Which battery were you talking about, the engine comp or the trunk? Or was it the alternator all together. What was done?

 

My '03 SL 500 lost brakes at 260 miles on the odometer. This happened in December 2002 and ever since then I have read other posts on this board regarding the same problem, usually on '03 models, all with the electro/hydraulic system. There is plenty of info in the archives. I have never heard of a difinitive fix for the problem, mine was in the shop for 6 weeks. I sold the car. For you doubting Thomases, the brake failure happens suddenly and without warning (mine was in a parking lot) it is not a maintenance issue, my car had 260 miles on it. The "back up" system is ineffective, insufficient and unpredictable and most people will tell you that MBZ has a pretty relaxed attitude about the whole thing. Since the problem is not predictable and no one fix seems to be the cure I would have to say that getting rid of your car is your only assurance that you or your family will not face possible injury or death. Too dramatic? You won't think so if it happens to you.
Sincerely,
Jeff

 

Maybe most people just die from this failure so they don't have the chance to complain about how their brakes went out before they ran the red light and were hit by a train. We just don't hear about it.

 

For those people inclined to doubt but too lazy to research, and apparently we have them in abundance here, downshifting to 1st is a programmed response to this event

 

Why is it that a lot of people on these forums always result into calling people "morons" and so on? On benzworld forums, most people are mature. Knowing these forums, people are going to flame me for posting this so I will say this in advance, i rest my case.

 

in response to "shifting to first" or even hand brake, you are talking instant reflex speed to do it. And even if you are Michael Schumacher or professional stunt driver, you will will not stop in the "normal" distance when this brake failure occurs. The stopping distance will be longer. And, normal driving conditions are we step on the brake at a distance we are used to per the speed that we are driving. From experience. For example, if it takes 100ft to stop from 45mph comfortably (not slamming on the brakes to stop on a dime) from the moment you hit the brake, the red flashing light goes on, and you realize your brake has gone to hell, what should I do next...oh, the down shift, hand brake, stand on the brake routine.... your car probably will not stop in that normal 100ft... in my wife's case, there were no cars in front and she stepped on the brake early because there is a curve in the street. But if she was on a straight road and braking normally with traffic... she would not have been injured but certainly would have had a nasty headache and I'd out several thousand dollars worth of repairs. I'd probably get sued for the guy she rear ended, or worse, what if there was some pregnant woman crossing the street with a stroller? Imagin that? I get my pants sued off my ***.
That SBC issue is not like one or two cars, it was very prevalent in the early models of 03's... I am glad they did the recall, but MB is still lame for letting this occur in the first place. I mean, CD players that thrown tantrums don't kill or maim, engins and brakes that fail can. I still like MB's, like I said, wife just got a new 07 E550, but it's sad that for a luxury brand, this is something that we have to deal with. Should my 100,000 SL be superior to a 35,000 INfinity G35 in every respect?, not just looks or prestige, but at least not having to worry about not having brakes that work when I am flying on the highway at 100mph? just a thought. By the way, I checked the records, my wife's incident occured after she supposedly had the SBC recall service done already. It was "done" before the official recall, we took it in for some other service and they did it before the general recall went out.

 

Fishy or not this same thing just happened to an W211 E55 member.

 

Just because you drive a Mercedes does not mean you automatically have 1/10 of a brain.

 

Said without any sense of irony whatsoever

 

guess they don't make them like they used to...

 

I believe they replaced all 3 as well as the SBC pump and some other recall related items. My situation was a no brainer.

 

Thanks! I've got 8k on my 04, "knock on wood", no problems other than recalls which the dealerships fixed.