Tire & Wheel Insurance

[kgoodman16]

Hi,
Just picked up my new X5. The dealer was of course pushing all sorts of stuff at settlement (extended warranties, Lojack, paint protection and tire & rim protection). I passed on everything, but the dealer was insistent that I research and consider the 5 year tire / rim policy for $1000.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this. I assume it's another high margin add-on that I don't need, but I'd like to hear other peoples experiences, especially with the run flat's.

Thanks
Ken

[blktoptrvl]

I just paid $1,200 two years ago for new tires.
Last year I paid $700 for a replacement wheel.
This fall I paid another $1500 to replace all 4 tires again because one had a hole in it.

I'm not saying I would pay $1000 for Tire/Wheel insurance. But replacing the wheels and tires is not for the faint of heart.

[ard]

1. READ the policy. Most rim policys will only cover a rim that fails to hold air. They can be horribly scratched, even dented and the policy might not cover. Indeed, you might have insurance, and still pay for w wheel when you turn a lease back.

2. Paid for 3 new tires becuase one had a hole? Scam.

3. Some of the new ZP tires have a warranty from the mfg... particularly the michelin ZP have a warranty

[JCAPX5]

Originally Posted by ard

1. READ the policy. Most rim policys will only cover a rim that fails to hold air. They can be horribly scratched, even dented and the policy might not cover. Indeed, you might have insurance, and still pay for w wheel when you turn a lease back.

2. Paid for 3 new tires becuase one had a hole? Scam.

3. Some of the new ZP tires have a warranty from the mfg... particularly the michelin ZP have a warranty

Agree.

Although I would say a huge factor in your buying this "extra" warranty is what wheels are you getting on the X5 and where do you live/drive. If you are getting the 17's or 18's is not too likely you'll bend a wheel enough to get it replaced. Like stated above in quote...the dealer will not replace wheels with curb rash. However, if you just bought a 4.8is and have the 20's with a smaller sidewall tire you should think about it.

I live in north Jersey and drive into NY all the time. The roads here are crap and we bend wheels all the time. When we got our E46 M3 with 19's and rubber-band tires i did buy the warranty. It's gotten me two new tores so far and has already paid for itself.

Again, conversely, we've had two X5's for a total of about 5 years and never bent a wheel or popped a tire. It's all about what wheels you have and where you drive.

Good luck!