Wheel & tire protection - what's a good deal?

[saveywil1]

I've tried searching around a little to see if I could find a thread on this but failed. Apologies if I've missed something glaring..

Going in to sign the paper work on Friday before departing for ED, I think it's an essential policy here with the current state of the infrastructure in PA/NJ. Could anyone give me a little bit of a heads up if there is much room to negotiate on this?

Thanks in advance.

[boi222]

I don't think you need it ... when I had run flats it worked in my favor but for non run flat , I don't think it's worth it ...

[TXSoxFan]

I paid around $1400 for 3 year coverage 5 years ago when I got the plan back in CT on my 550. Pricing can vary by dealer and is negotiable. I ended up using it twice in the 2 years I had the car, although once the insurance didn't cover it, but BMWNA stepped in and made things right.

Being in CA I did not get it on either of my last 2 cars.

[Thrak]

I paid $500 on my current M4 for tire and structural wheel coverage. My policy didn't cover cosmetic damage to the wheels, but I've had 4 tires with nails/razor blades/bolts covered with no deductible, making it incredibly worth it to me. I got this car from an out of state dealer, and I'm hoping that when I get my new M3 next week, the local dealer has somewhat similar of a plan available.

['Cane]

Originally Posted by boi222

I don't think you need it ... when I had run flats it worked in my favor but for non run flat , I don't think it's worth it ...

I paid $1200 for a two year plan. 666M wheels are $1000+ each, and Michelin Pilot Supersports are around $500. One mishap could pay for it.

[Draper]

I never understood why people buy these plans.

Do you really expect to average ~$500 /yr in tire/wheel damage?

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by Draper

I never understood why people buy these plans.

Do you really expect to average ~$500 /yr in tire/wheel damage?

And why isn't damage covered by your regular insurance? These tire/wheel plans are a scam, just like undercoating back in the day.

[TXSoxFan]

Originally Posted by Draper

I never understood why people buy these plans.

Do you really expect to average ~$500 /yr in tire/wheel damage?

It depends on where you live. In the NE the roads are $h!t and littered with potholes. At ~$500/tire and probably 2x that for a rim, all you need is one bent rim to pay for itself. The question is what do you think the likelihood of having an incident is.

[Draper]

Originally Posted by CASoxFan

It depends on where you live. In the NE the roads are $h!t and littered with potholes. At ~$500/tire and probably 2x that for a rim, all you need is one bent rim to pay for itself. The question is what do you think the likelihood of having an incident is.

That's my question. How many incidents do you average per year?

Between 2 cars, I average 1 flat repair every 2-3 years. Zero damaged rims.

[TXSoxFan]

Originally Posted by Draper

That's my question. How many incidents do you average per year?

Between 2 cars, I average 1 flat repair every 2-3 years. Zero damaged rims.

I had 2 in the 2 years I had the plan. When I bought it not only did I consider the cost of the plan vs. replacement, but that it the 19" rims on the 550 seemed to be highly susceptible to bending (based on reading/research) and people were going through multiple rims/year. At the time plans in NYC were going for over $2,000 for 3 years, and people were still coming out way ahead.

Again, it comes down to math and probability, just like any other insurance product.

[sashah60]

Originally Posted by CASoxFan

I had 2 in the 2 years I had the plan. When I bought it not only did I consider the cost of the plan vs. replacement, but that it the 19" rims on the 550 seemed to be highly susceptible to bending (based on reading/research) and people were going through multiple rims/year. At the time plans in NYC were going for over $2,000 for 3 years, and people were still coming out way ahead.

Again, it comes down to math and probability, just like any other insurance product.

It's all about peace of mind. I always had it and never used it more than twice. My current plan on my 2016 F80 was close to 2k in NY.

[TS29849228]

I took delivery of my m3 4 months ago.

I purchased maintenance package AND wheel and tire package.

Im on a finance for 5 years.

My question: Can i cancel my wheel and tire package now?

I've read on 3 forums and about 50+ peoples comments saying how useless it is, curb rash and nails dont get covered? Then why the hell did i buy it, kinda pissed that i was so stupid

[TXSoxFan]

Originally Posted by TS29849228

I took delivery of my m3 4 months ago.

I purchased maintenance package AND wheel and tire package.

Im on a finance for 5 years.

My question: Can i cancel my wheel and tire package now?

I've read on 3 forums and about 50+ peoples comments saying how useless it is, curb rash and nails dont get covered? Then why the hell did i buy it, kinda pissed that i was so stupid

You can cancel and you'll get a pro-rated refund, less any claims you have made against the policy. I can understand why curb rash isn't covered (since it is cosmetic and doesn't impact the functionality of the wheel), but the nails surprises me. Have you read your policy completely to understand what is/isn't covered? I think different dealers work with different 3rd parties, so you may want to read yours before making a decision.

Also, chalk this up to a lesson learned to read the policy before agreeing to purchase it...

[saveywil1]

Originally Posted by TS29849228

I took delivery of my m3 4 months ago.

I purchased maintenance package AND wheel and tire package.

Im on a finance for 5 years.

My question: Can i cancel my wheel and tire package now?

I've read on 3 forums and about 50+ peoples comments saying how useless it is, curb rash and nails dont get covered? Then why the hell did i buy it, kinda pissed that i was so stupid

Would you mind DM'ing me what you paid? I'm curious.

[jaiden3301]

Nails are definitely covered. BMW does not want you to drive at 200 mph with a patch in the tire. I paid $1300 for my 991 W&T insurance policy over 4 years ago and to date the dealer has replaced over $4,000 in tires on my vehicle. If you live in NY NJ CT PA area this is a must or you will cry in your sleep and have nightmares!

[silverstar335]

A complete waste of money!

[Robotechnology]

Disclaimer 1st: I have formerly been a BMW dealership employee from early 2008-mid 2016 and am now one again as of earlier this year.

With that out of the way. I have had:

2008 Z4 M Coupe (I had tire and wheel on it TWICE since I still own the car)
Never had a rim issue but have replaced 7 tires over its 24K miles of total use (important to know because I've owned it 10 years). Just expired. Not going to buy it again because, I'm only driving it 1K miles a year now.

2009 Mini Clubman JCW (I have tire and wheel on it)
Not had a rim issue but, have replace 2 tires. About 18K miles of use over the 3 years I've owned it. I could have went either way with on this but, I still have 2 years left so who knows. I'll call this one a break even assuming 1 more tire mishap in the next 2 years. If it's 2 tires than I made out.

2015 M3 (Had it but, it expired 2 months ago because I am in a lease extension waiting for the new one I ordered). I have replaced 7 tires and no rims (513M's for reference--if I had the upgrade set maybe I might have). DEFINITELY was worth it. Ready for this... got another nail in my tire this past Monday.

2007 550i (had a 5 year tire and wheel but, traded out 3 years later). Replaced 4 tires over those 3 years. Was worth having. Again for reference, under 20K miles over its usage.

I have 2018 coming in August with comp and if you think I'm getting it without Tire and Wheel... you are nuts!

I can tell you story after story from the 2 dealerships where I've worked regarding customer's tire situations and stats but, half of you will believe and half of you won't, so I won't bother. But, the above has nothing to do with me working for a dealer. I'm just as much if not more of a customer than most of the people that come in (I left out the 330i ZHP, E46 M3 and E39 540i Sport that were too old to fit the tire and wheel guidelines or had aftermarket rims on them).

I'll also say this... I think BMW brand tire and wheel pricing for M cars for the northeast (where I live) is out of hand and I personally buy 3rd party. This wasn't the case 6 years ago or so but, now it is. EVERY 3rd party has also gone up (but, not as much as BMW did for M cars). Word to the wise, not all 3rd party companies cover the same things as everyone else's or have the same claim limits so MAKE SURE to ask questions and be satisfied with the answers.

As you can tell. I don't think it is a scam at all. To me, NJ and NY roads represent a gambling casino and you've all heard the old adage... the house always wins. In my real life gambling experience, I've been a break even kind of guy. So the way I look at it, I'm going to spend the cost of the tire and wheel plan anyway BUT, if my experience is worse than usual (like it was with my F80 and I guess the Z4MC because of its was only used 3k miles annually) then, I am covered past the break even point.

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by Draper

That's my question. How many incidents do you average per year?

Between 2 cars, I average 1 flat repair every 2-3 years. Zero damaged rims.

And America’s Tire is in many states. They do flat repair for free. I’m with you... how many do you need to justify the extra cost.

Most states also have a claim form for bad roads and damaged wheels.

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

And America’s Tire is in many states. They do flat repair for free. I’m with you... how many do you need to justify the extra cost.

Most states also have a claim form for bad roads and damaged wheels.

….and your good ole car insurance?

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by Nikolas

….and your good ole car insurance?

But why file a claim against my insurance when I can just file the claim against the city?

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

But why file a claim against my insurance when I can just file the claim against the city?

If it happens somewhere on private property or you can't get the city to pay up? My point is why do you need a separate wheel tire policy when you already have insurance? It's a waste of money IMHO.

[boi222]

Originally Posted by 'Cane

I paid $1200 for a two year plan. 666M wheels are $1000+ each, and Michelin Pilot Supersports are around $500. One mishap could pay for it.

Originally Posted by 'Cane

I paid $1200 for a two year plan. 666M wheels are $1000+ each, and Michelin Pilot Supersports are around $500. One mishap could pay for it.

Yea but that's only if you bend the rim so badly that air leaks out... cosmetics are not covered... rim won't be covered unless air is leaking due to it ....