W211 E class SBC - interesting

[JimmySpangle]

Guys. I have been thinking about buying an E class. My budget restricts what I can look for, so we are talking 2003 to 2005. I am open on models, but very much like the idea of the E320 CDi saloon. Ideally with all the toys etc.

Now, I am not one to rush out and buy the first car without doing much reading and question asking.

With me so far?

From what I have found so far, it seems to be a well know 'problem' that the SBC system fails on many E class and was subsequently replaced in 2006 on models. Unfortunately, as said my budget means I get the older models.

I was under the impression that MB knew about this and indeed that it was common to have had the SBC replaced FOC for life under a recall. And that if serviced by MB themselves, the SBC timer was reset. Tell me I did actually read that guys somewhere because it seems to be all over the web.

So, you might be interested in the reply I had from MB today when I asked them to confirm the above:

Dear xxxxxxxxx


Thank you for contacting Mercedes-Benz Customer Service in relation to your recall enquiry.

I have made contact with our Technical Department and I can confirm that Mercedes-Benz do not put a life time guarantee on any part or recall work that may be carried out.

In addition to this the SBC timer is not reset after each service, once the SBC system has reached the end of its life it cannot be reset. We would need the VIN number for a particular car in order to check if there are any outstanding recalls.

I trust that this will assist in clarifying this matter but should you have any further requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us.


So, if I read this correctly, if I buy a 2003 e class and the SBC fails, tough luck and a HUGE bill. Have I missed anything?


Any and all commenst most welcome.

 

[mannikon]

Yes, if your SBC pump failed, you would have to bear the cost.
However, replacing a turbo would be much more expensive, at a good Indie replacing the SBC should be no more than £1300?
Plus, get it to someone who knows their way around STAR and puts it in Dev mode and you will get to know what the SBC "count" is which would tell you how much life is left before a re-set. It can only be re-set the once though.
It was not just earlier W211s that had the SBC system there are many other models had it too. Go for a car with full history and low mileage and you should be OK for ten years or so ...

 

[johnsco]

Is there anything there that surprises you ?
We are discussing cars 10+ years old.
No manufacturer is going to give open-ended guarantees.

The SBC is a well-known curse and will probably lead to the early-scrappage of many of these cars.

 

[DSM10000]

Is there anything there that surprises you ?
We are discussing cars 10+ years old.
No manufacturer is going to give open-ended guarantees.

The SBC is a well-known curse and will probably lead to the early-scrappage of many of these cars.

Not so much a problem as it was, Bosch are now offering the SBC unit for around 600 Euro.

 

[JimmySpangle]

Thanks for the replies so far. well, two of them at least

OK, The SBC unit is relatively affordable.Apart from needing to be switched off , changed and then reset by STAR, is there much more involved in changing one? Anyone here changed one?

I am not planning on changing one to be frank, but useful to know in advance. I can hardly carry a STAR unit with me if I go to see any cars. Other than documentary evidence that the SBC has been changed, I will assume it hasn't.

Other than the SBC they seem like a very nice model indeed.

 

[flango]

SBC will have year of manufacture on the side if it's later than the date of the car it's been changed if it's the same or a year out it hasn't easy to check

 

[JimmySpangle]

Now THAT is one EXCELLENT comment. Sometimes, you are just glad there are people on forums who have such a simple answer.

MUCH obiged for that one matey.

I assume that from what I have read, the SBC effectively has a life of about 10 years. So, as we are indeed talking of cars 10+ years, there is little point buying one unless the SBC has been changed.

 

[whitenemesis]

SBC life depends on the number of brake applications, so an urban taxi will have a much shorter life than, say, a motorway rep mobile.

BTW the SBC counter is never reset but the end of life limit raised. It shouldn't put you off an otherwise "perfect" car, just budget for possible replacement. There are potentially more expensive failures on cars, gearbox for one!

 

[flango]

Now THAT is one EXCELLENT comment. Sometimes, you are just glad there are people on forums who have such a simple answer. MUCH obiged for that one matey. I assume that from what I have read, the SBC effectively has a life of about 10 years. So, as we are indeed talking of cars 10+ years, there is little point buying one unless the SBC has been changed.

It's a difficult one and the age and mileage still don't guarantee there is life in the SBC. It's good for around 300,000 activations after that if the unit is still serviceable you can have the counter reset ( service life extended) and it's good for about another 150,000 activations. However you can now get the part for £450 so not a real drama, also don't let the turbo scare stories put you off a recon turbo is £400 Buy the car on condition rust is the main consideration the W211 it rusts really badly underneath on the early models and brake pipes corrode badly. I looked at buying a 211 and it was the rust and structural integrity of the early ones that put me off Good luck with your search

 

[flango]

Now THAT is one EXCELLENT comment. Sometimes, you are just glad there are people on forums who have such a simple answer. .

Simple is always good

 

[AMGeed]

Simple is always good

And here is the Bosch paper that gives the codes and dates on your SBC pump.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvJOEtWIZ9s/UCq0GNM9j_I/AAAAAAAADZA/5H2gq9GoqJY/s1600/bosch+date+codes.jpg

Worth bookmarking for future reference.

 

[JimmySpangle]

Cheers bloke.

 

[John]

Those stating that SBC can be bought cheaper - has there been a change to the "yeah? well you try and actually buy a Bosch-direct one for that price" situation?

 

[JimmySpangle]

Been reading. You can't. They are about £700, then there is the fitting, STAR programming etc.

Off to look at BMW X5's instead.

 

[AMGeed]

Off to look at BMW X5's instead.

Best of luck with the X5 Jimmy.

 

[guydewdney]

Ive just gone and checked mine at 195,000 miles on a late 04 registered car.. All mb service history. But no other interesting paperwork with the car. The sbc has h/w 07/04 and s/w 07/04 written clearly on it. Id suggest that its original.

good for you, bad for me as i suspect i have to budget for a replacement very soon. Poo.

having a quick look around, theres a company called sinspeed who claim to be able to "remanufacture" the unit. Bosch also state its remanufacturable.

 

[whitenemesis]

Google sinspeed, I don't think they have an enviable reputation?

 

[flango]

Those stating that SBC can be bought cheaper - has there been a change to the "yeah? well you try and actually buy a Bosch-direct one for that price" situation?

You can buy them at Bosch service centres in Germany for about €600 so depending where the exchange rate is, they are currently about £470. I priced them up last time I was in Mannheim you can get them over the counter no problem just need the VIN

 

[TDE1]

FWIW, mine's a Nov 05 W211 E55k. It's done 63k, and I've no idea how far into its life the pump is. No warnings or anything.

But, out of interest, I've just emailed Bosch Germany to see if they can offer a price and shipping to uk. There is also a large Bosch facility in Worcester where I live - i know someone who works there, so may explore that avenue too (I know they don't make automotive parts, but there might be an internal way of obtaining car parts. Who knows?).

I will post any response I get.

 

[flango]

The one in Mannheim wouldn't ship to UK was only over the counter sales only