Questions on a new car purchase

[Wcdhtwn]

Howdy folks!

I have decided to purchase an A5 convertible for my wife for Christmas. I know the car, it's on hold, awaiting a wire from me. I am faced with the after purchase purchases and have mostly decided to forego them, but thought I'd seek advice here, whether I should get one or both add ons.

First it the tire and wheel protection. $2100. Fixes/replaces tires from damage by road hazards and scrapes/ damage to the wheels.

Second is the windshield protection. $1400. Obviously this replaces cracked, broken windshields. Rain sensing windshield, which most are now, but more expensive than just a piece of glass. I have insurance protection but a $500 deducible if I need to use it.

What do you think? Are either, both of these worth it? Or are they just expensive insurance policies that are mostly unnecessary?

Thanks! Appreciate your input. And have to send the wire soon to make this happen on Christmas morning.

[brandrea]

I always decline the extras. I don’t think I can ever recall needing to replace a windshield or an even a tire (due to damage) in my 40 years of driving. YMMV

[zengineer]

I suspect if you are buying your wife an A5 and not a sweater you will not be set back if you need a $1000 windshield. Unless she is notorious for hitting every pothole and curb in her way I would skip the insurance (thats what it is, pure and simple), They sell it because the odds are in their favor. Pass.

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I always decline the extras. I don’t think I can ever recall needing to replace a windshield or an even a tire (due to damage) in my 40 years of driving. YMMV

Thanks. I've had an occasion or two in my 35 years of driving to have to replace a blown tire, also scraped a rim or two in my time (damn curbs). But even these aren't really that big of a deal, and the cost to pay for these very infrequent occurrences out of pocket probably doesn't warrant the cost of the addons.

Just at new car buying you get all the "what if's" and it makes you rethink your position of never buying these things.

[huncho]

my experience with tire protection

didn't have it for a 3 year lease, replaced tires 5 times
had it for a 3 year lease after, replaced tires 0 times

just how life works i guess

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

Thanks. I've had an occasion or two in my 35 years of driving to have to replace a blown tire, also scraped a rim or two in my time (damn curbs). But even these aren't really that big of a deal, and the cost to pay for these very infrequent occurrences out of pocket probably doesn't warrant the cost of the addons.

Just at new car buying you get all the "what if's" and it makes you rethink your position of never buying these things.

I hear you.

I bought a new car recently and did get sucked into buying 3 years of “service” … whatever that means


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[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by zengineer

I suspect if you are buying your wife an A5 and not a sweater you will not be set back if you need a $1000 windshield. Unless she is notorious for hitting every pothole and curb in her way I would skip the insurance (thats what it is, pure and simple), They sell it because the odds are in their favor. Pass.

Thanks! Agree with you but having others back my thoughts on this is helpful.

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by huncho

my experience with tire protection

didn't have it for a 3 year lease, replaced tires 5 times
had it for a 3 year lease after, replaced tires 0 times

just how life works i guess

Perfect example of why I'm considering it at all. I have it, I won't need it. I don't, I'll wish I did.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

Perfect example of why I'm considering it at all. I have it, I won't need it. I don't, I'll wish I did.

also consider that based on my experience they won't fix cosmetic damage or any other damage that doesn't actually impact functionality/driving. so basically your tire has to be completely destroyed by a pothole or something for them to replace it

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I hear you.

I bought a new car recently and did get sucked into buying 3 years of “service” … whatever that means


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I am buying the service package. It's 4 years, basically paying in advance, but doing so saves 40% of the current prices for oil changes, tire rotations, the other stuff. So this makes sense to pay now and save later.

Thanks again for your insight!

[Chiboy]

lol. Should I pay $1400 upfront to avoid a possible $500 deductible IF I have to replace the windshield?

I guess if you think you will replace more than three windshields or five tires, you may break even or save a bit!

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

lol. Should I pay $1400 upfront to avoid a possible $500 deductible IF I have to replace the windshield?

I guess if you think you will replace more than three windshields or five tires, you may break even or save a bit!

Right, it only makes sense if I had to do it multiple times. But having to replace a windshield could raise my insurance rates. Especially if a few times. So $500 deductible and rate increase per instance.

This one I had ruled out, but asked the group anyway. It's the tire/wheel one that I'm 98% sure I don't need but wanted input on.

[-dustin]

Co-worker just destroyed a rear wheel on his 'vette Grand Sport. He said the 1 wheel cost him $2k.

While I'm certain he got taken for a ride, I still can't bring myself to consider the various 'insurances' dealers try to sell.

Maintenance contracts, I'm down with. Protection plans, not so much.

[uscmatt99]

They only offer those plans as they are a cash cow. Definitely get Audi Care, that is great value. But the rest, not so much.

[Wcdhtwn]

UPDATE:

Decision made... passing on both the wheel/tire and windshield.

Best part is I asked for a discount on the car to offset the price of the wheel/tire. Got another $500 off without having to buy the protection. Which will of course go towards funding my next watch... model TBD.

Thanks for all the input!

[East Bay Rider]

I can't speak to Audi, as I've never had one, but I generally consider any factory installed tire (Toyota and VW come to mind) as trash. IF you had to replace the tires you'd likely replace them with something better and likely for less money.
Depending on your state you might have a glass breakage option on your existing insurance policy.

[East Bay Rider]

OH, and big congratulations on the car. That's sure to be pretty darned exciting Christmas morning.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

I can't speak to Audi, as I've never had one, but I generally consider any factory installed tire (Toyota and VW come to mind) as trash. IF you had to replace the tires you'd likely replace them with something better and likely for less money.
Depending on your state you might have a glass breakage option on your existing insurance policy.

Hmmm, early in my career I worked for Firestone. The tire specs on OE tires was WAY tighter than the same tire aftermarket. And high end cars have high end tires, so I don't think that's really true either.

The name may be the same, but the quality demanded by OEM is usually higher. The manufacturers adhere to the tighter specs because they hope that people will replace their tire with the same model when they need a new tire.

Just like you get 8 years out of the original battery and 4 years out of the same model when you replace it...

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

Hmmm, early in my career I worked for Firestone. The tire specs on OE tires was WAY tighter than the same tire aftermarket. And high end cars have high end tires, so I don't think that's really true either.

The name may be the same, but the quality demanded by OEM is usually higher. The manufacturers adhere to the tighter specs because they hope that people will replace their tire with the same model when they need a new tire.

Just like you get 8 years out of the original battery and 4 years out of the same model when you replace it...

Interesting info, thanks

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

OH, and big congratulations on the car. That's sure to be pretty darned exciting Christmas morning.

Thank you! Yes, if I can manage to get it here, a neighbor is going to hide it Saturday and Sunday night, and sneak out to get it in our driveway Christmas morning without her catching on, it'll be a miracle.

If it all works out it will be a heck of a surprise! Will be a fun day!

[raky]

Congrats, I am sure you guys will enjoy the car! Regarding wheel and tire, I see you declined which is great. You can take the car to Discount Tire if you are concerned about tires and buy the certs. As long as the tires have less than 4000 miles on them (I believe) they will sell you the certs. It doesn't protect the wheels if they are damaged but in that case just PM me and I will tell you a place you can take to get them repaired that I have personal experience with from my wife's car.

[1st amg]

Thats amazing for your wife...I am late to the party for the opinion but I will give it anyways from real life experience. We were on our 5th Mercedes in 10 years and always had the wheel/tire package and never used it once. Then on the GLS450 my wife cracked a rim and punctured a tire.....$2100 out of pocket. I got that one right in the teeth....funniest thing about it was when I was humming and hawing about buying it, me wife said its a waste of money. As soon as she had the encounter with the pothole and I got the bill, she said I don't know why you didn't get the wheel/tire package. Ugh

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by raky

Congrats, I am sure you guys will enjoy the car! Regarding wheel and tire, I see you declined which is great. You can take the car to Discount Tire if you are concerned about tires and buy the certs. As long as the tires have less than 4000 miles on them (I believe) they will sell you the certs. It doesn't protect the wheels if they are damaged but in that case just PM me and I will tell you a place you can take to get them repaired that I have personal experience with from my wife's car.

Cool, thanks! I did buy from Sewell, Audi North, and they have been really good to work with. Probably best car buying experience I've ever had.

[996marty]

Sounds like a brilliant surprise

[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

UPDATE:

Decision made... passing on both the wheel/tire and windshield.

Best part is I asked for a discount on the car to offset the price of the wheel/tire. Got another $500 off without having to buy the protection. Which will of course go towards funding my next watch... model TBD.

Thanks for all the input!

Good choice. I once used the Safelight windshield repair service. It was much less expensive than having the dealership do it & they did it in my driveway. You can also get tires much cheaper online with manufacturer discounts on TireRack.

[ExplorerI]

I always decline everything

[airchitect]

Um….assuming you’re buying an Audi, instead of leasing it, I’d use those dollars to buy an extended warranty and not worry about the tires.


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[Carguy87]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

Howdy folks!

I have decided to purchase an A5 convertible for my wife for Christmas. I know the car, it's on hold, awaiting a wire from me. I am faced with the after purchase purchases and have mostly decided to forego them, but thought I'd seek advice here, whether I should get one or both add ons.

First it the tire and wheel protection. $2100. Fixes/replaces tires from damage by road hazards and scrapes/ damage to the wheels.

Second is the windshield protection. $1400. Obviously this replaces cracked, broken windshields. Rain sensing windshield, which most are now, but more expensive than just a piece of glass. I have insurance protection but a $500 deducible if I need to use it.

What do you think? Are either, both of these worth it? Or are they just expensive insurance policies that are mostly unnecessary?

Thanks! Appreciate your input. And have to send the wire soon to make this happen on Christmas morning.

Automotive Finance Manager who sells these packages. PM sent!

[Andad]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I always decline the extras. I don’t think I can ever recall needing to replace a windshield or an even a tire (due to damage) in my 40 years of driving. YMMV

I agree and I can go to 57 years of driving and riding.

Save your money for any other 4 ring issues.

[santoshlv426]

Are these extra insurances the dealer is selling? These items should be covered under you normal vehicle short term insurance.
My insurance will cover windshield and tires and rims.