SBC Warranty Extended to 25 Years!! - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

97 SL320 · #16 08-29-2018, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

I fail to see how this extended warranty is "insanity." This is a special case and a bit of a PR nightmare for MB. Seems like a nice goodwill gesture.

I have never seen an auto maker warranty anything for 25 years / unlimited miles. Regular braking systems are not warranted this long making this insanity.

Any of the bad PR is generated by those with little real data , emotional responses and the inability to deal with loss of power assist.

Perception is everything, I remember in the 70's / 80's when GM lost a law suit because Chevy engines went into Buicks ( there was lots of engine swapping so there were probably many other suits. )

https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/15/archives/article-4-no-title-engine-swaps-innocent-to-gm-but-sinful-to.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/28/us/jury-orders-gm-to-pay-10000-in-switch-of-engines.html

People are expecting aircraft levels of reliability with minimal to no maintenance. The SBC's cycle count attempts to accomplish this but drivers resist replacing a part when it times out. Or even worse, lumping a brake light switch failure into the cycle count lock out.

With cars being much more reliable than in the 70's and 80's , fewer people experience the loss of power steering / power braking and are unable to cope with this in more modern cars.

I'm involved in a repair of a full sized pickup truck where most of the electrical system shuts off due to an electrical fault. The driver ( 30 something ) claims the steering " locks up and can't be turned " when the engine stalls. This truck has electric power steering and ,while the steering is stiff, it can still be steered just not with one finger.

I'd be willing to speculate that those claiming " total loss of brakes " are normally driving with tips of toes and push the peddle the normal distance but no farther during a SBC failure. RE: They are selecting braking force by peddle distance not foot pressure.

ROLLGUY · #17 08-29-2018, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

.................................... I can assure them, though, that, barring my totaling my car, they will have to deal with MINE.

Mine as well. I have at least three cars with SBC that I am "responsible" for, so I am sure the dealer will see one or more of them for SBC work before the year 2028.

ILUVMILS · #18 08-29-2018, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningTooHot

A good question is how magnanimous Mercedes will be when it actually comes down to biting the bullet. I wouldn't be surprised if prior to authorizing a replacement they may demand proof of a proper servicing history... and if you have no proof of timely fluid flushes, they may flush your hopes of a new SBC unit down the toilet.

The warranty bulletin does not mention any reasons for disqualification - but would MBZ want to document that in writing versus an unofficial "recommendation" to dissuade dealership service writers?

We'll see what happens...

1. MB doesn't "authorize" replacement. Read my last post.

2. No prior service history is required.

3. Unofficial "recommendation" to dissuade service advisors? Please elaborate........

iwrock · #19 08-29-2018, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

I have never seen an auto maker warranty anything for 25 years / unlimited miles. Regular braking systems are not warranted this long making this insanity.

I've had a few interesting conversations about this... I've discussed this a few times with friends who work at MB and a few local MB enthusiasts.

To us, it looks like MB has put a service life expectancy on their cars of 25 years. That's saying quite a bit - their newer cars aren't the disposable soda cans most thought they were; and that they're willing to support them for longer than some other car manufacturers have been around.

My friends at the dealer think it's an interesting tactic to maybe draw more folks into dealers for service, which I can see their viewpoint. SBC car comes in for warranty service, and a laundry list of other items need service - they might be enticed to spend $1500 on services if they're getting the SBC covered by warranty. Heck, I'd probably drop $1k on service at the dealer if I were getting $2k covered.. And I hate using the dealer for service!

A friend made the comment that he feels of all the recent model MBs, the W211 has had the highest number of issues that were customer visible for things that should have been non-wear items. Things like leaky fuel tanks, SBC units, and faulty balance shafts shouldn't have really failed in such a short time. The oldest W211 is now only 15 years old, and in that time may have needed both a fuel tank and SBC pump at what...? ~$2k each? He thinks MB might be trying to do right after the leaky fuel fiasco and showing you should expect a lifetime of service from your MB.

Anyways, I digress. Good news for many W211 owners, especially those looking to drive their CDI to half a million miles. A friend is working with MB to get some sort of compensation for having his SBC pump replaced just under a year ago, not sure if they're going to help him out, but will be interesting to see what happens.

ROLLGUY · #20 08-29-2018, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

I've had a few interesting conversations about this... I've discussed this a few times with friends who work at MB and a few local MB enthusiasts.

To us, it looks like MB has put a service life expectancy on their cars of 25 years. That's saying quite a bit - their newer cars aren't the disposable soda cans most thought they were; and that they're willing to support them for longer than some other car manufacturers have been around.

My friends at the dealer think it's an interesting tactic to maybe draw more folks into dealers for service, which I can see their viewpoint. SBC car comes in for warranty service, and a laundry list of other items need service - they might be enticed to spend $1500 on services if they're getting the SBC covered by warranty. Heck, I'd probably drop $1k on service at the dealer if I were getting $2k covered.. And I hate using the dealer for service!

A friend made the comment that he feels of all the recent model MBs, the W211 has had the highest number of issues that were customer visible for things that should have been non-wear items. Things like leaky fuel tanks, SBC units, and faulty balance shafts shouldn't have really failed in such a short time. The oldest W211 is now only 15 years old, and in that time may have needed both a fuel tank and SBC pump at what...? ~$2k each? He thinks MB might be trying to do right after the leaky fuel fiasco and showing you should expect a lifetime of service from your MB.

Anyways, I digress. Good news for many W211 owners, especially those looking to drive their CDI to half a million miles. A friend is working with MB to get some sort of compensation for having his SBC pump replaced just under a year ago, not sure if they're going to help him out, but will be interesting to see what happens.

I have heard that in the Daimler-Chrysler years, the Chrysler product got better, and the Daimler product got worse. Even if that were the case, I still like the W211 platform, even with it's known problems.

97 SL320 · #21 08-29-2018, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I have heard that in the Daimler-Chrysler years, the Chrysler product got better, and the Daimler product got worse. Even if that were the case, I still like the W211 platform, even with it's known problems.

I really doubt much vehicle tech from Chrysler went towards MB but it is true MB tech went Chrysler's way.

Witness the 00-10 Chrysler PT Cruiser. This was also sold in Euro markets with a small gas engine and a MB diesel. Chrysler also got the 722.6 auto trans , rear differential on the 300 / Charger / Challenger type cars and probably other stuff I'm unaware of.

It gets really weird that Chrysler mini vans rebranded as the 09 - 14 VW Routan has MB marked tire pressure sensors.

Word on the street was MB got Chrysler's parts distribution network that it apparently desperately needed.

markg612 · #22 08-31-2018, 12:33 AM

Actual letter from MB attached in my post in this thread. . .

SBC WARRANY EXTENSION PART 2

markg612 · #23 08-31-2018, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

A friend is working with MB to get some sort of compensation for having his SBC pump replaced just under a year ago, not sure if they're going to help him out, but will be interesting to see what happens.

According to the letter I received from MB, repairs done at MB authorized service provider are eligible to submit for reimbursement--see my post link below

SBC WARRANY EXTENSION PART 2

97 SL320 · #24 08-31-2018, 08:16 AM

We would need to see the original warranty as the one you posted is an addendum .

I don't consider hitting the cycle counter a premature failure of the SBC unit. I consider it a hitting end of expected service life just like an oil filter or brake pad thickness warning.

This would need to be specifically addressed in the original warranty.

chronometers · #25 09-02-2018, 11:24 AM

Great development! I am glad to see MB standing behind their product. I think it was a great move on their behalf to get out in front of this and warranty a very complicated braking system to minimize liability while at the same time giving confidence to owners.

Hats off!

chronometers · #26 09-05-2018, 03:08 PM

NT

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode