Insurance Question?
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: San Antonio TX
Mercedes Benz G550
Insurance Question?
Just recently bought a 2003 S600 w/ 109000 miles. My question is do we have a consolidated list of companys that offer extended warranty for our Merc's with high milelage. I've been serching the net but I think this this topic should be a sticky at the very top of the thread. Any help will be appreciated.
Last edited by terrance21!; Feb 6, 2013 at 12:15 PM.
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From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
Do you mean for regular liability/collision/comprehensive insurance? Allstate was happy to cover my S430 at surprisingly reasonable rates.
Or do you mean for warranty purposes?
Or do you mean for warranty purposes?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
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From: San Antonio TX
Mercedes Benz G550
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From: Indiana
2002 S430
Hard question. Extended warranty is very costly and almost surely it would not cover the repairs you are going to need.
I was asking my mechanics, they all said that those agencies selling EW are masters of refusing repair claims. For this reason, none of the shops I went to for advise are actually willing to deal with them. They want the customer fully pay them, and wish good luck to the customer with the claim.
If you consider to buy EW make sure you read all the small prints before you sign up.
Search the forum to learn about the frequent and typical issues and clarify which of those would be covered.
As for me, I decided not to buy an extended warranty.
I was asking my mechanics, they all said that those agencies selling EW are masters of refusing repair claims. For this reason, none of the shops I went to for advise are actually willing to deal with them. They want the customer fully pay them, and wish good luck to the customer with the claim.
If you consider to buy EW make sure you read all the small prints before you sign up.
Search the forum to learn about the frequent and typical issues and clarify which of those would be covered.
As for me, I decided not to buy an extended warranty.
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Joined: Nov 2011
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S600
Finding a company that will even offer an EW for a car with >100K miles is a challenge. Finding a reputable company will be even more difficult. Also, with the well-documented and expensive repairs the S Class in general and the S600 in particular are known for, the cost of an EW would be prohibitive and the coverage very limited. If you are mechanically inclined you can do a lot of the work yourself and save a boatload of dough. It is not that difficult but is very time-consuming. It is doable if it is not your daily driver.
Ask me how I know...
Keith
Ask me how I know...
Keith
Last edited by S600Keith; Feb 6, 2013 at 11:53 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 53
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From: San Antonio TX
Mercedes Benz G550
Thanks Kieth.... I have been on the site for a little more than 2 yrs and your post are worth its weight in gold. I am some what of a shade tree mechanic but the S600 is a little daunting. She not my daily driver and I do have time on my hands I just don't know where to start. Where can I find a service manual also what may be some necessary equipment I may need to tackle this project?
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S600
I haven't gotten a manual yet even though I have changed the radiator, radiator fan, tandem ABC/power steering pump, cup holder, pneumatic pump, AC compressor, and transmission mount. If you are patient and resourceful you can find instructions on repairs on almost anything on the car in this forum. Many of the projects I just started tearing things down and finding my own way. If you know the basics of how a car works you can just about fix anything if you know lefty loosey, righty tighty. 
The only special tools I had to get were the star wrenches-both male and female and a small magnetic part retriever for all those times dropping a bolt, screw, or part deep into the engine.
Yes, it IS daunting but nothing mysterious about the cars. You just have to plan a lot of time to tear down the vehicle. On the S600 there is VERY little space to work under the hood and you have to remove almost everything to get to anything. Since it is not your daily driver you should be G-T-G working on it in the shade of your tree in the front yard.
You WILL save yourself literally THOUSANDS of dollars EVERY year.
Keith
The only special tools I had to get were the star wrenches-both male and female and a small magnetic part retriever for all those times dropping a bolt, screw, or part deep into the engine.
Yes, it IS daunting but nothing mysterious about the cars. You just have to plan a lot of time to tear down the vehicle. On the S600 there is VERY little space to work under the hood and you have to remove almost everything to get to anything. Since it is not your daily driver you should be G-T-G working on it in the shade of your tree in the front yard. You WILL save yourself literally THOUSANDS of dollars EVERY year.
Keith
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From: Long Island, NY & SE England
A Mercedes obviously!
To be blunt your car is too old, with too high miles and too complex for any warranty you'd want.
From the extensive reading I did on here before I purchased my current 600 the Chrysler Maximum Care was one of the best as it covers pretty much everything including ABC. I got it on mine in late 2009 and shortly thereafter they stopped offering their warranties on V12 Benzs. I've found a SA at my local dealership that has no problems working with Chrysler and it's really given me piece of mind.
From the extensive reading I did on here before I purchased my current 600 the Chrysler Maximum Care was one of the best as it covers pretty much everything including ABC. I got it on mine in late 2009 and shortly thereafter they stopped offering their warranties on V12 Benzs. I've found a SA at my local dealership that has no problems working with Chrysler and it's really given me piece of mind.
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 179
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From: Chicago, Naperville area
2005 Mercedes S600, 2004 Mercedes E500 4-Matic, 2002 Mercedes C32 AMG, 2001 Trans-Am WS-6
I haven't gotten a manual yet even though I have changed the radiator, radiator fan, tandem ABC/power steering pump, cup holder, pneumatic pump, AC compressor, and transmission mount. If you are patient and resourceful you can find instructions on repairs on almost anything on the car in this forum. Many of the projects I just started tearing things down and finding my own way. If you know the basics of how a car works you can just about fix anything if you know lefty loosey, righty tighty.
The only special tools I had to get were the star wrenches-both male and female and a small magnetic part retriever for all those times dropping a bolt, screw, or part deep into the engine. Yes, it IS daunting but nothing mysterious about the cars. You just have to plan a lot of time to tear down the vehicle. On the S600 there is VERY little space to work under the hood and you have to remove almost everything to get to anything. Since it is not your daily driver you should be G-T-G working on it in the shade of your tree in the front yard.
You WILL save yourself literally THOUSANDS of dollars EVERY year.
Keith
The only special tools I had to get were the star wrenches-both male and female and a small magnetic part retriever for all those times dropping a bolt, screw, or part deep into the engine.
Yes, it IS daunting but nothing mysterious about the cars. You just have to plan a lot of time to tear down the vehicle. On the S600 there is VERY little space to work under the hood and you have to remove almost everything to get to anything. Since it is not your daily driver you should be G-T-G working on it in the shade of your tree in the front yard. You WILL save yourself literally THOUSANDS of dollars EVERY year.
Keith
Living this myself as I use my S600 as a daily driver as well. All that Keith states about the S600 is true...especially the value of the magnetic retriever (Spent more time pulling stuff off the belly pan than the actual repairs...It's worth it's weight in gold!). I'm sure Howard will chime in as well!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 53
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From: San Antonio TX
Mercedes Benz G550
Thanks for insight that you all are giving me. I would like to know what the most common failure on the S600. I keep hearing nightmare stories of the ABC but I see that many of you have tackled that already. Just wanna know what hurdles that I can expect in the future. Also has anyone thought of video documenting any of their repairs? It would be great to start archiving these for future owners of our beasts. 
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 179
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From: Chicago, Naperville area
2005 Mercedes S600, 2004 Mercedes E500 4-Matic, 2002 Mercedes C32 AMG, 2001 Trans-Am WS-6
Just search the threads, all the info is very well documented by many of us. ABC, coil packs, plugs, radiators, and duo valves among other things.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 181
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S600
Look, these cars are not easy or cheap to maintain or repair. But they are an absolute hoot to drive and are worth whatever it takes to keep them on the road. When you are park in any given lot you are (almost) guaranteed to be the most expensive/exclusive car in the lot (I hate it when someone slides their Bentley or Lambo in the space next to me!
). You have the knowledge that there are very few cars on the road that are faster or quicker than yours. Everyone who climbs into the passenger seat will be impressed. Those whom you let drive the car will be awestruck and dumbfounded by the power, ride, and control. It is a pleasure, honor, and privilege to be able to drive the S600 and you will pay for that privilege. How MUCH you pay depends on how willing you are to take on yourself and how patient you are. It is just a piece of metal and plastic and can be maintained by anyone willing to give it a go.
Enjoy it and relish your opportunity to own it.
Keith
