pulling the trigger
 

on a 2005 C230 Kompressor tomorrow. I worked out what I feel is a fantastic deal on one with 9k on the clock. Should I worry about a extended warranty? Because of some problems with the deal (he messed up the price and is renegging a bit-still a great price) he's offered any extended warranty at cost. I have plenty of factory warranty left so should I even consider..I really don't want to spend the money and think that I should probably just bank the money and get interest..Anyway, just curious..

Ps..the price on the car is $27500 (out the door including 3% sales tax).

After reading about all the quality problems on this forum on the late model MBs I think you might want to consider getting the extended warranty if you plan to keep the car longer than the time left on the original warranty. Several of my friends have late models that are now out of warranty and every time they have to take the car to the shop the tab is $1500 plus.

Generally when people ask me whether the extended warranty on a car is a good idea or not, I recommend it. This is with expectation that the car will be kept long enough to utilize it. Additionally, selling a used car to a private individual when it has an active extended warranty is a selling point.

When I bought the wagon used, it was star marked. This unto itself meant something, but not as good as I expected from the supposed Star Mark inspection list process was promoted.

The warranty did pay for itself. The rear shocks/accumulators, the front and rear seat padding and sway bar links were repaired and replaced under warranty. I guess I am ahead by about $2,000.

I hesitated and wondered whether it was worth it. I, in the end, was glad.

Haasman

The dealership is saying cost on 5 year 85k miles 100 deductible is $1700..does this sound reasonable? This is an aftermarket warranty as the dealership is Chrysler Dealer.

Thanks!!

Personally I would pass on that. First of all you have the MB factory warranty for the first 4 years/50K miles of which you still probably have 3 years and over 40K left so you are paying $1700 for a warranty for the last 2 years and 35K miles.

You'll know in the next 3 years if this car is a dog or not. If it is, then just sell it before the factory warranty expires - why would you want to keep a dog? If its a good car, keep it and gamble, just put the $1700 into a CD and collect the interest on it for the next 3 years. At 5% interest you'll have $2000 at the end of 3 years which you can put toward future repairs.

Don't forget these contracts don't include "normal wear and tear" which is really open to interpretation. Certainly tires, brakes, certain suspension parts will not be covered. And god forbid you ever have an accident...then they will blame every problem on that and claim it is not covered.

I understood your warranty as being a Mercedes used car warranty. Aftermarket warranties vary a lot. I would re-think it as well.

Haasman

Thanks for your help! I appreciate your thoughts..CD it is.

The dealership just told me that they do not use aftermarket warranties..only Daimler Chrysler warranty..is this the same warranty as Mercedes Benz? Same parent..thanks.

It is not the same warranty. Look carefully at the coverage details. It could actually be better in some coverage areas.

Haasman

This is the coverage...any comments are appreciated.

http://www-5.servicecontracts.chrysler.com/gn/gn_preOwned_wo_maximumCare.html

It appears to be a very good plan. To really know how good it is find out what the exclusions are.

Haasman