Question On Extended Warranty! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chona · #1 07-08-2004, 03:31 PM

hi, my ML320 2000 has 23000 miles on it, and because of the low mileage the MB dealer has given me goodwill gesture warranty(i am not sure what that means)for 50,000 miles or one year,

now my question is, should i buy extended warranty now or if not when should i purchase extended warranty? thanks

Gilly · #2 07-08-2004, 04:56 PM

Need a little more info; did you just buy it recently, and if so from an MB dealer? Did they offer it as a Starmark warranty, or is this 1 yr warranty just from the dealer? Are they offering to put Starmark warranty the truck?

Gilly

chona · #3 07-08-2004, 06:23 PM

i called the dealer and this warranty is a goodwill gesture warranty and it is just on the letter they sent me not even recorded in the computer so everytime i have a problem i have to take the letter with me.
i bought the car about 2 months ago from the original owner.
the dealer told me they cant offer me starmark but there is one called mellinium which is so expensive, for 4 years $4000.
so do you know is it better to get the warranty now that the mileage is low or later is okay too and a reliable place with reasonable prices? thanks

TN-W124 Diesel · #4 07-08-2004, 07:41 PM

the dealer is trying to make some money on this deal..ususally the extended warranty are too expensive and not worth the money..

chona · #5 07-10-2004, 03:55 PM

whare are you? i put the info here please let me know what you think. thanks

Gilly · #6 07-11-2004, 12:09 AM

I am quite confused on how or why the dealer would offer ANY warranty on a vehicle which you did not purchase from them.

Extended warranties are a gamble. You need to assess your willingness to accept risk, no one can answer that for you. If I say DON'T buy it and you have tons of problems, then I'm the bad guy. If I say BUY IT and nothing goes wrong, you blew 4 grand, and I'm the bad guy. IF HOWEVER you buy it, and you have problems, then I'm the GOOD guy. Sounds like I have 2 chances to be a bad guy and one to be a good guy. Well, OK, you could opt to not buy it, and maybe nothing goes wrong, then I guess I'd be a good guy then too. So at best I have a 50:50 chance of being either a good guy or a bum.

The dealer is wrong that they can't put a Starmark warranty on it though. They need to research this, and it may cost a bit to get it done, not sure on the cost, but I know it's doable. Maybe check the mbusa website and research it yourself.

I don't know if it's better to get the warranty now or not. Common sense would sort of dictate that all else being equal (same price etc) it would make sense to wait until later, unless like Starmark the warranty is over at 100,000 miles regardless of anything else. Makes NO sense to Starmark a car with anywhere near 100,000 miles, but in your case you probably wouldn't need to worry about that part of it.
The thing about putting Starmark on it is the dealer is then obligated to put the vehicle up to Starmark standards, including appearance items, just as though he were going to put the vehicle on the used car lot, so it can cost quite a bit to do. Even tires and brakes have to be up to standards before they can give you a Starmark warranty, at least if they follow the rules. That's what I dislike about Starmark in general, not enough hard-asses like me to make sure the rules are being followed.

Gilly