night in its nightmares.

My best bet is that this has something to do with aviation and emergency services, considering the base for the Midlands Air Ambulance is (or was) right there.

A landing is imminent.

I can't say for sure if your vehicle is like mine, but when I establish a personal poi, it makes a single "boing" noise every time I drive by the designated location.