5thbenz@35

I have a brand new 04 E320 (with appearance pckg) and everytime I turn the car on, press the brake or release the brake a stange noise comes from the front end of the car? It almost sounds like a pressurized release sound. Anyway I am wanting to know if anyone else has experienced the same, and if so, what is it and what can be done about it?

abhansali

normal, nothing needs to be done.

rusnakmb

Hi,

The is the SBC pump sound. There is a mod from MB service, but it doesn't help much......

As the other guy says, it is normal.....

ipaq123

We just replaced our '01 wagon with an '04 and it's a FAR superior car in every aspect with the exception of the ghosts that lurk in the SBC system. It groans, gases, whines, hums, you name it and it drives me crazy. But as they said it's "normal."

5thbenz@35

wow. not I wanted to hear.
is it only on the E's with the appearance package (airmatic) or is it on all new E's?

alewifebp

All E's exhibit this behavior. You probably hear more noises with the Airmatic as well. Mine is an out of tune symphony when I unlock it.

Now, the other noise/vibration that you may hear with the brakes with SBC that can (supposedly) be fixed. This noise is when you are actually braking, you hear a groaning noise, and feel it in the brake pedal.

GearHead

The SBC (sensatronic braking control) is found is current W211 E classes as well as the new SL roadsters.

The SBC apparently recharges/pumps itself every 5th engagement of the brake pedals. The groaning and whining comes along with this recharge.

I was sooo irritated with this and brought it to the dealership to work on. They have a 'fix' .... installing a damping system and it does reduce the groaning dramatically. It is still there but a lot less.

BUT, bare in mind, the braking system needs bleeding when this damper is installed. If not bled completely, you loose your brakes.

Mine is done and experienced the brake failure due to incompetent bleeding process done by the technician. In any case, 3 weeks after this was installed, the groaning has subsided and lot less irritating.

patrick

These are already mounted in the factory from july '03 on.

Part No.'s:
211 428 42 00
211 428 43 00
211 428 20 00


And it will be even more less after those hoses are replaced.

Now all new E's have the damper built-in in the SBC-unit (internal damper).

5thbenz@35

...my car is an '04 built in October bought just 3 weeks ago and it still has the noises??? SO obviously if these hoses were put on starting in July of '03 they arent working right!!!

patrick

What is "right"?

The system has its typical aspects, I cannot know from here if certain noises are common or not.
If you think it may not produce any sound, than you should choose a car without SBC.

As far as I am concerned I think it is a good system.

jim256

I'm with Patrick, I've had it 14 months and I've had no problems with adapting to an occasional hum; I understand what it's doing when that happens, and I have had no problems with regular, panic, or so called chauffeur stops--it feels fine compared to my 98 E and 01 C. If you "overthink" the brakes, no doubt you can notice what it's doing, but all the attributes are toward improved braking safety.

For a survey of 1: my wife recently drove my current E for the first time, I was not aboard, and after she had done so I asked what she thought of the brakes. She's not interested in cars, nor in their functions, probably had not listened to my explanations of SBC when I got the car. She told me they were: "fine--why?"

abhansali

When I open the doors and the car is off, or sometimes when I close the door you hear a pressure release type noise (kind of like the old yellow school bus when they would push that brake button before opening the door). Not a big deal in my opinion, and actually I think it is kind of neat, makes you wonder about all the high tech stuff they are doing to make the brakes work.

Also, occasionally, if I "ride" the brake, you will that kind of grinding/pulsating feel in the pedal, but you can feel that it is not actually a "grinding" like on a regular car if your rotors are worn. Goes away if you lift up and press again, so not a big deal.

I really like the brakes, they are very, very smooth and feel just right and responsive in my opinion. BTW, my wife drove the car for a few days while I was sick about 1 week ago, and her comment was...I love the brakes, compared to my Honda minivan.