Hello, having dreaded SBC pump issues with my E Class & Mercedes refusing to offer goodwill

[Dipak Arya]

How can I get Mercedes to resolve well documented SBC pump failure? Advice welcome

 

[LostKiwi]

How many miles has your car done?

 

[Dipak Arya]

How many miles has your car done?

88,000

 

[LostKiwi]

Has it failed or just hit the count? Whats the error code?

 

[Dipak Arya]

Has it failed or just hit the count? Whats the error code?

Failed - diagnosed by AA, STAR tech & Mercedes dealership. Couldn't tell you error code but can find out.

 

[Craiglxviii]

If it has failed on a 2003 car and the pump is original, then I'm not sure what sort of goodwill you think you're entitled to. The car is well out of warranty.

 

[Frosty149]

Is this a MB dealer from whom you recently purchased the car?

 

[Dipak Arya]

If it has failed on a 2003 car and the pump is original, then I'm not sure what sort of goodwill you think you're entitled to. The car is well out of warranty.

There was a recall on SBC unit failure covering a 10yr period. Out of time but wandering if some goodwill would apply on low mileage. Read several examples in US and U.K. where goodwill has been applied even after 10yrs. Has anyone on this forum have any experience of that?

 

[LostKiwi]

To be honest I'd be surprised if they offered anything on a 2003 car.
The mileage (at 88k) is reasonably low but getting to the point where the pump could reasonably be expected to be starting to come to the end of its life depending on the cars lifetime usage (its a function of the number of actuations so the more actuations irrespective of mileage the earlier it will fail). A London based car would therefore be expected to fail earlier than a car used extensively on motorways. Just fit a rebuilt pump (one of the Indys on here can help with that).

 

[Frosty149]

Playing devils advocate, if you had a full documented MB service history for the last 14yrs and were a beautiful, ample, model who happened to work for the motoring press, you'd probably have two hopes...
and Bob is the first....

 

[Dipak Arya]

Lost kiwi & Frosty

I have owned 3 e classes n not had this problem before but didn't realise that SBC was a major recall fault and so costly to replace. Would you expect abs unit failure at 88k on a merc! I don't. I did 180k in my last E320. Playing devils advocate & yes it's 2003 car outside of 10yr warranty for sbc replacement. So bob hope n no hope is probably right. What are your views on sbc fault that is well documented & so many have complained about?

 

[turbopete]

the cars in the US got them replaced for free under Lemon Laws, I believe.

as for getting some goodwill for the replacement, MB realised it was a great system and that's why they dropped it from the facelifted model........

whilst I know it would be expensive (unless you could find an accident damaged or similar car in a breakers) but ive wondered if it would be possible to 'retro fit' the system from the facelifted car into one that has had SBC failure and effectively scrap the SBC?

 

[EmilysDad]

........

whilst I know it would be expensive (unless you could find an accident damaged or similar car in a breakers) but ive wondered if it would be possible to 'retro fit' the system from the facelifted car into one that has had SBC failure and effectively scrap the SBC?

I suspect that would open a whole can of worms with insurance companies 're modification

 

[turbopete]

I suspect that would open a whole can of worms with insurance companies 're modification

possibly, or possibly not as it was a variation at the production line after a certain date. I expected issues, for example, when I swapped the auto box for a manual in my Granada (I was in my mid 20s at the time, so my age wouldn't help matters) and was told......it made absolutely no difference as it was available from the factory like that.

 

[AMGeed]

There is zero chance of goodwill for an SBC pump now. That stopped in the UK around 7 years ago and around 2012 in the USA.
There is no "major recall fault" and what you are experiencing is end of life for your pump. It's probably the accumulator failing as oppose to the actuation count being exceeded. That will bring up a code of C249F and it may be possible to reset the count.

Unfortunately, yours is finito according to MB, the AA and Star Tech (The Star Tech in Poole Dorset?) The SBC pumps should really be looked at as an eventual consumable replacement like brake discs if you keep the car long enough.
My pump was replaced in 2009 and will possibly need another at some stage of my ownership. A brilliant braking system but annoyingly, not one for life.

If you source your own replacement pump its possible to fix for around £1000. The dealer will empty your wallet of closer to £1500
https://www.autoteilemann.de/p/5632...ggregat-bremsanlage-0-986-483-002/?q=sbc w211

 

[Painter16]

Just had mine done 2007 sl with 74000 on clock ,don't know anythink about a goodwill fro. Merc ,me local indie did it for me ,cost me just under £1500

 

[AMGeed]

Just had mine done 2007 sl with 74000 on clock ,don't know anythink about a goodwill fro. Merc ,me local indie did it for me ,cost me just under £1500

An awful lot of labour considering a pump is "only" 846 Euros exchange ?

 

[Painter16]

An awful lot of labour considering a pump is "only" 846 Euros exchange ?

I surpose but hopefully that's the end of it now for the time I've got the car and amount of miles I do

 

[AMGeed]

^ That's the main thing.
As long as the car is fixed and you are happy

 

[Dipak Arya]

Some really helpful comments and suggestions. Much appreciated.