Extended Warranty Questions - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

bbreneman · 27th May 2003, 22:57

Does anyone have any experience with National Auto Care and their Pinnacle Protection Plan extended warranty?

I have a 2000 M5 w/about 11,500 miles and the new car warranty is going to expire in November. Talked to the dealer today (BMW Store in Cincinnati) and they offered this as an extended warranty option. It is an extra 5 years/60,000 on top of the new car warranty for approx. $2000 plux tax.

The literature they have indicates that this is a very comprehensive warranty, and there is no deductible if I have the service done at the dealer. $50 deductible applies to other dealers.

It seems like a good deal on the surface but I am always leery of third party auto warranties. Does anyone have any words of wisdom or experience to share on this topic? Thanks!

Digi · 28th May 2003, 03:55

If a warranty covers only specified "Major Components" and lists them -- don't get it. Instead, shop for a warranty that covers everything, except for a small paragraph of excluded wear items and other specified exclusions that you can live with. Getting the major component coverage generally means the seat heaters, windshield washer pumps, headlight washer pumps, self=leveling mechanism on lights, and other obscure and expensive parts that can fail won't be covered. there are so many that I couldn't name them all. That is why the warranty should not name COVERED parts, but rather should name EXCLUDED parts.

Check Warranty Direct and Warranty Gold and others on the internet for comparison. By the way, I live just south from you in KY. I have Warranty Direct on my 97 jag XK8, and will have full coverage with no deductible until April, 2008 (almost 11 years of full protection). It cost me about $1500. Since I started it at the end of the JAG 4 year warranty, I got an additional 7 years of coverage from that date.

bbreneman · 28th May 2003, 04:26

Thanks for the tip on the covered v.s. excluded lists - that's an excellent point. The dealer's warranty option had several pages of covered items, just as you suspected

I checked Warranty Direct - they do not cover the M series. However Warranty Gold does and they seem to be a pretty solid outfit. Does anyone have any experience with Warranty Gold to share - or any other preferred providers?

Joe H · 28th May 2003, 08:49

http://www.1sourceautowarranty.com/

I got a quote from the above, as they are apparently licensed in CA. I think the quote was about $1,600 or so (I don't remember for sure).

Don't know a lot about them but it's at least another source.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Joe

chunpng · 28th May 2003, 18:04

Quote:

Originally posted by bbreneman

I checked Warranty Direct - they do not cover the M series. However Warranty Gold does and they seem to be a pretty solid outfit. Does anyone have any experience with Warranty Gold to share - or any other preferred providers?

Hi Bbrennan,

I bought a seven years (from date of purchase which was December 2001), 100,000 miles, zero-decuctible policy from Warranty Gold. It was their best coverage policy, with a small list of excluded items as DIGI suggested. They allow any shop to perform the warranty work, not just dealers. The shop bills them and they pay with their credot card. So no out-of-pocket, then reimbursed routine for me.

I believe I paid $2,300 for the policy, $1,000 up front on a credit card, the 10 installments of $130 each, with no finance charges.

I have 38,000 miles now, and the only problem I've had was replacing the CAM senesors when the SES light came on. BMW covered that so never got to try out if Warranty Gold is true to their words. But having peace of mind till 12-08, or 100,000 miles on my baby makes me feel

.

BTW, California passed a law in spring 2002 that says only dealers can sell extended warranty now. Don't know about other states. I was lucky I got mine in December 01.

Hope this helps.

CP

Aussie2U · 28th May 2003, 18:31

Quote:

Originally posted by bbreneman
It is an extra 5 years/60,000 on top of the new car warranty for approx. $2000 plux tax.

In your case, the car has 11,500 miles so this policy may work for you. However, I just got out of one with my Lexus that was very misleading. The 5 year/60k "on top of the manufactures" is not always true. Mine was 5 years additional from signing but 60,000 miles TOTAL (from the cars in-service date)!

Most people think it's 60k on top of the 50k BMW gives you which equals 110,000 miles of protection. Be sure to get them to show you in writing that the warranty time & mileage starts at signing and not inception. Makes a big difference for most owners of 2000's. Your lucky to have such a low mileage beast.

Tony Mack · 29th May 2003, 00:09

i just check Warranty direct and they are not offering to California residents.

We need one for the m Roadster we may purchase.

Full Coverage For:

Engine
Transmission
Transfer Unit (4x4)
Front/Rear Drive Axles
Electrical System
Fuel Delivery System
Braking System (Including ABS)
Front/Rear Suspension
Steering System
Heating/Cooling Systems
Air Conditioning System
Power Window/Locks
Power Seats
Digital Instrument Cluster
Sunroof
Audio System
Convertible Top Motor
Seals & Gaskets (Stand-Alone)
Wear & Tear
for

$2,579

Digi · 29th May 2003, 01:20

California legislature passed a law to require only in-state warranties to be offered, so their lobby worked and you are forced to pay the extra price for no free competition. California passes some amazing laws.

M Macht · 29th May 2003, 01:25

Do you have any suggestions re extended warranties for us poor unfortunate CA M5ers?

Thank you state legislature yet again.

Bokke · 29th May 2003, 02:17

My family has had really good experience with www.warrantybynet.com. One was on a 97 750iL and a 99 328i. The warranties are transferable to a new owner (750iL) or you can get refunds if you trade the car to a dealer (328i). I was planning on getting one from them when my 4/50,000 comes to an end.

I hope this helps.

Philip