I have a 2002 ML500 with 39k mils on it. The Original warranty will expire in Apr 06 or 50k miles. I am totally confused about getting an Extended Warranty or not !! I have read all pposts on this site and others about the pros and cons of EW's but cannot make up my mind. My experience with ML has been not very good. Luckily, I never got stranded so far but I have had multiple warranty repairs. The EW from Lisa Lerbaum (MBZ warranty) runs close to $3600.00 (with $100 deductible per instance) for a total of 7yrs or 100k miles from date of first sale. To break even - I will need atleast $1200.00 worth of repair per year on the ML. If I buy it - then I will have peace of mind but what if I never use it. Lately, my ML has been trouble free but you never know. Knowing that the parts and labor is very expensive for Mercedes - does it make sense to buy the EW or to take my chances ? Any thoughts to help me make a decision will be appreciated.
Several times I have come very close to buying an extended warranty. Like you, I end up trying to justify the price based on what it costs vs. what I might pay out of pocket for repairs. I have come to the conclusion that for me, and extended warranty is not a good gamble. I have fairly strong mechanical abilities as well as a garage full of tools. About the only thing I probably would not tackle is the transmission. Yes, my tranny could fall out on the way home from work, but my ML has been incredibly reliable for the last several years and 30K miles. Having been on several ML forums for many years, it seems to me that most ML’s have all the same problems and once those are fixed they tend to be more reliable as they age.
I've had a different experience.
My first 00 ML320 was a PITA. I thought I got everything fixed before warranty expired and then I bought it. Oh boy, what a mistake. Starting with little problems, electrical mainly, to low-range gears not engaging. I should've bought the extended warranty. I kept it for 6 months then I couldn't take it anymore, and I traded it in for a new one, a 03 ML500. My warranty will expire next year and I am debating between buying the vehicle and EW or get a new one again.
I am mechanically inclined as well, but repairing MB's is very difficult to me since there are no sources, like manuals. For my other cars I have the manuals, but sometimes don't have the time[:o)]
Besides, the oem parts are so high.
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FOUR WHEELING IN STYLE. THE LEGEND CONTINUES.
BLACK 99 ML320
SILVER 03 ML500
08 GL320?
I am mechanically inclined as well, but repairing MB's is very difficult to me since there are no sources, like manuals. For my other cars I have the manuals, but sometimes don't have the time[:o)]
Besides, the oem parts are so high.
I know what you mean about having the time, but the manuals are readily available (bootleg, albeit). I have always found MBZ’s to be very easy to work on, in fact much easier than most Asian or American vehicles. I guess part of it is due to the fact that they use traditionally mounted engines and rear-wheel drive, but also because MBZ engineers think in terms of building vehicles that will be maintained and used for a long time as opposed to being disposable. Simple things like having a service position for the hood are good examples of this. As for parts, yes, MBZ parts are sometimes expensive, but then again, some Asian and US makes have some very expensive parts. Besides, think of all the money you are saving not having to replace timing belts and water pumps. Also, never hesitate to “negotiate� with the guy at the parts counter.
If it is a Starmark warranty go for it. Do not buy third part warranties unless there is a lawyer with plenty of time in the household. Should you sell the car before the end of the warranty their should be some residual value.
I bought an extended Starmark warranty to 4 years 72K. Wished I had bought the 7 year/100K warranty (I'm now at 96K). I'm actually ahead cost wise but only because I fixed a $2200 cat converter problem for $30 (long story).
Oh, if you can get a Starmark warranty, you can get it from any dealer. I bought mine from a SF dealer sight unseen for $600 less than my Houston dealer.
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warning triangle, 133,000 miles
I have been one of the pro-warranty posters for quite a while, and just had my first post-50k venture. It was a noise in the front that ended up being a full day of investigation and the eventual replacement of shims in the front suspension assembly.
Think about what would have happened to me had that been out of warranty? They had never heard this noise, but knew it was something. My guess would be $10 parts and at least $500 investigation/mechanical work. Not to mention what else might have been replaced in the process if they were getting full retail. And yes, my warranty is 7 year, 100k factory.
50,000 miles for $2,500 equals 5 cents per mile for extended warranty. If you end up getting $7500 in covered repairs over the life of the vehicle, you are better than even. If you sell it, that warranty is transferrable and a great selling point.
Decisions, decisions, decisions.
__________________ 1974 280 (gone)
1982 380SL (schwarzekatz)
1984 300TDT (why did I get rid of the best one?)
1992 300E (gone and forgotten)
1993 190E (daughter drives)
1994 E320 Wagon (gone and forgotten)
2002 ML320 (thank goodness for extended warranty)
I am mechanically inclined as well, but repairing MB's is very difficult to me since there are no sources, like manuals. For my other cars I have the manuals, but sometimes don't have the time[:o)]
Besides, the oem parts are so high.
I know what you mean about having the time, but the manuals are readily available (bootleg, albeit). I have always found MBZ’s to be very easy to work on, in fact much easier than most Asian or American vehicles. I guess part of it is due to the fact that they use traditionally mounted engines and rear-wheel drive, but also because MBZ engineers think in terms of building vehicles that will be maintained and used for a long time as opposed to being disposable. Simple things like having a service position for the hood are good examples of this. As for parts, yes, MBZ parts are sometimes expensive, but then again, some Asian and US makes have some very expensive parts. Besides, think of all the money you are saving not having to replace timing belts and water pumps. Also, never hesitate to “negotiate� with the guy at the parts counter.
- RODNEY
Do you mean those cd's they sell on Ebay? Are they worth it?
Still, everytime I tried to work on my old ML it was a pain if I didn't have the "right" tool. And then there is only one MB stealer in town, so no negotiation, you pay what they ask. And if you have a part missing or wrong during the weekend, you need to wait until they re-open on Monday since they close at 1pm on Saturdays.
In my couse, I should've bought the EW when I had the chance.
I had an extended warranty before. It was one of the largest called warranty gold. Ever heard of them? When I took my car in for service they told me they went out of business. They don't provide service for charity so some body is making money...
Do you mean those cd's they sell on Ebay? Are they worth it?
Still, everytime I tried to work on my old ML it was a pain if I didn't have the "right" tool. And then there is only one MB stealer in town, so no negotiation, you pay what they ask. And if you have a part missing or wrong during the weekend, you need to wait until they re-open on Monday since they close at 1pm on Saturdays.
In my couse, I should've bought the EW when I had the chance.
Yes, the WIS sold on eBay is a bootleg version of the actual shop documentation the dealer service technicians use. It is very comprehensive, although it takes a bit of working with it before you become completely comfortable navigating its information. Also, because it is a bootleg, you must follow the installation instruction to the letter as you will have to run a program to “crack� the licensing function.
As for the tools, you’d be surprised at what you can buy at Sears and Home Depot. While they may not be the “exact� MBZ tool, I have almost always been able to find something to work. If not, I have been able to fabricate something from an exiting tool. I also live in an area with only one dealer (and they are only open until 5PM weekdays). About 75% of the time, I have been able to talk the parts guy into giving me the “trade� or “fleet� discount. Since I worked there last year, they now give me the employee discount.
If you still want a warranty, I have heard good things about Warranty Direct. Although I have no experience with them myself, I did check their prices and they are very competitive, even when compared to Starmark/CPO.
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