Mercury Extended Warranty

[Bobnfl]

My 150hp proXS is nearing the end of the factory warranty. I only put around 60hrs. a year on the motor and keep up all the maintance. Is the warranty worth it. They are asking $2400 for 5 years. I am not a big extended warranty person so I am looking for a is it worth it. In all the years I have owned outboards I only had 1 mishap and that was in the 1st. year.

[mactlman]

150 is a great and mostly bulletproof engine. I bought two extra to make mine a full coverage for five years, but I wouldn’t pay the extra to go out the extra two or three more myself on my V8

[Mcjenson]

While guys here insist its the "best money they've ever spent", even though they haven't needed it (that one always baffles me), I don't think its a smart purchase. You pretty much need to blow a powerhead or lower unit to make it worth it, and those motors are pretty reliable and you aren't putting on hundreds of hours per year. I'd save the cash.

[bass.man65]

Extended warranties have 1 purpose and that is to make money for whoever is selling it. I have never had a warranty on anything and never will waste of money. If I can't fix it myself I would not own it.

[Coastal Mountaineer]

Peace of mind and resell value are the reasons I bought an extended protection plan for my Mercury and Tahoe. I hope I never use either one.

[Jbass123]

A few years back, I learned that the dealer got 40% on the sale of an extended engine warranty, and it’s safe to assume that the manufacturer takes a similar rake. If the manufacturer estimates an average outlay of 20% or less of the amount gathered from extended warranty sales, I’m comfortable with my odds in not buying that plan.

[davidsa]

My hours usage is low like you and I extended my 2014 motor warranty like you are considering. Never an issue. Consider that costly insurance never needed. On my 2024, I bought the extension at cost at time of boat purchase for very modest money. Much less than 10 years earlier.

My gut says buying the extension now is too costly vs the odds & repair cost. Next time buy it when you get the motor at far less cost. I don't expect any issue with my 2024 before year 8 but the cost of the insurance was more reasonable so I don't feel violated if I have zero issues

[Bass Cat Boats]

It all depends on whether you’re keeping it, or plan to sell it in some cases. The other factor is a gear case failure, that can hit pretty hard. On a V8 we definitely would have the extended warranty.

[BoatNoobie]

It's always a gamble with extended service contracts. Like the other user stated, if companies were losing money on these, they wouldnt be offering it. It's up to you to see if the additional cost and protection make sense to you. I bought my boat in Aug 2019. In Oct 2020, I reached out for a platinum quote for my 115 Pro XS 4-stroke motor. I already had a 5-year gold package for it from the dealer. By Oct 2020, I had the boat for 1 year, which created a "surcharge" for the package. As your motor gets older, the more expensive the package is.

At that time, I was offered $1150 for 8 total years of Platinum. That was very reasonable, and I almost bought it but I didn't because money was a bit tighter than I would like then. So I declined. This was already after having the motor worked on within the 1st month of owing the boat because it was leaking oil from the sump. Once that got repaired, I didnt have any other issues and felt comfortable declining.

Now almost 5 years later, I've only had to take the motor into the dealer once for a high idle after sitting over winter. My gut told me it was the air idler sensor(i think that's what it's called). It was like a $100 part. I should have just swapped it but it ended being that and it costed me $5-600 for the diagnosis and repair. It wasnt covered under Gold since it was "electrical". At this rate, I would have been halfway to that Platinum price and 2 more years remaining.

I also do not use my motor a lot. I've had it for almost 6 years and it only has 62 hours on it. My lakes are relatively small and on the trolling motor mainly and I dont get to fish as much as I would like.

Looking back, I would have definitely made the purchase for that price. I remember I reached out again to right before my factory warranty would have expired around 2022ish and it jumped a lot. I think it was like $2000 for the total of 8 year Plat.

[Whiteboat]

If the offer is through corporate Mercury Marine, I would shop it through other dealers as some will discount it if allowed by state law. I historically buy my extended warranties from Jetta Marine in Kentucky even though boat is bought in Florida. By going out of state you may also save the sales tax in some states.

[Bobnfl]

Thanks for clarifying the extended warranty need. I normally do not buy them and will not get this one mainly because of the cost. If it was cut in half maybe then but not at the price they are offering it for. Besides I take good care of my outboards and do all the proper maintenance.

[davidsa]

Thanks for clarifying the extended warranty need. I normally do not buy them and will not get this one mainly because of the cost. If it was cut in half maybe then but not at the price they are offering it for. Besides I take good care of my outboards and do all the proper maintenance.

I think you make a good decision unless you have a v8.

and yes, it is cut in half if your buy it when you buy the motor.

[Bass Cat Boats]

The price of Platinum warranty was once questionable on the value, as electrical parts were limited as were failures of those. Today’s PCM/ECM and monitoring required parts make the Platinum warranty a thicker security blanket. Add in trim pumps and other items and it seems like a more consumer value decision.

It’s not the electric vacuum cleaner that odds are low will fail within time. They get more like 50/50 today as there just more to go wrong. If you’re selling it down the road, the value comes back in ease of sale and second buyers preference to your rig.

I was offered $1150 for 8 total years of Platinum. That was very reasonable, and I almost bought it but I didn't because money was a bit tighter than I would like then. So I declined. This was already after having the motor worked on within the 1st month of owing the boat because it was leaking oil from the sump. Once that got repaired, I didnt have any other issues and felt comfortable declining.

Now almost 5 years later, I've only had to take the motor into the dealer once for a high idle after sitting over winter. My gut told me it was the air idler sensor(i think that's what it's called). It was like a $100 part. I should have just swapped it but it ended being that and it costed me $5-600 for the diagnosis and repair. It wasnt covered under Gold since it was "electrical". At this rate, I would have been halfway to that Platinum price and 2 more years remaining.

…. Looking back, I would have definitely made the purchase for that price. I remember I reached out again to right before my factory warranty would have expired around 2022ish and it jumped a lot. I think it was like $2000 for the total of 8 year Plat.

[jrh_67]

When I bought my motor I paid $800 for the platinum 5 year extended for a total of 8 years so it was a no brainer for me...

[davidsa]

When I bought my motor I paid $800 for the platinum 5 year extended for a total of 8 years so it was a no brainer for me...

awesome!

I think the smaller the motor and promotions in place affect the cost. Mine was a bit more then you on a larger motor but as you say, a no brainer. I'm certain if I call now the price would be at least 1000 more.