Do I need extended Warranty on 2006 S 430
 

I just purchased a 2006 S 430 with 38,000 miles. The car is super clean and drives well. The car is just out of the Factory Warranty period.

Based on actual experience from owners at this site, should I pay $1,900 for a 24 month warranty covering everything but normal wear and tear? (no wipers, filters, breaks or tires) My inclination is to never purchase extended warranties, but I have no experience with used cars, much less a Mercedes. Please advise.

Motor/trans-wise you are in good shape with that car, but electronic issues crop up from time to time. I don't recall if that has ABC (?)

Not a bad idea though... Do your research, as a lot of those warranty co's come and go.

Buy it without question! IF it is the right warranty
 

Normally I despise those after market warranties, as they are LOADED with profit to their sellers, and the FINE PRINT in them that you can't be expected to read and understand, screws you over when you need it.

READ especially the EXCLUSIONS, and see what is NOT covered? Things like door handles or raidioknobs that fall off, like in real life, and see if it's a bumper to bumper one; if IT IS bumper to bumper (EVERTHING) I would probably take it.


If not, I would have to think about it?


Who is selling the warranty, MERCEDES BENZ or some private insurance company that could go out of business tomorrow?


Is it transferable to the next owner? Several years ago the Mercedes Benz ones were NOT.

They ended
when you sold the car even if there was more time on them, and that costs you resale value if they are not transferable.



Another thing here: The reports are coming in that ALL Mercedes Benzes are a pile of dung from 2000-2007. You have at least a 50% chance of winding up with one of these.


One reason for this is the marketing is going wildly downscale: Ads screaming "You too, can drive a brand new Mercedes for $299 a month!!!" (the cheapest ones, leased)

So they are being built and sold cheap, and trading away the brand equity for more quick sales.

Stuff like computers and sensors and wildly complicated impedimentia are going bad here.


And Mercedes Benz dealer service rates are around $175 per hour and going up. Can you afford that, out of warranty.


Finally, a friend in Los Angeles a couple of months ago told me he asked about the new Mercedes autos, to a friend of his who is an actual tech at Mercedes Benz dealer there, in the Service Department..


And the guy told him "They have NOT gotten better, even since 2006. They are all pieces of $hit.


We are already getting 6 months old 2009 models in the shop, and they are a mess, sensor, computer and other problems, hellacious to repair.


I would never EVER buy a new Mercedes today."


^^^^^ And he should know!! He gets paid to fix them, every day at a Mercedes Benz
dealer's Service Department in Los Angeles!



One more thing, the waranties sold at dealerships are NEGOTIABLE.


There is often FAR more profit built into those warranties for the Finance Dept. than even in the new cars themselves!


So argue and haggle a second time over the warranty price! You can save HUNDREDS of dollars!!


I would, considering the car you bought, and what could go wrong, the price to fix, and likelihood of your needing it, think you should get the warranty.


But make sure it is a good one, that they will stand behind (and I DON'T mean: waaaaaaaaaay behind ! :D ) preferably bumper to bumper, because you will probably NEED it.



Over and over.

I would, as Swede mentioned electrical problems can cost alot. Why not post this on the tech side and see what the mechanics say....

This is helpful. I could not find a report of typical repairs for this model in a web search pre-purchase. My sister collects cars and recommended this site today. I still have 24 days on the dealer warranty before I need to make a decision.

So far my 2007 E has been flawless,,, I'm knocking on wood here,,, and I love it. Even consumer reports sees a definate improvement in the 07 and 08 models. Time will tell I guess, but I will deal with the issues, should they arise.

With the exception of $1400 coils (1 per bank), my S600 hasn't been horrendous. I know people who have had very good luck with W200 S500's as well. Infact, the S600 hasn't been all that much worse than my 560SEL, 300TD wagon or my W210 E55.

"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process." :D

I know someone with a 2000 S430 he bought new. I think he has 125k miles on it now and the only issue he ever had was a coil going bad. They are only a few hundred bucks, unlike the V12's.

My S600 is sold as of tomorrow. Great car, but I'll be a poor-arse student again in January. My drive to school is 100 miles/rt - 4x/week. :eek:

The 300TD wagon will have to cut it for a while, but that's up for sale too. I really want an '06 VW TDI.

Heh, I saw the vid a few yrs. back but can't find it anymore.