SBC finite life?

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effbee584

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Joined
Mar 5, 2011
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523
Location
Norwich
Car
Jag XF 3.0S and 10 yr old Micra 1.2 auto with Air Con.
In the current Sept 2011 edition of Mercedes Enthusiast magazine, the author of a review of an S211 E220cdi reports that Rob of MB-Wirral Independent Specialist makes the following comment about the SBC.

"The system has a finite number of braking applications built-in, and some cars are reaching that number" ... "At that point a 'service brake' message is displayed to the driver, who may think its brake pads but its an SBC fault." ... "Cost around £1000"

The article then mentions SBC related MB recalls, R/2000/094 in 2004,
R/2005/056 and 134 in 2005. I'll check with my local MB dealer tomorrow.

Does anyone have any info, I had read that they were good for 10yrs (2yrs to go for mine) but if based on brake applications it could be anytime.

Can they be re-furbished or exchanged, and is the cost about £1000?
 
My understanding is that it is ''applications'' related and there is no doubt that the age of vehicle, when the pump has been replaced, has varied substantially. No-one will be put at risk and again the understanding is that the pump will be replaced foc when the time comes......or at least that seems to be the experience to date.
My car is almost 8yrs. old and has done 69k miles and is functioning just fine on the original SBC pump.

Mic
 
My understanding is that SBC is a fly-by-wire system, so the brake pedal does not actually push directly on any part of the hydraulic braking system. The SBC takes care of all that. To remove it would be to remove all connection to the brakes themselves. Not recommended!

Even discounting that, the system is so well embedded electronically in all the other in-car systems that you would probably find that the whole car would refuse to work if it was removed.
 
Thanks for the info, just checked my car history with supplying dealer, all recalls were done, and FOC replacement of the SBC would depend on service history and goodwill from MB.
 
Thanks for the info, just checked my car history with supplying dealer, all recalls were done, and FOC replacement of the SBC would depend on service history and goodwill from MB.


I just had mine done FOC at Europa mercedes in Sheffield and they didn't ask to see my service history. My car is a Dec 2003 E270cdi with 148000 miles on the clock and the last 3 services were not by mercedes.
I had a brake service visit workshop warning come up nearly 2weeks ago.
Europa did all the paperwork and the service manager said they have never had Mercedes refuse an SBC pump claim yet.
IMy car was booked in this morning and i got it back at 5-30pm with a shiney new SBC pump.
 
Thanks 'mayfa', the potential cost was a bit of a concern if it failed. Just had front discs and pads done at local MB dealer - £320 - a menu price option, very fair price IMO.
 

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