[[email protected]]

OK so I have got the idea that the issues with Sensotronic BC units are not good but also not "catastrophic" YES? or are they really bad??

I am struggling to justify paying the premium for a 2007+ model when 2006 and earlier are 1/2 the price! Say >$25K for '07 and <$15 for an '06 '05 or even '03

I thinking its all got to do with the removal of SBC rather than the minor cosmetic changes ??

In short do I take a chance on an earlier model, or simply avoid it like the plague, save longer and buy a later model? HELP

Current car I am considering is an 2003, E320 VIN#WDB2112652A402747

but I'm not even sure how to determine if this is car has SBC???

ROOKIE QUESTION? Probably but I still love these cars and don't want to make a dumb mistake, my mechanic who works on MB's regularly just looked at me strangely, and seemed unaware of the issue? Possibly hasn't experienced it?

 

[aeubank]

Welcome to the board!!

You should probably do a search on this topic. This has been discussed into oblivion previously but is of no value to you if you don't first search.

The SBC models were from 2003 to 2006..

Good luck.

 

[[email protected]]

OK will do..., have done but will do more....

 

[aeubank]

Ok so I did a search and the search found more than 250 results, with many asking the same question you did. There were many answers to the same question to buy or not, and even a few people that have had their units go bad on them. Truth is you never know when a unit is going to go bad. Some say it's the number of brake activations, some say it's according to wear, etc..

Here's a few links to get you started. The topics here could easily fill a book on the SBC..

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211-e-class/2248298-sbc-nhtsa.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211-e-class/2269450-fault-code-c249b-can-anyone-tell.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211-e-class/1608824-sbc-brake-system-gone-wild.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211-e-class/1720223-sbc-hydraulic-unit-warranty-about-expire.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211-e-class/2226442-big-issues-besides-sbc-control-arms.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211-e-class/2191650-considering-buying-2006-e350-4matic.html


Good luck

 

[CetiAlpha5]

Where are you located? I got an 08 last year just to avoid the SBC and balance shaft problems. Could have gotten an 07 also but the last couple years had less problems that the earlier years. There are many other problems with the 2003 in addition to SBC. At this stage, even the 10 year warranty on the SBC pump has probably expired on most 04 models and probably half the 05 models. But remember that the warranty only covers the pump, it can have other problems which aren't covered.

The 2008 I got last year had under 50k and was under 19k. I just saw a 2009 with just under 155k for 10k so they're out there. Probably a tougher decision if you're not in the US.

Also it could be that your mechanic doesn't actually end up with those jobs. Some problems require star diagnostic which is usually just at the dealer. An indy probably wouldn't have anything similar unless they really specialize in MB.

To me, the price point between the 2006 and 2008 was such that it was almost a wash. For instance if you end up fixing SBC and balance shafts, that could cost more than the higher price of a 2007+ and in the end whether you spend money fixing it or not, the book value of the car is the same.

 

[Kajtek1]

With common understanding it is just too often mistaken what is the failure and what is the end of usable life.
End of the month is not calendar failure. Tire thread coming to wear marks in not tire failure.
SBC count coming to the limit is not failure.
So far we have only 1 reported SBC failure on this forum, while lot of member who bought the car for 10-20% of its original price complain that the SBC needs to be replaced because the count come to the limit.
So don't sweat over SBC. You can ask dealer to read the brake count to see how much life you have left, or just calculate SBS pump cost into purchase price.
With rebuild units coming down to 3 digits it is not a big deal anymore.

 

[bbirdwell]

OK so I have got the idea that the issues with Sensotronic BC units are not good but also not "catastrophic" YES? or are they really bad??

I am struggling to justify paying the premium for a 2007+ model when 2006 and earlier are 1/2 the price! Say >$25K for '07 and <$15 for an '06 '05 or even '03

Even if you need to replace the SBC the cost (even at the dealer) is much, much less than the $10K premium you are paying for the later model. Budget it into your purchase, i.e. pay $15K for the car, add ~$2K for the SBC replacement (still high but it is a placeholder in your negotiation) and you are still ~$8K in your pocket.

Cost versus benefit. Any dealership worth their salt can read out the total number of actuations. The closer the count approaches 300K, the more important it is to save your money for replacement.

For what it's worth, the count on my car at 87,000 miles was 216,7xx give or take a few actuations. The one day I drove my car several hundred miles through a Hill Country ice storm (something I will never do again!) the system performed superbly and I regard it as worth every penny of cost and hour of labor if it ever needs replacement. I literally believe it kept me out of the ditch multiple times no matter if the speeds were 55 mph or 10 mph. I counted over 36 vehicles in the ditch, crushed, or overturned. A 7-hour trip turned into 33-hours. In good weather, I take the W210 w/o SBC. In gnarly weather, I take the W211 with the SBC. I believe in it!

The system is outstanding. How much value do you place on your life or your family? Seriously.

You *must* stay on top of the maintenance of the system. Just like anything else.

FWIW.

 

[Ottin]

I don't consider SBC a issue, however, I think it is awesome. When I tune the steering and apply gentle brake, I can feel the inner side brakes work more than the outer side, awesome! Give me more confidence.

So, I am willing to pay 2000 dollars for ten years safety driving.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[benz_driver]

Consider SBC replacement about the same as the cost of tires. Probably less actually...

 

[Vortecpwr]

I think the last SBC I put on was in the neighborhood of $1400 including parts, labor, fluid, coding, etc. But this is in the US, so it may be more where you are at.

In my 3.5+ yrs at a MB dealer I have only seen 1 complete failure. car literally had no brakes. Car had well over 100k miles and no record of a brake fluid flush. the brk fluid was very black and kinda thick. I have done several SBC units due to time has expired and I have replaced several accumulator balls (which is not covered under ext service action).

to the more knowledgeable out there. DID all 03-06 211 get SBC no matter what country they were sent to? the reason I ask is I know the US gets crap that other countries don't get.

 

[414228]

I doubt there is a better brake system on a sedan.
I have always wanted brakes this advanced.

 

[Kajtek1]

to the more knowledgeable out there. DID all 03-06 211 get SBC no matter what country they were sent to? the reason I ask is I know the US gets crap that other countries don't get.

I read Polish MB forum and SBC issue is the same.
Models changes might have different timing between US and other countries, like 1995 is W210 in Europe, the OBDII become standard in Europe in 2000, but eventually everything equalized.
To some limits. Rebuild SBC pumps sell in Poland for not much above $200.
I wonder if that will equalize?

 

[Vortecpwr]

interesting.

 

[MB_FanAddict]

Yes, it really is an amazing system. I can really tell the difference coming from a car with a fully hydraulic system.
Braking performance is excellent!

I doubt there is a better brake system on a sedan.
I have always wanted brakes this advanced.

 

[kurtismayfield]

I doubt there is a better brake system on a sedan.
I have always wanted brakes this advanced.

My sentiment exactly. I purchased the 2006 because I wanted SBC!

 

[Edgefield D]

I have a 2005 E320. My SBC pump went out in December. At the time....I thought "whew! I escaped that one!". What I didn't realize is that my car was actually manufactured in Oct 2004. So.....I was 2 months past the date in which Mercedes would replace the pump. I was sick to my stomach at the time because I've read the horror of the SBC pump. However, in the grand scheme of things I've owned this car for 3 years and have put very little money into it. It now has 123,000 miles on it, still drives great. I spent $1,600 at the dealer having the pump replaced (tax and all). I don't expect I will have to replace the pump again and this new pump has actually improved the brake performance. At least....it feels like it has to me. I usually do all the maintenance on my car myself. So....I'm sure other people spend $1,600 getting their cars serviced at the dealer in one year. The SBC pump is not as scary as it's made out to be. I'm sure...in the past it was much more expensive....but now I'm kind of relieved it's replaced and I don't have to worry about it.

 

[Kajtek1]

Was it $1600 for brand new pump, or for rebuild?
I agree on scary tactics that raise on the forum for no good reason.
Somehow owners are not scared to spend $1600 every couple of years for low-profile tires, but they are scared to spend $1600 every 10 years to have reliable brake pump.

 

[Edgefield D]

It was rebuilt. It has a 1 yr warranty. I could be kidding myself....but I feel like it should still last, even though it's rebuilt. On a car that's paid for and with this many miles I couldn't justify a new one (I didn't even ask the cost difference). There has been so much bad press about the pump I would hope it's at least as good as a new one was in 2005.

 

[Noodles]

It has been hard to get a good part number for the rebuilt pump from a dealer.
Could you possibly post the part number that was on the repair order?

 

[Edgefield D]

Hi Noodles

Sure...the invoice is at home so I will have to post it later...but I'll make myself a reminder. On a side note...I've been dealing with the gas smell issue after fill up for the last 3 yrs. I called the dealer today with the P-B47.10/63b reference number I found here on the forum and I now have an appointment to get that fixed on MBs dime. It will be nice to actually fill up without worrying about it.