SL350 and SBC brake system problem

[mx5alive]

Has anyone experienced any problems with the SBC braking system used on Merc SL and E class cars? My mate has recently bought a new SL350 and has unfortunately had an unexpected meeting with a bollard. He was pulling into a parking space and the bollard was ahead of him. He is certain that he braked as normal but the car simply didn't stop. The bollard hit the car dead centre but didn't trigger airbags or seatbelt tensioners as he wasn't going fast enough.
A little net research has shown that a recall has happened on cars before may 2004 in connection with this system but I haven't found any other reports of this problem causing damage.

[workshy fop]

May 2004: 35,000 UK car recall of cars built from March 2002 over fault with electronic SBC brakes which can fail without warning and revert to the hydraulic front brakes back-up.