bbri4570

Hello all,


New here to the forum but not new to the E Class. I've had three previous E's, all bought with around 100K miles and all run until approximately 250K miles -93 300E, 97 E320, 2001 E320. Did 100% of the maintenance on all three.


I've found a very clean 2006 E500 with about 120K for what I consider a good price. One owner with impeccable records and regular dealer maintenance. It looks new inside and out.


So, how scared of the SBC brake system should I be? Didn't see any work done on the SBC system in the records I looked through (it was a huge stack, so didn't get to read everyone). Kind of getting mixed messages researching the subject and how DIY friendly it can or cannot be. I used to manage a brake shop so it's typically something in my wheelhouse, but this one throws me a little. Also are there reliable aftermarket hacks for resetting the "counter" that was built in? Any advice here would be great.


Also, how durable is the Airmatic suspension? I see there are some aftermarket replacements at a reasonable (in M-B terms) costs. So a little less of a concern.


What else am I missing?


All in all, I am infatuated the E500, it just drives amazing. Solid command of the road like my former E Class rides. But with some real thump in the HP department. For me, it would be primarily a highway cruiser as I have a 100 mile daily commute that is 95% highway. Generally it's pretty easy on my cars once they are sorted out.


Appreciate any help and/or guidance. Trying to remain objective, but I see an E in my future . . .


Thanks,


- Brian

isosunrise

Subscribed. I'm in the same boat with an 07 e350

cMazara

Well, 2006 I think is the transition year for the facelift, like the steering wheel etc but retains the SBC brake system and the so hated mickey side view mirror..

I think there's a tool that you can buy on eBay to reset the counter depending on the code the sbc trows, or take it to someone with a xentry/das and reset it but bare in mind that the system will think it's a new one, so it can fail anytime in the future, but the pressure accumulator is just 200 bucks, the sbc unit 400 bucks on ebay, just have to search on the diy to change it..

Also I saw someone with a 06 that had different brake pads from the previous and further years, that said I think the 2006 is somewhat special, but that's not a biggie, I'll try and post the link here..

As to the air suspension, once they blow people usually replace both with the Arnott ones that have lifetime warranty.

I bought a 03 w211 2 months ago, got it cheap, basically my case is just a bunch of bad sensors, spark plugs, brake pads, seat srs sensor, all of the exterior lights, door actuator, etc.. Really happy with the purchase for the price though..

homeofstone

+1 on the Arnott suspension.

cMazara

Well, you have had Mercs before, so there's nothing else that could surprise you..

My o2 sensors are bad, considering that my past cars all had 2 sensors or the ones who had more never gave me this issue, this one has 4 and double the price

bbri4570

Thanks guys for the replies, keep them coming.

That's comforting to know, just typical German car issues / problems / etc with related known fixes.

Good to hear the SBC units aren't prohibitively expensive, that actually sets my mind at ease.

Going to try and make a deal on the E in the next couple of days.

Wish me luck.

Thanks !

cetialpha5

Were you past cars 4 cylinders? They usually just have two, one upstream and downstream. On 6 cylinders, they have one for each bank so two upstream and two downstream. It's the upstream ones that does the most switching and those are the ones that typically wear out. If you got a code for a bad O2, you could have just started with replace just the 2 upstream sensors.

Also I believe the rebuilt SBC unit is more like $800, that $400 on ebay just sounds like a used one and it seems that SBC fails at around 80-120k, just depends on how much braking you do.

cmriv

Look at your bank account and ask yourself are you ready to pay to play.... simple as that. Don't be another consumer salty because repairs and parts are pricey. It is a German vehicle and does require maintenance on the regular.

cMazara

I've had 3 v6 suvs, but none of them had o2 issues.
I have a hole between the upstream and downstream which I'm going to fix next week, they told me that maybe that can cause bad readings on the o2 sensors, but anyways I'm going to change the upstream ones.


Yes, it's used sbc systems on eBay...

bbri4570

Gotcha, I've also owned several older Porsches so have been down this road before. Was considering a 996 before deciding it was time for another E.


Just like owning an aircraft, regular maintenance (and the unexpected) is part of the cost of playing.

cetialpha5

Yeah, that will probably do it. It's supposed to be a closed loop system a hole would add in extra air so it'd be confused as to what's really going on. O2 sensors do go bad over time, the standard recommendation from the manufacturer is to replace them at about 50-60k, but I think I let my last upstream set go til about 120k, the downstream ones were still original at over 200k.

MooflesThaCat

I bought an 06 E500 about 6 months ago and its been a pleasure so far. Of course there are going to be some issues with a 10+ year old car. So far I changed my brake switch ($14 bucks), and the SRS light came on.

I bought a STAR system since I plan on keeping this car for a while and found out that it is a sensor under the airbag ($40 bucks). Once its a little warmer i'll take care of that.

Outside of that, so far its been golden. Of course i'm awaiting for the inevitable suspension failure, but once it goes, i'll change the pair and im good to go for a long while. The air suspension feels amazing and so far, I havent had any issues. So far i'm at 105k.

Oh, and this car is pretty easy to work on if you're a DIY kinda guy/gal.

2MERKS

Knowing is half the battle, and since your handy maintenance should be a breeze to do. As the forum mentioned the SBC unit is not as scary as most would believe. I've owned my E500 wagon for roughly 16 months, in thaa period we've got the fuel tank/pump swapped out (MB service notice ) and two services D,E, and front brake, and sensor. Just adore driving her, and she takes care of my family.
GL

scourchaine

I bought an used fully optioned 2004 e500 4matic with 119k miles in late 2013. I was unaware of the infamous SBC problems, but mine arrived in mid 2015 at 127k miles, long story short MB took care of the parts costs even thought it was long out of warranty and I paid $196 for 2 hours labor. I have since had the air suspension problem which in general knew about, so it didn't bother me. The only bothersome issue is the active turn headlights, they are basically a $1000 each!

bbri4570

Thanks to everyone for answering.

I made a deal on the Benz and will be picking it up Tuesday. Very excited to be a member of the club again.

Merry Christmas !