R230 SL500 SBC Refurbishment

[SurreySL500]

Hi All, new to this forum and seeking wisdom! I have been the happy owner (and everyday driver) of a 60k mile ‘03 SL 500 for 18m without any major issues. Recently the SBC pump failed (full on red warning lights, bells and restricted throttle). Luckily I was only doing 20mph and was only a few hundred metres from home. My specialist has found that MB will sell us a refurbished SBC pump for £1600 plus VAT. That seems pricey. Has anyone had any positive experiences from the SBC refurbishment companies who advertise on the web? SBC is not something I want to skimp on but if there is a company out there refurbing SBC pumps as well as MB but for less then I would like to try them. Many thanks!

 

[NJS5]

Welcome SurreySL500

The person to speak to is Ollie at Prestige Car Service in Horndean

 

[Richard Moakes]

ABC Fahrwerk and Mercedes Benz vehicle technology online shop

abcteile24.de online shop for the Mercedes ABC chassis, MBC chassis, ACS system and air suspension. Mercedes Benz and AMG vehicle technology

abcteile24.de

 

[Richard Moakes]

ABCspecialist, the no.1 specialist in Audi, BMW, Bentley, Mercedes Benz and Porsche air suspension. ABC & airmatic shock absorbers, parts, struts, pumps, valves, ignition coils and hybrid systems available from stock.

ABCspecialist, the no.1 specialist in Audi, BMW, Bentley, Mercedes Benz and Porsche air suspension. ABC hydraulic & airmatic air suspension, shock absorbers, pa

www.abcspecialist.nl

 

[NJS5]

It might be worth looking at MB Remanufactured parts.

 

[AMGeed]

I don't want to ruin a guys business, but be careful using https://www.ecu-repair.co.uk/

A 55 owner on the other side recently had his SBC pump refurbished and it was bench tested as working before being returned.
Steve at Avantgard Autos, a respected indy cannot get the pump to work after refitting it. Make what you want of that.

Just saying.

 

[SurreySL500]

The part offered to me by MB is re manufactured. Thanks Richard but it’s the SBC pump I need not the ABC one. I was tempted by the ECU Repair guys offer - so thanks for the heads up. Looks like I should stick with the MB supplied part.

 

[Simon Barry]

I don't want to ruin a guys business, but be careful using https://www.ecu-repair.co.uk/

A 55 owner on the other side recently had his SBC pump refurbished and it was bench tested as working before being returned.
Steve at Avantgard Autos, a respected indy cannot get the pump to work after refitting it. Make what you want of that.

Just saying.

Yes & me too, I had awful trouble getting a PSE vacuum pump returned & when I did, it failed to work.

 

[Richard Moakes]

The part offered to me by MB is re manufactured. Thanks Richard but it’s the SBC pump I need not the ABC one. I was tempted by the ECU Repair guys offer - so thanks for the heads up. Looks like I should stick with the MB supplied part.

That will teach me to read things more carefully

 

[SL63 Mark]

That will teach me to read things more carefully

Only one letter different but ABC and SBC pumps are quite different things.

SBC covers brakes specifically.

 

[LostKiwi]

A common cause of failure on SBC pumps is the brushes wearing out. This is a DIY job if you're competent with spanners and a soldering iron.
You'll need a 5 point security Torx as well.

 

[cheshireE220]

I had the SBC warning cone up in my W211 e class back in 2018. Main dealer stated they'll try to update it but string probability it will not happen and the solution is to change it.

I had it replaced by MB main dealer. The part was around £1200 and with fitting (labour intensive) the bill came to around £2k. Don't take any chances. Even indys can end up taking your car to the main dealer to replace and set up the new SBC unit.

This is 9be job you must have done right and correct from the outset.

 

[alexanderfoti]

. Even indys can end up taking your car to the main dealer to replace and set up the new SBC unit.

I'd find another indie if they do that.

 

[cheshireE220]

I'd find another indie if they do that.

Difficult. Once you hand over the car to an indy and the reprogramming of SBC hits a problem they cannot solve, their only recourse is to take it to a main dealer at main dealer hourly rates and to charge you the indy labour rate for time incurred and time to take it to main dealer and back.

The initial choice of who you entrust to replace and reprogram the SBC is the key decision. I chose main dealer where my car has always been serviced and maintained for non-service items.

Others can choose accordingly.

 

[alexanderfoti]

I see your point, but mine is, a proper indie will have the same level of equipment as main dealer and in some cases more than main dealer.

So there shouldn't be anything that the main dealer can do, that the indie cannot.

If the indie cannot, maybe they lack the equipment or specialist knowledge on that component. In which case, see previous comment.

Exceptions exist (TRP parts etc)