SLK/R170: SLK Extended Warranties
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
2001 SLK320, 6-speed, black, two-tone black/tan interior.
SLK Extended Warranties
Hi folks,
New to the forum. I just purchased a 2001 SLK320 being delivered tomorrow. I bought the vehicle sight unseen (gulp) on the Internet but it is from a high end dealer in PA and I have seen high res. photos. He has assured me his mechanics have gone through it and right now it needs nothing (another gulp).
Anyway, I live in MA and plan on using the car as a toy logging maybe 2-3k miles a year in the summer and then put her into hibernation. Does anyone out there recommend an extended warranty for the car. It has 33,500 miles on it and the Benz warranty runs out in 12/05. I have no prior experience with Mercedes so I have no idea of their mechanical worthiness or costs, though I assume costs are high.
Any info. would be appreciated. Thanks.
Dennis
New to the forum. I just purchased a 2001 SLK320 being delivered tomorrow. I bought the vehicle sight unseen (gulp) on the Internet but it is from a high end dealer in PA and I have seen high res. photos. He has assured me his mechanics have gone through it and right now it needs nothing (another gulp).
Anyway, I live in MA and plan on using the car as a toy logging maybe 2-3k miles a year in the summer and then put her into hibernation. Does anyone out there recommend an extended warranty for the car. It has 33,500 miles on it and the Benz warranty runs out in 12/05. I have no prior experience with Mercedes so I have no idea of their mechanical worthiness or costs, though I assume costs are high.
Any info. would be appreciated. Thanks.
Dennis
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9
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From: Fort Worth, TX
2002 SLK32 AMG
There seems to be two schools of thought...(1) lots of electronics, supercharger, automatic roof, etc, all expensive items so get an extended warranty (make sure it covers the roof, since most cars don't have a retractable hard top it is usually not in the list of "covered items") or (2) since an extended warranty is going to cost $2000-$3000 (you are betting something will break, the insurance company is betting it won't), put that money away and use it for repairs if they become necessary. I recently got my 2002 SLK32 as well, 32,000 miles and original MB warranty through 12/05. I haven't decided for sure but am leaning toward #2. I always run out of time before I run out of mileage on extended warranties, if I don't put that many miles on the car hopefully it will not have anything major go wrong.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 30
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From: Lk Stevens, WA
'99SLK Sport, silver
Just read the "fine print". Some of the extended warranties are bumper-to-bumper and others only cover certain parts. One thing to watch is how the parts are replaced if they become defective. Coverage may say "like" parts. That means that if you require an engine or transmission replacement, they will replace it with one with the same (or close) to the same mileage. Parts from the junk yard may be OK to use. SO read very carefully.
Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 180
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From: Wausau, Wis.
'04 CL500 '08 ML320CDI
Call up Warranty Direct and see what they have to say. I checked them out a while ago, and they had great [different] coverage plans at real decent rates. Also, my Chevy Venture work vehicle was bought with a plan from Universal Underwriters in Sawnee Mission, Kansas, and I've had to use it three times, twive majorly (over a grand), and they were aces about - don't know if they do Benzes, but they're worth a shot. I, too, looked at the situation from both angles: 1) money upfront, peace of mind; 2) put some money away and believe my low miles will make that the better plan. I also did #2 - if I put on 500/month that's a lot, and I baby and maintain it in every other way, so I figure by putting a little aside for my own "insurance" I'll have a little built-up if I ever need something major.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5
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MB extended warantee
I bought a slk230 from an upscale PA dealer in amishville. What a rip. I had the car back 7 times for work. Had a wheelwell liner replaced. Came back with 2 screws holding it in. The trans was the main issue. Kept slipping 2nd to 3rd gear. They kept telling me nothing was wrong. That they took it apart and couldnt fine anything wrong. after the 4th time I demanded a new trans. You know how that went. Called Mercedes the told me I had to deal with the service Mgr who was a complete PeeWee. He ended up telling me I had to drive it until it broke. What a bunch of... I had several other issues from the upscale dealer that all were basically boched work. As a lifelong auto buff and a certified mechanic for 10+ years I have a very good idea of what was taking place. Your on your own with them. The warantee is only as good as the dealer.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 25
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2001 SLK230
Falcon has the right options, but I'm in the same boat and am leaning towards getting the warranty. I've been doing the research for the whole month I've had the car and have narrowed it down to one of two companies (none of the rest cover the roof at all).
WarrantyDirect seems to have the more comprehensive and flexible policy, but costs about $500 more. 1SourceAutoWarranty is close in coverage, has a personal referral from a friend and costs less. I'm leaning towards WarrantyDirect because of their flexibility and openness. My car only has 2700 miles on it (a long story), so I don't really care about the mileage restrictions. I found that the warranty for my car will be $1863 for 4yrs/75Kmile coverage and a $200 deductible. I don't know of many things on this car that will be less than $200 to fix and there are a whole lot that cost more than $1900 each!
Either way, do what makes you feel best, but do it more than 60 days before the end of your factory warranty if you want to do the extended.
WarrantyDirect seems to have the more comprehensive and flexible policy, but costs about $500 more. 1SourceAutoWarranty is close in coverage, has a personal referral from a friend and costs less. I'm leaning towards WarrantyDirect because of their flexibility and openness. My car only has 2700 miles on it (a long story), so I don't really care about the mileage restrictions. I found that the warranty for my car will be $1863 for 4yrs/75Kmile coverage and a $200 deductible. I don't know of many things on this car that will be less than $200 to fix and there are a whole lot that cost more than $1900 each!
Either way, do what makes you feel best, but do it more than 60 days before the end of your factory warranty if you want to do the extended.
