Randy B

The car had been doing so well, and semed to out grow it's gremlins. Full brake failure last evening. Made it into a parking lot and turned the car off and went outside to yell and scream. After five minutes of that, I re-started the car and evreything was gone on the dash. Not a single fault code anywhere and the car performed as usual. Went to the dealer this morning out of fear of more failures. Technician brought up complete history from the car and turns out the car had brake failure twelve times in it's full history. Main SBC pump had failed and needs complete replacement. I was told Germany had the part and this would be about a week to get it and one day to install it. We talked about the whole Shamu thing and FEDEX. After three phone calls and a couple of E-Mails the part will be here Thursday from Germany. After all that was settled I asked for an estimate of total charges. SBC Pump is normally $1900.00 plus labor. Since MB has been having problems with the system they offered to cover 75% of the failure cost for repair. Mind you I have 61500 on the odometer. Final cost to me will be $600 + or - a few dollars plus rental car for the week. Warranty on the work will be twelve months and unlimited mileage. I spoke with the girl at the Enterprise counter and she informed of a MB rate of $26.99 per day for a Chevy Cobalt. I called AVIS on my corporate account and they offered me a Taurus at $22.75 per day. Since Enterprise heard me on speakerphone they met teh price and gave me a Taurus as well for the same price Avis would. So now as I leave the Dealer, I am contemplating whether to keep the car and get something Japanese or maybe another German, or whatever. I then realize though this is the first out of pocket expense in 61500 miles I have had other then maintenance costs. I guess let's see what happens the rest of the year while the part is under warranty and go from there.

Randy B

luxury1

Scary but glad you are fine. Once you get into higher mileage you are bound to get larger repair bills. I am estimating about $1,500/year plus maintenance but it is cheaper than buying a new Mercedes or even Japanese car at this point unless you were looking to acquire something really cheap. I this that keeping the car until about 150k is more than reasonable.

I have 52k on mine and rising but I am still under warranty since I bought the extension...

blume

be glad you aren't dead!

ATS

12 failures. I wonder if that wasn't you depressing the pedal 12 times in that one instance. If they have a failure during the period it was warrantable, shouldn't they cover it?

konigstiger

Very important! Were any of these failures within the warranty term?

Did you have the following recalls done?

(1) Recall 2004050014 OCT04 – Programming SBC Hydraulic Unit.
(2) Recall 2005070007 DEC05 – Inspect Hydraulic Unit, Replace as Directed.

Both allow for the replacement of the SBC hydraulic unit. Does your unit have a Q11 sticker on it? If not, you’re entitled to free replacement.

Note: Vehicles subject to 2004050014 that were not repaired as of DEC05 were excluded and no longer appeared in the VMI as “open”. All vehicles subject to 2004050014 both “open” and “closed” were campaigned under 2005070007.

(3) Recall 2005110001 DEC05 – Installation of Ground Wires & Bracket to SBC Wiring Harness.

About 13500 over, the recall history alone justifies a 100% MBUSA goodwill repair inclusive of a loaner. Not to mention the part delay. I would rehash this with your MBUSA SPOM!

PHXATC

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but don't you think, if something bad had happened with no brakes (say a death...) that MBZ is getting cheap on you with just covering 75% of the costs?

I mean geez...you coulda sued them and be driving a new S class every year for the rest of your life.

Randy B

As you listed the recalls #3 was completed on 12/20/05, #1 was completed in October of 2004 and #2 does not apply since I have a 2003 E. Car is out of warranty due to mileage. I am will re-visit the issue with the Service Manager at the Dealership, however I seriously doubt they will pick this up out of good will. No harm in asking though.

Randy B

MB Fanatic

I would not back down. Be relentless in your attacking of MBUSA and get this repair done for free and have them reimburse you for the rental car. Unnaceptable in my book.

hotwiredbenz

wer the backup brakes effective at all?

Randy B

I'm with you and I truly appreciate your research and references. I will work on this a little more this week.

Randy B

luxury1

Excellent question. There is supposed to be a back-up system. I wonder if this kicked in and saved the day... Let us know!

Randy B

I just picked the car up from the dealer today. The brakes are working well and all is good. The dealer is making MBUSA pickup the tab for the part. I am only paying the labor and they discounted that down as well. Basically I had the SBC module replaced and brake system bleed. This cost out of pocket $531.67 with tax. Overall, while disappointed in MBUSA for not admitting they have a problem with this SBC unit, I cannot complain about the dealer. They truly went up and over considering I did not purchase the car from them and I am out of warranty by 11500 miles. I have a ton of paperwork printouts from the SDS. I figure when MBUSA finally does perform a recall I will be able to file for reimbursement and get all the money back. This was my first repair out of warranty. As long as the car holds up through the year I will be happy. I am going to go car shopping though this spring/summer for a replacement.

Randy B

konigstiger

Given the extenuating circumstances and the possibility of recapturing out of pocket expense, sounds fair. Glad to hear all worked out to your satisfaction.

ClayJ

Good for you Randy. I'm glad too that this turned out like it did for you.

CE750

How did the back up brakes work? Did the transmission downshift to slow you down automatically?