[Kool]

Can anybody that has experienced the malfunction "Service Break - visit Workshop !!!" on a W211 please reply.

The said fault appeared on my cars LED display and I have since had a friend run the car through Star Diagnostics. The breaks, discs, fluids etc are fine but I am informed the SBC break pump needs replacing. He has made enquires from a local MB garage and the cost is approx £1200 (£600 for the part and approx 5-hours labour).

I have read through a few forums and it would appear the majority of owners have managed to convince MB garages in England to fix this as a Goodwill Claim as it is a recognised fault with 2003-2005 W211 MB's. However others state the MB garage did not want to know and state the SBC pump is effectively a consumable item with each unit only good for around 365,000 brake pedal depressions.

I have since contacted Mercedes Benz European Customer Service regarding any outstanding Recalls on the vehicle. They simply informed that no service recalls were showing outstanding. The Technical Director added it was likely the car had previously been checked and the SBC pump would have proved in order at that time. He insinuated this was therefore unlikely to be a manufacturing fault but advised I have the fault checked by a MB dealership for firm confirmation.

Can I please canvas opinion on how best to approach the MB garage (re. a good will claim) as I have never argued this type of issue. For information I have a 2004 E320 CDI with 95K on the clock. Thank you in advance.

 

[Kajtek1]

In US those pumps have 10-years warranty due to recall.
5 hr labor to replace? Are they planning to do it via tail pipe?

 

[aeubank]

In US those pumps have 10-years warranty due to recall.
5 hr labor to replace? Are they planning to do it via tail pipe?

You're right about the labor to replace..
Seems easy to remove the 5 brake lines and the electrical connection. Maybe there's some bolt holding the unit in place that needs to be removed from underneath, so the engine's gotta come out.

 

[khana]

In Thailand there are free of charge. I hope that it should be same standard in other country to change it for free

 

[lkchris]

You're right about the labor to replace..
Seems easy to remove the 5 brake lines and the electrical connection. Maybe there's some bolt holding the unit in place that needs to be removed from underneath, so the engine's gotta come out.

Think about draining the system so brake fluid isn't everywhere.

Think about refilling the system.

Think about all the testing and programming required to get it going again.

If you're in the USA you have access to startekinfo and/or service dvds that will help you make more informed observations.

 

[aeubank]

Think about draining the system so brake fluid isn't everywhere.

Think about refilling the system.

Think about all the testing and programming required to get it going again.

If you're in the USA you have access to startekinfo and/or service dvds that will help you make more informed observations.

He's clearly not in the US, but a little humor might help the situation.
I would drop it by the stealer and ask if they'll help subsidize the repair..

 

[BlackOpalCDI]

print out the US version of the recall bring it in say nicely that you would like the work done under that recall, or maybe find the paperwork from the UK about the recall there...

maybe it will work

its bull if they dont do the work, time to call MB and complain if that happens

 

[konigstiger]

Can I please canvas opinion on how best to approach the MB garage (re. a good will claim) as I have never argued this type of issue.

Check PM

 

[Kool]

Thank you to everybody that replied. Mercedes seem to be a little more customer friendly in the US than to its European partners. I suppose the US is a massive market and MB needs to protect its reputation there. I will update the thread in due course and let you know how I go on with the MB Gararge and Customer Services.

One question though, I have read on adjacent forums that in the US the SBC Pump has an extended 10-year warranty due to the Recall situation. Does anybody know if this warranty extension is international i.e. also covers the UK?

For information I associate two attachments for prosperity on the SBC Pump Recall (1) Letter from US Department to MB (2) Recall letter sent by MB to USA E&SL Class owners.

Finally, koningstiger: Thank you. Please check return PM but I now have this unless your letter is different.

 

[Kool]

Well here is the update as promised. I went to Greenoaks Mercedes in Slough at midday today. I had with me internet 'cut outs' and copies of the Recall fiasco from the US in 2005 and 2006. I also had with me warranty information depicting a 10 year extended warranty of the SBC pump in the US. I was very well prepared and determined to argue my peace and have the repair done free of charge. My main argument was going to be "why are MB W211 owner's in the UK being treated differently to MB owners in the US?".

Anyway, 2-minutes into the conversation I was overwhelmed by the support from the Chief MB Technician. Whilst he informed the 10-year extended warranty only covered the US and not the UK, he acknowledged the fault and informed the service team would submit a request for a 100% goodwill repair on my behalf. This was authorised by MB Germany within 10-minutes.

Greenoaks took the car in straight away and it is now sitting in my garage fully repaired. If anything, this forum prepared me for the worst case scenario and I am grateful for this. Reality (thankfully) proved very different and my credit card is not £1200 lighter.

Keep up the good work. I hope in time I can reciprocate the help I have been given.

 

[Kajtek1]

my credit card is not £1200 lighter.

Keep up the good work. I hope in time I can reciprocate the help I have been given.

How about throwing a "thank you party"?
We did had GTG in San Francisco, so London could be good candidate for next one. Airfares are very cheap this time of the year. Only the rental cars have steering wheel on wrong side...
Good to hear MB stood behind the product.

 

[Kool]

Kajtek: Party in my house in about 20 minutes - hope you can make it

Seriouly though, I feel a very heavy weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It wasn't so much the money but more the worry about driving around with a breaking system that may prove faulty just when you need it the most.... Still haven't convinced you have I ?? ... okay, okay then, it was all about the money

Anyway, how is the Bay Area? I was in Freemont for Xmas just past and then did New Years in Vegas. I cannot believe how laid back it is over there. As for Vegas - madness !! Lost too much on the tables, drank far too many margaritas, flirted toooooo much with the hostesses and enjoyed every minute - priceless!!!

 

[Kajtek1]

Bet you didn't take 1/2 hr drive to Valley of Fire while in Las Vegas? How about Great Canyon with Skywalk?
We go to Vegas for each New Year. Out of week long stay we spend about 1, max 2 hr in casinos. Enjoy every minute of it.
Next time you come to Bay Area send a PM. This section is slow, but we have quite funny bunch of guys in W210 section.
Another bet -people don't polish mufflers and differential in London? That would be you chance to drop in the dirt and admire Joe's55

 

[Kool]

Nope - I didn't do any of that. I am not even sure I know what it is ... Valley of Fire with Luke Sykwalker sounds a little too dangerous for me :0) I prefer to stick to black or red .. less risk ...

Next time I am in the Bay area I will definitely PM. When I was last there I was taken by a friend to a few jazz bars around SF (the city) and they were amazingly laid backl. San Fransisco and the Bay Area is undoubtedly my favorite place in America - not just for the weather but the people are soooo laid back and friendly. Dion Warwick did not get it too wrong (!).

 

[Kajtek1]

Nope - I didn't do any of that. I am not even sure I know what it is ... Valley of Fire with Luke Sykwalker sounds a little too dangerous for me :0) I prefer to stick to black or red .. less risk ....

Pretty good. They made few sci-fi movies in Valley of Fire. Than can't complain about lack of red there.

 

[Kool]

Wow .... I can see why they call it the valley of fire. Talking about New Years in Vegas again, as we were driving in from SF we had a snow fight in Nevada. Yeah, can you believe it - snow in a desert !!!

 

[sizain]

Hi,

I am from Saudi Arabia, and two months ago i had the same trouble, they have changed it free of charge,additionally they told me it have a life time warranty.

I believe in this case you call Germany office.

Regards

 

[pdiddy26]

Hi Guys...

I have the same problem at the moment!
Where could I find info about the Warranty (pump) ?

I went to my MB dealer and they told me that everything is ok, that they couldn't find the reason!
P.S. I am from Latvia (EU).

 

[flyboyike]

Hi Guys...

I have the same problem at the moment!
Where could I find info about the Warranty (pump) ?

I went to my MB dealer and they told me that everything is ok, that they couldn't find the reason!
P.S. I am from Latvia (EU).

If the dealer says the pump is fine, the problem is likely your brake light switch. In the US it's less than $10 and about 4 minutes to replace.

 

[keyhole]

Hi Kool

No wish to rain on your parade - but you have to count yourself extremely lucky to get an M-B warranty claim through on a 2004 car in 2009!

It's really nothing to do with what happens in the USA. The entire M-B business is different there. The sales mark up, the advertising, everything. We do not get the lifetime roadside assistance either in the UK. It's all to do with the profitability of the enterprise, and clearly there is more profit made in the US than in the UK.

Anyway, your charm worked and I am pleased to hear it. :thumbsup: