Windshield Time

I can't recall an extended warranty I've bought for anything. On most products they are pushed so hard at point of sale because they are big money makers for the sellers of the policy. Are our S Classes significantly different?

I'm sure there are plenty of people who have benefited from them, but insurance is all about statistics and these policies aren't being sold to lose money over time.

I would appreciate your input. What are your thoughts good, bad or otherwise?

Mike5215

CPO 06 S500. $4500 to extend CPO to three years. $13,000 in covered warranty repairs over three years, $6000 in non warranty repairs after CPO expired.

04 S430, EasyCare Gold warranty. $4k for the warranty and roughly that back to me in repairs, including airmatic pump.

In my experience, CPO has been the most cost effective and easiest to deal with in terms of getting repairs approved and paid for effortlessly. EasyCare was reasonable most of the time although kind of a nightmare for my SA to deal with. Hold ups for inspections, and a $250 deductible for every trip.

I think it's accepted wisdom that if you can't afford a CPO S, or if you can't afford a robust 3rd party warranty, you probably won't have the resources to handle an S with no warranty coverage either.

marthyh

That being said if you're handy with cars ,have a star/xentry and know how to use it,then get a well maintainted S at the dealership with all servicerecords, you should be fine without warranty.
On this forum , there is an ever increasing wealth of know-how to do repairs as well as maintenance.
For the big things(as engine repairs-unlikely to break after my 2008-,transmission-is known to be the weak spot- and suspension work-will definately happen-) would be good to have an knowledgable MB indy at hand.
If you use the car professionally its a no brainer to get full warranty etc.

just1time

GET THE WARRANTY. Even if you are a DIY kind of individual, there are some parts that make DIY not worth it. And on the W221, there are plenty of those parts. I paid 3k for extended warranty for my first W221. paid for itself and then some.

Mike5215

^Sort of. Most of the issues you need to hedge against have nothing to do with maintenance. There's no maintenance requirements on the motor and transmission mounts, main seal, airmatic pump, airmatic strut(s), cam position sensors, ABC valve body or any of the dozens of other little systems and subsystems that are unique to the S. Those are what can eat you alive, and they'ye just as likely to do so on a pristine, perfectly serviced car as they are any other. The stuff just wears out and goes bad, and it's not the kind of stuff you can go to Autozone for to get replacement parts.

But yes, if you can do most of your own work, and you have your own current diagnostic systems and can source parts from somewhere other than MB...well heck, you're pretty much an Indie yourself at that point.

For everyone else, just bite the bullet and get the coverage.

Jason B

This unfortunately isn't a typical product like a TV or a camera where electronic stores sells outrageous extended warranties that usually are never used.

For these cars, you are seriously playing a game of Russian roulette. I've had the car a little over a year, and the CPO has already paid for itself. Then again, I've grown up with a family owning S classes since 1978. It's a great car and rides like nothing else on the planet. Like Mike always says, it's a $110,000 car, and just because you can find one for $35,000, doesn't change the fact that it was a $110k car with complicated options and highly sensitive equipment that can and will break. My service advisor was pissed when the w222 came out. I remember him telling me the w221 has something like 125 microprocessors running in the car, and the W222 has like 140. More headaches.

Now, if you have a local independent shop, you are lucky. I have one, but I'm not using him until the CPO runs out. Independents can't always do everything that a dealer can do. For ex, the heated seat element that went out which needed a new leather cover put on and new elelement, my guy won't touch. So again, the dealer is where you want to go for as long as you can. My Independent can do anything mechanical and is awesome. He just fixed my friends s500 airmatic (one shock was leaking). Local Mercedes dealer wanted $1,200, his price was $400 total.

CPO or go home.

Windshield Time

I suppose a serious question, that I need to answer, is how long will I keep this vehicle. It currently has factory warranty until September 2017. I'm pretty darn happy with this 2013 S550 that still has under 20k miles. And there are things I like about it better than the W222, so I may very well end up keeping it beyond the factory warranty expiration.

Jason B

I forgot you have a 2013. Honestly, the lower you can keep the miles, less worry. How many miles a year are you going to do?

Windshield Time

I just moved much closer to my business so now I'd be surprised if I surpassed 15K a year, and probably under 10.

Jason B

Honestly, don't start to really worry until you get past 50k. Then be sure you have a warranty around that time, or a good independent shop.

Nuru

I may go for extended warranty this year, but I can wait until 2017.

Atcpup

I bought a CPO 2008 S550 in late 2010, added another year warranty. My extra warranty did not pay off as I have had nothing but routine maintenance performed. Would I do it again and purchase the extra warrant, probably. If nothing more than a piece of mind. Last year (March 2014 to March 2015) I spent $600 on maintenance. I am about to put brakes on for the first time (after almost 50k Miles!) and this is going to be the largest amount I have spent on the vehicle/ around 1k with new rotors. Just my experience with an S550.......

Mandingo

This is good advice but finding a reliable warranty after the extended has expired appears to be a challenge (mine expires Sept this year).

2009 S550 with 63k miles in US - any recommendations?

natcahd

Mandingo...Credit Unions, Usaa.

Hd

Mandingo

Not a member of a credit union. Not ex-military.

natcahd

Dave knows a warranty company, maybe he will chime in soon. Check around there are some Credit Unions that you may be able to join without being a member of a special class. What state are you in?

Hd

Mandingo

Washington.

ducatista4life

ASC Warranty has me covered.. 2008 S600 92k miles.. 6.5k for 48mo/48k miles.. Ive already spent 7k on repairs in the 2 months I have owned the car.. PISSED, but they have covered everything but the $800 hose that blew out.

Mandingo

I've owned this car from new and it has been reasonably reliable so far. 65k miles so I think I'll just keep a rainy day fund for repairs - the $6,500 I save from buying a warranty should cover broken stuff for a year or two before I'll eventually sell it.

Question then is what car to get instead but that's a topic for another thread.

DaveW68

You don't need to be a military or ex-military member to join most credit unions. Call around to several in your area to see if they sell coverage. The best coverage I've found is through CUNA Mutual. The only way to find out if they sell that coverage is to ask specifically. You may have to call several credit unions in your area, and still may not find one that sells that brand. But most will sell some sort of coverage on a S550. You will want Exclusionary coverage, which would cover everything except for the items that are specifically excluded....normally wear items, body panels, glass, etc.

Mandingo

The "not ex-military" comment was regarding USAA.

Nuru

A quick question, did you go to your local dealer for that hose or order it online?

wilassasin

PARAGON MOTOR CLUB

They offer excellent aftermarket exclusionary warranties with good rates. They also allow you to make the payment in installments up to a year.

ducatista4life

They actually sold it to me during the purchase at the mercedes dealer. They also have a website that you can look up their coverages and get their number and possibly call them. Hope this helps!

Nuru

Thanks