Which extended warranties actually pay? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

95s420 · #1 06-16-2003, 10:34 AM

I have had good luck and bad luck with extended warranties. I am interested in whether there is a consensus on this board of which extended warranty companies "hassle" the customer the least. Any input is appreciated!

Brian

tvpierce · #2 06-16-2003, 01:03 PM

I would never buy an extended warranty from any company. But it is a personal preference.
What you are really buying is "peace of mind". If you feel more comfortable with an extended warranty, then maybe it's a good value for you.

Jeff Pierce

mike690003 · #3 06-16-2003, 01:13 PM

The funny thing is that most of the things that go wrong on your car rarely are covered by the "extended warranties". They say "it was due to misuse".

tvpierce · #4 06-16-2003, 01:33 PM

For years, Chrysler has offered a 10 year/100K mile warranty on the drivetrains of their new vehicles. While that sounds impressive, what could possibly go wrong with a drivetrain (engine/transmission/axle) in 100K miles that's not due to neglect or abuse?
If you don't change the oil, the warranty's void. If you run it our of oil, the warranty's void. If you over-heat it, the warranty's void.
It's really a very empty promise.

The truth is, that the drivetrain is the least of your concerns.(Frankly, it's everything else on the piece of crap that's going to fall apart!)

Jeff Pierce

mike690003 · #5 06-16-2003, 01:38 PM

Thats exactly what I am trying to get people to realize. Those 7 and 10 year "powertrain warranty" claims have so many loopholes that by the end of your scheduled maintenance and service charges,you could have easily bought a new tranny,engine and transaxle. The "warranty" is actually just a bag of hot air.

95s420 · #6 06-16-2003, 02:46 PM

I may have not been clear with my question...I have on ALMOST every occasion come out ahead with an extended warranty. For example, I have a Starmark warranty on my S420 now and it has paid for itself atleast twice. ONE evaporator core costs more than most 4yr 100K warranties. I am sure that the economic benefit is there. My real question is that I am thinking of going with an aftermarket company and would like to know if some companies have better reputations than others. I am considering a 4yr/100K GE warranty on my 2000 E320 for $2500.

Thanks for the help!

peter210 · #7 06-16-2003, 08:16 PM

Hi,

I'll just put my 5c... I've had an experience dealing with two outside companies. One of them was www.warrantybynet.com which I'd stay far, far away from. I can write forever what they made me go through. They will make every effort possible to refuse the claim. Their advertizing on their web page is total B/S and they will never share with you that within passed few years they changed their administrator at least three times. Stay away even if it's free, beacause it's not worth your aggravation. Once in my E320 I had to change a head gasket due to the common problem on straight six 3.2 where the oil line is too close to the edge of the head/block and in time oil leaks to the outside of the engine. My MB guy showed them (warrantybynet) TSBs and all other material involving this problem, and after probably "nice" tip they finally approved the repair. (please note, that they will send their inspector to take a look at your car) It took about four days of wasting time and tens of phone calls. Warranty by net wants something from you every single time, perhaps to get you tired. They will never just give you an authorization number an tell you go ahead. The list goes on and on.

The people I'd strongly recommend are www.warrantydirect.com
They have paid over 4.5K in the repairs on my S500. They are so easy to deal with I love them. Just call, tell them what "hurts" and pick up your car from the shop when it's done. Paperwork? What paperwork?! All they want from me is my signature...
The company is based in NY and what's most important they are their own administrator.

Hope this helps a little....

Peter

manny · #8 06-16-2003, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tvpierce
For years, Chrysler has offered a 10 year/100K mile warranty on the drivetrains of their new vehicles. While that sounds impressive, what could possibly go wrong with a drivetrain (engine/transmission/axle) in 100K miles

Jeff Pierce

FYI.
I had a need for this warranty once.
After 5 years and 70 k miles, I grenaded the transmission all over the highway.
Towed the vehicle in, picked it up 3 days later with a new transmission & new transmission ECU.
Signed the workorder for the dealer & left. Never cost me a cent.
Btw. I noticed the total sum on the workorder was $ 2800.00.
Thanks Lee Iacocca.

P.S. that does not mean I endorse Chrysler products, nor would I ever buy another one.

mike690003 · #9 06-16-2003, 10:00 PM

Whoa! A diamond in the rough! Someone actually had something go wrong on their powertrain. Imagine the others that have to pay and nothing goes wrong? I guess they pay for "piece of mind" knowing they are covered.

Rockman59 · #10 06-16-2003, 10:56 PM

The truth is, that the drivetrain is the least of your concerns
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Not true, I had a Suburban that had a ring gear go bad prior to the 36,000 mile warranty cutoff. Then shortly after that the dealer had to replace two of the U joints. Both were fully covered at no cost to me. Granted, it is rare for those items to fail at such low mileage but they do fail. And Suburbans are a lot cheaper to fix than MBs.

95s420 · #11 06-17-2003, 08:21 AM

I must say that your description of Warrantybynet is right on!! I dealt with these bozo's once before and they are WORTHLESS. Thanks for the tip on warranty direct. I will check them out.

Jim's500E · #12 06-17-2003, 05:24 PM

I've been happy with OmniAuto's warranty...2 yrs/24,0000 miles....on my 500E they've already coughed up close to 3gs in my first 6 months with them...no problems. All my buds have them and rave about them...word up though...they don't do Jags, AMGs or any 12 cylinder, to name a few criteria.

#13 06-20-2003, 08:30 PM

I bought a Warrentech 6yr/100k on the 99 SL600 that I bought used in January. The plan included electrical systems as well as the normal stuff. Before I bought it, I checked with the independent shop that does my work and they told me that they have no problems collecting claims from that company.
I have had one issue in the ADS system that required a sensor replacement and it was paid with no question. They paid the dealer direct so I didn't have to be involved in the billing process.
So far, so good.