Extended warranty or No warranty
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
'03 C32 LET Stage I
Extended warranty or No warranty
My '03 C32 with 42K is running out of CPO warranty this month. I am faced with a few options and am having trouble deciding. Stuff fixed under CPO:
IC pump, control arms, headlamp washer module, seat heater. Other than that, its has been trouble free for the most part. I do have a Valeo radiator, but no symptoms of any tranny trouble. Below are my options going forward:
1. Pay $4500 for 3 years 100k b-to-b warranty
2. Pay $3000 for 4 years 100k drive-tran only warranty
3. Save the money and put it into stage1 kit and change the radiator
I would like to do some modifications but if I get warranty I'm afraid of rejected claims because of mods.
Other than tranny troubles, are there any common expensive items I should be concerned about if I don't go for warranty.
Opinions are greatly appreciated.
IC pump, control arms, headlamp washer module, seat heater. Other than that, its has been trouble free for the most part. I do have a Valeo radiator, but no symptoms of any tranny trouble. Below are my options going forward:
1. Pay $4500 for 3 years 100k b-to-b warranty
2. Pay $3000 for 4 years 100k drive-tran only warranty
3. Save the money and put it into stage1 kit and change the radiator
I would like to do some modifications but if I get warranty I'm afraid of rejected claims because of mods.
Other than tranny troubles, are there any common expensive items I should be concerned about if I don't go for warranty.
Opinions are greatly appreciated.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: Lower NY Area
2003 E55 Blk/Blk
screw warranty stage 1 it!! Your paying 3000-4500 for a safeguard against something that might not happen. Or your paying whatever it is for stage 1 that will definitely happen lol good luck
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
Mine is warranty-less simply because nobody would sell me a policy. $4500? That’s a quarter of the car’s value today. During my ~18 months of stewardship, I’ve replaced the IC pump, control arm bushings, strut bearings, and seat modules. Kinda familiar? Less than $1000 since labor, for me, is not factored into the equation.
While some Valeo radiators have proven to be trouble free, those that fail take out the transmission and torque converter. That will be $6000, thank you very much. Ditch the Valeo and install a Behr as a preventative measure. They can be had for $300. The other big ticket piece of concern is the $1000 intercooler core.
It’s like any insurance. You bet yes and they bet no…with your ante. You have made it this far. Chances are most of its problems have already been rectified. If you're otherwise pleased with the car, save a dollar for a rainy day and then proceed to modify to taste.
While some Valeo radiators have proven to be trouble free, those that fail take out the transmission and torque converter. That will be $6000, thank you very much. Ditch the Valeo and install a Behr as a preventative measure. They can be had for $300. The other big ticket piece of concern is the $1000 intercooler core.
It’s like any insurance. You bet yes and they bet no…with your ante. You have made it this far. Chances are most of its problems have already been rectified. If you're otherwise pleased with the car, save a dollar for a rainy day and then proceed to modify to taste.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
2003 C32
the folks who work on their cars will tell you to save the money. the folks who don't have mechanical aptitude will say otherwise. your call 
me? i'm all for less pain and hassle, so pay up for the bumper-2-bumper.
me? i'm all for less pain and hassle, so pay up for the bumper-2-bumper.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Ogden, Utah.
C32 ///AMG
Go for the bumper to bumper. Drive worry free.
My car is currently in the shop and by the time I'm done, I would have put 5K-7K in repairs in it. Thank heavens for the warranty.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 8
LET C32 2002
+2
Though I have warranty I can't seem to find a way to extend it so there is one option 4 me and thats to mod. With the aftermarket warranty so far 6-7k came out of it.......its wiser to get the warranty if the trans begin to jerk.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
E500(Sold), SL500(Sold), C350(Sold), ML350, SL65
Hey, that a look at MBA Direct they have some good cover with a reason prices.
