Can't decide on extending warranty

[Rory]

yes you read the figures correctly - sorry about the spacing - I tried and tried but wasnt gonna type it all again...lol

Sorry if you've written this elsewhere, but how old is your car and what's the current mileage?

If it's pretty new, then it should be that all you will need to pay for until warranty expiry is routine servicing and maybe a set of pads (and possibly disks). In that case, it doesn't look such a good deal.

 

[crockers]

Sorry if you've written this elsewhere, but how old is your car and what's the current mileage?

If it's pretty new, then it should be that all you will need to pay for until warranty expiry is routine servicing and maybe a set of pads (and possibly disks). In that case, it doesn't look such a good deal.

I thought that too but it is early Dec 2005 and has 38,000 miles on it..so if I take this out (quote valid until sept 30th) sept 30th i have 14 months of warranty left..next service due in 9,000 miles I reckon it will need new pads - perhaps discs - brake fluid change - coolant change - says service A but has a habit of switching to service B 10 minutes before its needed...so all in all a good grand worth of work which is what the service + rate works out at - then it takes over from the warranty... Thought of leaving it for a year but taking into account the above might as well go ahead for the peace of mind....

 

[c240yaz]

My problem is that my car will be 6 years old next July and therefore not eligible for the service contract so it is almost £700 just for the warranty.

My personal opinion with the mileage you have done and will do, forget the warranty. As others here have suggested, find a good independent mechanic who can service / repair your car.

During that year period, keep a note on what you pay out for services and repairs (excluding non warranty items like tyres etc).

 

[DieselE]

Sorry if you've written this elsewhere, but how old is your car and what's the current mileage?

If it's pretty new, then it should be that all you will need to pay for until warranty expiry is routine servicing and maybe a set of pads (and possibly disks). In that case, it doesn't look such a good deal.

As I've posted on other threads on this topic, I took Service Plus out when my car was eighteen months old. Between then and its third birthday I'll spend £1280 in Service Plus fees. So far, I've had £1000 worth of servicing and there's still the MOT and any associated costs to go. I reckon I'll end up roughly breaking even.

The advantage of locking in early is a lower rate over the longer period. My cover runs until the car is five and a half.

 

[DieselE]

I thought that too but it is early Dec 2005 and has 38,000 miles on it..so if I take this out (quote valid until sept 30th) sept 30th i have 14 months of warranty left..next service due in 9,000 miles I reckon it will need new pads - perhaps discs - brake fluid change - coolant change - says service A but has a habit of switching to service B 10 minutes before its needed...so all in all a good grand worth of work which is what the service + rate works out at - then it takes over from the warranty... Thought of leaving it for a year but taking into account the above might as well go ahead for the peace of mind....

Next service will also include automatic transmission fluid change as MB now do this on the first service after 37,000 miles. That's another £170-£200 to take into account.

 

[kingsize]

Got my quote from Service Plus.

£97.00 p.m. for three years @ 20,000 miles per year.

Lower than I expected, and having seen what is covered, money well spent for the peace of mind.

I would exstimate regular service costs at my mileage to be in the region of £900 p.a. anyway, so the additional few hundred is a no brainer for me.

 

[garystu1965]

I dont understand why people feel the need to have the extended warranty at these crazy premiums.if you had a ford mondeo after the 3 yrs you dont extend the warranty,so why with a merc.if it goes wrong have it repaired,take it to an indy and away you go.

Totally agree. I've had mine 3 years and warranty recently ran out. They wanted £880 to renew (yeah right) so I've not extended it and now have no warranty.

 

[Rory]

Totally agree. I've had mine 3 years and warranty recently ran out. They wanted £880 to renew (yeah right) so I've not extended it and now have no warranty.

...but the argument here is that you could have bought ServicePlus for a roughly similar cost (depending on your mileage) and it includes all servicing and repairs and MOT, and it *appears* to cover everything the warranty would too.

 

[kingsize]

...but the argument here is that you could have bought ServicePlus for a roughly similar cost (depending on your mileage) and it includes all servicing and repairs and MOT, and it *appears* to cover everything the warranty would too.

It does, I have the schedule sitting in front of me....and here it is for you all.

 

[Rory]

It does, I have the schedule sitting in front of me....and here it is for you all.

I've said this before, but I love the way it lists things like bulbs and wiper blades, and then almost casually says 'Major Units'!

 

[Andy Stanton]

I had a similar mental wrangle when I bought my company car a few months ago. It's a 3 yr old E220CDI with 42k on the clock.

My quote for 15k miles per year was £86.00pcm inc VAT for 3 years. I spoke at length to the contract team about the content of the service+ contract and it works in exactly the same way as my fully managed service that I was used to (minus insurance, tyres and any personal abuse). It's completely worry free for 3 years and includes my MOT, Service costs and any remedial work. I think it's a terrific product as I was very nervous about buying the car and running it outside a cosy company car scheme.

My next service is a D service, which I think is small, but I still feel it's great value for money and I'll probably break even at the end of the 3 years. Even if I don't I'll consider the possible overspend as good peace of mind.

Interestingly though, because I didn't pull my finger out in time I had a 5 week gap between my car being purchased and taking on the new contract. Because of this gap MB insisted I had a full inspection undertaken to identify anything that's about to wear out and not be covered by said warranty (despite being with the same dealer since new and will remain with them for the next 3 years) . And charge me £75.00 + VAT for the pleasure!!! Cheeky gits. I could have probably haggled but I didn't have the time or enthusiasm and just got on with it. Very bitter about that though. I feel slightly better in that I took it in before I bought the car for some 'odd jobs' to be sorted out, inc brakes being changed, tyres replaced for the first MOT etc so it was in tip top condition anyway at no cost to me. Also, because of the break, I couldn't claim for anything for 3 months once the contract was setup. Lucky my service falls outside this...

As I say, I have my first personal service at the end of Sept and I have a couple of snags they need addressing. This'll be my first experience and I'm hoping it's pain and cost free. If not, I'll be having words.

Andy

 

[vijilants]

Try warranty direct.

I did my merc with them....far cheaper that Mercedes.

 

[kingsize]

Try warranty direct.

I did my merc with them....far cheaper that Mercedes.

You cannot compare such a warranty with service plus.

They are two very different services.

 

[nimmat]

Jumping on this thread after a month.

I just got quotes for my Service Plus (I was very encouraged by John (glojo) to go for it)

Its a jan 2004 53 plate w211 e270CDI but built in August 2003 so it probably has the valeo radiator.

Current mileage : 59000

Quote based on 10k per year:
1yr: £63.96 +VAT
2yr: £67.18 +VAT

Now my question is, if the Valeo radiator plays up by chance then will that be covered in Service Plus? It does come under a reliability item and is a known manufacturing fault so I hope it does.

AA Warrently for upto 2K will cost £300 and Warranty Direct for upto 5k will cost £379 for 1yr.

What are your views?
Thanks,
Nim

EDIT:
Its currenly due for a B+ service in 6500 miles so I suppose half the cost for the 1st yr is already covered

 

[kingsize]

Jumping on this thread after a month.

I just got quotes for my Service Plus (I was very encouraged by John (glojo) to go for it)

Its a jan 2004 53 plate w211 e270CDI but built in August 2003 so it probably has the valeo radiator.

Current mileage : 59000

Quote based on 10k per year:
1yr: £63.96 +VAT
2yr: £67.18 +VAT

Now my question is, if the Valeo radiator plays up by chance then will that be covered in Service Plus? It does come under a reliability item and is a known manufacturing fault so I hope it does.

AA Warrently for upto 2K will cost £300 and Warranty Direct for upto 5k will cost £379 for 1yr.

What are your views?
Thanks,
Nim

EDIT:
Its currenly due for a B+ service in 6500 miles so I suppose half the cost for the 1st yr is already covered

I second that - go for it.

Virtually everything is covered (except tyres) and the peace of mind is blissfull....

 

[Rory]

What are your views?

I would say go for it (I did). If nothing else it's got to be worth it for 2 yrs peace of mind.

Interesting point about the Valeo issue - that's the kind of failure that maybe could be argued isn't wear and tear. But it seems most unlikely that MB would try to get out of it - strictly, they're liable either way round anyway.

You can check if it's got the Valeo radiator. There was a guy on here who changed his anyway, as a precaution.

It also pays for your MOTs (and any items needed repair to pas) of course.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Interesting point about the Valeo issue - that's the kind of failure that maybe could be argued isn't wear and tear. But it seems most unlikely that MB would try to get out of it - strictly, they're liable either way round anyway.

I agree - it wouldn't be considered wear & tear IMHO - but one would hope that there would be a generous goodwill contribution if it has FSH and is covered by Service Plus.

It's better be covered than not!!

 

[timskemp]

Personally I'd go for one of the MB deals - service plus isn't bad for an average mileage driver - I run 30-40k per annum and it would work out very expensive as they make assumptions about life of brakes (mine last longer than average due to motorway use) but the standard extended warranty is a good choice for high milers.

Bear in mind that so far under warranty I've had a power steering pump (didn't solve fault) steering rack (did) suspension arms, valve chest, glow plugs and a few other smaller items, with the associated labour and loan cars too - I intend to renew mine.

 

[pammy]

Another one that says go for it. That's a very good deal. No obvious price hile there which is what some seem to be experiencing.

 

[Benzowner]

I would certainly say go for it. I bought a 1999 S Class W220 from MB Salisbury with 39k on the clock full MB history and warranty. So far I have had new comand, two cats, both front calipers, front main pully broke up and caused £1500 worth of damage all covered and I still have 16 months left:bannana: For the cost of all those repairs I am well pleased with the warranty. Low mileage will put the cats under threat of failure. Mine were only rattling but were replaced, the rear ones are now making the same noises. The car by the way, IMO is still a superb motor.