chokaay

From what I've read, MB USED TO not allow non-original owners purchase extended warranties for their vehicle. However, I've read that recently they lifted this restriction. You may want to call "Lisa" and ask her this question, just to be sure. She seems to be really on-top of things, and is very honest as well...

john in norcal

Lisa answered this question. You don't need to be the original owner to get MB ELW, as long as the original factory warranty hasn't expired.

tivoboy

I actually ended up paying quite a bit less than the 1, for the MB ELW warranty on our C300 when I purchased my car recently. I did negotiate a bit and it was NEAR the 30 days window, just a bit after, so better pricing might be possible for a recent buyer. I know the pricing can be different, I'll query Lisa if I can reach her.

The other point to note is that the MB warranties, at least our is, is FULLY REFUNDABLE at any time before activation.

chokaay

...and to my knowledge, can be refunded on a prorated basis if the car is sold, totalled, or if you get rid of your car during the extended warranty period (or at least that's what I was told by my local dealership... maybe I should check with Lisa on this... hmmmmmm... ).

chokaay

There are 2 factors why you paid less:

1) Because you were still NEAR the 30-day window, you were able to get a better rate than someone who's factory warranty is expiring. The surcharge changes based on where you're at in between the 30-day window and your warranty's expiration date/number of miles on your car.

2) The MB ELW is a few hundred dollars cheaper on the C300 versus the E350 (or other models more expensive than the C-Class). That itself accounts for a significant discount IMO.

john in norcal

So, based on my options above, do you guys think the MB ELW is worth $1200 more than the EasyCare warranty? I would like to make a decision and purchase a warranty ASAP. Thanks.

GearHead

For (1), if you sell your car or cancel it before the term of the warranty, you can get your money back (prorated).

Not sure about (3)

Hope this helps

Vik888

Depends if its worth the gamble to see if EasyCare will be in business for that long.

I know MB will be.

TPAbnz

Never heard of Easy Care.

TPAbnz

Current economy? They're in BANKRUPTCY!

smooth_caramel

I got the same quotes from her yesterday.....I'm debating. I really want the 100K, but sheesh! I don't know if I can spare that much for a car warranty right now!!! Which way did you go?

6/75k $2990
7/75k $3590
6/100k $4090

john in norcal

I haven't decided. I tried to call Lisa again today but could not reach her. She did not give me the 6/75K option but that's worth considering to save a few bucks.

Your last quote ...is that 6/100K or 7/100K?

smooth_caramel

....yes 6/100k

vettdvr

I would not own a E series again without 100K warranty.

At 85,000 miles 2003 E500

Ball joints
SBC failure
Air spring replacement
Ignition Key
Door locks
Mirrors
Cracked wood panels
Heater water control valve
and the list goes on!
Idle pulley

I am sure these would have easily exceeded the cost of warranty which is why you find 100000 mile warranties so expensive.

Rumor has it the 2007 and newer have fewer problems. Perhaps true, and perhaps don't have enough miles to report yet.

Best of luck.

smooth_caramel

...actually it wasn't until 2006 model year when they worked out the "kinks"

vettdvr

Sorry I left out 2006 perhaps the improvements I have heard about started there. I would really like to know were all the parts put on my E500 up to current standards or 2003 standards? Should I expect them to all fail again are is it going to be as reliable on these components as a 2009?

I owned a Cadillac Eldorado in 79 ($25,000). It was about as reliable as the 2003 E500($68,000).

I had the opportunity to work as a management team member with the Cadillac quality control team in 1985. (I did not work for GM). I told them about my car and I switched to Lincolns. They continued to tell me, "we make them better now buy one you'll like it." I asked, "why not give me one for a year and if it is as you say I will buy it." Do I need to tell you their answer. The headlines today will give you the answer.

So I really have to ask myself,, do I want to spend another $70,000 for a MB on "we make them better now buy one you'll like it."
I am not saying MB didn't make it better but after all it is my $70,000 and if it were yours in exactly the same situation what would do.

"we make them better now buy one you'll like it.". Perhaps they are a lot better. Perhaps they will give me one to drive for a year to confirm and then I will buy it.

This really is just my opinion with a example of 1 car I am sure there are 2003's that have had none of the problems listed, I just haven't heard of it yet.

This is why I would NOT buy a MB without Extended Warranty.

What do you think?

chokaay

I personally share the same view as you (although my reasoning is probably more simple). MB makes expensive cars, that can have expensive repairs if something goes wrong. I would rather spend the extra few thousand to get an extended warranty (since I do drive my cars rather hard, and put a lot of milage on them) as an "insurance" policy in case I need it in the future. Personally, if I like saving money just like any other person... but IMO, if I couldn't afford the extended warranty (or the 91 octane premium gas price), then I wouldn't buy a MB... I'd buy a car that was "more reliable" (and used 87 octane regular gas).

smooth_caramel

That doesn't really make a whole lotta sense to me. Which car would you say is definitely "more reliable" thus not needing any warranty? Hard to justify that, IMO. I don't think it's about being able to afford it for MB buyers. If they have a $70K car, I'm pretty sure most could probably afford an extended warranty, it if they really wanted to. It's whether or not they really want to. It's all about how much "risk" each person is willing to deal with at what price.

The dealer that sold me my car drove a Maybach as his personal car. He says it wasn't worth it to him to have buy extended warranty. I'm pretty positive he could afford it, but he chose to get rid of it.

For me, it means like my race bike upgrades and all those track days I had planned this coming month are on hold, FRICK! For everybody else, it's something different.

Barry45RPM

A loaded Toyota Camry V6 needs no Extended Warranty if you plan to keep it for 5-6 years & put about 100,000 miles on the clock. Even with usual & customary repairs, you'll be ahead in the deal by saving the purchase price of the warranty. Your average Chevy doesn't need one either.... Probably a Lexus too.

The lower the price of an Extended Warranty, the less likely the Manufacturer says his car is likely to need costly repairs. Its a friendly wager between you and the Car Manufacturer as to whether the car will fail to perform.

smooth_caramel

Isn't that also true for an MB?...if you purchased the warranty?



Yes, that's where you factor in how much risk you're willing to assume on your particular car and at what cost.

vettdvr

Just a FYI,, If I wanted I could buy the S500 and warranty as I really can afford it. What I don't like is unreliable vehicles. Price isn't the issue. Quality and Reliability is. MB IS SUPPOSE to have both. I don't even mind the price if I get the Q & R.

But my 1 example of MB didn't deliver Q&R. It is a very nice car and does preform well. But I don't like being between Oka city and Denver and having the supension fail or SBC system result in towing to the next dealership hundreds of miles away.

IT is all about MY time and how I spend it not the price of who can afford what car. I EXPECT a Comfortable preformance vehicle Quality built and Reliable Car. I am not sure MB can deliver.

But aren't we having fun.

No one has stood up and said MB in 2003 built the E class as a reliable car yet.

smooth_caramel

I absolutely agree it's not about whether or not we can afford the warranty or not, it's whether we really want to. For you, it's time & frustration, for me, it's whether I wanna race for sure or have peice of mind in the off chance, everybody's different. Itoo would expect a lot out of a luxury car.

With cars that cost that much, I'd wish that having to depend on warranties wasn't even a topic for the MB brand. Not the reality however, oh well.


LOL....sorry, I can't help with the 2003 vs 2006/07 quality issues. However, I do have an 06 and none of the problems I've read about on the prior years, thus far.

Barry45RPM

I had an '04 which tortured me. I have an '07 which has been flawless... only 1 unscheduled trip in for non routine service to fix an A/C line leak shortly after delivery. I LOVE this car and will keep it a total of 6 years. I bought the 2 year warranty extension (MB Ext Warr.) AFTER I had the car 1 year to be sure the car was good. It IS but I wouldn't own a 211 without an extended warranty. The usual unscheduled out of warranty repair costs per year should otherwise run you $1200/year.

You're really paying for peace of mind. Having peace of mind will virtually guarantee your enjoyment of the car.

220S

These are the same prices I was quoted by my dealer. Is "Lisa" really cheaper?

btw, pads, rotors, struts, etc. are considered consumables. Unfortunately on a MB, those things are pretty expensive.

john in norcal

Talked to Lisa again yesterday. She quoted me $3090 for the 6/75K. Not sure why she quoted me $100 more than your quote. For $500 more, I think the 7/75K is a better deal but I'm really not sure if it's worth spending $3590 or just setting aside that money in a repair fund for the next three years. The EasyCare 3yr/75K $100 deductible warranty for $2390 is starting to look more attractive. Still can't decide which warranty to get or not get one at all.

Do you guys think it's worth it to spend $3590 on a 3yr/75K extended warranty for a 2005 E500 with only 21K miles?