SL/R231: Plz Help w/ Extended Warranty Questions
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 183
Likes: 27
From: CA, USA
2015 SL400 R231
Plz Help w/ Extended Warranty Questions
Friends,
I broke my rule and pulled the trigger on a 2015 SL400 on impulse as it had low miles and frankly its beautiful. I know that a well taken car is better than mileage, but my questions are:
1) Is the extended Merc factory warranty worth it? It's 5 yr/60K miles for a little over $5k!
2) Will the extended warranty cover crap like "worn" parts (since this is not a new car) such as a water pump for example?
3) Maybe get a 2 yr/?? warranty?
I do have a trusty indy mechanic I've used for over 10 years for my previous Benzs out of warranty. And, I usually do my own maintenance stuff, but not heavy repairs of course.
I have 1 day to decide. Any help would be appreciated!
I broke my rule and pulled the trigger on a 2015 SL400 on impulse as it had low miles and frankly its beautiful. I know that a well taken car is better than mileage, but my questions are:
1) Is the extended Merc factory warranty worth it? It's 5 yr/60K miles for a little over $5k!
2) Will the extended warranty cover crap like "worn" parts (since this is not a new car) such as a water pump for example?
3) Maybe get a 2 yr/?? warranty?
I do have a trusty indy mechanic I've used for over 10 years for my previous Benzs out of warranty. And, I usually do my own maintenance stuff, but not heavy repairs of course.
I have 1 day to decide. Any help would be appreciated!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 521
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
Assuming your car is NOT eligible to be certified by Mercedes I would caution you about 3rd party warranties. Read the entire warranty language very carefully. Note what IS and what IS NOT covered. Also how you obtain authorization for repair and who and how it is paid.
Check the BBB rating for the company selling the warranty and the company administering claims. They are almost always different.
My experience with 3rd party plans has not been good and I will likely never buy another one. YMMV. BUYER BE AWARE.
Check the BBB rating for the company selling the warranty and the company administering claims. They are almost always different.
My experience with 3rd party plans has not been good and I will likely never buy another one. YMMV. BUYER BE AWARE.
SPONSOR
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 475
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
2001 E55AMG
Friends,
I broke my rule and pulled the trigger on a 2015 SL400 on impulse as it had low miles and frankly its beautiful. I know that a well taken car is better than mileage, but my questions are:
1) Is the extended Merc factory warranty worth it? It's 5 yr/60K miles for a little over $5k!
2) Will the extended warranty cover crap like "worn" parts (since this is not a new car) such as a water pump for example?
3) Maybe get a 2 yr/?? warranty?
I do have a trusty indy mechanic I've used for over 10 years for my previous Benzs out of warranty. And, I usually do my own maintenance stuff, but not heavy repairs of course.
I have 1 day to decide. Any help would be appreciated!
I broke my rule and pulled the trigger on a 2015 SL400 on impulse as it had low miles and frankly its beautiful. I know that a well taken car is better than mileage, but my questions are:
1) Is the extended Merc factory warranty worth it? It's 5 yr/60K miles for a little over $5k!
2) Will the extended warranty cover crap like "worn" parts (since this is not a new car) such as a water pump for example?
3) Maybe get a 2 yr/?? warranty?
I do have a trusty indy mechanic I've used for over 10 years for my previous Benzs out of warranty. And, I usually do my own maintenance stuff, but not heavy repairs of course.
I have 1 day to decide. Any help would be appreciated!
Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 130
Likes: 89
From: Catonsville, MD
2020 SL550
Friends,
I broke my rule and pulled the trigger on a 2015 SL400 on impulse as it had low miles and frankly its beautiful. I know that a well taken car is better than mileage, but my questions are:
1) Is the extended Merc factory warranty worth it? It's 5 yr/60K miles for a little over $5k!
2) Will the extended warranty cover crap like "worn" parts (since this is not a new car) such as a water pump for example?
3) Maybe get a 2 yr/?? warranty?
I do have a trusty indy mechanic I've used for over 10 years for my previous Benzs out of warranty. And, I usually do my own maintenance stuff, but not heavy repairs of course.
I have 1 day to decide. Any help would be appreciated!
I broke my rule and pulled the trigger on a 2015 SL400 on impulse as it had low miles and frankly its beautiful. I know that a well taken car is better than mileage, but my questions are:
1) Is the extended Merc factory warranty worth it? It's 5 yr/60K miles for a little over $5k!
2) Will the extended warranty cover crap like "worn" parts (since this is not a new car) such as a water pump for example?
3) Maybe get a 2 yr/?? warranty?
I do have a trusty indy mechanic I've used for over 10 years for my previous Benzs out of warranty. And, I usually do my own maintenance stuff, but not heavy repairs of course.
I have 1 day to decide. Any help would be appreciated!
(1) If the warranty is truly a Mercedes factory warranty, then I would say it's probably a fair deal. In fact, the cost even looks on the low side for a 6-year-old car. It's entirely possible that your car won't need anything close to $5,000 worth of repairs over the next 5 years. However, it's also possible that it will. It doesn't take much for Benz repairs to add up to a lot. It's insurance: The odds of death or a house fire generally aren't high, but the financial consequences can be severe. A car doesn't fall into such an extreme situation, obviously, but the cost of repairs can be still be pretty substantial. Think of it as peace of mind, just in case.
(2) Warranties don't cover "worn" parts unless they have failed. If a water pump bearing or seal has failed, then you get a new water pump. If the pump has 60,000 miles on it and you'd like to replace it as preventive maintenance, the warranty won't cover it. (Also, as I'm sure you know, warranties won't cover "wear items" like brake pads, rotors, drive belts, etc.)
(3) If you really like the car and expect to keep it for a while, a 5-year warranty isn't a bad idea. Mercedes extended warranties can be "resold" back to Mercedes at any time, I believe. They will pay you a prorated portion of your original premium (e.g., three-fifths of the cost if you cancel it after 2 years). Or you can transfer the remaining portion to a private purchaser and get a better price for the car accordingly.
BUT! It's got to be a real, Mercedes warranty. As Randall noted, third-party warranty companies have earned a miserable reputation. I, too, would never buy another one.
Enjoy your new SL!
Rick F.
Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 130
Likes: 89
From: Catonsville, MD
2020 SL550
Agreed! But it can be awfully difficult to determine which ones are okay and which are not. Years ago, I bought an extended warranty for my 2000 Audi A6 2.7t for $3,000. The company had been in business for over 15 years and appeared to have a good reputation. It went broke less than 6 months after my purchase.
Rick F.
Member
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 140
Likes: 68
R231 SL63 & R129 SL500
FYI, I recently purchased a 2013 SL63 and don’t have any warranty of any sort. I’m not terribly concerned. As others have noted, a warranty is only needed if you can’t cover the possible cashflows arising out of unforeseen repairs. Statistically speaking, it’s never going to be in your favor to get one. And that is worse for aftermarket warranties.
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SPONSOR
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 475
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
2001 E55AMG
If you already know a good Indy and do your own maintenance, I don’t see why the SL should be any different than your other MBs.
FYI, I recently purchased a 2013 SL63 and don’t have any warranty of any sort. I’m not terribly concerned. As others have noted, a warranty is only needed if you can’t cover the possible cashflows arising out of unforeseen repairs. Statistically speaking, it’s never going to be in your favor to get one. And that is worse for aftermarket warranties.
FYI, I recently purchased a 2013 SL63 and don’t have any warranty of any sort. I’m not terribly concerned. As others have noted, a warranty is only needed if you can’t cover the possible cashflows arising out of unforeseen repairs. Statistically speaking, it’s never going to be in your favor to get one. And that is worse for aftermarket warranties.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 231
From: In the minds of others rent free.
SL 400
I am dealing with a nightmare ex warranty company currently. In the future I will never buy one again unless it is a true MB ex warranty. They have denied most of my claims and then because they paid one claim they make you jump through unrealistic hoops in my opinion just to frustrate you and make you give up.
I have learned my lesson and will never deal with them again.
I wish you well!
I have learned my lesson and will never deal with them again.
I wish you well!
Friends,
I broke my rule and pulled the trigger on a 2015 SL400 on impulse as it had low miles and frankly its beautiful. I know that a well taken car is better than mileage, but my questions are:
1) Is the extended Merc factory warranty worth it? It's 5 yr/60K miles for a little over $5k!
2) Will the extended warranty cover crap like "worn" parts (since this is not a new car) such as a water pump for example?
3) Maybe get a 2 yr/?? warranty?
I do have a trusty indy mechanic I've used for over 10 years for my previous Benzs out of warranty. And, I usually do my own maintenance stuff, but not heavy repairs of course.
I have 1 day to decide. Any help would be appreciated!
I broke my rule and pulled the trigger on a 2015 SL400 on impulse as it had low miles and frankly its beautiful. I know that a well taken car is better than mileage, but my questions are:
1) Is the extended Merc factory warranty worth it? It's 5 yr/60K miles for a little over $5k!
2) Will the extended warranty cover crap like "worn" parts (since this is not a new car) such as a water pump for example?
3) Maybe get a 2 yr/?? warranty?
I do have a trusty indy mechanic I've used for over 10 years for my previous Benzs out of warranty. And, I usually do my own maintenance stuff, but not heavy repairs of course.
I have 1 day to decide. Any help would be appreciated!
Member
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 140
Likes: 68
R231 SL63 & R129 SL500
Not necessarily, on luxury brands it is much more common for the warranty to pay for more than it costs, Mercedes S-Class and Land Rovers especially from personal experience. Obviously when you buy from the dealer, and they put their $$$ on top, it is much harder.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 183
Likes: 27
From: CA, USA
2015 SL400 R231
F*IT, I declined. I never get extended warranty on my cars, but I asked because it's a SL with a retracting hard roof. But, though research and talking to some peeps with the V6 biturbo and SL build (vs. lesser class), I stuck with my guns. I stopped by my Indy today for a post-purchase-inspection and all good. Yeah I know it's a gamble, but time to move on and drive. I saw FIVE w222 S-classes in the shop - lol, I would buy extended warranty for the S class for sure if I ever buy one.
I'm gonna need some feedback on some reconditioning, etc. so I'll talk to you guys/gals soon.
Thanks!
I'm gonna need some feedback on some reconditioning, etc. so I'll talk to you guys/gals soon.
Thanks!
