LagoJerry

Mercedes offers an Extended Warranty for 12mo.,24 mo., or 36 mo. or 100,000 miles. We usually drive around 15,000 per year on our second car which will be around 60,000 when the 4 year warranty expires.

We are considering purchasing the 24 or 36 extended warranty because we will probably pass this car to one of our children at some point in the future.

Anyone have any experience with Mercedes Extended Warranty?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

jhcicco

We bought the extended warranty when we purchased our E300 for 100K miles. Had to replace the transmission at 95K - this paid for the warranty. We now have 220K miles on the car. I think its a good deal and will purchase it for our GL 320.

oinick

I bought the hell out of the extended warranty. After reading the posts about the hose thing, I am really glad I did. If you are planning on keeping your GL for more than 50K miles, the warranty is a no brainer. I am putting more miles on this car than on any car I have ever had. I hope I never have to use the warranty!

stlduckhunter

How much is the 100,000 warranty on the 320?

BlownV8

I think you have to buy it when you have very low mileage or new to qualify. Here are the rates and start after the original warranty expires:

12 months $2,500
24 months $3,200
36 months $4,120

Can Drive 55

For my car, being over 2 years old and an AMG, it would cost about $5,000 for 3 years.

I had not even considered the extended warranty since my E55 had been virtually trouble free. That is up until last Friday. The air suspension developed problems causing the car to drop down and displaying a warning message "Stop, car too low". I drove to the dealership, which was close by, and left it. I asked the SA what the approximate cost would be if the car was not in warranty. He said if the air pump was bad, it would cost about $5,000. That repair would pay for the extended warranty. I am considering getting one myself or getting rid of the car in 18 months when the warranty expires.

Can Drive 55

My dealership told me that there is a surcharge added each year to the price of the extended warranty. They said the only qualification requirement is that the car still has to be in warranty.

StevethePilot

I've read that statement before and if you really think about it, that repair would not pay for the warranty. The reason it wouldn't is this; that same $5000 could be working for you during the period in which you're waiting for the car to fail. That said, the extended warranty is like just about any other insurance. If something happens very soon after you get the warranty that's greater than the cost of the warranty, you win. If it's something a lot less than or equal to the original cost of the warranty but it happens way in the future, you lose. And again, like any insurance, what you're buying is peace of mind. So the question isn't "is that repair greater than the cost of the warranty," it's "is the peace of mind worth the cost of the warranty?" If it is, then it doesn't matter what the warranty or the repairs cost, you're buying sleeping at night time more than anything. As for me, I'm seriously considering it, which should automatically mean I'm getting it. If I'm thinking about it, then I need the peace of mind!

STP

MBspdfrk

Well, I am in the warranty business, and I buy them on every vehicle I purchase. Why do you think Mercedes covers the vehicle the first four years?---that is when it is least likely to break. If the car wouldn't break, then they should cover it for 8-10 years. The August 13 issue of Automotive News (trade publication) had an article about DC having MUCH higher than industry average claims--totaling $4.46 BILLION last year alone. That is more than GM, despite DC selling a fraction of the cars.

I think the questions you should ask, are who is the company backing the policy? Is the policy an exclusionary type? (Mercedes is not, it is named component). Keep in mind most dealerships mark up the policy by 100% (double cost). If you haggle, you can find a good deal. Cost on a MB policy for a 6/100 is $2650 (two additonal years, 50K miles).

gordongl450

MBspdfrk,

You wrote:

Keep in mind most dealerships mark up the policy by 100% (double cost). If you haggle, you can find a good deal. Cost on a MB policy for a 6/100 is $2650 (two additonal years, 50K miles).

For clarification, is the $2650 cost the bottom line cost? That is the dealer's cost? That is what we should aim to negotiate to?

When you refer to "DC selling a fraction of the cars" waht is DC? What are you referring to please.

Thanks
Gordon

StevethePilot

I believe he means "Damlier Chrysler," and I'd suggest the possibility that it's the second half of that name that accounts for most of the reliability problems. Still, Mercedes Benz has managed to move to the "least reliable" brand spot for a decade long review, where Chrysler's brands range from the low side of the middle of the chart to near the bottom (per "Consumer Reports," through MY2006). So maybe we have spent all the money and need to spend more to insure that money?

I need a nap.

Can Drive 55

I like your logic. I have thought about it in that context and it makes me want to take a chance and not get the warranty. After all, I think the chance of the first repair after the warranty period costing $5k or more is relatively low. After that first paid repair, I could then re-consider my priorities.

All this thinking makes me want to take a nap, too. Nite all.

MBspdfrk

Yes, DC is DamilerChrysler.

$2650 is cost.

Insurance has two main components--frequency, and severity. While the Chrylser products may break more often, it is the Mercedes that hits them with severity (high cost of claims).

Everyone can have their own individual experience with a manufacturer but my Dodge truck (1999) only had an alternator replaced after 104,000 miles, and my Jeep Rubicon (2007) has never been in the shop. I cannot say the same for the Mercedes E55--several thousand dollars paid under warranty and Starmark warranty. I will still buy another one for myself, and a GL320 for wifey.

lkchris

It's just like buying insurance.

Insurance companies make money, i.e. you pay them more than they pay you.

Pretty good for liability issues, complete loss of house, etc. Perhaps not so good for car repairs.

infamily

We bought extended warranty when we purchased our GL 320 CDI. It is bumper to bumper for 36 months 100 miles and covered by MB. We payed 3100 at the time of vehicle purchase. You can buy it as long as the car is under ne car warranty but MB charges a premium.