hdtvmartini

My 2004 E500 4-matic is about to go out of warranty. I'd like any recommendations as to if I should purchase an extended warranty. It would cost me $4430 for an additional 4 years with Fidelity Warranty Services. I'd also like any input on other warranty companies, and anywhere that I can find data about the reliability and cost of maintenance for the E500 going forward.

finnjab

If you have less than 50K on your 04 E500, I would seriously consider Warranty Direct.

http://www.warrantydirect.com

Untertürkheim

If your car is still under factory warranty, you can extend it up to 100k miles for up to three more years directly through mb, and it is $1000 less than that.

Barry45RPM

How long do you plan to keep your car? MB offers an extended Warranty (which I just put on my 1 year old 211). I wouldn't keep a 211 without an extended warranty.

hdtvmartini

Unfortunately you have to do this during the 1st year.

Barry45RPM

As I understand it, that was the old policy. Now you can get it at any time as long as there is 1 day or 1 mile left on the original factory Warranty...with a 10% extra fee added on for each year you delay after the 1st year is over.

hdtvmartini

I called MBUSA today and they said you can't get the warranty after the first year.

pfphipps

For buying after the first year, the MBUSA extended warranty is limited to 2005 and later models. Also, I think you must be the original owner. Go to this link and read for yourself:

http://www.mbusa.com/care/warranty/extended-limited.do

pinebaron

Barry,

I have only another few days left in my first year to buy extended warranty; I read somewhere the rates can vary by dealer; is that true or should I just go ahead and purchase it (I am thinking 7 years 100k miles). I did 18.5k in my first 6 months and doing about zero right now since I use public transport to go to my new place of work.
Since I have a diesel E320 Bluetec, I'd want to check if the extended warranty covers emission components, electronics incl. navigation etc.
The dealer quoted me the following to 100,000 miles with years extended (beyond 4yr/50k miles)
1 yr: 2999
2 yrs: 3840
3 yrs: 4944
I am not a frequent car changer; I still have my 10 yr old Ford Expedition and I still love and drive it everyday.
Do I intend to own the Bluetec for 7 years: Yes
Do I abuse my cars: no
Can I afford the repair expense if I dont buy the extended: Probably.
Now help me decide please.

MB211

Aftermarket warranties can be as good if not better than ELW. Just pay attention to how the coverage is worded:

You want---- EVERTHING is covered EXCEPT for a,b,c,d

You do NOT want---- ONLY ITEMS LISTED are covered a,b,c,d

Your car has to many electronic and odly named components to have good coverage with the listed coverage type warranty. (i.e flex disc, thrust arms, control modules......)

The other nice part about aftermarket is you can select a deductable to lower you purchase price. You can always afford $100 to pay for repairs......

TheGreatOne45

I recently bought a CPO E350 4Matic with an aftermarket warranty from Fidelity Warranty Services. The dealer said this warranty was better than the MB ELW and that most dealers now use this warranty. Do you think I got ripped off or is this warranty better?

Barry45RPM

Depends on the coverages, limitations & what you paid. Your question as it is stated is like asking "How much is food in a can?"

TPAbnz

There are many posts on extended warranties, dealers who discount the MB policy, etc. You may want to try a search. Good luck on your purchase.

TheGreatOne45

the package I bought is called "Gold Plus" it includes nearly every component except wear and tear items such as brakes/rotors and wipers.

HoustonRider

food in a can is less than $1... (normally)... MB food in a can? ... $75.

Untertürkheim

I would buy the warranty extention for as long as possible, since I am not a frequent car-changer either. I do not abuse my cars, but I own some older MB's, and one out of warranty repair can cost at least as much as a year of coverage. For example, if you have to replace a motor mount (or 2), gearshift bushings, and a flex disk (all of which will probably need to be done in that 50-100k mile period), it will cost at least $1000. Buying the warranty will probably save money in the long run.

MB211

Any warranty purchase is a gamble. They price the warranties high enough that the average cust gets less reimbersed than they paid out. Remember they are a "for profit" business.

That being said I look at it this way. If I pay $3k for a warranty:

1. If they pay for over this in repairs, I saved money and made a good purchase.

2.If they pay less, that means I had very few problems and made a good vehicle purchase.

It is win, win if you look at it this way. The other thing to look at is are you sure you can afford a $1500 repair (it does not take much to get there) at any given time? You are buying peace of mind.

Just look at how the warranty is worded, do not listen to the finance sales pitch of it is "bumper to bumper". READ THE CONTRACT!!!! Most companies offer several levels of coverage, with their top level being the only one worthwhile........example: Western General PLATNIUM, Easy Care TOTAL CARE, VPC PLATNIUM, Mercury PLATNUIM........

dalazernet

To add my own experience with this... they have revamped their extended warranty pricing (I'm not sure if it applies to older models or just their new 08's+), but my 08 W204 that I just bought cost me $4000 for an extra 2 yrs/100k miles.

So, be on the lookout because prices may have gone up across the board.

- Eric

pinebaron

Just look at how the warranty is worded, do not listen to the finance sales pitch of it is "bumper to bumper". READ THE CONTRACT!!!! Most companies offer several levels of coverage, with their top level being the only one worthwhile........example: Western General PLATNIUM, Easy Care TOTAL CARE, VPC PLATNIUM, Mercury PLATNUIM........[/QUOTE]

I will call the MB dealer tomorrow to check extent of coverage; I have a funny feeling it may not be same as my current new car 4yr/50k mile coverage, then again I could be wrong. I looked around this forum but could not get information on exactly what is not covered under the MB Extended Limited Warranty; I don't like the word 'Limited'. I will also look into other warranty companies.

gnma

Or you could take the cost of a warranty and invest it. think of it as an "MB maint/repair acct". Should you need it, use it. If not, then at least u've got the money.

One thing that comes to my mind from reading these posts are if I ever incurr $$$ in repairs/yr. then I"m ditching the car - what's the point of the three pointed star if its a POS?

MB211

You cannot go wrong with ELW. It is the best warranty you can purchase and it is the easiest to confirm coverage (the dealer processes it just like factory warranty).

Also it is not that a MB is a POS, but it an expensive car made with expensive parts....if a part fails, replacement cost may be high......

pinebaron

I may be heading this way too; I just have not had the time to check level of coverage for ELW.

gnma

We are now witnessing the '03's & '04's living past their MB original warranty. From my readings here most pblms have been resolved under warranty, very costly problems.

I am willing to understand a $$$ repair (not maint.) once every 2-3 yrs. Airmatic comes to mind. And that is cheaper than a 2-3 yr. warranty.

MB211, I agree, if an expensive part fails, it will cost money to fix. The problem is how often, (or quickly) the part fails. See how many 211 owners have exp. airmatic issues. Premature wear on ball joints. Glycol contamination in the tranny from a defectively designed Valeo radiator. Nothing lasts forever, but these issues should not occur within 30-40K miles. As an example. If MB can't make their airmatics last 60K, then put a normal suspension in it. Hell, the W210 E55 rides superbly.

IT will be interesting (money pit?) to see how the W211 ages. I've read owners saying they'll sell their car before the warranty expires, but again, I emphasize, what good is a car if you have no confidence in it after the warranty expires? IS this what MB has come to? They built their reputation by having some of the most bulletproof luxurious cars in the world. I know issues came up early this decade, but I'm hoping my 05 E500 provides the MB reputation of old. We'll see....I'm going with my "investment plan" I stated above....(although thoughts of my dynamic seats, or bi-xenons becoming defective makes me cringe)...

nikon

I've looked carefully into Easycare which was offered by my dealer, and it's a "mechanical breakdown" contract. Which means that if any part should fail because it was not designed correct, they will cover it, but they will not cover any damages done by normal wear and tear. There is a member on the forum that has Easycare, when his starter gave up, they didn't cover the repair besause it was suppose to be something that requires "maintenance" On the other hand warranty direct cover for wear and tear damages, and seem like a reliable company but one major thing they don't cover are struts, which are a known problem with w211. So far I have not heard enough positive feed back to consider Fidelity. Which ever company you go with, do yourself a favor and check with BBB and any customer feedback online. Also look into how much money these warranty providers have paid out for claims.

MB211

I have a lot of experience with EasyCare. If you do not buy their "total care" package, the coverage sucks. Otherwise almost everything is covered. If the other member has a total care contract, and could not get a starter covered, he needs to go see a different service advisor that knows what he is doing! An extended warr is an insurance company and must be SOLD the repairs by the advisor.

EasyCare also covers front airmatic struts. For the money, this is prob the best warr you can purchase.

ELW will also cover it.

Go to your dealer, find a good advisor, and ask him what warranty he recommends. Service will know best on what warranty is good for your car.