SoCal2004SL500

Hey MBWorld,

Let me start by saying this is my first post on MBWorld. I purchased my first MB two weeks ago for my upcoming birthday (...I'll be 35 June 10th) ...as you can guess by my UserName ...its a 2004 SL500

I absolutely love it, i've been wanting one for almost 10 years now. I never thought this day would come ...its parked in my garage and it has my name on all the paperwork

My question is does anybody know if it is still possible for me to get a Warranty on it ???? ...if so, any suggestions on a good one and a rough number on the estimated cost. It has 120,000 miles on it and I bought it from a Private Party.

Thx in advance for all intelligent & helpful responses

Ill post some pics of it up soon

Adarah

Oh jealous!!! I'm sure it's too pretty for words - Congratulations! & Happy Birthday!

888-470-6291 Direct to Consumer warranty - formally Protection/Protective Administrative Services, INC is who I was with for three years and I was pretty happy with them. I'm debating on whether or not to extend now as my CLK will be 6,500$ to extend 3yrs/36,000 miles for the highest package (includes all electrical). I'm pushing 70,000 miles now. I'm not 100% they take private party sales but it never hurts to check. Also I'm curious to hear who other ppl use as perhaps there is a better deal out there...

btw - Can't wait to see the pics!

SoCal2004SL500

Adarah,

Thanks for the info. I will give them a call and see what they say. I'll post the results.

Appreciate your help

SoCal2004SL500

Pics of my 2004 SL500 !!!!!!

Adarah

Hot damn! She's a beauty!
My pleasure - I hope it all works out well with obtaining a warranty.

And I know some of you guys here have some more info on warranties - anybody know of any other companies?

ilovemaui1

If you find a warranty with 120,000 miles I would like to know who and how much.

mkhurley

I went with Easy Care about 2yrs ago, no problems with them at all. However, when I got mine their limits before considering were 75k miles or 7yrs, your well past both, I'm at 90K now and a bit more than a year left on the warranty, which has the option to extend. Good luck in your search, these cars like a good extended warranty, I'm surprised any company still covers em. Mine is still in the shop (4th week) and racking up what is going to be close to a $12K bill by the time it's done. I took it in for low coolant and front end dropping, Thank God for Easy Care.....they've come out a couple times to look at it, but are covering all but my deductible (of course).

Radiator (leaking)
Front Subframe replaced (stripped torque bar threads)
Motor Mounts/Trans Mount
Rear Strut
Front ABC Valve block
Thrust Arm bushings
Steering column bushing
Alignment
camber bolts
2 ABC Flush/Filters

I went to pick it up 2 weeks ago and front end dropping wasn't fixed, I could tell looking at it, so they got to keep it, thats why the 2 ABC flush/filters. Paid $6800 for the policy, have had well over $8k in repairs so far, this one will easily take it to $20k. Me=1/Insurance=0 bout time I came out ahead....

SteveL1

Egads!!!!! $12k for that? I better narrow my search for one that has under 40k miles.

Stoofpilot

Paid $2,500 for the Mechanic. Today had to have the trunk lock repaired due to auto close not working. My cost was $100.00 deductible.

SteveL1

Was just quoted $3200 for a $100 deductable Easy Care warranty on an '03 SL55 with 35k miles on it BUT the sales guy says that it's drive train only and things like the motor/trans mounts and the ABC suspension are considered maintenance items and are NOT covered. Is that normal? I specifically asked for coverage that would cover those items.

Stoofpilot

SteveL, then you are getting the wrong warranty. Many will have one called an OEM level. This is what you want.

SoCal2004SL500

So I called Direct to Consumer Warranty as suggested by Adarah, the sales guy told that Yes my car is still able to be covered by their warranty. At what price, I ask ....$9,600 !!! For 3years/36,000miles. He then starts naming off all the parts that are covered. He named quite a few parts however they all sounded Powertrain related to me. I then went on to ask him specifically if the plan would cover the shocks/struts ...as I hear the ABC shocks on these cars are quite expensive to fix. His answer ...No, they are not.

SoCal2004SL500

I got my car financed through Arrowhead Credit Union and they did offer me a warranty from Mercury Insurance Mechanical Breakdown for $1,775 for the Bronze Level Coverage 3years/36,000 Miles (Powertrain Only).

Mercury does have Platinum, Gold, and Silver Coverages as well but due to the age/mileage of my car Bronze is the only coverage I can get through them.

My question to those of you who have purchased an extended warranty plan on a SL does $1,775 for Powertrain Only coverage sound worth the $$$???

I hear the Powertrain on SLs rarely need work ...its all the other parts that will cripple your wallet.

mkhurley

You want their Total Care package, which they may not offer if your calling Easy Care directly. They told me Total Care wasn't available for my car when I got it, called Tim and he was able to get me the Total Care Package at a better price than they wanted for the Stated Care. Try Tim if he is still around....got mine nearly 2yrs ago so.....

Tim Sorrick
Finance Manager
Modesto European
3900 McHenry Ave
Modesto, CA 95356
209-522-8100
209-550-8225 Direct Line
209-575-7551 Fax
www.modestoeuropean.com
tsorrick@modestoeuropean.com

SteveL1

Thanks for the lead. Will the Total Care policy cover the ABC suspension even though "struts" are considered normal wear & tear items? Also wondering about the dreaded trunk latch & roof flaps.

mkhurley

Have had 3 of my struts replaced under it, and a trunk latch. Flaps are still hanging in there so.....

mkhurley

Need to add a couple things to the list I posted earlier, can't update that one so here goes......

Radiator (leaking)
Radiator fan
Front Subframe replaced (stripped torque bar threads)
Motor Mounts/Trans Mount
Rear Strut
Drivers Front Strut
Front ABC Valve block
Thrust Arm bushings
Steering column bushing
Alignment
camber bolts
2 ABC Flush/Filters

Stoofpilot

I have the Mechanic from Automotive Warranty Services, Inc. I bought it through Lexus of Lincoln, NE. I got the Platinum coverage. I am very happy with it. It does cover ABC and a lot more.

phackett

Several people have mentioned horrific prices for replacing their R230 ABC Struts. I have just replaced a leaking front left unit on my 03 SL55 with just 39K miles. I bought the strut from Arnott out of FL. They have a great reputation and I was delighted with both their service and their product. They completely rebuild the strut and it looks like new. The front left was $599 plus a $300 core charge that gets refunded when your original is sent back to them. My local shop installed it for $165 as its only a 2 hour job

mkhurley

My passenger side front strut was replaced with an Arnott, 1yr and 2 weeks (less than 8000 miles) later it was leaking. They refused to cover it. Good Luck.

SteveL1

Directly from Arnott's web page:

"Arnott is pleased to offer our completely rebuilt, OE front air shocks for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. Each shock is painstakingly disassembled and rebuilt from the ground up. We have worked directly with one of the largest seal manufactures to design and test a nearly indestructible polyurethane seal to last for many years. The price per shock at your local dealership is over $1900.00! Your price at Arnott is only $599.00, plus a refundable $300.00 core charge (prepaid return label included). Once again, our design is not only more efficient, but it’s also much more affordable! Each shock is covered under a lifetime warranty."

So you are saying that they no longer stand behind their warranty?