I'm going to buy a used '03 C230 kompressor from some in-laws. It's got ~40K miles on it (still under factory warranty for a little while). My big dilema now is whether to get an extended warranty on it.

I started out looking into an extended warranty under the premise it would be exactly like the original (i.e. I don't pay a dime, even for an oil change). Everywhere I check they are ~$3K, and would extend the warranty thru 2010/up to 100K miles. BUT, they are not the same factory warranty like the in-laws have (they don't pay a dime, even for an oil change) - I'll be paying (or doing it myself) for the oil changes, brakes, rotors, etc. And, there's a $100 deductible associated with the warranty.

Is there any reason I should get this? I'm leaning towards not getting it, as these cars are supposed to be very reliable, correct?

These new car are all driven by computers, they are as reliable as any cars you would buy. No one can tell you should or should not get extended warrenty. If I can tell the future, I would buy a lottery ticket today.

If you are going to purchase warrenty. The only suggestion is be sure the warrenty is a reliable company/dealer. You don't want to find out they are out of bussiness when you need them.

Jack

I would not buy a Mercedes without an extended warranty, if I ever buy one again.

I have read on this forum warranties paying upwards of $20,000 on the S-Class for repairs!!

Oil change is going to be the least of your concerns If you go to the dealership for every repair, just the MAS will cost you somehere around $600. And it will fail

I have spent about $10,000 in repairs, including wear items on my 94 E320 which was a 1 owner vehicle with low miles when I bought it. I take care of my cars more than the average consumer, so the expense would have been less, if I had neglected some items, and avoided the dealership a little bit more.

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Zafar
94 E320 58000 Miles

insert `extended warranty` in the search engine on this site and carefully read posts.

also do a google search on extended warranty.

may also want to go to www.ftc.gov

and before you buy - if you decide to buy - an extended warranty get and read all the documentation particularly about exclusions.

you can/may negotiate price on an extended warranty.

I personally would never buy an extended warranty, I would set aside money for eventual repairs. If the in-laws are to be trusted you have a pretty good idea on the track record of this individual vehicle.

MB sells one I decided to get one on my 01 E $2700. In the six months out of regular warranty I have gone thru a dimming mirror and a window regulator i I am down to $2100 with over three years to go. MB the only way to go, no negotiation, they dont cover the radio but they do cover the remotes!

Keep in mind that any extended waranty company is in business for one reason, to make money on the warranty they sell. So they are betting that you won't use it all or that what goes wrong won't be covered. In the long run, they will always win. No extended waranties for me, but I can see where it can be tempting.

Len