I have 49,000 miles on my 2003 E-500.

My stealership told me that I could buy an extended warranty that will give me another 50,000 miles (to 100,000) of coverage, but of course I have to buy before I lose factory coverage at 50,000 miles.

The extended warranty appears to cover nearly everything, and is offered or backed by a national insurance company, that is locally headquartered (Mercury Insurance).

My service advisor brought this to my attention when I dropped the car off yesterday for Service E (Wanted to do it before I was out of coverage). I told him I thought I could only buy an extended warranty during the first year of ownership and he said no, that is only for a Factory extended warranty. Then he told me a horror story of a 95 S-class he owned, and how the extended warranty saved him $12,000 in repair costs. He said the E class has 100+ command modules, each costing approximately $600, so if any should fail, the cost could add up fast! He also said that with the cars he sees come and go daily as a Service Advisor, and the problems he sees them with, he would highly encourage me to get one while I can.

Questions:

1. Would a Service Advisor be biased about encouraging me to get an extended warranty-i.e. does he get a cut or a credit or an atta-boy for it or is it like an electronics store guy suggesting you get a new door lock--no motivation in it for him one way or the other.

2. Does $3,600 sound too expensive for this "insurance?"

Thanks for your input!!

EDJ

 

I have a horror story about how the extended warranty covered some large repair bills on my old C. They are definitely worth it if the car is problematic. And based on what I read here, the E-class is a good candidate.

As far as which company to buy from, the most important thing is whether your dealer will work with the company on your claim. I bought my insurance from a company named DFS, as recommended by the dealer when the car was purchased. Then I moved back to OC and had to visit FletcherJones for service, it was like pulling teeth trying to get my SA to call DFS for warranty authorization.

Just curious, which dealer recommended Mercury?

 

Thanks for the intel! I'm still open to more input!

FYI--MBLN recommended/sells it.

EDJ

 

You might want to try these guys...about $2000 for bumper to bumper coverage for another 5 years/100k miles.

Your Free Quote
CALL 1-866-653-3300

BUY DIRECT AND SAVE!!!

Bumper to Bumper Plan
Term:
Years/Miles Up to 36,000 Miles 36,001 - 50,000 Miles
2001 or Newer
5/75,000 1649 1849
5/100,000 1749 1949
6/100,000 1849 2049
6/125,000 2099 2249
Year: 2003 Make: Mercedes E,S Class
Model: E320 Mileage: 36,001-50,000

The Deductible for the above PLANS is $200.
For $100 Deductible Add $150.
For $0 Deductible Add $250.


Term:
Months/Miles Basic Plan Super Enhanced Plan

12/12,000 1199 1399
24/24,000 1299 1499
24/30,000 1549
36/36,000 1399 1599
36/40,000 1649
48/48,000 1499 1699
Year: 2003 Make: Mercedes E,S Class
Model: E320 Mileage: 36,001-50,000

The Deductible for the above prices is $200.
For $100 Deductible Add $150.
For $0 Deductible Add $250.

Non-Eligible Vehicles
All vehicles over 100,000 miles, Alfa Romeo, AMC, Aston Martin, Audi Quattro, Bentley, BMW 700/800/M Series, Cadillac 4.1 Liter Engine, Conquest, Corvette (ZR1)(6spd), Delorean, Dodge Stealth, Dodge Viper, Eagle Premier, Exotic Cars, Ferrari, Fiat, Ford SHO, Grey Market Cars, Hummers, Jensen, Lamborghini, Lancia, Land Rover Livery, Lotus, Maserati, Mazda RX7, Mercedes 500/600/SL, Merkur, Mitsubishi 3000GT, Modified Vehicles, Peugeot, Range Rover, Renault, Rolls Royce, Sterling, Yugo, All 10 & 12 Cylinder Vehicles, any Vehicle Primarily used for Commercial Purposes, or Rental Vehicles.

Customer Information Form

Once you fill out the form below, our customer service representative will contact you to begin processing your order! Or, if you prefer, contact us directly by calling 1-866.653.3300.


Select the Bumper To Bumper Warranty Plan that interests you.


5 Years/75,000 Mile Warranty
5 Years/100,000 Mile Warranty
6 Years/100,000 Mile Warranty
6 Years/125,000 Mile Warranty



Select the Warranty Plan that interests you.


12/12,000 - Basic Super Enhanced
24/24,000 - Basic Super Enhanced
24/30,000 - Super Enhanced
36/36,000 - Basic Super Enhanced
36/40,000 - Super Enhanced
48/48,000 - Basic Super Enhanced


Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Day Phone:
Evening Phone:
Fax:
E-mail Address:
Please Indicate the best time for us to contact you.

Morning Afternoon Night Anytime



Due to security reasons, we do not currently accept on-line credit card processing. However, our customer service representatives accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card, ATM Debit Cards, or personal checks.


Payment Plans are available, call 1-866.653.3300.

Car Warranties Direct is committed to protecting your privacy. All information provided is confidential and will never be provided to a third party.

For Further Information
Contact Us At:

Car Warranty Direct
21360 Center Ridge Road
Rocky River, Ohio 44116
Toll Free: 1-866.653.3300
Fax: 440-331-0324


Email: info@CarWarrantiesDirect.com
URL: www.CarWarrantiesDirect.com

 

Here is another one to try...looks like the dealers price is way too high.

Your Quotation ID # is 2005095-179

Golden MBI


Deductible


Terms/Miles* $0 $50 $100
4 Years / 60,000 Miles $1,624 $1,567 $1,510
4 Years / 75,000 Miles $1,977 $1,909 $1,835
4 Years / 100,000 Miles $2,456 $2,383 $2,286

The Golden MBI policy is is an extensive component coverage that covers the "big ticket" items on your vehicle. Golden MBI covers items that most companies best coverage do not such as ESC / EEC / ECM (computers), anti-knock sensor and oxygen sensor.
» Click to review coverage


*Mileage is total on the odometer, years are measured from the warranty purchase date. Vehicle must be under original full factory warranty to qualify for Golden MBI coverage.

California MBI

Terms/Miles* $0 Deductible $100 Deductible
4 Years / 75,000 Miles $2,877 $2,692
4 Years / 100,000 Miles $3,625 $3,414

The California MBI policy is the most comprehensive mechanical breakdown insurance you can buy. This top of the line coverage most closely resembles the manufacturer's warranty on your vehicle. Commonly referred to as "bumper-to-bumper", it provides you with maximum protection.
» Click to review coverage


*Mileage is total on the odometer, years are measured from the policy purchase date.
Quotation ID # 2005095-179 Special Features -
State: California
Vehicle: 2003 Mercedes Benz E500
Vehicle Mileage: 49,000

Warranty Direct Insurance Services - Phone: (888) 241-8464

Rates quoted are based on the information you provided and are subject to verification. All rate quotes subject to underwriting guidelines. Vehicles whose original full factory warranty has expired require a $99 inspection prior to policy purchase.

Warranty Direct Insurance Services will not be held responsible for rate quotes where incorrect information was supplied. Please make sure that you have entered accurate mileage, special features (4WD/AWD, turbo/supercharger and diesel engine) and state of residence. California MBI rates valid for California residents only. Quote valid until 5/5/2005 provided vehicle does not exceed mileage and/or age limits.

 

Well, there's www.carwarrantiesdirect.com as MB4Fun mentions.

There is also www.warrantydirect.com. I have purchased extended warranties on my C5 Vette and Jag through these guys.

Warranty Direct - 333 Earle Ovington Blvd. Uniondale, NY 11553 Phone: (800) 632-4222


For my '04 E320, the bumper-to-bumper quotes are:
SecureCare Plus - True bumper-to-bumper protection


Deductible> $0 $50 $100 $200

Terms/Miles*
4 Years / 60,000 $1,720 $1,595 $1,495 $1,350

4 Years / 75,000 $2,060 $1,910 $1,785 $1,575

4 Years / 100,000 $2,460 $2,310 $2,160 $1,865

5 Years / 60,000 $1,775 $1,650 $1,550 $1,390

5 Years / 75,000 $2,135 $1,985 $1,860 $1,640

5 Years / 100,000 $2,540 $2,390 $2,240 $1,925

5 Years / 125,000 N/A $3,925 $3,675 $3,020

6 Years / 60,000 $1,855 $1,730 $1,630 $1,450

6 Years / 75,000 $2,225 $2,075 $1,950 $1,705

6 Years / 100,000 $2,675 $2,525 $2,375 $2,025


You might want to check it out.

 

3rd party extended warranties make me wary. I've bought a used bmw that had one, and they wouldn't transfer it to me even though the original owner kept METICULOUS records (I mean, who else has the dealership actually stamp the owner's manual when they go in for service???).

The extended warranty firm said that he didn't keep in maintained to manufacturer's specifications as required by the agreement so they refused to transfer it to me, the new buyer. They said his car required oil changes every 3000 miles, depsite the fact that it had synthetic oil that the manufacturer only requires being changed every 10,000 miles.

After a lot of run around, un returned phone calls, and vague answers, they finally pointed to a clause that allowed them to refuse to transfer it at their discretion. End of Story.

So the fact that this is backed by an insurance company that I am very comfortable with (not my current company, but I've had policies with them for years in the past), and that my dealership recommends (so I won't have any issues of having things covered or paid for), makes me reconsider my stance determined from the bad bmw experience (That warranty was National or something similarly named, fwiw.).

EDJ

 

Understood. However, when I sold my C5 the 3rd party extended warranty went with it. I called and the buyer called before the sale to make sure it was transferrable, even though we read the agreement paragraph that said it could be transferred, no problem. I haven't heard back from the buyer in over a year, I assume the transfer went just fine.

 

At the very least you should print out these quotes and take to your dealer to get them to match the price...bet you will get a significantly better price than what was first offered and you get to go with the dealer recommended policy.

Jeff

 

Good point. A little info for leverage, at least, can't hurt!!

 

Good idea about challenging their price. Just like buying cars and negotiating, very few people attempt it in the F+I office on the warranty, and the buy rate. (the rate the dealer got from the bank for your financing is the "buy rate" that often gets bumped at signing .5%-2.0%. Dealer gets a check from the bank, keeps the difference. This is "back end" money. Service contracts sell to the dealer for say $600, and retail for say $1200. More profit. In my area, and I'm sure it applies all over, the only reason a person has to buy the warranty while still covered buy the factory, is to save on the premium. It is cheaper to do it that way, but not required. Advisors may get a "spiff" from F+I, but not substantial, He's probably being very upfront with you. An effective way to find out if your rate has been bumped, and how much, is to simply ask what the buy rate was. You might get a surprised look, but could be interesting =) FYI, credit unions tend to forbid rate bumping.

 

For what it's worth, here's another source for research: http://www.autowarrantybuyersreview.com