Did you guys know that if you pruchase a Starmark Warranty it's good for only one year from the time the warranty kicks in? Did you know that roadside assistance counts as a warranty item? Of course you're not told about it when you sign the contract, it says so in the manual which nobody bothers to read.

So if you need a jumpstart or run out of gas, then bring in your late model MB over year later for a MAF problem you're stuck with the bill?

__________________
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

Last I checked, I was aware:

Yes- Standard Starmark period is good for one-year (comes free with Starmark car). Additional Starmark coverage (extending coverage up to a total of 4 years/ 100k) may be purchased at additional cost.

MB Roadside assistance is free for any period/ vintage MB for life- - so it does not matter whether Starmark coverage is in effect or expired (MB Roadside Assistance = "warranty item"? or not= no cost= no deductible=free for life of car).

If, however, we are referring to "cost reimbursement" for trip interruption/ mechnical breakdown (aka trip interruption assistance) this appears to be an exclusive Starmark feature (not MB Roadside Assistance) and naturally this expires with Starmark.

To answer your Q's:
>If you need jumpstart, gas- MB roadside assistance is free for the life of your MB (regardless of Starmark).
>If you encounter MAF issues or other tech issues outside of Starmark warranty period-- naturally Starmark will not cover costs.

Please correct me if I am mistaken- - these all appear straight forward to understand (even prior to purchasing).

Hope this helps and best regards. I have been completely satisfied with Starmark.

-fad

Well maybe your dealer was up front with you fad, mine wasn't. Like a fool, I trusted the dealer to tell me that the Starmark warranty was good for years and years to come. I guess when you take it in under warranty and get told "the check engine light means nothing, you won't get stranded, come back at the next B service and we'll take care of it" you take them at their word. I can be so gullible. Bleh...

Anyway I'm done with MB. Anyone know of a good 1971 4.5 which needs a good home?

__________________
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

Greetings Kuan- - details, details, details...its all in the details

Looking at Starmark I did a detailed cost/ benefit analysis paying particular attention to understand warranty limitations, exclusions, and start and ending coverage periods

I took my time and reviewed all documentation closely line by line, asked questions, posed scenarios, and made sure dealer/sales staff representations not contained in standard Starmark/documentation were formalized

...as my General Counsel rants: "if its not in writing, it likely not enforceable"

In reality, gone are the days of doing business with a handshake.

On my end, I've purchased 2 Starmark warrantied cars: E500 & E320 Coupe, from the same Fact. Author. MB dealer in Southern California and have been fully satisified with its 3 year extended warranty period, policy price/value, coverage details, service, and ease of claims

best regards
-fad

From my experience, the roadside assistance expires when the warranty expires...this was told directly to me when I called M-B roadside assistance the last time I was stranded in the rain with a dead car...originally, I thought roadside assistance was ALWAYS active as -fad pointed out...I was quite disappointed...

__________________
1995 black pearl/black Mercedes-Benz E420 :

In Canada, we have two types of roadside assistance.

1. "Lifetime" roadside assistance that is available to any MB owner, regardless of age or mileage (the car, not the driver) However, NOTHING is free but the drive to you. Any parts, gas, tow, boost, etc. is charged to you, and the labour rate is 1.5X the in-shop rate if you elect to have roadside repairs made.

2. "MB pays" roadside assistance. This came with all new cars from MY1999 on, and is like AAA or other plans. It includes towing to the nearest dealer, free gas and trip benefits. This roadside assistance was also included in the Signature Class extended warranty if purchased for pre-1999 model year cars, but would not be in effect until the factory warranty period was eclipsed by either time or mileage.

Past the "free" period, MB will sell you the "MB pays" roadside service for $60 per year. Not a bad price since in includes towing to the nearest dealer, which can be a loooooong way away. But, it does NOT include maps, travel planning, or other neat stuff that AAA has available. I might get both, as we have AAA for the Helen so she's covered when driving the Mazda or Subaru. When we're traveling in the Mercedes, we have both, which is pretty cool since we go places like the Yukon and Alaska.

Keep in mind that this is in Canada, and might differ from you yanks.

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif