Is it worth it ?
 

The basic warranty ( 4 years, 50 k miles ) on my car is about to expire.
Checked into the extended warranty, available from M-B direct, and came up with the following prices.
2 year additional warranty, up to 100 k miles = $ 1200.00.
3 year additional warranty, up to 100 k mile = $ 1500.00.
My intention is to keep this car for probably another 5 - 6 years (goes without say, very well maintained )!
Question is, is it worth the $$$$ ?
Btw. the basic powertrain warranty is still in effect for another year, up to 75 k miles.
The car currently has 50 k miles, and no issues, as far as I can determine.
So, the wisdom of the board is ? ;)

Typically, I'm not a big fan of extended warranties. I see it as Mercedes-Benz taking a gamble that your car will require less than $1200 of service in the next two years. Assuming they're not out to lose money (which they aren't), you'll probably come out ahead budgeting your money and skipping the warranty.

At the same time, however, we all know how expensive MB repairs can be. If there are a lot of known issues with the C230, it may be worthwhile to spend the extra money now for added peace of mind later. I did own one car, a 1994 Saturn, where the extended warranty definitely paid for itself. They made the purchase decision easy, though, with a deal that would refund the cost of the warranty when it expired if I never had to use it. I skipped the added coverage on every car I've had since, and I've never had a problem. Like I said, it can be a gamble either way...

I vote for 3 year, 100,000 mile warranty. You can spend $1500 on a repair during that 3 year time really fast.

What does the warranty cover? If it only covers parts which are know to last, then its not worth it. But if it covers items which other C230 owners have had problems with, then Id go with the 3year/100K warranty.

True -- it's been a while since I've been to the dealership with my 300E. It is very easy to rack up a $1500 bill on single repair. Knowing that, I'd go for the 3-year 100K, too.

Extended warranties are like Las Vegas casinos. On average the odds favor the house to guarantee them a profit.

If your car has been relatively trouble free, pass on the extended warranty. If it's had a lot of problems an extended warranty is worth considering.

I believe about half the price is front end commissions and administration, so Mercedes is betting that your car will have less than half price you pay in actual repair cost under the extended warranty.

Duke

Shindig, quit while you're ahead. I agree only with your first post. Nobody offers extended warranties unless they make money from it. The gamble is well calculated ahead of time to be in their favor. Sure, for some people it may pay to have an extended warranty. But for every person who came ahead with their extended warranty, there's even more that did not cash in on what they paid for warranty. Don't rely on testimonials. On average you're better off without the warranty. Warranties - and other forms of insurance - should only be bought if you can't afford the loss.

And if you're a DIYer, there's even LESS incentive to purchase extended warranty.

Manny, unless the extended warranty that you're considering is a Starmark Component Warranty which covers the following in addition to the Starmark Powertrain Component Warranty: Fuel Injection System, Steering System, Suspension, Brake System, Electrical System, Climate Control, Body and Central Locking System I would invest that money and pay for the repairs out-of-pocket. The extended warranty that the local MB dealer offered for our 1998 E320 after the original warranty expired seemed useless IMO, so I declined to purchase it. Let's face it extended warranties are another profit opportunity for the dealers. They aren't offering them for the customers' benefit.

Thought I may add this information.
Car was purchased with 30 k miles on it ( 1 year ago ).
Up to this point, the only " repair " has been a licenseplate lightbulb.
Today the dealer replaced both fuelsending units under warranty.
The only two items that would possibly concern me in the future, would be the transmission and possibly the supercharger ( both have been flawless at this point ).
A major repair wouldn't break my piggy bank, worse than that, it may reduce my beer money ( summer is coming ). ;)
Have to sleep on that decision for a night or two.