Thanks for all the inputs.

FWIW I will pop for the warranty in this case. I fully know the cost that a dealer or shop charges for the repair si much higher than what it will cost me to DIY.

On my 92 400E I have made a bunch of fixes since I purchesed it (it had about 130K mi on it) - Viscous fan clutch and radiator (since the fan clutch graciously took out the radiator, wiring harness, throttle body, blower motor and blower resistor, rear shocks, coolant resivour. Now I know some of these are related to age, but Mercedes messed up on the wiring on these 90's cars. I'm still happy with the car but I know if I had gone to a dealer for the wiring harness and then for the throtle body/ETA it would have been min of $2500, and the fan clutch would have been fairly big $$ since the space in the 400E is so restricted.

Mercedes may have some problems but I feel the cars are built to hold together for at least a couple 100K mi without sounding like a rattle trap. I also like that the parts and support are available through sources such as this.

On the question of manuals - I bought the CD's direct from mercedes on my 124 and I have paper for the 126 body. There are several people on the web listing DVD's and CD's that cover through about 2003. Has anyone tried them?

Paul

Paul- good decision on the Starmark (or whaterever they call it now). The most important point about the warranty is that it is not third party so you are not negotiating with some HMO version of an car maintenance insurance company. What is covered is very well spelled out in the Starmark paperwork. Should be no surprises.

__________________
dtf
1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles)
1995 E300 Diesel (228,000)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000)
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop
2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army
BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles)
2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles
2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles

Is it really $2500? The four year Starmark warranty used to be priced at $1750. I know, I have it on my 2001 wagon. I think the three year version was in the $1200 range, but don't recall for certain.

Repairs made under Starmark so far are one new window regulator. So far it's been as reliable as an anvil.

- JimY