Fidelity Warranty Service
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
2006 Mercedes R500
Fidelity Warranty Service
After reviewing the various forums and websites, I took the risk and purchased a Fidelity Warranty Service for my 2006 R500. It appears to be starting to pay off.
My R500 didn't disappoint in offering an opportunity to test whether the warranty would be honored. It recently suffered some of the predictable problems: 1) transfer case putting the car into limp mode, 2) passenger side mirror loudly banging upon close and 3) steer column rotation at 80+ degrees outside.
What I've learned includes...
1) negotiate the purchase price of the warranty (48 month/48k miles) as it's flexible ($4200-->$3800 and I should have pushed harder);
2) get any terms in writing (dealer offered to wave $250 deductible for service done at their facility and agree to write it in contract, but later when it was time to wave it, I was forced to make many phone calls and ultimately they honored the waver);
3) buy prior to Mercedes or CPO warranty. Although my dealer didn't require it, my other dealer wanted to charge $250 inspection fee if the car was out of warranty (not applicable to me as I still had a month left on my CPO warranty); and
4) know, as mentioned many times on the various boards, Fidelity honors its claims (in this case 100% for said services) but delays the work as they sent an inspector;
For other R500 drivers, here's the skinny on the repairs. Steering column problem was an easy fix (tighten bolt); crazy mirrors required a new motor; Shifting problem (limp mode requiring restarting) required new transmission transfer case. Of course, the dealer found a burnt out blubs ($31) and wanted to change the brake fluid, both of which were not covered by the warranty. Total cost about $1,800 parts and labor all of which was paid by Fidelity, save brake fluid and bulbs. We'll have to wait and see if this fixes all the problems.
The point of the post was only to keep others informed about Fidelity Warranty Services (as I would have made my decision to buy the warranty easier in the pass) and document some come problems with and fixes for the R500.
My R500 didn't disappoint in offering an opportunity to test whether the warranty would be honored. It recently suffered some of the predictable problems: 1) transfer case putting the car into limp mode, 2) passenger side mirror loudly banging upon close and 3) steer column rotation at 80+ degrees outside.
What I've learned includes...
1) negotiate the purchase price of the warranty (48 month/48k miles) as it's flexible ($4200-->$3800 and I should have pushed harder);
2) get any terms in writing (dealer offered to wave $250 deductible for service done at their facility and agree to write it in contract, but later when it was time to wave it, I was forced to make many phone calls and ultimately they honored the waver);
3) buy prior to Mercedes or CPO warranty. Although my dealer didn't require it, my other dealer wanted to charge $250 inspection fee if the car was out of warranty (not applicable to me as I still had a month left on my CPO warranty); and
4) know, as mentioned many times on the various boards, Fidelity honors its claims (in this case 100% for said services) but delays the work as they sent an inspector;
For other R500 drivers, here's the skinny on the repairs. Steering column problem was an easy fix (tighten bolt); crazy mirrors required a new motor; Shifting problem (limp mode requiring restarting) required new transmission transfer case. Of course, the dealer found a burnt out blubs ($31) and wanted to change the brake fluid, both of which were not covered by the warranty. Total cost about $1,800 parts and labor all of which was paid by Fidelity, save brake fluid and bulbs. We'll have to wait and see if this fixes all the problems.
The point of the post was only to keep others informed about Fidelity Warranty Services (as I would have made my decision to buy the warranty easier in the pass) and document some come problems with and fixes for the R500.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 556
Likes: 4
2011 C300 4matic, 2015 Porsche Macan S, 2006 R500 (sold)
Yeah, totally agree. Funny that I discussed this topic with my wife today and if my R is not currently being covered by my Chrysler extended warranty, I will sell it tomorrow.
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 228
Likes: 7
From: California
06 R360, 06 F350 6.0, 04 CayenneS, 96 911TT 500HP, 86 928S, 74 911S, 73 914-4, 70 914-6, 02 Durrango
In the rocklin area. The dealer I got to is in rocklin but I did not get my warranty here. I bought the car from another dealer and got the warranty from there.
