This is a long post, but I would appreciate feedback if you have time.

I just bought a 1999 ML320 off a family member. It has 75,000 miles and major items run smooth and has been taken care of.

Wanting to reduce my risk, I want an extended warranty, here are my choices:
Diamond Term:
24 Months / 24,000 mi 12/8/2007 104,000 $2,731.00
36 Months / 36,000 mi 12/8/2008 116,000 $3,381.00
48 Months / 48,000 mi 12/8/2009 128,000 $4,184.00

Emereld:
12 Months / 12,000 mi 12/8/2006 92,000 $1,985.00
24 Months / 24,000 mi 12/8/2007 104,000 $2,380.00
36 Months / 36,000 mi 12/8/2008 116,000 $2,700.00

Ruby Term:
24 Months / 24,000 mi 12/8/2007 104,000 $1,865.00
36 Months / 36,000 mi 12/8/2008 116,000 $2,075.00
48 Months / 48,000 mi 12/8/2009 128,000 $2,605.00

Coverage descriptions are below.

Basically Ruby just covers engine/tranny, while the rest cover more.

I was thinking or doing the 36 month Ruby for $2,075 because that price seems reasonable. But I'm not sure what problems I will incur in the future. I plan to keep this baby until it dies. I read the post about the realibility of ML320's, but didn't know what coverage I should get. Can someone please strongly recomment one plan over another?

Thank you.


Diamond Coverage

Diamond is the most comprehensive plan available, covering virtually every component on your vehicle. This bumper-to-bumper protection is as close to the manufacturer’s warranty as you can get! By definition, a bumper-to-bumper plan is exclusionary, which means it will only list the parts NOT covered . In addition, it provides the repair or replacement of components that are broken or worn out. Diamond offers both of these features, just like your factory warranty, and is unmatched anywhere in the industry.

A plan that offers a list of covered components, like most do, will not provide the coverage for any component not specifically listed. Diamond protects thousands and thousands of components, compared to a few hundred offered by other plans. The only exclusions are scheduled maintenance items (oil changes, tune-ups, etc), consumable items (battery, wiper blades, etc), and cosmetic items (upholstery, cup holders, etc).

Emerald Coverage

Emerald is our most comprehensive ‘Named Component' plan, covering the 12 major systems of the vehicle. It provides coverage for both mechanical breakdown and wear out of the components most costly to repair in your vehicle. This comprehensive coverage includes coverage on items that most do not, such as the engine operation computer, power locks/windows/seats, and overheating! Emerald’s extensive coverage includes your vehicle’s engine, transmission (standard and automatic), front and rear wheel drive, electrical system, fuel delivery system, brake system, suspension, steering, engine cooling system, air conditioning, and seals/gaskets.

Ruby Coverage

Ruby provides coverage for your vehicle’s most critical components at a very competitive price. It covers mechanical failure for your engine, transmission (standard and automatic), front and rear wheel drive, limited electrical and seals/gaskets.

from:
http://www.1sourceautowarranty.com/S...=auto_coverage

 

Why not just save the money and foot all bills yourself. You may come out ahead. These warranties are for people that are afraid to possibly spend their own nickle and they are profitable for the issuer. I never have and never will purchase an extended warranty they are in fact not a warranty but an insurance policy and the companies that issue many of them are suspect.

 

Appreciate the feedback. Only reason I was thinking about it was due to past experiences with my W140 Coupe. It was in the shop constantly and I was just wishing that I bought an extended warranty.

I just bought a 1999 ML320 due to weather conditions/cargo space but have no knowledge on W163.

"sosh" makes a good point, I'll foot all the bills, but I'm still thinking of getting ruby which is engine/tranny. The cost to replace the W140 engine/tranny was so high I just ended up junking the car. Does anyone know of the ML320 engine/tranny getting replaced and if so at what mileage?

 

No major problems with this engine except if not taken care of there could be an oil related sludge problem. Believe due to a class action suit MB guarantees the engine against sludge related damage/failure to 100 thousand miles. Just use the synthetic oil that MB suggests. Re the trans, no major problems here either other than a very few electronic control unit failures and/or a very few valve body replacements. I had a 98 ML320 with this engine/trans and it was excellent. My other ML's have been all V8's. I also have this engine in 2 E Class an 01 and an 05, same situation, no problems at all.