Alloy wheel and tyre protection (OPC offer)
Discussion
I was offered this for around £600 when buying my new CR but declined because buying the car was expensive enough. They have now offered it to me at £450 which I've also declined. However, I've picked up a stone chip on one alloy which is about 5mm in diameter and has got me thinking whether it is worth taking the offer?
Has anyone used the service? Do they simply use a touch-up pen to cover the stone chips or do a more unnoticable job than that?
I wouldn't normally dream of paying that price for it because it is no doubt massively inflated, but with all the hassle I've had with the car so far, I'm thinking I might ask the dealer as way of compensation to provide it FOC as I'm sure it isn't costing them that much. The alternative is I try haggling for some of form of compo.
Has anyone used the service? Do they simply use a touch-up pen to cover the stone chips or do a more unnoticable job than that?
I wouldn't normally dream of paying that price for it because it is no doubt massively inflated, but with all the hassle I've had with the car so far, I'm thinking I might ask the dealer as way of compensation to provide it FOC as I'm sure it isn't costing them that much. The alternative is I try haggling for some of form of compo.
Edited by iandews on Saturday 23 June 11:58
Yes, £600 (good spot), edited.
Sorry for not being clear, I might ask for them to offer me it as compensation for ongoing problems I've been having with the car since purchase which remain unresolved under warranty (air-con, rattle etc). The stone chip is just something I've picked up whilst driving so thought that as means of compensation, maybe I should ask for something useful like this, given I have a stone chip to repair.
The main point being has anyone taken this protection and was it really worth it?
Sorry for not being clear, I might ask for them to offer me it as compensation for ongoing problems I've been having with the car since purchase which remain unresolved under warranty (air-con, rattle etc). The stone chip is just something I've picked up whilst driving so thought that as means of compensation, maybe I should ask for something useful like this, given I have a stone chip to repair.
The main point being has anyone taken this protection and was it really worth it?
Edited by iandews on Saturday 23 June 12:03
My OPC will mend alloy wheel damage for a princely £50 per wheel. The repairs are like new. You'd have to damage 12 wheels to get your money's worth on that insurance (or 9 times at the new price). See if your OPC provides a similar service or find a specialist to do it for probably £25.
I got it when I bought mine last year. Did the sums and decided that if I got a nail in a tyre on the way home it would pay for itself. I paid £250 for three years.
OK probably a waste but........................as I had just paid a gazillion pounds for my dream car, another 250 was a drop in the proverbial.
1 tyre pays for it.
You have to think how many punctures you have had and square off against it.
OK probably a waste but........................as I had just paid a gazillion pounds for my dream car, another 250 was a drop in the proverbial.
1 tyre pays for it.
You have to think how many punctures you have had and square off against it.
rimkah said:
whats the details of the policy?
refurbing alloys is cheap but tyres may be worth it?
I can't remember what the exact terms of the deal were, the whole buying process in the dealership was some what of a blur!!!refurbing alloys is cheap but tyres may be worth it?
From what I remember, the claims value is unlimited but restricted to 5 claims for tyres and 5 claims for wheel repairs in the 3 year period (that might be completely wrong!). Also each stone chip for example is treated as a single claim.
Interesting what someone has said about alloy repairs for £25 from their OPC; can't see that being any more than a touch-up pen to be honest?!?!
I bought the same/similar policy from Porsche EL last year. My policy covers 5 tyres (to £300 per tyre and max 2 per year) and 5 alloy wheel repairs/refurbs (to £100 per wheel but no limit on refurbs per year). It was just under £500 from memory and took the view I was paying upfront for 5 wheel refurbs and if I ever got a puncture it would be covered for 'free'. Also swayed by the fact my girlfriend who historically had not been alloy wheel friendly, may be using the car. Turns out I had 3 punctures, all rears and 6mm+ tread remaining, in the first year. First two were covered, third not as I had already reached my annual limit of 2. Found claiming straight forward and I believe unlike my previous BMW policy, they don't have a tread depth limit. Not yet used the alloy wheel cover, but will do when I eventually get to replace both rears at the same time.
Thanks, would be great to hear from someone that has used the wheel repair service. Whether they come to you and whether they did a good job or not.
Bare in mind I'm only really considering this package should the dealer provide it foc or substantially reduced as a way of compensation for other issues I've had with the car since buying.
Bare in mind I'm only really considering this package should the dealer provide it foc or substantially reduced as a way of compensation for other issues I've had with the car since buying.
RE wheel refurb aspect of the policy, it's not like the extended warranty, so you can get the work done with who ever you please. It doesn't have to be with an OPC, I will almost certainly use Chris from Excel wheels when I refurbish mine.
Porsche EL scuffed my alloy when replacing the first puncture. They owned up before returning the car and said they would repair it FOC. I assume they (most likely via an external contractor) did a smart repair job on just the area damaged rather than the full wheel. Have to admit I wasn't that impressed, the wheel looks like it wasn't cleaned properly and they have lacquered over some brake dust inside the wheel. After 6 months or so some lacquer started to flake off the spokes. With the cover of the policy, I've taken the view to live with it and get a full refurb in the future. Obviously there are likely to be good and bad smart repairers, but based on that experience getting a full refurb would have been much better.
I think a smart repair is relatively cheap (£30ish) while a full wheel is more expensive (£100+). If you want to keep you wheels in mint condition I would only do full wheel refurbs. I'd take that into consideration along with how likely more stone chips are when assessing if you want to buy the policy.
Just a thought, why not ask the garage to do a full wheel refurb on the damaged wheel as compensation for the issues?
Porsche EL scuffed my alloy when replacing the first puncture. They owned up before returning the car and said they would repair it FOC. I assume they (most likely via an external contractor) did a smart repair job on just the area damaged rather than the full wheel. Have to admit I wasn't that impressed, the wheel looks like it wasn't cleaned properly and they have lacquered over some brake dust inside the wheel. After 6 months or so some lacquer started to flake off the spokes. With the cover of the policy, I've taken the view to live with it and get a full refurb in the future. Obviously there are likely to be good and bad smart repairers, but based on that experience getting a full refurb would have been much better.
I think a smart repair is relatively cheap (£30ish) while a full wheel is more expensive (£100+). If you want to keep you wheels in mint condition I would only do full wheel refurbs. I'd take that into consideration along with how likely more stone chips are when assessing if you want to buy the policy.
Just a thought, why not ask the garage to do a full wheel refurb on the damaged wheel as compensation for the issues?
iandews said:
I hadn't realised that you just get it repaired where you like then claim for the cost. Interesting. However my worry is just how easy a full refurb is on these wheels given they are black with the silver rim around the edge.
Bread and butter for someone who knows what they are doingPorkupine said:
Bread and butter for someone who knows what they are doing
Very true, though I have a good refurb company near me that insist on full refurbs rather than touch ups to guarantee their work; might say more about them than I originally thought!Think I will probably just touch the chip up for now if I can find out what colour black the wheels are, then see about getting the protection cover from the dealer as a gesture for the hassle I've had with the car.
Just to close out this thread, the OPC have agreed to offer me this package foc as way of compensation for the problems I initially had with the car. I'll study the information when it comes through to see just what is covered.
Must add, exceptional service from Porsche Colchester throughout; wouldn't hesitate in using them again, even though they are a long way from me!
Must add, exceptional service from Porsche Colchester throughout; wouldn't hesitate in using them again, even though they are a long way from me!
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