value of an extended MB warranty on a 2000 E320 with 59000k

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pstock - 15 Aug 2005 15:02 GMT

I am close to purchasing a 2000 E320 wagon with 59,000km (~36,000
miles) from a MB dealer in Montreal.
For 10% more than the purchase price (or $2,800 CAD / $2240 US) they
are offering a 3- year MB Extended Warranty good at any MB Dealer at
least in Canada and apparently in the US as well.

Years 1 and 2 are "bumper to bumper". Year 3 is for "major components"

Can anyone advise me as to whether this would be worthwhile or tell me
what the catch might be? (I am a new MB owner and am not a car guy at
all.)

I presume that one "catch" is that for all routine maintenance (tires,
brakes, oil, etc.) excluded from the warrranty I have to have it done
at a MB Dealer, which would be more expensive than an independent
garage.

Many thanks

Peter

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Karl - 15 Aug 2005 15:24 GMT

The dealer may be offering this policy but who is behind it?
If it is CPO from MB [Certified Pre-Owned] then it is NOT bumper-to-bumper. Even the ELW [Extended
Limited Warranty] that MB offers to new car buyers with-in the 1st 12 months of new car purchase is
not bumper-to-bumper.
Only aftemarket policies 'say' they 'offer' bumper-to-bumper coverage until you file a claim and
then the coverage seems to vaporize.......
The only true bumper-to-bumper coverage is the original 4yr/50 factory warranty.

>I am close to purchasing a 2000 E320 wagon with 59,000km (~36,000
> miles) from a MB dealer in Montreal.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Peter

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rl1856 - 20 Aug 2005 01:55 GMT

I've had good luck with an extended warranty originally sourced from
CarMax- their Max Care Plan. All mechanical and electrical components
are covered. I've had several warranty claims- all paid without any
fuss or drama. The only stipulation is that I have had to provide
proof of regular maintenance.

Unfortunately, the plan is only available through Car Max and only with
the purchase of a vehicle. It is not sold to the general public as an
aftermarket plan.

Best,

JD

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Jan - 15 Aug 2005 17:11 GMT

> I am close to purchasing a 2000 E320 wagon with 59,000km (~36,000
> miles) from a MB dealer in Montreal.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Peter

My experience with well-maintained M-B's is that they usually require a
lot of work around 70,000-80,000 mi. If you see yourself in this range
within the warranty period, I suggest you buy the warranty. Wish I had
- many times.

Despite the panache, they're just machines - and machines wear out.

Is the M-B a 4matic? If so, figure that might also need some expensive
work soon.

BTW, you're going to LOVE the 2000. I have 2 E320's and they're both
real joys.

Hope that helps. Enjoy!

Jan

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T.G. Lambach - 15 Aug 2005 19:58 GMT

The key to this decision is understanding exactly what's covered and
what's not. Extended warrantys are complicated in that there seems to be
built-in confusion - the flyer sounds good BUT refers you to the dealer
selling the warranty for the details. I'd be wary if the details are not
written so one can understand what's offered. This is still the car
business, regardless of brand.

I assume the car you're considering is an AWD model, if so, I'd get the
warranty. The more things there are to break, more things will break.

A new M-B owner is subject to "sticker shock" anyway, so the added dread
of a major repair will take the joy out of your purchase. I've owned M-B
cars for 25 years and now know where to have what fixed at a reasonable
cost, not so in the beginning and there were more than a few "love -
hate" days when the car disappointed AND the dealer's repair cost was
quite steep. But I'm still here!

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