[5thMB1stNew]

So I have been waiting to get to 49,500 to get my last free service before I go on MB extended warranty. Last week I noticed my '02 320 didn't upshift. Tried to do it manually and nothing happened. Figuring it was a "brain cramp", I shut down and restarted. Transmission fine.

Monday, same thing happened. Called my SA to get this looked at and get my last service done, no big deal? Wrong. The electronic controller was sending upshift fault signals. They have ordered the part. After they install, they run the test again. If it is still sending, they replace the transmission.

Imagine this a month later with no warranty.
Electronic controller, $1500. Transmission, $3000. Extended warranty? Priceless. Great Tysinger SA? Double priceless.

 

[schneideris]

I bought the extended warranty ...

I bought the extended warranty to be sure I didn’t get caught with a problem. Before purchasing it I had quite a few problems and just couldn’t imagine not having warranty. It was to the point that I was looking t see the truck but the resale was so bad that it also didn’t make sense. Hence the extended warranty! Now for the punch line, since getting on the extended warranty I haven’t had any problems, but it hasn’t been long either.

[8)][]

 

[AdamNelson]

I'm at that point now. I've got 49,200 miles and just got the last free service, plus the 31st through 34th repairs in three years with this piece of ...

I just don't know if it's worth spending a couple (or few) thousand dollars more on the extended warranty and keeping the ML as a spare car since I bought it for cash, or dumping this pig before it starts costing me as much as my wife's E320 to keep it on the road.

I'm leaning toward dumping both and getting Lexuses (GX and ES or LX) or Infinitys (FX45 and Q and/or SC). I've never had such unreliable cars before, and I had an MGB! The new Benzes are beautiful, and an E55 is very tempting, but I won't be bitten again. I'm done with MB.

 

[5thMB1stNew]

AdamNelson,

Let's pretend $2000 US isn't a lot of money....If you buy the MB warranty and you sell the truck, the warranty is transferable. If you keep the truck, you have disaster coverage. When you reach 100k, it's not worth anything, anyway.

And an editorial comment;

I have been a "fan" of Mercedes for decades. I have always excused "sorting out" issues for luxury items. I am treated very well by my dealer. However, it is time for heads to leave the clouds, end denial, and quit accepting "yes, but" responses. MB reliability, across lines (do the research, I have), is unacceptable.

As much as I hate to be a boobird, when your $45,000 vehicle starts having problems that could leave you or your loved ones stuck in the middle of nowhere and cost you 4 large to fix, it's not cute anymore. And I am protected by a big warranty. Are you?

Buy a 1st year 164? Are you nuts? Let a hint to the wise be sufficient.

 

[schneideris]

Man do I hear you ...

I hear you and I think many others do as well which explains the resale values we are seeing. What is interesting is talking to a friend of mine recently he told me that BMW is even worse! So much for the ultimate driving machine!

 

[schneideris]

Be sure to research the Infinity ...

Another friend of mine knows the former local Infinity dealers chief mechanic. He doesn't have anything good to say about the G35 Coupe for reliability. The topic didn’t get to any of the other vehicles but he left the dealership over the lack of quality. Dig deep into the research pile before you make the jump.

For me it came down to the fact that aside from the loss of confidence and resale value I have a hard time finding a decent replacement that covers the key points I want.

Good luck!

 

[blackbenzo]

Extended Warranty was a no brainer for me.
Like our fellow up top. Despite four long years of regular trips to the dealer. Car's been fine since we went off of origianl warranty in august.
But, I sleep better at night knowing I have four more years and up to 100k of coverage. $2K well invested