Vik888

We are definitely buying the 7yr/75k mile extended warranty.

Since we are getting the 20" wheels, the Wheel/Tire sounds like it is a must.

Any opinions on the "first class appearance" package which includes W&T but also windshield and paintless dent removal?

SteveVukelich

WARNING. Many of these warranties not owned by MB, even though they are sold by their dealers. One Florida company sells a warranty, that is pushed by salesmen, promises you a refund if you don't use it. Not true, and the salesman was surprised when the company admitted to that fact. The catch is that they will not refund your money if you trade or sell early, even if you do not use it (including vehicle being destroyed in an accident); a refund is only earned if the vehicle is not sold/traded for the full warranty term. The company gets to keep the money at no risk to them. At over $5,000 it is a rip-off. I only buy warranties that MB issues (has the MB name on the documents). PLEASE READ ALL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS BEFORE SIGNING, EVEN IF THE CONTRACT IS 20 PAGES LONG, READ EVERY WORD. IF IT ISN'T WRITTEN IN THERE IT DOES NOT EXIST. AND DO NOT TAKE ANYONE'S WORD FOR IT, THEY JUST WANT A SALE.

TwinCam

I agree with Steve. Be very careful when buying a warranty that is not backed by MB. Might be better to wait until the factory warranty is about to expire and then purchase an extended warranty backed by MB and your dealer. Lots of warranty scams out there, buyer beware!

JLamg

. . .unless you know you are a very bad risk, these are "peace of mind" insurance products that have high margins for the dealer and insurance company and low percentage payouts for the client. Many rules and limitations, and very low likelihood of occurrence. Having been in the insurance business for many years I pass on all of these. . all the time

Chucky300

I agree. I went with another warranty company - named Royal - and they fought me tooth and nail on everything. They said MB Manhattan charged $188 per hour for service but they would only pay $88. I would be responsible for the balance.

They said a part by MB costs $100 - they would only pay $500. I would be responsible or the rest.

They said even though it wasn't written in the contract that there would be selective pricing - I should have known that they would not pay full price for ust because I am in New York.

Vik888

I have no plans to buy a non-MB warranty.

Everything I wrote about are MB products.

That's what I wanted some input/advice about

hyperion667

are you buying it at the time of delivery? guys always tried to sell me that......guess you're keeping the car a long time?
can't you still buy it besides at pick-up?

SteveVukelich

Since you have the 20-inch wheel option, the wheel/tire warranty is a best-buy. The appearance package is also a good deal if you get a lot of parking dings, but most dealers will fix windshield rock chips for free.

hyperion667

why is that a best buy? just watch where you're driving, hang up the phones, and you have a much better chance of NOT ruining your wheels and tires due to potholes of whatever else is out there ruining cars.......insurance companies LOVE morons

SteveVukelich

Pot holes are not always avoidable, and with run flats they will get sidewall bubbles.

MTrauman

Agreed!


I am EXTREMELY careful with potholes but here is a case in point. As careful as I am about 10 years ago at night on my way back from Philly to Pittsburgh on the PA Turnpike I hit a pot hole that literally just peeled back my wheel lip about 6 inches (I don't remember but these must not have been alloy wheels) on an MB E Class but it did not pop the tire. Man did I feel that as I was going 70mph!


A few years ago on my '08 S550 I hit a pot hole near my office in PA (about a mile from the MB dealer) that literally bent the suspension so that my steering wheel was significantly tweeked to one side as I drove straight down the road.


As far as insurance on wheels, I declined this coverage on my '14 S550 4matic since I will just pay for any problems I will have in the future instead of spending the money on insurance.


If one lives in NYC/Manhattan, it might be a BEST BUY especially if you have the 20" AMG wheels given all the issues people have reported in Manhattan. I was in NYC over a month ago and I thought my taxi was going to be "eaten" by a pot hole from the taxi ride from LaGuardia to Manhattan.


Just my 2 cents.

Vik888

I have never bought the wheel and tire warranty ever before, but I've read so many stories about the 20" wheels on the S550 and the run flats that I'm just covering myself.

Most of the roads here in SoCal are smooth so I'm not anticipating any issues, but there is a thread on the run flats here and anyone with run flats even on BMWs have horror stories including people I know who are very very careful.

Vik888

Yes, we keep our cars a long time. This 2015 S550 is replacing a ... wait for it ... 1989 420SEL

hyperion667

wow! impressive; most impressive

MTrauman

Double WOW! Man I wished I could do that! I know I would have saved---wait----millions of dollars. And that is no joke!

Vik888

I doubt you can keep cars today that long though. Too many electronics and what not that can fail, although my 2008 E550 has gone 80k miles without anything other than regular maintenance.

dr.bob

I'm picking up my S550 next week. It has the 19" AMG wheels. Is the tire & wheel insurance still recommended??

DaveVY

Congrats on the new car and the longevity of the replaced car! How many miles on the 420SEL?

ima55r2

I got the MB 7/75 ext warranty just before the 4/50 ran out. Kept the car for another year and got a refund since I hadn’t used it. I got it from a Texas dealer since it was discounted a bit and there was no sales tax.

MTrauman

All about personal choice.


I have 4200 miles on my '14 S550 4matic with the same 19" AMG wheels. I have hit plenty of nasty pot holes and have had no problems with the wheels or tires. Based on this forum, the real issue has been the 20" AMG wheels/tires. I don't think the wheel/tire insurance is worth it for these wheels/tire but again it is all about personal choice. If you have a tendency to scrape wheels on curbs you might want to consider the insurance for that purpose but I have "trained" myself to stay away from brushing against curbs.


Just my 2 cents.

LovinMercedes

I agree that bending the rims are much less likely with the 19's but I am wondering if you hit a pot hole really badly, is your tire not bubbling. I seem to have had this problem with run flats regardless of my rim wheel size.

MTrauman

No bubbling what so ever! So far the stock Continentals run flats have been great (and I have been watching this closely since PA roads suck--maybe not as much as NYC but they are bad)! I am known to have a number of sets of tires/wheels for my cars due to winter and "pot hole" season. On my '08 s550 4matic I had the 19" AMG wheels (different from the 2014 S550 19" AMGs) and decided to buy a second set of MB 18" wheels for winter driving and "pot hole" season. I simply don't think for me I am going to get a set of 18"s for my 2014 S class because so far the AMG 19"s with the run flats have been great.


Down the road I may end up with numerous tire/wheel combos but not because of run flat/bubbling issues but maybe for styling reasons or winter driving so my wheels don't get all gummed up with the winter salt, etc.

texex91

Warranties are a joke. You get a flat tire, go buy a new one. Not worth the $$. I bought one (sucker) on a 911 once, and trying to file the claim on the flat took a month and more of my time than it was worth. Never buy one again.

m3422c

I have the MB Tire Plus warranty on my 2012 S350 (18" wheels). This winter I went through 9 tires to to horrible road conditions here in New York. I never had to even attempt to file a claim - the MB dealer just replaces the tire (and, 3 times, the wheel) at no charge! For the $1000 cost of the warranty, I have received over $6000 worth of tires and wheels - this definitely paid off for me. I will be getting this on my 2015 S550 when it gets here.

Chucky300

Understand your point here, but it isn't always a driver's distraction.

Google Belt Parkway potholes in Brooklyn ny. You'll see that literally every lane has horrendous craters - and this winter- every evening - there were at minimum 20 cars pulled over to the side from popped wheels and tires.

Driving down Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn in the morning near Atlantic Avenue, Dekalb Avenue, etc.... you have really one lane in each direction with treacherous potholes.

You can be compeltely on the look out - and still have a problem.

My warranty cost me $2295 at MB Manhattan - I've had my car since November 2013. I've replaced 8 tires. (eight) and one rim.

No way to prove it - but I hope you will take my word that I was neither on the phone nor distracted when I hit a pothole. They were unavoidable from a physical measurement point of view.