ggagnon

Hi All.

I am new here. I have just acquired a very nice 2003 SL500 Firemist Red / Red Leather loaded with everything but navigation. Only 30k miles, 2 local owners (6 years each owner). This is my first Benz.

After some serious haggling at a "No Haggle" dealer, I ended purchasing a Platinum Warranty (with the Warranty Group) 24m/24k from the dealer for $2700.

I have read about ABC issues, top issues, etc but my question is this.

I only plan to drive it 5-6k miles a year. Would I better better off banking the money for repairs over the warranty? I see most people have problems with ABC issues about 50k and higher. The time the warranty expires, I would have only put 10k miles it.

I would also like to add that the dealer put a 24m/100k powertrain warranty on it also. They do that to all the cars they sell. That warranty stays intact if I cancel the extended warranty.

I know it is a crap shoot, but I would like to get the comments from some of the more experienced owners here.

My local independent Benz shop said the car appears been very well maintained over the years and gave it a clean bill of health.

I can cancel the warranty within 60 days for refund (less $50 admin fee).

I must say, I love driving the car.

Thanks for all your input!

Greg

RoundTheBenz

You really need to compare both warranties and see what they actually cover. If they don't cover ABC then I'd be inclined to cancel the other but definitely compare the two first.

ggagnon

I did ask them. They told me if the manufacturer calls it a strut, it's covered, if it'd called a shock, then it's not. The rest of the system is covered. but that was not the concern. It was more of a money well spent thing. I would probably see only 10k miles in the 2 years before the warranty expires. So save the money for down the road is what I was thinking.

Thanks
Greg

cyglee

Hello Greg, and fellow newbie to Mercedes. The online Mercedes parts catalog does list the strut assemblies as shocks, so some clarification (perhaps in writing) with your dealer would be prudent. If you can handle some maintenance DIY, I would save the 2700. 2 years go fast, and it seems you will not be driving it much anyway.

ggagnon

I thought they called them struts? I did get an in writing clarificaton. It said struts yes, shock no. So if that is the case, then I will probably not keep the extended warranty.

Need to do some more research I guess. Thanks!

cyglee

I like to use www.mbwholesalepartsonline.com for parts info, ordering, diagrams, etc.

TTtodd

MB EPC calls it a Hydropneumatic spring leg

carguyshu

i wouldn't do it. I would put that money towards getting all fluids flushed.

kbob999

If you are mechanically inclined I would bail on the extended warranty and spend the money on making it reliable.

My 2003 SL55 with 86K miles required a lot of minor and major repairs, preventative maintenance, and upgrades, of which I've spent about $3500 on so far.
Most of this would not be covered under the warranty (ALL fluids and filters changed, 2 struts, 3 accumulators in the ABC, aluminum shift linkage, brake pads, trans service, interior plastic repairs, used throttle body, valve cover gaskets, crankcase vent hoses, LCD instrument panels, motor & trans mounts, regulator on the alternator, rear battery, ...the list goes on).

The upgrades were things like NAV CD, wind blocker, smaller SC pulley & belt wrap kit, spare tire.

This would have been $10-15K for a dealer to do.

I feel I've got all the major systems covered, and the wear parts replaced, so the car will be reliable and a 'keeper' for extended ownership.
If you are considering this a keeper, then do the same and you will not regret it.

ggagnon

I decided to get an through inspection done from a independent Mercedes Benz service center to see what I might be looking at. Well, that report was not too good. Although the car appears to be a nice 2 owner car, it turns out that it has a rear main leak, valve cover leaking, RR strut is leaking and a noise which appears to be coming from the ABC main control valve. It also was storing codes for accelerator pedal not allowing full acceleration, shifter sometimes will not come out of park, and LF lamp not igniting. All intermittent. He said both batteries appears were allowed to go completely dead (long time storage??)

So the dealer has a 3 day/ 300 miles return policy. So I let them take the car back.

I am not a mechanic, that is why I wanted a warranty. But we were not sure what the warranty would and would not cover, so I just decided not to take the risk.

I was told that even Mercedes Benz CPO warranties are no longer covering the shock itself. Not sure if it is true.

Anyways, thanks everyone for your comments.

Greg

cyglee

Sorry Greg, but probably a wise move. Most of the issues could be handled DIY... if you like that kind of stuff, and have the time, tools, garage space. It is good that the dealer will take it back, hopefully without much hassle.

ggagnon

They already came and got it. Did not cost me anything but the second inspection cost.