Just don't know anymore ! S211 E320cdi

IceBoy

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Hi All,

6 weeks ago, I purchased a mint condition S211 E320 cdi Avantgarde Estate.

It is a 53-reg car with almost every extra known to me!!

The cars has 5 years MB history and the rest is all independent. The car has 150k+ on the clock now and in my first 6 weeks of ownership I have had to carry out:

1. Full service
2. Gearbox oil and filter change
3. Wheel bearing
4. Bonet release latch
5. Soft close boot latch
6. Small battery under the bonet
7. A couple of other minor things

In fairness I knew about 4 & 5 and thought, nothing I can't sort out....how wrong I was!

This was a private sale and to date I have spent over £1200.

Now............the brake service is coming up and the sbc pump can be heard every few minutes !

The gearbox......when cold has lumpy changes and a slight see-saw movement and the revs go up and down probably by about 100-200 revs.

When the car is warm the changes are smooth but at a very light throtle you can feel the see-saw action. Almost as if I am feathering the throtle.....the kids feel sick in the car!!!

Earlier today the car got stuck in gear and when started from cold I could hear a groan/droning sound from the gearbox and when coming off the throtle to a set of traffic light the see-saw action is happening.

I'm going nuts.

Please help.

I guess the sbc pump is going to need replacement....this is going to cost loads....and the now the gearbox!

Will Mercedes Green Oaks in Slough help towards the sbc payment?The car does have high miles but is a Nov 2003 car so only 9 years old?

I'm at the end of my teather.
IceBoy

Sorry for the sad first post.
:confused:
 
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mersum1es

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W212/-09/350CDI, W219/-07/320CDI, EX:W220/-01/320CDI, EX:W211/-04/320CDI, EX:W210/-01/270CDI
SBC issue sounds bad. It could be that only hydraulic accumulator has failed, but I think you need to by spare unit anyway in order to get spare accumulator. Accumulator condition can be tested via STAR.

Gearbox, well - no high hopes but it just may be TC locking valve. It has tendency to cause see-saw movement. But it could also be due to glycol contamination (happened now or just before you purchased it and only mask repaired), and then it could be that TC needs to be replaced. Do you have knowledge if the car still has that dreaded valeo rad or is it already changed?

Edit: have you checked that there is no brake fluid leak? Could also cause the problem. Usual place is here http://www.mese.fi/forum/userpix/5_Kuva1528_1.jpg
 
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IceBoy

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Is it even worth looking at the MB sbc units on ebay? I guess there is no way of telling if they will last?

Dronsfields.com seem to have a couple in stock for £250?

Any advice?

IceBoy
 
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mersum1es

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Is it even worth looking at the MB sbc units on ebay? I guess there is no way of telling if they will last?
IceBoy

I was only suggesting that if the accumulator only has gone bad. Otherwise it's a risky business I admit. No one knows how many times they have been reset etc. I hope factory refurbished units would be available, but I think that MB dealer is installing new units only. I don't know prices in UK, but in Finland repair costs in official dealer are >2k€.
 
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IceBoy

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Oh Jeeeezzzz.

I have spent £1200 already and if I have to pay for sbc and gearbox problems...that is going to be more than the car is worth?!

I'm pulling my hair out now.

IceBoy

PS. Who is the most experienced independent MB specialist in the Berkshire Area/home counties/South West....someone who could help with all my problems, both gearbox and sbc....I dont think I will be able to afford MB dealer prices?
 
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BAZZER1

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Try Cole & Dave at MBS a couple of decent guys who like other good Indies really know their way around Mercs, It certainly cant hurt to give them a call.
Welcome to the Forum and hope you get it sorted
BAZZER1
 

toby1

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Star Services at Caversham too
 

rpe2

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The SBC pump does 'buzz' every few minutes - its what it is supposed to do

Sticking in gear may be as elementary an issue as a failing battery - batteries do tend to fail when the weather turns cold.
 
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IceBoy

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Sorry, I have edited my 1st post, I changed the small aux battery under the bonet as well.
IceBoy

Where is MBS?
 

Developer

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Sorry to hear this fella - my 53 plate E320 was faultless, other than a couple of parking sensors.

I hope you get it sorted.
 

mersum1es

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The SBC pump does 'buzz' every few minutes - its what it is supposed to do
.

It's buzzing when waken up, or when pressure drop requires that... mine does that only once after waking, and then it sleeps again.

SBC is functional as soon as it is “wakened” by:
•opening a door (via CAN)
•operating the central locking system (via CAN)
•depressing the brake pedal
•turning key to position 1
•operating parking brake

Time that SBC remains operational after use:
•with vehicle stationary and was locked = 20 seconds
•with vehicle stationary and ignition in “0”,brake pedal not operated = 2 minutes
•with vehicle stationary, ignition in “0”,brake pedal operated in delayed off phase and released again = 4 minutes

Now, if you have service alert + frequent buzzing --> not good expectations

You should have as expensive cars as we have in Finland, 5000€ is still less than half of the car price... :roll:
 

BAZZER1

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As I said give Cole or Dave at MBS a ring their phone number is on the Forum
Regards
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Troon

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Look at it this way: the worst-case SBC and TC replacement will be what - £2000? If you actually have the money available, is there a better way to proceed?

Replacing the bits will give you an E-Class where you know these parts are good, with the potential for much more life yet.

The alternative is to try to shift the car with known problems either by dishonestly concealing them or taking a hit on the price, then buying a car that's more reliable... if you know the seller isn't dishonestly concealing problems.

I think the view that repairs cannot exceed the value of the car is flawed: what matters is how to proceed with minimum cost for the desired outcome.
 
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Steve@Avantgarde

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"Service Brake Visit Workshop" will also be displayed if there is a brake light switch fault. So before you stress and go overboard with worry get it on STAR to check the fault code.

53 Plate E Class is right on the money for a leaking radiator into the transmission issue. The fact you have a drone noise and light throttle vibration says to me that glychol is running through the transmission and is your also effecting you gearbox shift parameters. You will need a glychol test done on a sample of you transmission oil.
 
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IceBoy

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Well guys,

I took the car to Star Motors in Reading and Ian was most helpful.

The car was taken for a spin but the gearbox problem was nearly all gone, as the car was already warmed up.

Then Ian put the car on the Star machine and it seems that the SBC has reached its threshold and will need to be replaced!

So I have the car booked in next week and Ian and his team can fully experience the car from cold and give me a price on the work needed.

Fingers crossed on the Gearbox issue.
IceBoy
 

BAZZER1

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Good to hear you are getting it sorted, hope its not too expensive
keep us informed
BAZZER1
 

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