SBCs DPFs and a decision to make.

[wormsmeat]

Hi all, I have a 2003 e270cdi W211 with an faulty SBC.
Tried getting a free fix from MB but no luck. They quoted approx £2300.
Even a good indy garage wants £1500 to replace.

So am faced with the decision of whether to sell the car and put the £2300 towards the cost of a newer one or pay up and keep the existing car.
It has only done 52K miles and has the split rear seats (which I need for my fishing kit) but is at an age where I'm worried I might be throwing good money after bad.

So looking at a used E class circa £15K or a Jaguar XF.

• Is it an MOT failure to have a faulty SBC and associated warning light?

My local test centre is unsure.


And have only recently discovered about DPFs and they are a concern as my wife mostly uses the car on short journeys.

• Wondered what the current e-class' record on DPF failure is.

• Do those cars fitted with a DPF have a warning light when it needs a long run?
• What year saw the introduction of DPFs on the current e-class? i.e. do they all have them?

I could go petrol but they seem few and far between especially when you factor in the split rear seats.

Although I like the Jag XF and they usually have split rear seats I can't find a good independent Jag garage near me in Sidcup , Kent.
I do have MB indies nearby.

Grateful for your thoughts,
Terry

 

[John]

Not sure about the MOT failure of SBC but my guess is it would be because it is part of the braking system which is not working as it should. However, it will probably depend on the tester.

But saying that, I wouldn't be just leaving it because your braking ability is much reduced with a failed pump.

You could try and see if Wright Tech are able to get it resolved - they've managed it with a few W211s through MB I understand but it is a bit of a lottery.

If not, then arguably if the car is in good working order apart from that, it might be worth getting it replaced anyway.

If not, then depending on what needs doing it might be worth shipping it on.

The gamble is, you could get a nasty bill in the car you replace although I doubt it would be in that territory - and I would have thought you would get a warranty with it.

WT can work on other cars so you wouldn't be stuck unless you really wanted a Jag specialist.

IIRC, 2008 is DPF year so all current E Class will have them.

 

[tonyc280]

I'm interested to know what "SBC" and "DPF" please. Cheers Tony.

 

[mejermy]

Hadn't thought your car would have a DPF. My '04 220cdi S211 doesn't. I can't imagine what price you would receive for a sale without the SBC fixed. I think you have to fix that first. Once it's done you have a good car again, and one you know. I tend to prefer 'the devil you know'. And what depreciation are you buying into if you spend £15k plus???

 

[Spin_bowler]

I'm interested to know what "SBC" and "DPF" please. Cheers Tony.

Sensotronic Brake Control and Diesel Particulate Filter

 

[Satch]

Do not think your car has a DPF. Catalytic converter yes, DPF not likley.

When you say "faulty SBC" what do you mean?

 

[E270 Owner]

Hi all, I have a 2003 e270cdi W211 with an faulty SBC.
Tried getting a free fix from MB but no luck. They quoted approx £2300.
Even a good indy garage wants £1500 to replace.

So am faced with the decision of whether to sell the car and put the £2300 towards the cost of a newer one or pay up and keep the existing car.
It has only done 52K miles and has the split rear seats (which I need for my fishing kit) but is at an age where I'm worried I might be throwing good money after bad.

So looking at a used E class circa £15K or a Jaguar XF.

• Is it an MOT failure to have a faulty SBC and associated warning light?

My local test center is unsure.

Grateful for your thoughts,
Terry

Interesting read >>> E270 CDi W211 Service brake fault warning - Mercedes-Benz Owners' Forums


Also >>> http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A1240-New...iagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item23296f6602


TIPS: CODE C249F, OPERATION TIME OF COMPONENT A7/3 IS EXCEEDED (SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT)
The above tips that show internal fault of control unit, you have to replace the SBC control module and using W211/R230 TOOL that can be easily repaired without replace the new control module.

 

[tonyc280]

Ahhh thanks Spin_Bowler.

 

[wormsmeat]

You could try and see if Wright Tech are able to get it resolved - they've managed it with a few W211s through MB I understand but it is a bit of a lottery.

If not, then arguably if the car is in good working order apart from that, it might be worth getting it replaced anyway.

WT can work on other cars so you wouldn't be stuck unless you really wanted a Jag specialist.

IIRC, 2008 is DPF year so all current E Class will have them.

Thanks for the info. I asked Andy at WT but they don't fix them, they have had luck sending them to MB to repair free of charge but those days seem to have passed. And TBH he didn't seem to keen on working on Jags...

If I knew repairing the SBC would give me a couple of years motoring then I'd do it but there have been a couple of other problems recently on what, until now, has been a very reliable car.

 

[wormsmeat]

Hadn't thought your car would have a DPF.

It hasn't - that part of my post was relating to potential problems on a newer car I might buy. Don't think I'd get my money back in fixing the SBC only to then trade it in. Been offered £5K against a £15K Jag...

 

[wormsmeat]

Do not think your car has a DPF. Catalytic converter yes, DPF not likley.

When you say "faulty SBC" what do you mean?

SBC is a braking component, there's a light on in the dash but I can't feel any difference in braking capacity. The garage says it's safe to drive.
And I know my car hasn't got a DPF, I was asking about potential problems on a newer car bearing in mind I use it for short journeys.

 

[wormsmeat]

Interesting read >>> E270 CDi W211 Service brake fault warning - Mercedes-Benz Owners' Forums


Also >>> A1240 New BENZ SBC TOOL W211 R230 ABS/SBC System Diagnostic Tool B@1 | eBay


TIPS: CODE C249F, OPERATION TIME OF COMPONENT A7/3 IS EXCEEDED (SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT)
The above tips that show internal fault of control unit, you have to replace the SBC control module and using W211/R230 TOOL that can be easily repaired without replace the new control module.

Thanks mate - yes it was an interesting read. However I have already taken it to a MB main dealer and they tried to get it replaced for me free of charge without success. And an indy garage has tried to reset it but confirmed it does need replacing.

 

[sspeed]

Must admit I really do like the Jaguar XF

I seem to remember reading it was voted car of the decade a while back..

Jaguar International - JAGUAR XF NAMED ?CAR OF THE DECADE?

 

[mejermy]

Don't think I'd get my money back in fixing the SBC only to then trade it in. Been offered £5K against a £15K Jag...

I see your point based on those figures, but don't they say something about how much the dealer has in the Jag? I suggest our cars are similar and I would be surprised if mine was worth £5k. However, if your heart says sell...............

 

[John]

It hasn't - that part of my post was relating to potential problems on a newer car I might buy. Don't think I'd get my money back in fixing the SBC only to then trade it in. Been offered £5K against a £15K Jag...

No, you're right, you wouldn't.

But if you fixed the issue and sold privately you might.

However, given you mentioned a couple of other recent problems, depending on what they were, maybe the time has come to change.

If they are offering you a £5k trade as is, and I have no idea what your car is worth when fully working, it might be worth pursuing the replacement car route.

I know our Ops director recently bought a 58 plate 2.7 diesel and he is very happy with it.

 

[Harrythedog]

There's a couple of SBC units on eBay for around £300 if you need to fix it up before trading in

 

[Les S211]

My wife has an XF, one of the first available when they came out. She loves the car. I have a 53 plate S211 E270CDi AG. I personally prefer my Merc to the Jag because it has so much more leg room for rear passengers and is more airy in the front cabin.

Don't get me wrong, the Jag is great to drive and the 2.7D is plenty quick and very comfortable. Though not as rapid or refined as the 3.0 or 3.0S diesels.

We had an issue with the DPF on the Jag as my wife does a lot of town driving. Our dealer just told us to take it for a blast down the motorway for around 20 or so miles to clear it out. Works every time.

If you are going for an XF make sure its a Premium Lux at least as this has a very good spec compared to the lesser model.

Ours is Black with 19's, Bowers & Wilkins Audio (fabulous sound) and few other extra bits.

But I still prefer my S211 as I picked it up last year for around £6K and it has just as much spec as the Jag including Airmatic & Distronic.

With regards to the SBC pump, give Terry a call at Wayne Gates (forum member). He maybe able to help you out or point you in the right direction.

 

[wormsmeat]

There's a couple of SBC units on eBay for around £300 if you need to fix it up before trading in

Yeah, but I don't think they're that easy to replace TBH. I had a garage have a go at changing mine for a used one but they ran into problems. Thanks anyway.

 

[neilrr]

"There have been a couple of other problems recently".

What are they?

 

[wormsmeat]

My wife has an XF, one of the first available when they came out. She loves the car. I have a 53 plate S211 E270CDi AG. I personally prefer my Merc to the Jag because it has so much more leg room for rear passengers and is more airy in the front cabin.

Don't get me wrong, the Jag is great to drive and the 2.7D is plenty quick and very comfortable. Though not as rapid or refined as the 3.0 or 3.0S diesels.

We had an issue with the DPF on the Jag as my wife does a lot of town driving. Our dealer just told us to take it for a blast down the motorway for around 20 or so miles to clear it out. Works every time.

If you are going for an XF make sure its a Premium Lux at least as this has a very good spec compared to the lesser model.

Ours is Black with 19's, Bowers & Wilkins Audio (fabulous sound) and few other extra bits.

But I still prefer my S211 as I picked it up last year for around £6K and it has just as much spec as the Jag including Airmatic & Distronic.

With regards to the SBC pump, give Terry a call at Wayne Gates (forum member). He maybe able to help you out or point you in the right direction.

Thanks for this, useful info. Certainly good to know that the DPF workaround does seem to do the trick. I've had a quote from Steve the mechanic so I've got a good idea what a new one might cost and TBH I may still go down that route. I can't help thinking it's cheaper to try to keep a car running than buy a newer one. Just not as much fun...