nyca

as reported in the latest Automobile magazine on the new S class:

"Surprisingly, the SBC electrohydraulic braking system from the SL, E and SLR McLaren was deemed too expensive and overly complicated for the new S Class, but engineers have managed to transfer key SBC functions to the conventional hydraulic system"

not a good sign.

GDawgC220

May not be a good sign, but I think MB is starting to focus towards more quality build instead of pushing the lastest technology (they mentioned to slow down new electronics in future models coming)...so in the long run, could be a good thing, IMO.

-G-

HELL ONA HARLEY

I wonder how long this braking system has been in their cars???
Is this one of those "cost cutting" ideas, or does the system just plain and simply suck.... I know most all of the "professional" car rating people did'nt like the SBC system but I must say when I test drove the cars the system seemed to be very nice and I have never read any negative reports here on the subject....

GDawgC220

It was introduced in '03 with the start of the new E-Classes. They're prolly going to continue with it till the E-Class get's a facelift or just convert future builds back to hydraulic system with the SBC features.

-G-

MB is usually known for improving their safety systems, this being one of them as it supposedly is better at stopping in emergency situations, etc. Could be another cost-cutting thing, but I don't remember the last time they took out a safety feature in the cars...
Maybe they did some more research and decided it isn't right to continue it and may better it with more research and etc.

bmms8

i believe it is real complicated, because its so hard just to change pads....im glad they are getting rid of it, because it seems like a very expensive gadget, i also heard theyre getting rid of ABC because its to expesive to make

HELL ONA HARLEY

Please inform this dumb **** (thats me) what ABC is...

bmms8

active body control i believe is the term. its available on S,SL, and CL models, its like sirmatic just much better, and changes to road conditions every 10 miliseconds.

HELL ONA HARLEY

AHHH.... Thanks bro.

alewifebp

It is a little strange that on their flagship that they would take away features from the car, or say that it is too expensive. I mean, we are talking about the S, which is not a cheap car.

mbr129

But will they get rid of SBC on later years of the W211? That is the question. I mean, if it is bad and/or expensive, they should be able to yank it off the E. I'd be all for it personally.

lig

I'd be all for removal of SBC - I don't care at all for the brake *feel* of my E...

Make it an option for those who want it...

moa4r

actually sbc was first introduced on the new sl...

norb

I have a 2004 E class and I think the SBC feels great. Maybe MB has tweeked it since introduction but it feels great to me. Just think if they keep developing it, by 2005 it'll be a non issue.

moa4r

i like sbc i think its an excellent braking system...

Nanky

I have no problems with my SBC. If it's just a matter of it being costly then I am glad I am one of those who has it. I just need to make sure I buy the extended warranty if I decide to keep the car for a long time.

bmw2mb

i think they have...i test drove an '04 yesterday and the brakes were not as sensitive as mine when coming to a stop. i'm going to talk to my dealer....maybe they can replace a part.

MBZman

MB owners have bee very critical about the quality of their cars and rightfully so. MB has decided to stop using SBC and ABS and hopefully re-focus on building quality cars. I can't blame them for doing this if in fact it is true.

As for the SBC, my dad just purchased an 04 E500 and loves the brakes. Personally, I don't see much difference between the brakes on the E500 and the CLK500. Technology is great but sometimes it is pointless, in this case the negatives may outweigh the positives.

As for ABC, this is sad. MB's airmatic can't touch ABC, it is truely one of the best suspensions I have ever experienced. If MB decides to drop ABC, which seems likely, they are going to have to re-configure airmatic or come out with a suspension comparable to that on the 7 series BMW.

lig

I'd better go drive an '04 and see... sounds like it may have been improved. My service advisor told me that there are no updates for the brakes...

(I have a relatively early '03)

moa4r

same here, even though we all know there is one...
anyway, from experience, i think its best to leave good enough alone and not let people touch your car unless there really is a problem. there is a guy on these boards who took his e-class in for the brake fix and his brakes failed completely on his way home almost killing him... damn service guys--i swear they don't know what they are doing.

lig

I think you may be right... My brakes function perfectly - I just don't care for the feel.

Probably better leaving well enough alone.

alewifebp

My brakes, besides the vibration that is common among SBC equipped cars, and relatively easy to modulate. Before I drove the car and heard the reviews, I thought that it was going to be weird driving it, but it was not.

Otto

the MB GTS (Grand Sports Tourer) uses it which will be a newer MB family member than S.

abhansali

I think there is a difference in '03 and '04 with SBC, because I had test drove an '03 (early) and the brakes were very sensitive, slightest touch stopped the car, in fact, my wife commented during the test drive I was driving jerky, and the salesguy said it takes some getting used to.

The '04 that I have right now, the brakes are awesome, absolutely perfect to drive, that extra sensitivity is not there

vraa

No way they are going to discontinue ABC, it's one of their high selling points. The worlds first active suspension.

Same with SBC, it goes hand in hand with the pre-collision features. I'm extremely confused!

ipaq123

Good riddance to SBC!