[R129 SL] New to this board with a couple questions...

[Peter Shelton]

Hi David,

I am in New Zealand and we are at the bottom half of the world!!! Some of 
the locals like to call it "God's Own".  We have about 4.2 million 
population and about 4 cars for every 5 people, so we have a lot of Mercedes 
Benz cars around the place. Many cars are imports from Japan and Singapore 
as they are 'cheap'!.  For instance a good 1992/1996 Mercedes Benz 129 with 
about 50,000 km (31,250 miles ) on the clock is about NZ$35,000 or US$24,500 
inclusive of all taxes etc.  We are not allowed to use salt on our roads, 
and Singapore /Japan is quite warm so rusting is usually negligible and 
about half the cars are often in near concourse condition.

There are extended warranties available here, but the warranty depends upon 
the company offering the warranty, and the terms of the warranty.  Note the 
company offering the warranty is often not the company that is actually 
insures the vehicle.  IF Daimler Chrysler is offering and insuring the 
extended warranty, then there may be few issues to contend , especially if 
it is "bumper to bumper".  However, if it is being on sold to another 
insurer, then I agree with Bruce from Nashville, that the terms and 
conditions of the policy should be read carefully, and it may be 
advantageous to call and see what their track record for paying out is like. 
There is nothing worse than spending hours taking on an insurance company, 
as even if you 'win' it takes a lot of time!

Most insurers are global and policies are further on sold to European and 
Swiss insurers, so it is really a matter of knowing the exact terms and 
conditions of the policy.  I have found that one "bumper to bumper" warranty 
is more like a "gumboot to jandal" policy and there are so many exclusions. 
For comparison, a "partial" 3 year warranty for a 129 (probably all that is 
really going to be paid out upon) costs us in NZ about US$850 a year with a 
US$350 deductible for the engine, gearbox, main computer, diff, etc. 
Windscreen wipers and other electrics are often excluded from policies.

I have just sold my R107, and still have a W201, R129, and two 123's (250 
and a 280E).

I hope this provided some light evening reading and does not put you to 
sleep too quickly.

Kind Regards
Peter Shelton,
Electrical Engineer &
National Treasurer, Mercedes Benz Club of New Zealand.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Epp" <depp at alexlbr.com>
To: "r129 sl list" <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2007 2:18 AM
Subject: [R129 SL] New to this board with a couple questions...



> Hello,

>

> Just purchased a 99 500sl black opal with 24k miles sl1 & sl2.

>

> Dealer is offering extended warranty 4 years 48k miles bumper to bumper

> except maint items brakes hoses etc.

> He is asking $2100 with $100 deductible.

>

> It is from a very reputable MB Porsche Cadillac dealer.

>

> Is this a good idea?

> Is this a good price?

>

> Problem I have is will probably only drive it about 2k - 4k a year,  I

> also have a perfect 43k 560 sec that I

> drive 1k - 2k a year.

>

> Also have read about a 3.07 rear axle for these cars, has anyone

> installed this?

> Are you happy with the change how much of an improvement?

> Any idea on cost and easiest way to go about change?

>

> Thank you very much for any info, have read and enjoyed the w126 board

> for a couple years.

>

> David

>

>

>

> -- 

> David Epp

> Alexander Lumber Co.

> (630)-844-5123

> depp at alexlbr.com

>

>

>

> The MB Coupes Website!

> R129 SL Mailing List

>