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

shertex · #1 08-24-2018, 10:41 AM

Some great news for us 05/06 CDI owners. MB recently decided to extend the warranty on the SBC to 25 years. Just confirmed over the phone with MBUSA that my car is covered through July 2031. I am trying to track down the details....I will post when I receive them.

tjts1 · #2 08-24-2018, 11:20 AM

Does this also cover the normal 300k cycle replacement or just unexpected failures?

shertex · #3 08-24-2018, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

Does this also cover the normal 300k cycle replacement or just unexpected failures?

Apparently it's any and all SBC issues. BTW the threshold is around 600k.

Here's the thread on the issue over on Benzworld.

https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211-e-class/2248298-sbc-nhtsa.html

ILUVMILS · #4 08-24-2018, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Apparently it's any and all SBC issues.........

Only specific fault codes relating to the SBC hydraulic unit qualify for warranty replacement. Once the fault codes are pulled with SDS a simple guided test will indicate whether or not the unit needs to be replaced. In some cases new software is all that's needed. All this information is documented by the dealer service department and submitted to MB with the warranty claim. Without the correct documentation MB warranty will deny the claim...........

shertex · #5 08-24-2018, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILUVMILS

Only specific fault codes relating to the SBC hydraulic unit qualify for warranty replacement. Once the fault codes are pulled with SDS a simple guided test will indicate whether or not the unit needs to be replaced. In some cases new software is all that's needed. All this information is documented by the dealer service department and submitted to MB with the warranty claim. Without the correct documentation MB warranty will deny the claim...........

Do you by any chance know which fault codes qualify? I'm trying to find out...no luck so far.

My understanding is that the "new software" solution was for early SBC units that had a lower actuation count threshold. I'm sure my 06 already has the higher threshold.

shertex · #6 08-24-2018, 12:24 PM

I would assume it's at least the following:

C249F Operating time of a7/3 (hydraulic unit) is exceeded
C2131 Pressure Reservoir faulty
C235C or C235A Service threshold reached

ROLLGUY · #7 08-24-2018, 12:58 PM

I have an '03 E320 that I bought for parts (slight front damage, I have replacement parts), but thinking about repairing it and selling it rather than parting it. It has the red brake warning, and the brakes barely work. I wonder if I can have the SBC fixed under warranty, even though the car is not registered to me yet (need to get smog, brake, and light certs to register it)?

97 SL320 · #8 08-28-2018, 06:41 PM

Linking this to another thread.

https://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/394770-sbc-warrany-extension-part-2-a.html

My post from that thread

Quote:

A warranty of 25 years / unlimited miles is absolute insanity, regular braking systems are not warranted that long.

The real worrisome part is others will use this as leverage to extend the warranty on other systems and cars regardless of brand.

Having 4 + decades in and around the car business, I have consistently seen customer expectations exceed reality and this seems to be a turn for the worse. What is next? Pay for the car after you are done using it?

From the current thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

My local service adviser was singularly unhelpful. "Would just have to bring it in for diagnosis...the codes are proprietary information...yada yada yada..."

The service writer isn't going to diagnose / give detailed info over the phone, they have done nothing wrong. They are not going to research a long list of trouble codes and give them over the phone. Be aware they are not listed in your warranty PDF.

As I stated in the other thread, this warranty is insanity. It even covers parts that a normal brake system has like wheel speed sensors and brake switches.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I have an '03 E320 . . . It has the red brake warning, and the brakes barely work.

This would be a good data point, what trouble codes does the SBC have? Having codes is critical.

Can you quantify how difficult the car is to stop? How does this compare to a regular car that has lost power assist?

ROLLGUY · #9 08-28-2018, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

....................................

This would be a good data point, what trouble codes does the SBC have? Having codes is critical.

Can you quantify how difficult the car is to stop? How does this compare to a regular car that has lost power assist?

The car that has the warning (E320 gas) is actually now a parts car. I was going to use parts from my wrecked CDI to fix it, but decided to use the parts from the gasser to fix the CDI instead. The gasser was driven 100 miles to a friends house, and I bought it there (basically sight-unseen). The next day I had it towed because I noticed the red brake warning (didn't want to drive it the 100 miles home without good brakes!). I actually have not driven the car other than moving it around the yard. I also noticed that it has an SBC unit from a wrecking yard (yellow marking paint on it). The brake pedal goes almost all the way to the floor, and grabs abruptly. I have not scanned for codes. I think this one will never see the road again. It was a donor for the four tires and wheels (near new tires on custom wheels), fender, door, three airbags, bumper parts and some interior parts......Rich

EDIT: The parts car also donated a fairly new Duralast AGM battery! Good thing, the battery in the CDI just quit holding a charge. It was a factory second two year battery that lasted two years and seven months. It only cost $44 in Feb of '16.

97 SL320 · #10 08-28-2018, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I actually have not driven the car other than moving it around the yard.

Moving the car around is still a valid test.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I also noticed that it has an SBC unit from a wrecking yard (yellow marking paint on it).

Does it look like a recent install? I'm wondering if there is a car side problem / version coding issue making it go red.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

The brake pedal goes almost all the way to the floor, and grabs abruptly.

Long peddle travel would be normal otherwise the back up system would be engaging in regular operation.

How did this compare to a regular system that lost power assist? ( RE: like moving a non SBC car around that isn't running. )

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I have not scanned for codes. I think this one will never see the road again.

Still worth scanning for codes as a data point.

There are a lot of emotional threads around concerning the SBC, real data is needed.

ROLLGUY · #11 08-28-2018, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

Moving the car around is still a valid test.

Does it look like a recent install? I'm wondering if there is a car side problem / version coding issue making it go red.

Long peddle travel would be normal otherwise the back up system would be engaging in regular operation.

How did this compare to a regular system that lost power assist? ( RE: like moving a non SBC car around that isn't running. )

Still worth scanning for codes as a data point.

There are a lot of emotional threads around concerning the SBC, real data is needed.

The SBC module could have been installed by someone that did not know what they were doing, and maybe the system just needs to be bled. It looks like fresh brake fluid around the fittings. The pedal travel is abnormal in my opinion, but it does stop with little pedal force. I only felt the brakes the few feet I drove it, so I have no idea how it would feel/stop on the road. I could still scan for codes......Rich

shertex · #12 08-29-2018, 06:32 AM

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.

However I do agree with what someone said somewhere that there won't be many of these systems for MB to deal with at the 25 year mark. I can assure them, though, that, barring my totaling my car, they will have to deal with MINE.

RunningTooHot · #13 08-28-2018, 08:07 PM

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...

ILUVMILS · #14 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 · #15 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.