Is the extended warranty worth it?
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Newbie
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Grand Canyon Np Arizona
2003 E320 Blue
Is the extended warranty worth it?
I am new to the forum. This looks like a place I will be spending a lot of time.
We bought our first MB last week. We drove from our home in Grand Canyon NP to Houston Texas to buy a 2003 E320 with 46000mi. I got a great deal on it. I think? $27000 in excellent shape. We are sooo happy. I have washed it twice already. So here is my question, I was told I could extend the manufacturer's warranty (due to expire in 3000mi) for about $3000. Is $3000 for 50,000mi a good deal? One of our problems is we live 210mi from the nearest MD dealership (Phoenix). If, to keep the warranty valid, we have to take it to Phoenix for all of its service we could spend more time and money going to Phoenix than the warranty is worth. I think there is a shop in Flagstaff AZ that works on MD. We did not buy the extended warranty for our 2001 Ford Excursion it now has over 135000mi with no problems. We made the right choice on that one. I don’t think a Ford is that expensive to repair so the decision was not hard. We had a BMW 535 when we lived in Dallas. I did all the repair to that one. Parts were a problem when we moved to Grand Canyon so we got rid of the BMW. I have no problems working on cars. I am an Electronics Engineer for the National Park Service. So what do you all think?
Thanks
Michael Martin
Happy New MB owner
We bought our first MB last week. We drove from our home in Grand Canyon NP to Houston Texas to buy a 2003 E320 with 46000mi. I got a great deal on it. I think? $27000 in excellent shape. We are sooo happy. I have washed it twice already. So here is my question, I was told I could extend the manufacturer's warranty (due to expire in 3000mi) for about $3000. Is $3000 for 50,000mi a good deal? One of our problems is we live 210mi from the nearest MD dealership (Phoenix). If, to keep the warranty valid, we have to take it to Phoenix for all of its service we could spend more time and money going to Phoenix than the warranty is worth. I think there is a shop in Flagstaff AZ that works on MD. We did not buy the extended warranty for our 2001 Ford Excursion it now has over 135000mi with no problems. We made the right choice on that one. I don’t think a Ford is that expensive to repair so the decision was not hard. We had a BMW 535 when we lived in Dallas. I did all the repair to that one. Parts were a problem when we moved to Grand Canyon so we got rid of the BMW. I have no problems working on cars. I am an Electronics Engineer for the National Park Service. So what do you all think?
Thanks
Michael Martin
Happy New MB owner
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Joined: Feb 2002
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John Deere
Welcome Michael.
Given your situation, I would say no, it isn't worth it. This will not cover routine maint. I ***** about driving 15 miles, let alone 210.
In the ensueing 50k miles, you may need to have your tranny flushed (assume $400), and a few odds and ends that we here can help you fix yourself for a whole lot less than what this warranty will cover.
Given your situation, I would say no, it isn't worth it. This will not cover routine maint. I ***** about driving 15 miles, let alone 210.
In the ensueing 50k miles, you may need to have your tranny flushed (assume $400), and a few odds and ends that we here can help you fix yourself for a whole lot less than what this warranty will cover.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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John Deere
Edit: I didn't mean to imply that $400 was the bulk of the cost you may face over the next 50k miles, but, when I look at what I've paid over almost 8 years of ownership, it is a ton less then 3k, not including:
1) Maint items - especially brakes
2) Aftermarket modifications that my wife doesn't know about.
1) Maint items - especially brakes
2) Aftermarket modifications that my wife doesn't know about.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Sacramento, Calif.
1984 500 Sec and 2001 S500
cdplayer
Hey! Granted for some people buying an extended warrenty may not be the right choice. But just let me tell you of my experience with my purchase.
I was looking for an 84-85 SEC. A little tight on finances at the time. But ever since the movie Roadhouse I new those classic lines would last for years to come.
Anyway while looking at a couple of sad examples at a lot I spotted a 94 E320. Pearl black with grey interior. It had a smaller body style but I really liked the car. Only had 47,000 miles too. I had the extended warrenty added for $2700. This car was packed with electronics. Enough said. The warrenty was to last three years or a predetermined amount of miles. Can't remember now. But just before the time was up I read the fine print on what was covered and had my mechanic check all of them. Come to find out the water pump was beginning to whine,the motor mounts had failed, and the engine wiring harness needed to be replaced. He had found a TSB on my model concerning the harness. The bill came to $2958. All covered. I saved $258. Lucky me.
I was looking for an 84-85 SEC. A little tight on finances at the time. But ever since the movie Roadhouse I new those classic lines would last for years to come.
Anyway while looking at a couple of sad examples at a lot I spotted a 94 E320. Pearl black with grey interior. It had a smaller body style but I really liked the car. Only had 47,000 miles too. I had the extended warrenty added for $2700. This car was packed with electronics. Enough said. The warrenty was to last three years or a predetermined amount of miles. Can't remember now. But just before the time was up I read the fine print on what was covered and had my mechanic check all of them. Come to find out the water pump was beginning to whine,the motor mounts had failed, and the engine wiring harness needed to be replaced. He had found a TSB on my model concerning the harness. The bill came to $2958. All covered. I saved $258. Lucky me.
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I am surprised
when I bought my 1995 E320 it came with 2 yrs warranty. I always thought all these warranty is a joke. So far this insurence company has paid out $1800 for my repair. I have a co pay of 10%. I still have warranty til Dec 2007. So far all major components was covered,items like Flex Disc,drive shaft and Fan Pulley. Most of this warranty covers only major components. This car has 136K miles now. I hope more major parts go wrong before warranty is out
