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[pharding]

My son is looking at purchasing wheel and tire insurance from a BMW dealer in LA for his 06 330 with the sport package. His options are:

At South Bay BMW he can get wheel and tire insurance for 3 years for $895. The insurance is from Fidelity Warranty Services, Inc.

At Glendale BMW he can get wheel and tire insurance for 3 years for $595. The insurance is from Nation Safe.

What are your thoughts and ideas on his options?

[ToadHollow]

I purchased the T/W insurance with the car and feel it's the best thing I could have done. The insurance is through Fidelity and coincides with the factory warranty regarding 4 years/50 K miles.

This insurance covers ANY tires/wheels that are on the car period. I have had to replace 1 tire and wheel in the past ..... $1100 value with no out of pocket.

The only drawback is that the insurance only covers replacement if the tire is unable to maintain air pressure. In other words, you could have a bent wheel and if the tire remains inflated without going flat then the tire and wheel are deemed "intact" and do not warrant replacement.

Cosmetic damage is also not covered. The insurance, as I mentioned, is worth the price especially if considering aftermarket wheels/tires. I had to have the GM at my local dealer verify the aftermarket coverage to me as I questioned the coverage ..... He proved me wrong.

BTW, sounds like the dealer is looking to make a profit off of the higher priced coverage. Possible the coverage is different but doubtful.

[ultimate]

i got a 5 year/100,000 miles wheel and tire warranty from my dealership for about 600.

[ToadHollow]

Originally Posted by ultimate

i got a 5 year/100,000 miles wheel and tire warranty from my dealership for about 600.

Ya know, I think that's what I did as well. It was the only "extra" purchased from the dealer that I felt good about.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by pharding

My son is looking at purchasing wheel and tire insurance from a BMW dealer in LA for his 06 330 with the sport package. His options are:

At South Bay BMW he can get wheel and tire insurance for 3 years for $895. The insurance is from Fidelity Warranty Services, Inc.

At Glendale BMW he can get wheel and tire insurance for 3 years for $595. The insurance is from Nation Safe.

What are your thoughts and ideas on his options?

Did he look at Flow's specials? Much less expensive than what you are citing here.

[pharding]

What are Flow's specials?

[John 070]

What a joke are my thoughts. I paid $390 for this "tire protection," and have never used it. The things that get me are how much profit the dealerships make off of these bogus plans, and how limited they are in coverage. Reminds me of dental coverage.

Suffice it to say I have never used this coverage in 2 1/2 years. Sure, we can trick ourselves into saying "if I have to replace one tire and rim, it will pay for itself." That's what the marketers want us to believe.

The thing I would emphasize is that if anybody really feels they need these packages for "peace of mind," then understand the prices are negotiable. My dealership wanted $799 for the "protection package" i.e. dings, paint scratches, interior rips, wheel scratches. I didn't want it so to get the finance mgr. off of my back I said $499 when he said how much would I be willing to pay. He goes to take a leak, comes back, and says we'll do it. My big fat mouth cost me $499 down the drain (I've gotten 1 PDR and 1 paint chip repair so far, could have paid out-of-pocket for less than $100). Live and learn. Next time (though it wont be BMW) I'll offer $99. The mgr. will probably take that too!

One last thought on these plans--in front of the finance mgr., ask them to call the toll-free customer service number for the plan you are thinking of buying to get a feel for how responsive they are. You better hope the one girl who works at the co. isn't at lunch or on break! See if they can resolve your issue on the first call. You just might be surprised as to what you're getting for $400+.

[AZ-BMW]

Originally Posted by pharding

My son is looking at purchasing wheel and tire insurance from a BMW dealer in LA for his 06 330 with the sport package. His options are:

At South Bay BMW he can get wheel and tire insurance for 3 years for $895. The insurance is from Fidelity Warranty Services, Inc.

At Glendale BMW he can get wheel and tire insurance for 3 years for $595. The insurance is from Nation Safe.

What are your thoughts and ideas on his options?

Check this thread for more info: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...light=flow+bmw

[cgpublic]

I live in the NYC area, where some of the most traveled roads are in extremely poor condition or under construction. Given my situation, I paid approximately $400 for a very comprehensive plan sold by BMW with GE as the underwriter. If I lived anywhere else in the country with the exception of Chicago, I would not have purchased the plan because the road conditions do not warrant spending the $400 as a hedge of having to spend upwards of a few thousand over the course of a lease.

If you are spending over $500, that's just foolish in my opinion. If you are spending some dirt cheap amount, I'd read the fine print. If you are spending any amount and have yet to file a claim, consider your good fortune instead of alternative.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

I paid approximately $400 for a very comprehensive plan sold by BMW with GE as the underwriter.

BMW itself does not sell or offer any plans for wheel/tire insurance.

All policies are by independent insurers.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by John 070

What a joke are my thoughts. I paid $390 for this "tire protection," and have never used it. The things that get me are how much profit the dealerships make off of these bogus plans, and how limited they are in coverage. Reminds me of dental coverage.

Ja, the term "dental coverage" is indeed an oxymoron based on even the best plans available. But at least you know that you go to the dentist a few times a year for a cleaning and will use some of the "insurance."

In the case of wheel/tire insurance, in many part of the country where there are huge potholes that swallow expensive tires and wheels, it really is a necessity but you have to purchase the right plan. And then, even when you purchase it, as with almost any other insurance plan, you do hope you don't have to use it.

[RMA]

I purchased a 5 year contract (tires only) for $800 thru Reeves BMW here in Tampa (R.O.A.D. In Tire) company. Used it once a month after picking up my car. Replaced my Michelin runflat immediatly.

[RMA]

Originally Posted by ToadHollow

I purchased the T/W insurance with the car and feel it's the best thing I could have done. The insurance is through Fidelity and coincides with the factory warranty regarding 4 years/50 K miles.

This insurance covers ANY tires/wheels that are on the car period. I have had to replace 1 tire and wheel in the past ..... $1100 value with no out of pocket.

The only drawback is that the insurance only covers replacement if the tire is unable to maintain air pressure. In other words, you could have a bent wheel and if the tire remains inflated without going flat then the tire and wheel are deemed "intact" and do not warrant replacement.

Cosmetic damage is also not covered. The insurance, as I mentioned, is worth the price especially if considering aftermarket wheels/tires. I had to have the GM at my local dealer verify the aftermarket coverage to me as I questioned the coverage ..... He proved me wrong.

BTW, sounds like the dealer is looking to make a profit off of the higher priced coverage. Possible the coverage is different but doubtful.

That is awesome that they cover any tire that you are currently running. The company I am using only covers what comes from the factory unfortunatly. The only reason why I purchased it was for the fact of all the flat tire issues I was running into last summer on my previous M3.

[T3X4S]

I thought that I wasted my money with the tire warranty 6 weeks ago when I bought my car. I got a nail in my RFT 2 days ago and had it replaced yesterday. The warranty paid off. I paid around $599 for the policy. The bill for replacement was $500. Did I lose $99? Well, I still have almost 34 months left to go on the policy and more roads to travel, so I'm still covered. It's worth it, more than the dents and dings coverage.

[pharding]

I called Flow BMW. I bought 2 policies. 1 for my 08 BMW 550 and 1 for my son's 06 330. $399 for the my policy. $379 for the my son's policy.

Contact information:
Ed Simmons
Internet Sales/ Finance Manager
Flow BMW
www.flowbmw.com
800-467-5003
336-784-2939


Terms. You must call before any repair is made. Tires must minimum of 3/32" tread. Good for 5 years or $4,000 in claims maximum. If you sell the car whatever is not used is returned to you on a pro-rata basis.

Thank you e90 post. You just saved my son and I $1,000 plus each of us received 5 years of coverage at this price instead of 3 years.

[ToadHollow]

Originally Posted by pharding

I called Flow BMW. I bought 2 policies. 1 for my 08 BMW 550 and 1 for my son's 06 330. $399 for the my policy. $379 for the my son's policy.

Contact information:
Ed Simmons
Internet Sales/ Finance Manager
Flow BMW
www.flowbmw.com
800-467-5003
336-784-2939


Terms. You must call before any repair is made. Tires must minimum of 3/32" tread. Good for 5 years or $4,000 in claims maximum. If you sell the car whatever is not used is returned to you on a pro-rata basis.

Thank you e90 post. You just saved my son and I $1,000 plus we got 5 years of coverage at this price instead of 3 years.

e90post.com to the rescue! Glad to hear OP!

[jewishcubbiesfan]

Originally Posted by John 070

What a joke are my thoughts. I paid $390 for this "tire protection," and have never used it. The things that get me are how much profit the dealerships make off of these bogus plans, and how limited they are in coverage. Reminds me of dental coverage.

Suffice it to say I have never used this coverage in 2 1/2 years. Sure, we can trick ourselves into saying "if I have to replace one tire and rim, it will pay for itself." That's what the marketers want us to believe.

The thing I would emphasize is that if anybody really feels they need these packages for "peace of mind," then understand the prices are negotiable. My dealership wanted $799 for the "protection package" i.e. dings, paint scratches, interior rips, wheel scratches. I didn't want it so to get the finance mgr. off of my back I said $499 when he said how much would I be willing to pay. He goes to take a leak, comes back, and says we'll do it. My big fat mouth cost me $499 down the drain (I've gotten 1 PDR and 1 paint chip repair so far, could have paid out-of-pocket for less than $100). Live and learn. Next time (though it wont be BMW) I'll offer $99. The mgr. will probably take that too!

One last thought on these plans--in front of the finance mgr., ask them to call the toll-free customer service number for the plan you are thinking of buying to get a feel for how responsive they are. You better hope the one girl who works at the co. isn't at lunch or on break! See if they can resolve your issue on the first call. You just might be surprised as to what you're getting for $400+.

If you lease your car this is a great option IMO. You must turn the car in with atleast 25% tread (or so our dealer told us). Our salesman told us to go ahead purchase the insurance, and even if you don't have a flat tire, you can use it to get 4 new tires that you know will have enough tread on them when you turn the car in. I have had 3 tires replaced since June for legit flat tires...out of pocket cost? 0, zilch, NADA. These tires are 215.00 a piece. For an extra 14 dollars a month added on to our monthly payment (which totals 504 dollars) we just got 860 dollars worth of tires. IMO it is worth it.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by jewishcubbiesfan

even if you don't have a flat tire, you can use it to get 4 new tires

uh, no

[jewishcubbiesfan]

Originally Posted by JSpira

uh, no

uhhh yes. Did you read my entire post?? He was basically telling us to deflate the tires ourselves by running over a nail or screw or something and getting them replaced for free before we turn in the car. Like I said, we have had 3 legit flat tires, and most certainly will have a 4th before we turn the car in around march of 2010. Our out of pocket cost has been NOTHING. We built a house in a new neighborhood and that is the sole reason we bought the insurance, because no matter how careful we thought we could be, we know sometime down the road we would have a flat tire or two. In this case, 3 all at once. (one of which we did not know about at the time until the dealer got it up on the rack).

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by jewishcubbiesfan

uhhh yes. Did you read my entire post?? He was basically telling us to deflate the tires ourselves by running over a nail or screw or something and getting them replaced for free before we turn in the car. Like I said, we have had 3 legit flat tires, and most certainly will have a 4th before we turn the car in around march of 2010. Our out of pocket cost has been NOTHING. We built a house in a new neighborhood and that is the sole reason we bought the insurance, because no matter how careful we thought we could be, we know sometime down the road we would have a flat tire or two. In this case, 3 all at once. (one of which we did not know about at the time until the dealer got it up on the rack).

Good that you are ok with admitting fraud and deception here in public!

[jewishcubbiesfan]

Originally Posted by JSpira

Good that you are ok with admitting fraud and deception here in public!

how is that fraud? We live in a new neighborhood with nails and screws all over the place, hence how we had 3 flat tires (both right side tires and driver front tire) all at once. I am most certain between now and March of 2010 that it will happen again. How is that fraud and deception??

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by jewishcubbiesfan

how is that fraud? We live in a new neighborhood with nails and screws all over the place, hence how we had 3 flat tires (both right side tires and driver front tire) all at once. I am most certain between now and March of 2010 that it will happen again. How is that fraud and deception??

Easy

He was basically telling us to deflate the tires ourselves by running over a nail or screw or something and getting them replaced for free before we turn in the car.