55 plate e320 cdi avantgarde estate..advice please!

[Ad777]

Hi all, have just parted with my 98 c250, and am in the process of buying the above car, solid with 128,000 on the clock
I believe prior to 06 they were prone to a few issues, and was hoping for some advice here of what to look for, and what problems to expect in the future! Am reasonably handy so if I can replace problem areas before they go bang all the better!
All help greatly appreciated.

 

[Blobcat]

55 will be an IL6 which is a very nice engine

Will have SBC brakes (they went in late 06 with the facelift) which may have had the counter reset without having the pump refurbed so could lead to brake failure without much ( if any) warning

 

[Ad777]

Hi there, thanks for that...I don't know what the counter reset is, or why the pump would be refurbed! That's a bit of a worry. Could you tell me what to check please? Ta.

 

[Blobcat]

Hi there, thanks for that...I don't know what the counter reset is, or why the pump would be refurbed! That's a bit of a worry. Could you tell me what to check please? Ta.

Please do a search on SBC brakes on this forum - below is one thread

04 e200 service brake

Hi I am getting a white service brake visit workshop notification on my dash. Sometimes the dash says no malfunction and sometimes it says 1 malfunction.. If the brake switch was faulty would that mean the brake lights wouldn't come on (which they do ) If sbc pump is the problem can it be...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

 

[supernoodle]

Don't let all that scare you, this guy shows you braking with no SBC, no dramas.

 

[Ad777]

Thank you both. So I take it its when it happens rather than if! If I found a good indie garage what would I expect to pay to get the pump refurbished? And is the reset done through star?
I will search through posts later today. Thanks again.

 

[V6Matty]

The SBC pump is a service item as such, they last till around 130-150k miles and then come up with a white message initially, at which point a counter can be extended (it works in the number of times the brake pedal is pushed) if all other criteria are met like system pressure, time in which it gets to full pressure and some other bits.
You can have the pumps refurbished but they only a couple of hundred now direct from MB, at the age and mileage I’d almost look to getting that done if you can, it’s plug and play too if I remember correctly, just a purge needed when first connected like you would any brake work to make sure there’s no air got into the system

 

[supernoodle]

Please don't let any of this put you off, I bought a 55 plate S211 with 127k on the clock early last year. It's been great, a coil spring and thermostat were the only non service items needed.
I've had to spend a lot more on my wife's 5 year old non MB.

 

[LostKiwi]

SBC isn't the big gremlin it's made out to be.
They start with a warning based on brake actuations counted and that will depend on usage. City usage it can come up at 80k and motorways at 150k.
Once the white warning comes up it can be reset using Star diagnostics. The pump will continue to work until eventually the carbon brushes fail. Typically 130k to 200k depending on usage.

A refurbed SBC pump will cost around £400-500 plus some labour if you can't do it yourself.

View it as a consumable item like discs and pads. Once done it should never need doing again.

 

[Ad777]

Perfect. Thank you all..am not phased by it just keen to get as much knowledge as I can. Can I also ask..for diagnostics for the home mechanic what would be the best for this car? I don't mind spending a bit but can't stretch to a professional system. Advice yet again appreciated!

 

[supernoodle]

I bought an Icarsoft, I got a CR Max so I can use it with other makes too. Been useful, can talk with all the modules in the car, has some service functions too for deactivating the SBC when changing brakes, commanding low pressure fuel pump on when priming after filter change.
Live data isn't great though, slow update rate and only let's you see one of their predefined groups at a time.

Used it on a Nissan too where it helped me fix a EGR temp sensor fault and had the EPB service facility I needed.

 

[Wighty]

You will be due a gearbox oil and filter change (hopefully it won’t be the first one ) £200-250 ish at an Indy .
The car may have had one done by MB at 37500 miles

 

[00slk]

If I hadn't have spent so much on my S211 making it into a brand new 05 plate, I'd be selling it, However no one will give me £29,995 for it

 

[Ad777]

Thank you all.. sorry late reply just back from a break. I will look into everything. .hopefully not building a brand new 320

 

[Ad777]

You will be due a gearbox oil and filter change (hopefully it won’t be the first one ) £200-250 ish at an Indy .
The car may have had one done by MB at 37500 miles

Is it complicated doing it yourself?! I have done a few manual gearboxes...but never an automatic!

 

[Snake Charmer]

Is it complicated doing it yourself?! I have done a few manual gearboxes...but never an automatic!

I bought a Mahle kit, oil, filter, gasket, seals and replacement electrical connector. Not a difficult job if you have the correct tools and get the car up high enough or on a ramp. Cleanliness is No1 priority and you will also need a dipstick.

 

[Ad777]

Thank you for that. I will investigate! Appreciated.

 

[Wighty]

Is it complicated doing it yourself?! I have done a few manual gearboxes...but never an automatic!

This was my Diy thread . Plenty on YouTube and the forum DIY section . Ignore this if you have the 5g box

Mercedes E320cdi 722.9 DIY Gearbox oil change

Just finished the gearbox oil change . I'm embarrassed to say it probably took about 5 hours over yesterday afternoon and this morning . God know where the time went , probably lots of tool retrieval from the garage and a healthy dose of second guessing . I didn't intend to start yesterday ...

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

 

[Ad777]

Hi there..apologies, just saw your reply! I have a friend with a hydraulic ramp, and he has done it before, so that is going to save a pile of hassle. Can you tell me how to identify which gearbox is in my car, so I get the right quantities? And maybe best place to get a kit...there's an MB gearbox kit on ebay for £125...assuming its for my gearbox!

Genuine Mercedes Benz 722.6 5 Speed Automatic Gearbox Service Kit Filter 6L Oil | eBay

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www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Blobcat]

Hi there..apologies, just saw your reply! I have a friend with a hydraulic ramp, and he has done it before, so that is going to save a pile of hassle. Can you tell me how to identify which gearbox is in my car, so I get the right quantities? And maybe best place to get a kit...there's an MB gearbox kit on ebay for £125...assuming its for my gearbox!

Genuine Mercedes Benz 722.6 5 Speed Automatic Gearbox Service Kit Filter 6L Oil | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Genuine Mercedes Benz 722.6 5 Speed Automatic Gearbox Service Kit Filter 6L Oil at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Do a vin decode is a good way of knowing definitely what you have. However it will most likely be a 722.6 5G box