SBC pump confusion

alexmoon

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After reading a thread on this yesterday and today I am confused. I have a W211 on a 52 plate which has now done 123k. Assuming the SBC pump goes will MB cover the cost? And if it goes will my brakes fail with no warning? If so, I find it hard to believe that such a system was ever allowed on a car.

Appreciate your input guys as I am now driving in a rather paranoid manner constantly checking for an impending warning light... Not good.
 

television

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You should get a warning in White in the cluster if something needs attention.

If the pump fails then yes we have to pay for it now, in this very rare event if it should fail the dash goes red giving you some 10% of the normal braking'

They system self checks every 16 brake applications
 
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alexmoon

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Thanks, as ever, Malcolm for your reply. Haven't been on the forum for yonks as the car's been running superbly - but great to know you are still around helping everyone. You say 'in the rare event it fails'. Is it not programmed to fail? And I do find it worrying that braking is reduced to just 10 per cent.

As a recently retired journalist I am wondering if there might be a story here - a serious safety issue. Surely the software should have been set to give prior warning of the pump failing - say 1000 brake presses before it goes completely rather than just packing in.

Or am I over-reacting?
 

Frontstep

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No its very poor and I don't have it.
 
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alexmoon

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Frontstep, I just find it incredible that such a system was ever licensed. Even conventional systems are dual designed giving you 50 per cent braking in a failure. Interesting to know how many Mercs are driving around UK with the potential to suddenly fail. DVLA will surely be horrified. Might speak to MB press office about this tomorrow. Least they could do is put all eligible cars on STAR free of charge to let owners know approximately how long it will be before their pump fails.
 

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Thanks, as ever, Malcolm for your reply. Haven't been on the forum for yonks as the car's been running superbly - but great to know you are still around helping everyone. You say 'in the rare event it fails'. Is it not programmed to fail? And I do find it worrying that braking is reduced to just 10 per cent.

As a recently retired journalist I am wondering if there might be a story here - a serious safety issue. Surely the software should have been set to give prior warning of the pump failing - say 1000 brake presses before it goes completely rather than just packing in.

Or am I over-reacting?

No one has been killed so far through out the world, this system is fitted to the 211, 230 and 219 The worst thing is they get it done free in the USA as they have their lemon laws,,,,the pumps can be clocked now days. The could well be a story here owing to the price of the replacement
 

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I think it's criminal that a vehicle manufacturer can implement a safety system on a car knowing it has a set cycle/lifespan that is fundamental to the occupants safety and not include this in the servicing schedule and not make that individual aware of this at the point of purchase of that vehicle.

To give a 10% braking capacity in the event of SBC failure is very poor indeed.

I intend to show my utter disgust and lack of representation by selling my S211 at the earliest opportunity. (I will make the intended purchaser aware of the SBC situation)

It's now at the point that I no longer intend to allow my wife and children in the car and we use our other car.

Drastic action I'm sure you'll agree but at 92000 miles and 8 years I would rather not tempt fate.

Thanks, as ever, Malcolm for your reply. Haven't been on the forum for yonks as the car's been running superbly - but great to know you are still around helping everyone. You say 'in the rare event it fails'. Is it not programmed to fail? And I do find it worrying that braking is reduced to just 10 per cent.

As a recently retired journalist I am wondering if there might be a story here - a serious safety issue. Surely the software should have been set to give prior warning of the pump failing - say 1000 brake presses before it goes completely rather than just packing in.

Or am I over-reacting?
 

television

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I think it's criminal that a vehicle manufacturer can implement a safety system on a car knowing it has a set cycle/lifespan that is fundamental to the occupants safety and not include this in the servicing schedule and not make that individual aware of this at the point of purchase of that vehicle.

To give a 10% braking capacity in the event of SBC failure is very poor indeed.

I intend to show my utter disgust and lack of representation by selling my S211 at the earliest opportunity. (I will make the intended purchaser aware of the SBC situation)

It's now at the point that I no longer intend to allow my wife and children in the car and we use our other car.

Drastic action I'm sure you'll agree but at 92000 miles and 8 years I would rather not tempt fate.
The 211 mid 06 on does not have SBC they have dropped it on that one
 
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alexmoon

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Malcolm, I'm sure there is a story here -10 per cent braking IMO is bordering on criminally negligent. Yes, amb67, you are right. I drive my grandchildren in my car but will no longer do so.

This is an appalling situation for relevant MB owners and I do intend to pursue this journalistically. In fact, I am amazed no-one in the media has picked up on this before. Can other members give me their views on this and I will include them where possible - and with their permission of course.
 

amb67

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Looking at a few CL's (2007 >) as replacements and have to admit they are impressive beasts. That's a lot of Mercedes/car for the money.


The 211 mid 06 on does not have SBC they have dropped it on that one
 

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If you search "SBC brakes we had a huge thread on this and some may have got on to watchdog , many post here on this issue
 
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alexmoon

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Has should be hasn't! Apologies...
 

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Looking at a few CL's (2007 >) as replacements and have to admit they are impressive beasts. That's a lot of Mercedes/car for the money.

They are an amazing car for what you can pick them up for and I am very pleased with mine
 
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alexmoon

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Gkinghorn, did you get a reply from Watchdog?
 
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alexmoon

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Having scanned the threads there are more questions than answers I'm afraid!

Do they only cover cars up to eight years old now?
Does the owner have to meet half the cost or the full charge?
Can the counter be reset and is that safe?
Couldn't they refurb the unit gratis to preserve the MB owner's safety?
Do they accept that 10 per cent braking capacity is safe?

Given the serious safety issue you would have thought MB would put out a definitive statement on this.
 

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Having scanned the threads there are more questions than answers I'm afraid!

Do they only cover cars up to eight years old now?

It would appear that there is no time limit now, there never was one, it was assumed

Does the owner have to meet half the cost or the full charge?

Most are paying the full price now


Can the counter be reset and is that safe?

This is the unknown, I cannot see any second hand car dealer pay out for a new pump if he can get the old one clocked. If the time is up for safe running and it gets clocked, then a time bomb just waiting to go off

Couldn't they refurb the unit gratis to preserve the MB owner's safety?
Do they accept that 10 per cent braking capacity is safe?

This is what Bosch designed into the system, and it was considered OK by MB

Given the serious safety issue you would have thought MB would put out a definitive statement on this.

The implications are yet to come
 
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alexmoon

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Thanks Malcolm. Will contact MB press office and keep you up to speed. From past experience - not with MB but generally - I know they won't deal with this quickly. There will be much internal deliberation before they release a statement. However, I view this as a ridiculously dumb own goal on their part. It's something you might have expected from Lada but certainly not Mercedes. Their response will be 'interesting' to say the least.

Incidentally, if I were doing their PR, I'd be saying: "Replace all these pumps now - end of. It's a no-brainer. The very least you can do to protect the brand."

Thank you, once again, for all your help.
 

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Some of the foc replacements that were done have failed completely??? With no comeback.
 

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