SBC: The Ticking Time-Bomb

[Deleted member 37751]

I've noticed recently that there seems to be a few members, new and old, that are starting to get trouble with their SBC pump mostly on W211's (also on the R230, W219 & Maybachs iirc)

Up to a certain time ago, it seemed as though Mercedes were willing to realise the inherent problem of creating a part that has a finite life span yet can't be serviced, and were doing a great deal on 100% dealer contribution i.e. you pay nothing.

Now that the drip of claims is turning into a flood, they've changed tack and you'll do well to get 50% contribution unless you've got full Mercedes service history (and even then it's not guaranteed)

The full price that Mercedes are charging for this work is circa £1600 (the actual pump costs the dealer £500+VAT, I'm told) so if you're looking at buying a W211 or the others and the seller states that the 'brake light is on, it just needs new pads' be very wary because as these cars lower in value, this will become a major obstacle for those wanted to buy a 'bigger' Mercedes.

I've owned five W211's and I've loved everyone one of them, they are a cracking second hand buy but just be careful when looking...

 

[BlackC55]

They can be repaired for about £800 ish.

I have just finished one.

 

[Ted]

If you are buying, is there any way to see what life is remaining?

 

[Ierton]

I believe any warranty or goodwill on SBC has expired. Certainly when I was looking at 2005 CLS55s that's what I was told by MB.

 

[bpsorrel]

They can be repaired for about £800 ish.

I have just finished one.

That's interesting news. What are the first signs of it's life coming to an end?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

They can be repaired for about £800 ish.

I've seen a few companies quoting circa £500 plus VAT just to repair the pump and you have to get it taken off with Star and refitted yourself, so £800 all in looks a good price, considering.

 

[Ierton]

BBReman?

 

[steve333]

Is sbc likely to fail because of age or mileage first?

 

[Dieselman]

Is sbc likely to fail because of age or mileage first?

It normally fails because it's rubbish first, then because of brake applications.

Who in their right minds thought of using an electric motor to power the brakes?

I have always said SBC will write off W211 and other models fitted with it.

 

[Stratman]

It'll "time out" first.

The pump pressurises a brake fluid receiver, and it's the receiver that supplies the pressurised fluid to operate the brakes. The pressure in the receiver lasts for about six or seven brake operations, after which it's re-pressurised by the pump. When the pump has performed the number of operations prescribed by Mercedes the dreaded warning appears on the display. You then take it to a dealer and bend over.

 

[steve333]

It'll "time out" first.

The pump pressurises a brake fluid receiver, and it's the receiver that supplies the pressurised fluid to operate the brakes. The pressure in the receiver lasts for about six or seven brake operations, after which it's re-pressurised by the pump. When the pump has performed the number of operations prescribed by Mercedes the dreaded warning appears on the display. You then take it to a dealer and bend over.

I read on the other site sbc was canned in 2006 so hopefully my 2008 cls doesn't have it?

 

[Dieselman]

I read on the other site sbc was canned in 2006 so hopefully my 2008 cls doesn't have it?

Unfortunately...

 

[steve333]

One less thing to worry about!

 

[Dieselman]

One less thing to worry about!

Eeek. Wrong answer...

Pre-facelift CLS continued to suffer the wrath of SBC.

 

[steve333]

Eeek. Wrong answer...

Pre-facelift CLS continued to suffer the wrath of SBC.

Thats odd,after searching the w219 forum on the other site someone posted that mb did away with sbc in 2006?

 

[Stratman]

Stolen off Wikipedia, so it must be true

In May 2004, Mercedes recalled 680,000 vehicles equipped with the system; in March 2005 a total of 1.3 million vehicles were recalled. Mercedes dropped the feature in higher volume models, such as the E-class. Lower luxury class volume models such as the SL, the Maybach and the SLR continued to use SBC

SBC Applications (model year)
2003-2006 E-Class
SLR
Maybach
2003-2006 CLS-Class
2001-2011 SL-Class

 

[clk208]

My CLS is pre-facelift being Dec 2007 and doesn't have SBC.

It has ABR - the non brake by wire system which superseded SBC. ABR retains some of the cool features of SBC though eg the "hold" function.

 

[steve333]

Stolen off Wikipedia, so it must be true

Thanks-thats along the lines of what was posted on the other site,by volume of re-calls listed above it would appear mb realised they made a serious **** up with sbc & decided to ditch it on most models that had previously featured it!

 

[Harrythedog]

My CLS is pre-facelift being Dec 2007 and doesn't have SBC.

It has ABR - the non brake by wire system which superseded SBC. ABR retains some of the cool features of SBC though eg the "hold" function.

As a matter of interest when I use the hold function it displays "SBC hold" on the dash, what does yours state?

 

[HB]

As a matter of interest when I use the hold function it displays "SBC hold" on the dash, what does yours state?

Exactly that.