W211 SBC pump.My experience and info

[spangles]

Having read many posts on this forum I have never actually posted.
I have just had SBC pump replaced on my 2003 E320cdi so thought I would post my experience more for info than anything else.
After getting the dreaded message I took car into main dealer for analysis and was told SBC had exceeded it threshold and needed replacing at £1600.
Searched internet for info,did consider having message put out or reconned unit but decided against these options as there must be a reason why Merc say it needs replacing and if it did fail it could cause a serious accident and cause injury's or even kill someone.(also considered putting lights out and selling but I personally discounted this for the same reasons,plus the new owner would be unaware of problem )
So only option for a clear conscience was to replace unit.First I tried for a free replacement from Mercedes working my way thro all levels ending up in HQ in Germany but no way would they consider any help at all,these parts are only warranted for 3 years in the UK although some customers do appear to have been lucky enough to get theirs replaced free.
I have a friend in the trade and he was able to order parts from main dealer at a discounted price,all parts inc suction hose etc came to £1030 (mine was the cheaper of the two different suction hoses ) my local Mercedes indie fitted unit for £270.I then returned the old SBC to main dealer for a £185 refund.Yes they are reconditioning them.So overall cost was just over £1100.
I have not noticed any difference in braking performance but the new unit is a bit quieter and does not run as often,my old unit would always activated when you unlocked car even if only parked for 20 mins,the new unit never activates when unlocking car even if car has stood for 2 days so I guess there must have been a air leak on the old unit so probably did need replacing,also my battery is now fully charged as I do a lot of short journeys I was having problems in this area as well,I know there is a 2nd battery which I thought was for the SBC but even if you remove this battery the SBC still works .
I hope this info is of some use to anyone with this problem,my car has done just under 100,000 miles and I have owned it for 4 years doing a lot of short journeys so lots of braking.This part is like a ticking time bomb and if buying one of these you need to check pump has been replaced or allow for it to be replaced in your purchase price.
For your safety and others please do not consider any option but replacement as far as brakes are concerned.

 

[SavMan]

Sound advice, question though if Mercedes are taking used one's to recondition does that also mean that the "new" pumps they are selling are possiblly reconditioned?

 

[martyz]

Thanks for that information,I really like the 211 especially the estate version.Failure at under 100k is something I would not have considered,I will now look for evidence of replacement,as I had it in mind it did not become an issue until around the 200k mark.

 

[gIzzE]

200,000 pedal presses.

For someone in town that could easily be sub 100k miles.

 

[shorty]

Ive heard of some pumps needing replacement at under 100k and others going strong with 130k + .

 

[Vilus]

We think of SBC as just an expensive pump that is prone to failure. I just read this article which explains how it works, and I have to admit I was surprised at how complex the system is. It has certainly delivered on the couple of occasions when I needed to stamp on the brakes.

The part about 3/4 down the page made interesting reading about why it was discontinued ( Heading Mercedes cancels by-wire brake system) , stating that it was too expensive and customers lost confidence due to recalls.

Mercedes Sensotronic Brake System SBC | Mercedes 500SEC.com

 

[beema45]

200,000 pedal presses.

For someone in town that could easily be sub 100k miles.

gizee I was told it was 300,000 brake pushes, but not the best system and I suspect Merc know that, offered me 50/50 payment towards new one. Tech told me that eventually you would see a marked failing of the brakes before failing completely. Had counter reset and will monitor my brakes closely.