If I Never Deal With A Main Dealer Again, It'll Be Too Soon, The Shysters!

[wemorgan]

'Only Mercedes dealers are allowed Star diagnostics, which costs ( said to me in a slow voice for emphasis) thousands upon thousands of pounds'

Funny (not) how the cost of diagnostic equipment and code scanning charges are in line with the vehicle's RRP.

Since being stung with £50 bill to scan my A2 I bought a £10 cable and free software to read my fault codes. On other cars I've bought self contained hand-held units that cost ~£20 to read codes.

 

[Troon]

To be fair, I do like the brake hold function on the W211.

In fact, it's probably the biggest thing that I miss since buying a Discovery 3.

Facelift 211 does HOLD without SBC.

 

[C240Sport97]

The issue with the SBC, amongst other things, is that it had a finite number of presses.

all parts have finite number of operations ...

They have changed the rules very very recently... i believe the general guide is cars over 8 years with no history will get no contribution, newer cars with some mb history get 50%, full history gets full conribution.

seems reasonable to me.

 

[mejermy]

Can't agree with that the need for a full service history is reasonable other than on the SBC system. I have a full dealer SBC fluid change history on mine (every 2 years). Why should that not be sufficient? This part is one where MB went out on a limb, undertested it pre launch (heard that before??) and expected the customer to pick up the bill. Quite unnecessary to introduce this level of complexity into a tried and tested safety system common across most marques. What's the position on SBC in the USA, where the customer protection on health and safety issues such as brakes, tends to be quite strict (since the Ford Edsel and others)?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

all parts have finite number of operations ...

No, nearly all usual parts will fade with general use, there is not a certain amount of presses before a brake disc needs replacing, for example.

SBC has a definate certain amount of presses before it stops, hence it's designed to fail at a certain point.

 

[BenzedUP]

It's a shame to hear this, not all MB main dealers are like this.

MB Basingstoke are brilliant, always happy whenever I go there.

 

[st4]

It's a sad tale this. Mercedes used to change them FOC pretty much regardless. It's a weak point in their design SBC. Great system until this happens but brake safety is the most important thing in a car and for them not to cover a design flaw is poor.

Not surprising but poor. The SBC pump is never serviced, it's not like an engine or transmission in where they can argue who looks after it has an outcome on it. SBC pumps are not serviced in the cars life.

 

[st13phil]

They have changed the rules very very recently... i believe the general guide is cars over 8 years with no history will get no contribution, newer cars with some mb history get 50%, full history gets full conribution.

I believe that MB have tightened up on goodwill payouts across the board over the last few months. It sounds to me as though the bean counters are back in charge

 

[Bellow]

It's a shame to hear this, not all MB main dealers are like this.

MB Basingstoke are brilliant, always happy whenever I go there.

I'm with BenzedUP on the above. Substitute JR Weirs Aberdeen for Basingstoke and it is my experience.
I hate seeing dealers getting slagged when some are so good, but if they are lousy with you, then you have the right to say so Lee. Pity for you though that it isn't a decent dealership for you. A good dealership really contributes to the whole ownership experience. Sadly not for you though.

 

[Dieselman]

Just drive the car until it fails then get a national paper and Autoexpress involved. I suspect MB should be quick to change the SBC unit then.

I have always said SBC will write off many W211 cars...the day cometh.

 

[davidjpowell]

I would imagine W211 with SBS are now becoming relatively low value, and more likely to be sourced outside the MB network, with maintenance going to independents so MB have done some sort of study on whether the people they are going to piss off are ever going to buy a newer car off them etc.

 

[TDE1]

I just called Draytons of Worcester, and got a technician who was working late. He said there was a software upgrade available (he mentioned expanding memory, and I got a bit lost) and sometimes it takes, sometimes it doesnt. But did say the pump would be replaced if it failed. He was good enough to discuss it for a few mins, regardless The service dept being closed.

I'm off tomorrow so will pop the car in if I get the chance, and share the feedback.

 

[BQF]

How long do SBC pumps last? My E55 is a 2004, with 75k on the clock

 

[developer]

Didn't you sell it buddy?

 

[mct_cars]

Now this bit is very important, so let these pearls of wisdom sink in...

'Only Mercedes dealers are allowed Star diagnostics, which costs ( said to me in a slow voice for emphasis) thousands upon thousands of pounds'

Load of balls. Mercedes would be breaking EU law if they only allowed franchised dealers to buy Star. It does cost a fair bit, but anyone can buy it!

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Load of balls. Mercedes would be breaking EU law if they only allowed franchised dealers to buy Star. It does cost a fair bit, but anyone can buy it!

I know, my indie has Star.

 

[Dryce]

How long do SBC pumps last? My E55 is a 2004, with 75k on the clock

AIUI there are two factors at work.

There is a finite number of pump actuations. The pump effectively expires. This is dependent on the way the car is used. Chances are if you drive only a few miles/year or if you drive such that brake use is light then you won't reach this in 10 years. OTOH if you do a lot of urban driving or situations where the brakes are used a lot then they can expire this way within a few years (4? 5?).

Then there is the pump itself - it's monitored by the electronics and the performance reduces as it wears. There is a point at which the performance reaches a threshold where a warning is raised and you're supposed to replacve the pump.

MB have two potential software fixes - one is to allow a higher count and the other is to relax the performance criteria.

I think MB have made a mistake if they're hitting W211 owners in the manner described. It's unethical to justify the 50% payment based on service history of the car (yes technically goodwill so they can do WTF they like but that's just the way they slime over issue) when the whole problem with the pump is that it's not a servicable item.

 

[John]

so MB have done some sort of study on whether the people they are going to piss off are ever going to buy a newer car off them etc.

This was my entry into the world of MB - and I can't afford and would not be willing either to spend £75,000 on a car.

From what I've learnt from here, MB have done a great job in helping me not to buy anything from them again.

I can't say I'd never have another Merc, so they'll make a few quid on spare parts, but there's no danger of them selling me a car, which there once was.

I just called Draytons of Worcester, and got a technician who was working late. He said there was a software upgrade available (he mentioned expanding memory, and I got a bit lost) and sometimes it takes, sometimes it doesnt. But did say the pump would be replaced if it failed. He was good enough to discuss it for a few mins, regardless The service dept being closed.

I'm off tomorrow so will pop the car in if I get the chance, and share the feedback.

I had this done on mine last year. It did improve the situation a lot and it has been OK. I'm guessing because mine is on 60k, and since I've had it, I try and avoid using the brakes unless absolutely necessary, the ultimate doomsday is some way off yet.

 

[bpsorrel]

Does this apply to the pre-facelift CLS as well?

 

[Dryce]

Does this apply to the pre-facelift CLS as well?

The first time I saw the issue raised was for an SL.

So by inference it affects CLS too.