Hi everyone,

I'm shopping for a '00-'02 s500 and I'm not sure what value to place on the different things like mileage vs. year. There are some cars that have no factory warranty left, and I wondered if anybody had experience with aftermarket warranties. Are they any good? If expensive things (like suspension) breaks, do they fix it?

I spoke to one dealer that had a VERY pretty one and had a 2002 w/ 70,000 miles and he told me not to waaste my time with warranties. Another with a 2000 w/ 68,000 said he had a 3 yr/ 36,000 warranty that would cover almost everything bumper to bumper.

I haven't owned a MB since 94 and I'm concerned about the reliability stories I hear.

I would appreciate any comments or sugestions.

Thanks,

Papadelta

 

I bought my 99 C280 with 22K miles, almost 3 years ago. It was Starmarked by Mercedes for 100K, I also bought for $700 an extra year of Starmarked on the power train. So far I've had 2 warranties claims. If I paid for them it would have cost around $800.00. I would look to a dealer and a Starmarked car.

 

I never purchase warranties on anything except MBs and cars I intend to keep. The labor, parts, and thechnology on luxury cars is mind boggling. The dealer who told you not to worry is not in your court, where the dealer who will sell one for 3K (for almost everything coverage) is probably not talking "Starmark". there are lot of companies going down the drain with your money in their pocket. It happend to me once when a caddy dealer sold me a policy, and it was "better than GM" well when I needed it after the "new car" ran out the company was also gone. The salesman gets his money (commission) up front!

 

Peter: Your correct, warranties other then one form the manufactuer are worht nothing. The cost is rediculious and the dealership gets the commission first and then the salesperson. I thought the extra year of Starmark for $700 was a decent deal, as you said Mercedes's are so tech you need the coverage.

 

Papa if you plan on keeping the car for any length of time get one that is Starmarked. No excuses. Its worth the little extra, trust me.