Since the SBC pump is a failure point and is expensive to replace, is there a way to just make a more "analog" system? You know, like a master cylinder, proportioning valve and brakes instead of that confounding unit?
Since the SBC pump is a failure point and is expensive to replace, is there a way to just make a more "analog" system? You know, like a master cylinder, proportioning valve and brakes instead of that confounding unit?
Unless you specifically want a CDI or supercharged E55, why not either get a W210, C208 or 209 CLK, or W203? Or if you don't mind a bigger car with annoyingly complicated and expensive suspension a W220 or W221 S class. None of those have the SBC brakes. I like the idea of a CDI but I have a hard time convincing myself that I want to drive a car with that brake system. They did extend the warranty for the SBC unit to 25 years recently I think though.
The W211's are in the Challenge price range...
The W210's go to when, 2002? That's a possibility. Either way, there's a much simpler replacement of that air suspension out there so maybe we're getting closer to a reliable Mercedes?
My possibly odd desire, which hasn't diminished at all over the years is to take a reasonably new luxury car and strip away as much of the complexity as possible and make is as analog as possible.
W210 is 1996-03. They rust extremely badly in states with road salt, etc but aren't bad otherwise. If you are looking for one you can remove stuff without the various computers getting mad you want 1996 or older, but 97-05 are still reasonably user friendly and probably more reliable than the older ones if they are kept stock.
The sbc box is still a warranty item so for now and the next while or so, don't overworry about it.
Yeah, they're under warranty until 2025 or something.
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