sl 600 warranty or not?

[luvlaw]

Ok, i'm new to the forum, just bought a '98 sl600 with 44kmi on it for under 30k, my credit union will give me a 4/48,000 warranty for $4300 bumper to bumper no deductible. The car has been given a clean bill of health my a mbz mechanic. I know the wiring harnesses can get brittle with heat, but should I get the warranty or is it reliable enough. I plan on taking it to Mr. MB motors (Enrique) for all my services although he's six hours away.

[1999_SL600]

I have a 1999 SL600 - get the warranty !!!

[Strife]

If the warranty is actually good, TAKE IT. It's a bargain at that price. My friend with a 2002 S500 (a much simpler car) easily doubled that in claims in the span of a month.

My '84 107 came to me "as is" at the end of 1997, no warranty etc.

In all of these years "knock on wood" my repair costs besides oil changes and valve adjustments have amounted to replacing the battery & the rubber doughnuts that hold up the tail pipes. Im sure my car has some deferred maintenance but nothing seems to have changed after driving the car about 40,000 miles since purchase

Cheers to the 107's especially the euro versions

steve, ca ' 84 280sl 186k

[luvlaw]

Thanks everyone,

talked to Enrique this a.m., great guy, didn't know me from Adam, spoke with me for 10 minutes. He said the car is great and reliable, but if something goes wrong, big buck to fix b/c the space in the engine compartment is tight, things usually take awhile to get to and parts are pricey.

Bottom line he said buy the warranty, you might never use it, but you'll sleep well at night.

P.s. regarding the infamous wiring harnesses, he said they usually will last til about 100kmi, but the heat will get to them no matter what.

Oh yeah he also said don't let your wife break the sun visor in the front, they cost about $1000 to replace.

Can't wait to pick up 'Roxanne' this weekend, as someone once said about mistresses, high maintenance but alot of fun!

[Jim B.]

A bumper to bumper warranty even at that price seems like a pretty good idea to me (if I could chime in)

It shifts the risk to the insurer, and while you have a wonderful, reliable car, the peace of mind a warranty like that is worth it, the repair bill could get really big, quickly if things do go south on you!!

A car like that will provide you with sublime motoring. Nothing quite like them, and even at 10 years old, it'll be like driving a brand new car.

These are such wonderful cars, to look at and drive, you will be very happy and a member of a small and elite, and blessed, owners. Great choice of a ride.

[iwrock]

Luvlaw, I would just make sure to claim the clean bill of health. If another mechanic OK's it, I would not get the warranty. When we bought ours, no one would give us a warranty, because it was a 600. Double check to make sure your car is not on the excluded list. The M120 V12 is pretty rocksolid.

There was a period there where we had problems with the suspension, and that ran about $1200. But that was with the dealer, and we probibally overpaid. We have a GREAT independent mechanic, who specializes in Mercedes.

We were lucky to have bought a car with complete records. In the first year and a half of ownership, total cost has come to $1700. The necessary repairs were only 1200, and the other 500 was other assorted costs... (Tires, oil changes, etc.

[iwrock]

Also, where you at in Sacramento?? I know of a few VERY good mechanics in the area that I trust... And some of the repair shops here are a bit shady, so watch out.

[luvlaw]

Actually, i'm in Grass Valley, about 45 minutes towards Tahoe, but nobody usually knows where that is. What is the excluded list? As far as another mechanic, I did think about just taking it to Enrique, and if he gives it an ok, I wasn't going to get the warranty. But again talking to him, he said he would get it just in case. One good thing about the warranty with my credit union is that they said I could cancel the policy at any time and get a pro rata credit! So I don't think I can lose with it.

Justinwrock, yes please let me know which mechanic is best, i've heard good things about silver star motors, and someplace named Ernie's.

Also Justinwrock since you own a SL600 please bless me with some tidbits about the car that you know.

Thanks in advance.

[iwrock]

dI wrote a review and its in the "Featured Cars" forum. The car is overall one of the best MB's ever built. The V12 is a bit heavy, so it to pull ya all over in heavy corners. Plus the super power of the V12 makes cornering a bit tricky. We had a close call in some corners, where we gave it too much gas, and we started to slip.

Other than that, its a fantastic car!! She is a nice cruiser for those long trips to the Bay Area, and back, and when you cruise, you get decent MPG, especially for a car its size.

The thing that I love about the R129 is their awesome looks. They still look modern, even though some are 10+ years old...

I am almost certain that you will love your 600. Hell, I would still be happy id I had a 300SL, because they look AWESOME!!!


Anyways, SilverStarMotors is an awesome place.. I like their staff, and they have been in existence for years. But they are in Carmichael, so it may be a bit of a trip for ya.

Now, I live in folsom, and my indy is Ernie. He is an awesome guy!!! He specializes in MB only, and knows his stuff. I will get his info, and post it, but I need to look for it.



Oh, and one other thing. Turn off the ESP/ASR (there the same thing), and go pedal to the floor. That is a VERY exciting adrenaline rush. I do that on occasion, as it is awesome.

And if you have a question, do not hesistate to ask. The people here won't bite. We are just one big happy family here. Also, when you have time, you should come down to the track. I can pull a 13.3 with no traction...

[BENZ-LGB]

Originally Posted by justinwrock

And if you have a question, do not hesistate to ask. The people here won't bite. We are just one big happy family here. ..

Speak for yourself

DISCLAIMER: that was written with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

Luvlaw, are you a fellow member of the bar?

[Two560Two]

Wow, $4300 for a warranty. That seems pretty steep. Well, I have never bought an xtd warranty for a car ever so guess thats why. If you are paying that much for one, use the car and i mean use it. Its no use to buy that and have the car sitting for months. Nice buy BTW

[Bondavi]

Wow, if that 4/48k is on TOP of your existing warranty, go for it. Some 129's are Pandora boxes of $$ repair headaches and you'll be glad you did get the warranty.

Originally Posted by justinwrock

SilverStarMotors is an awesome place.. I like their staff, and they have been in existence for years. But they are in Carmichael

Now, I live in folsom, and my indy is Ernie.

The opposite is true for Silver Star Motors in Carmichael, for me. Charging $600 for a new fuel pump to try and fix a hard starting problem that dogged the car for so long. Not one thing changed. Another service call, the window relay was draining battery power. Know what they did? Snipped my OEM wires and monkey-jimmyed the wires to another relay circuit. After that my #8 fuse started blowing again and again after this. They bill me $175 and tell me they don't want to work on my car anymore. They butcher up my car's wiring and charge me for it?

I replaced all injectors MYSELF, hard start problem disappeared. As for the fuse issue I repaired/resleeved the wiring bak to OEM specs and cleaned up all the piggyback junk they put on the relay. Turned the problem was a bad ground!

Bottom line is, they want the newer Benzes along with their owners and their money, and they will do the kissup/brown nose treatment, but for an older R107, especially an euro, they turn up their noses. THUMBS DOWN. Never going back there and going to loudly discourage anyone who asks about them. A good shop treats different cars and their owners equally. Silver Star doesn't. Actually, you can tell them that next time you go in.

German Auto Service (ask for John) or Bertini's in Roseville, CA have gotten good votes in my book.

As for Ernie, sounds like he's worth a look. I need help rerouting my newly replaced vacuum lines. He know much about euro's and not afraid of them? If not, I'll take it in to John at G.A.S. above.

[luvlaw]

benz-lgb

No, i'm not a member of the bar, yet. I am a 4L evening student at McGeorge in Sac. I am working my way through, and the SL600 is my gift to myself for making it this far, though I sold my BMW and VW to get it. It is the best car I could ever own. Everytime I see it, I feel as though life doesn't get any better.

I assume by your question you are a lawyer. It is always good to meet attorneys. As I am sure you remember when you were in law school, I could use all the contacts I meet in getting a job when I graduate next year.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

As far as the warranty, again I did purchase it. I sleep better at night knowing if something god forbid does go wrong I don't have to take out a 2nd mortgage to pay for it.

[BENZ-LGB]

Originally Posted by luvlaw

benz-lgb

No, i'm not a member of the bar, yet. I am a 4L evening student at McGeorge in Sac. I am working my way through, and the SL600 is my gift to myself for making it this far, though I sold my BMW and VW to get it. It is the best car I could ever own. Everytime I see it, I feel as though life doesn't get any better.

I assume by your question you are a lawyer. It is always good to meet attorneys. As I am sure you remember when you were in law school, I could use all the contacts I meet in getting a job when I graduate next year.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

As far as the warranty, again I did purchase it. I sleep better at night knowing if something god forbid does go wrong I don't have to take out a 2nd mortgage to pay for it.

Let me know when you are closer to graduating. I know some people in the DA's Office in Sacramento and I know one person in the AG's Office in Sac.

Nice present...I'm jealous When I was in law school I drove an old Ford Maverick. It had a tendency to break down every time I went on a job interview. I've hated ALL Fords ever since then.

Soon as I am done paying formy kids' college I'm treating myself too. I only hope I am still young enough to drive.

Good luck and enjoy the ride!!!