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'03 E500 SBC Pump Replacement Out of Warranty
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: CA
W211
'03 E500 SBC Pump Replacement Out of Warranty
I have an 03 E500 and the white/blue "BRAKE - visit workshop" screen popped up two days ago. Then yesterday the red screen with "BRAKE - reduced braking power etc..." came up. My pads are not worn out (and I know the indicator for worn pads is slightly different than what I've seen on the screen). I have had the brake switch replaced in the past. I also just re-checked the switch for continuity and it appears to be working fine so unfortunately that doesn't appear to be the issue. I dropped it off at the dealership today. The dealership is still diagnosing the issue, but I'm guessing that my problem may be with the SBC pump that MB is warranting for 10 years/unlimited miles. Problem is, my car is 2 weeks older than 10 years. 
My dealer informed me that MB has recently been more stingy with goodwill warranty repairs (dealer BS?) and that I was unlikely to get the problem approved to be fixed under warranty if it is indeed the SBC pump. They are quoting me ~$2000 if it is the pump.
My question is, what can I do and/or who can I call to possibly push for a goodwill warranty repair? I am planning on calling the MB customer care line tomorrow (they were closed for the holiday today). Does anyone else have any suggestions?
Thanks.
My dealer informed me that MB has recently been more stingy with goodwill warranty repairs (dealer BS?) and that I was unlikely to get the problem approved to be fixed under warranty if it is indeed the SBC pump. They are quoting me ~$2000 if it is the pump.
My question is, what can I do and/or who can I call to possibly push for a goodwill warranty repair? I am planning on calling the MB customer care line tomorrow (they were closed for the holiday today). Does anyone else have any suggestions?
Thanks.
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E-Class
SBC Pump Replacement / Recall Call Mercedes Corporate Office
Recall Campaign 2005070007 APR06
Inspect SBC hydraulic unit, replace as directed
This is a recall. Contact Mercedes directly at 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372)
My dealer gave me the same bull**** and i contacted Mercedes directly. After 5 minutes on the phone with Mercedes Corporate, my local dealership was calling me to schedule a time for me to bring it in.
Inspect SBC hydraulic unit, replace as directed
This is a recall. Contact Mercedes directly at 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372)
My dealer gave me the same bull**** and i contacted Mercedes directly. After 5 minutes on the phone with Mercedes Corporate, my local dealership was calling me to schedule a time for me to bring it in.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 199
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From: CA
W211
Thanks for the info - I will bring this up to my service advisor/manager tomorrow and also contact corporate. Hopefully it is 15 years and not 10, though the letter I received back in 2006 said 10.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Yes I bought a gloss black 300C Hemi 5.7 365 hp. Voice activation..
There are a lot of similarities between the MB and 300C. The same 5 speed transmission, battery in trunk identical. Even powersteering fluids are identical between the two cars. The MB influence is there.
But NO SBC, NO airmatic, More horsepower, interior room, and quiet. Nice not to worry about my wife pulling off an interstate off ramp and having "Stop CAR NOW" in red with no power assist. Nice not to worry about blowing a strut and waiting for the flat bed truck.
The MB would have been a great car if the failure prone systems were left off the car. The MB enhancement/cost (SBC and all the supporting electronics and airmatic) was far exceeded by the poor reliability of those components. I have nothing but praise for the MB engine/transmission and way it handles. I wish those that still drive the MB the best but I probably won't buy another MB.
There are a lot of similarities between the MB and 300C. The same 5 speed transmission, battery in trunk identical. Even powersteering fluids are identical between the two cars. The MB influence is there.
But NO SBC, NO airmatic, More horsepower, interior room, and quiet. Nice not to worry about my wife pulling off an interstate off ramp and having "Stop CAR NOW" in red with no power assist. Nice not to worry about blowing a strut and waiting for the flat bed truck.
The MB would have been a great car if the failure prone systems were left off the car. The MB enhancement/cost (SBC and all the supporting electronics and airmatic) was far exceeded by the poor reliability of those components. I have nothing but praise for the MB engine/transmission and way it handles. I wish those that still drive the MB the best but I probably won't buy another MB.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
The 5.7 Hemi delivers 28 mpg at 70 mph steady state flat ground. In town we run 21/22 mpg for most driving but not lots of traffic jam stop and go. When you want it to go the 375 hp under the hood is very quiet and strong. After all it's a Hemi
We now have driven it 4000 miles and oil consumption has been nil.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Very nice man, glad it exceeds your expectations!
I was under the impression, however, that the hemispherical combustion chamber was considered less efficient than the more modern "pent-roof" cylinder design, does the HEMI have two spark plugs per cylinder?
I was under the impression, however, that the hemispherical combustion chamber was considered less efficient than the more modern "pent-roof" cylinder design, does the HEMI have two spark plugs per cylinder?
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 244
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From: PA, USA
2004 E320 4matic Sedan
Since we're off topic.....a cryptic quiz question
Can anyone figure out what I drove and where it came from?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 16
From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
You drove Ben Stein. It came from Washington DC
(Real guess would be a daimler 250 saloon or something of the sort, probably manufactured in Britain, maybe a classic)
(Real guess would be a daimler 250 saloon or something of the sort, probably manufactured in Britain, maybe a classic)
Last edited by AMGAffalterbach; Feb 21, 2013 at 10:53 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Yes it does have two plugs/cylinder set up very much like MB. It also has VVT which shuts down 4 cylinders when the power is not needed to save fuel, which is how it reaches the 28mpg. The switch is so smooth you dont' know when it changes from 4 to 8. The power is there instantly when you want it and due to the high torque right at 400 Ft Lbs the noise level is very low.
Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 244
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From: PA, USA
2004 E320 4matic Sedan
Close...
Last edited by ozusa; Feb 22, 2013 at 03:44 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 16
From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
I had guessed the SP250 (only "Daimler" car I knew of) before editing my post but as that isn't a saloon I just looked at similar cars from that period. Hmmm....
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 612
Likes: 2
From: NY
'12 Mustang 5.0, '89 Supra Turbo, C55,
Yes I bought a gloss black 300C Hemi 5.7 365 hp. Voice activation..
There are a lot of similarities between the MB and 300C. The same 5 speed transmission, battery in trunk identical. Even powersteering fluids are identical between the two cars. The MB influence is there.
But NO SBC, NO airmatic, More horsepower, interior room, and quiet. Nice not to worry about my wife pulling off an interstate off ramp and having "Stop CAR NOW" in red with no power assist. Nice not to worry about blowing a strut and waiting for the flat bed truck.
The MB would have been a great car if the failure prone systems were left off the car. The MB enhancement/cost (SBC and all the supporting electronics and airmatic) was far exceeded by the poor reliability of those components. I have nothing but praise for the MB engine/transmission and way it handles. I wish those that still drive the MB the best but I probably won't buy another MB.
There are a lot of similarities between the MB and 300C. The same 5 speed transmission, battery in trunk identical. Even powersteering fluids are identical between the two cars. The MB influence is there.
But NO SBC, NO airmatic, More horsepower, interior room, and quiet. Nice not to worry about my wife pulling off an interstate off ramp and having "Stop CAR NOW" in red with no power assist. Nice not to worry about blowing a strut and waiting for the flat bed truck.
The MB would have been a great car if the failure prone systems were left off the car. The MB enhancement/cost (SBC and all the supporting electronics and airmatic) was far exceeded by the poor reliability of those components. I have nothing but praise for the MB engine/transmission and way it handles. I wish those that still drive the MB the best but I probably won't buy another MB.
Enjoy the Hemi - put the hammer down!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Good for you! I was wondering what you would do once the warranty expired on the SBC components. Congrats on the Hemi! I bought my first domestic - a '12 Mustang 5.0, and these V8's are awesome! Domestic cars have come a long way recently. I'm sure you will enjoy the car sans the E500 gadgets. I loved my E500, but felt the same way about the SBC as u did.
Enjoy the Hemi - put the hammer down!
Enjoy the Hemi - put the hammer down!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 16
From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Yes it does have two plugs/cylinder set up very much like MB. It also has VVT which shuts down 4 cylinders when the power is not needed to save fuel, which is how it reaches the 28mpg. The switch is so smooth you dont' know when it changes from 4 to 8. The power is there instantly when you want it and due to the high torque right at 400 Ft Lbs the noise level is very low.
Glad to hear you are enjoying that HEMI!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 16
From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Close. Same engine, same company (almost). I owned a 1963 Daimler 2.5 liter saloon. This was the same car as a Mark II Jaguar of the same year, but with the engine from the SP250 Daimler. Here's a pic of the kind I had: https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/i...wyR0q2Oye4jPjG
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
E500
I had the red brake light alert on my E500 and shop said it was the SBC pump and they were quoting around $1800.00, my question is-- Is ABS pump the same as SBC pump? they have the ABS pump on Ebay for around $200-300
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From: "Hi Desert" CA
2002 SLK320 / 1985 300D
