SBC brake issue - C249F

[ianp320]

Hi all, own a E320 CDI (53 plt )
Got the dreaded message ' Service brake - visit workshop'
Took it to an indy - showed error C249F operating time of component exceeded (SBC) - They advised to take it to a Merc main dealer.
Took it to Southend Mercedes (Essex) and they comfirmed issue - SBC service threshold reached - new SBC pump required at over £1000 for a exchange unit.....
After reading your forum noted this was a common issue and thus asked for a goodwill fix. They submitted a claim for me - Response from Merc head office was basically on your bike !!! - This was due to :
1. Age of vehicle - 53 plate
2. Milage - 84500
3. Service history - although is complete is not at Merc main dealers.

Have written to Merc head office for them to reconsider - we shall see...
Not impressed that a major brake component fails at under 10 yrs and less than 85k. As far as the service history goes this part is not a service item anyway.
Ultimately this is a basic design flaw - Is this the famous Merc reliabilty ?
Any help/ advice would be appreciated - or shall I just go straight to BBC watchdog ?
Ian

 

[joecash]

according to some you can get the "count" changed by delving into the software and fiddling about - about a 50% success rate I believe.

 

[Dieselman]

Not impressed that a major brake component fails at under 10 yrs and less than 85k.

You should think yourself lucky, half of them failed in the first year.


SBC has been Mercedes most expensive rework, ever. There is no way they will now continue to entertain more cost.

 

[flango]

according to some you can get the "count" changed by delving into the software and fiddling about - about a 50% success rate I believe.

2 options change the count always works as long as your tech can read German will give you about another 50% of its life so far or you can get them 350 Euros exchange from Cyprus with a 250 Euro surcharge if you dont want to send your unit first. Guy has an ebay shop and I know a few that have used him with success

My first option would be change the count

 

[whitenemesis]

To be fair, the unit hasn't failed, its reached the end of service life. Its not a design flaw either, just a very expensive service item.

 

[Vilus]

To be fair, the unit hasn't failed, its reached the end of service life. Its not a design flaw either, just a very expensive service item.

The SBC system is more than just an expensive pump that is prone to failure. Ultimately it proved too expensive for Mercedes to continue with, but on a couple of occasions when I needed to stop in a hurry it amazed me how effective it is.


Mercedes Sensotronic Brake System SBC | Mercedes 500SEC.com

 

[whitenemesis]

But as I posted above, the unit rarely fails. It reaches the end of its service life. Expensive, very.

And yes, SBC is a very good performing braking system. The way it pulls the car true if one has to brake in a bend is exceptional.

 

[Dieselman]

The SBC system is more than just an expensive pump that is prone to failure.

But as I posted above, the unit rarely fails. It reaches the end of its service life. Expensive, very.

And yes, SBC is a very good performing braking system. The way it pulls the car true if one has to brake in a bend is exceptional.

There have been complete failure and to stop the car on only unassisted front brakes takes some doing.

Surely controlling the car in adverse situations is due to EBD, not SBC. SBC just provides the power brakes facility.

Before anyone thinks I don't like power brakes, I have two cars with full power brakes and love it.

 

[whitenemesis]

Not just power brakes. SBC modulates the power to individual wheels so can help keep the car pointing the correct way! There are many other functions to, when the widsreen wipers are on SBC dries the discs by applying the pads every couple of seconds. It also adjusts the pad/disc clearance depending on driving style/dynamics. There is an awful lot going on the driver is never aware of, helping him maintain control. Obviously this is all in conjunction with ESP, ASR, BAS and AIRmatic.

 

[Dieselman]

Not just power brakes. SBC modulates the power to individual wheels so can help keep the car pointing the correct way!

That's what EBD does and most braking systems now perform disk drying.

SBC is the system of providing brake pressure by use of an electric motor.

 

[flango]

SBC does provide some form stability control but thats not it's main function. SBC calculates the desired target brake pressure required on each individual wheel and then applies it. If ESP is activated then then the high pressure reservoir supplies the brake pressure more quickly and precisely to each wheel.

Basically DM is correct it is just an electro-mechanical braking system

 

[sspeed]

The best brakes ive ever used were in a Lancia Integrale I once owned.. Just a servo with all round Brembos..
2nd best was a BMW 330D.. Again servos..
I have no desire to ever have SBC again thank you.

 

[beema45]

Hi all, own a E320 CDI (53 plt )
Got the dreaded message ' Service brake - visit workshop'
Took it to an indy - showed error C249F operating time of component exceeded (SBC) - They advised to take it to a Merc main dealer.
Took it to Southend Mercedes (Essex) and they comfirmed issue - SBC service threshold reached - new SBC pump required at over £1000 for a exchange unit.....
After reading your forum noted this was a common issue and thus asked for a goodwill fix. They submitted a claim for me - Response from Merc head office was basically on your bike !!! - This was due to :
1. Age of vehicle - 53 plate
2. Milage - 84500
3. Service history - although is complete is not at Merc main dealers.

Have written to Merc head office for them to reconsider - we shall see...
Not impressed that a major brake component fails at under 10 yrs and less than 85k. As far as the service history goes this part is not a service item anyway.
Ultimately this is a basic design flaw - Is this the famous Merc reliabilty ?
Any help/ advice would be appreciated - or shall I just go straight to BBC watchdog ?
Ian

I have the same problem Ian. Main dealer offered me 50% towards fix. But I said no, as they know this is a problem with this part. I have since had my counter message reset, with proviso, I know the message has been reset ( took 20mins) My brakes work fine at the moment. I have 2004 W211 270 cdi Eclass 119600 miles and no Mercedes Service History, last visit to dealer cost over £900 so I use other garages and specialists. Apparently my brakes will eventually deteriorate, so I will monitor the situation carefully.

 

[Dryce]

SBC just provides the power brakes facility.

SBC was a step up in terms of control / integration of the power brakes.

I miss it.

I can remember how controlled the W211 was under full braking on a tightening bend and how well it reacted when you got caught with something unexpected happening.

My guess is that for real drivers (with real world average or below average skills and confidence) that SBC was a positive. But that's a guess not a measured assessment. However the insurance on my W211 was always a lot lower than I expected so maybe the insurance industry reflects that guess with its own assessment.

 

[BlackC55]

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/142444-sbc-service-brake-visit-workshop-fix-2.html

 

[ianp320]

Have received reply from Mercedes head office - the car is out of the 3 year warranty - basically on your bike !!
Have been advised a few options :
I can Have the counter reset - not always successful and doesn't solve the issue
Have the whole SBC unit re flashed - if it doesn't work the unit is now useless
Have a reconditioned unit fitted £1000 ( Mercedes)
Have a new unit fitted £1400 ( Indy)
Torch car.....
Seriously, I still think this is a design flaw that a major brake component can be at the end of its life at 84K miles. This is not why I bought a Merc .
Ian

 

[DSB SL AMG]

Hi Ian,

I will maybe have this decision one day as I also own a 2004 W211, if it was me I would go for the re-set, as I understand they can only be extended once, when it reaches the new limit its pump change time...

Cheers.
DSB.

 

[whitenemesis]

Why is the Indy £400 more expensive?

Again this isn't a design flaw, it's reached the end of it's service life. If you bought a car with ceramic discs would you say it had a design flaw when you had to replace them after 5000 miles at approx £1500 each?

 

[DSB SL AMG]

I think due to dealer quoting recon unit / Indie quoting new unit

Why is the Indy £400 more expensive?

Again this isn't a design flaw, it's reached the end of it's service life. If you bought a car with ceramic discs would you say it had a design flaw when you had to replace them after 5000 miles at approx £1500 each?

 

[whitenemesis]

I think due to dealer quoting recon unit / Indie quoting new unit

AFAIK one can only get recon units?

That said if one can get new, unused units, that's what I would opt for. There have been a few reports of recon units failing quite soon after fitting.