Extended Warranty: Dalimer Chrysler vs. Pentagon vs. 'Self Insure'
My 2006 E350 Warranty is just about up and seriously thinking about getting an extended warranty as an insurance policy against big repairs. Current plan is to keep the car for at least 5 years.
Here's my options:
1) Dalimer Chrysler warranty from Lisa:
5yr / 50K - $100 deductible
Covers almost everything (exclusionary)
Use only with MB Dealerships
$3500 cost
2) American Mercury Platinum + Electronics through Paragon
48 Mos / 50K - $100 Deductible
Covers most everything
Any dealership
$4100 cost
3) Self insure - put $3500 in a bank account and hope that I don't incur repairs greater than this.
What would you choose? Why?
Thanks in advance!
Chip
you gotta think that by the time a 2006 is 8-9 years old it is going to have to have some work done. whether or not its going to be 3-4 thousand that is gamble you have to look at.
i got a 3yr warranty on my 2006 for the peace of mind, but then again mine was only 1545, not 4100 so one trip to the stealership could cover that. tough call...
Last edited by sleewell; Oct 22, 2008 at 11:14 AM.




My 2006 E350 Warranty is just about up and seriously thinking about getting an extended warranty as an insurance policy against big repairs. Current plan is to keep the car for at least 5 years.
Here's my options:
1) Dalimer Chrysler warranty from Lisa:
5yr / 50K - $100 deductible
Covers almost everything (exclusionary)
Use only with MB Dealerships
$3500 cost
2) American Mercury Platinum + Electronics through Paragon
48 Mos / 50K - $100 Deductible
Covers most everything
Any dealership
$4100 cost
3) Self insure - put $3500 in a bank account and hope that I don't incur repairs greater than this.
What would you choose? Why?
Thanks in advance!
Chip
Also, think about how many options you have as well as in: more options = more problems in the future. Do you have airmatic? dynamic seats? parking sensors? distronic? keyless go? electronic trunk closer? Also how has the car been for you so far? Anything major? I have a lot of options on my car (especially airmatic, dynamic & ac seats, pano roof, etc.) and that's why I bought it certified. Do you know a good independent shop? I have an uncle as one and I have a very good family friend who have known for years that I trust as well. Take all of these into account. Good luck.
Also, think about how many options you have as well as in: more options = more problems in the future. Do you have airmatic? dynamic seats? parking sensors? distronic? keyless go? electronic trunk closer? Also how has the car been for you so far? Anything major? I have a lot of options on my car (especially airmatic, dynamic & ac seats, pano roof, etc.) and that's why I bought it certified. Do you know a good independent shop? I have an uncle as one and I have a very good family friend who have known for years that I trust as well. Take all of these into account. Good luck.
I do plan to own this for the full 5 years (about 10K miles / year - local driving mostly).
I don't know of a really good/great local mechanic who specializes on MB.
I am biased towards the Dailmer Chrysler - only $700 + cost of money per year for the full 5 years.
I am guaranteed to deductible, no issues with payment from another aftermarket provider, and backed by Mercedes. Being that I am keeping the car for another 3-5 years, I thought it was a good buy. The AC system alone costs 3,200 to repair. Airmatic, around 3K. Transmission, forget it!
So, for the price it seemed to be more cost effective to get the warranty.
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One dealer showed me (while I was there) a non-payment on the desk since July. Can you imagine having a warranty, and then still having to foot the bill and wait in the money? On a different occasion I saw this happen, and the guy and his wife blew their tops. Guess what: They had to foot about half the bill. So much for a warranty.
I had an aftermarket warranty through Warranty Gold on my 300M. They were backed by hundreds of millions in assets, blah, blah, blah, that POS went belly up, and the executives ran to the Caymans with the money, filed bankruptcy, and thought they were safe. They are being sued by the people they stiffed, and this has been in court since 2004. I will finally see some of my money back by early 2009.
Be weary of aftermarket warranties, check with your SA to see if they are excepted, and will they pay the MB labor rates AND parts, and not want to go to Pep Boys rates or junkyard parts.
That's why I said check with your SA/SM, it varies from dealer to dealer. The majority of MB dealers I called don't like to (or won't) deal with aftermarket warranties for reasons stated on my last post.
Good move that you checked first! Saves time and trouble.
My 2006 E350 Warranty is just about up and seriously thinking about getting an extended warranty as an insurance policy against big repairs. Current plan is to keep the car for at least 5 years.
Here's my options:
1) Dalimer Chrysler warranty from Lisa:
5yr / 50K - $100 deductible
Covers almost everything (exclusionary)
Use only with MB Dealerships
$3500 cost
2) American Mercury Platinum + Electronics through Paragon
48 Mos / 50K - $100 Deductible
Covers most everything
Any dealership
$4100 cost
3) Self insure - put $3500 in a bank account and hope that I don't incur repairs greater than this.
What would you choose? Why?
Thanks in advance!
Chip
On my wife's 2000 E320 we had GEICO for the 7 years 100K never used it. I think the deductible was about $300.00 and cost about $150 a years. Requires auto insurance with GEICO. The vehicle has about 75K now.
We have been looking for an extended warranty from a third party company. If the company is any good that may give you a little leverage if you are far from home or in another state.
I have looked at the following other companies that cover extended warranty on older vechicles:
1. AAAutoWarranty no relation to triple AAA
2. Agape Auto Warranties
3. Auto Advantage Inc.
I checked the bbb.com on all them by state not to bad on any of them.
I think there was a posting on one of them a few years back on a fraud site.
BBB did have some warning on other third party companies that I also reviewed like many disputes and not a member with reasons.
That's why I said check with your SA/SM, it varies from dealer to dealer. The majority of MB dealers I called don't like to (or won't) deal with aftermarket warranties for reasons stated on my last post.
Good move that you checked first! Saves time and trouble.
Just did a test, called MB Buckhead 888-723-9091. "Do you accept Warranty Direct for service on my 05 CDI?"
Yes, what is your policy no. and what's the problem? Can you come in tomorrow?
But DEFINITELY buy the M-B Warranty if you have that option, no question.
The only Aftermarked Warranty I'd trust is Warranty Direct, and I wouldn't even really trust them. Good luck with any Aftermarket covering Airmatic too....
Last edited by TPAbnz; Oct 24, 2008 at 02:54 AM.
One dealer showed me (while I was there) a non-payment on the desk since July. Can you imagine having a warranty, and then still having to foot the bill and wait in the money? On a different occasion I saw this happen, and the guy and his wife blew their tops. Guess what: They had to foot about half the bill. So much for a warranty.
I'm simply informing the O/P that an M-B Warranty is the way to go, I'm sure you could save yourself the W.D promo and agree with that.
So you have no claims experience with them? I do. Again, please tell us about your first-hand experience. As a concerned owner, I sure would like to hear about your bad experience so I can relate to WD and maybe change my coverage. I don't want to be taken advantage from them. You sure do sound a lot more experienced than I on WD.
Last edited by TPAbnz; Oct 24, 2008 at 02:49 AM.
I meant, I'm sure you can save yourself the Warranty Direct promo and agree that an M-B Warranty, if available, at an equal (or cheaper in this case possibly) cost is the way to go. That's great you've had good experiences with them, and if an M-B Warranty wasn't available to me I would probably go with them, but with my money, and through my research, I'd like to stay 100% safe if the chance is there, and an M-B Warranty is the closest to that.
Like I said for the third time, it varies dealer to dealer, and guess what? Circumstances do change. That's why I said call to check and verify yourself. The ones around me at the time said no. Both RBM locations both said no. Atlanta Classic said they no. I will call the SM at Buckhead MB and post back tomorrow to verify. I know the owners of Buckhead Mercedes as well-the Barancos.
On my MB warranty, I was at first told no because I bought my car used from a non-MB dealer. Guess what? Now as of last week, I was able to get the MB warranty now due to a loophole. It was not a CPO previously, so MBUSA let me get the warranty classified as a buyer from a private sale. Call RBM ask for Sabrina. She will explain it you in full detail if you wish to call.
Bottom line, dealing with aftermarket you run the risk of not getting covered for expensive repairs. It's not clear cut, and you may be lucky, maybe not. It's too much of a gamble after paying thousands for a warranty. It makes a difference as to what car you have to. Like the guy mentioned, for Airmatic with WD they denied his claim. It happens more than you know.
It's not an argument. It's not a beatdown on WD. It's to inform people on what we have experienced with aftermarket warranties. Plain and simple.
My 2006 E350 Warranty is just about up and seriously thinking about getting an extended warranty as an insurance policy against big repairs. Current plan is to keep the car for at least 5 years.
Here's my options:
1) Dalimer Chrysler warranty from Lisa:
5yr / 50K - $100 deductible
Covers almost everything (exclusionary)
Use only with MB Dealerships
$3500 cost
2) American Mercury Platinum + Electronics through Paragon
48 Mos / 50K - $100 Deductible
Covers most everything
Any dealership
$4100 cost
You're already spending upto 4 grands ... I'm pretty sure you can get MB extended warranty for this amount if not less. Why to go thru the after market hassle & deductibles ......
Thanks!
Chip




