Topic: Advice Greatly Appreciated -- Audi WearCare, Worth it?

[Angry Chicken]

The dealer has recommended that we buy Audi WearCare for our 2012 Audi Q5 2.0t that we're picking up tomorrow (it arrived a month early!).  We're leasing the vehicle for 4 years and I want to know peoples' opinion/experience with this kind of warranty.

Here's what the business manager said in an email to me:

"I spoke with <xxxxxx> some time ago about protection products and now have some savings on one that I thought might benefit you both. This was for the Audi Wear Care. This is a great product for leasing customers as it helps mitigate wear & tear on the vehicle that could end up costing you at lease end. It covers tires & rims from a road hazard perspective, repairs or replaces the front windshield if chips/cracks present themselves. It covers the interior of the vehicle against stains, rips & tears as well as covering paintless dent removal. A nice bonus is that it also covers the keys, key fob’s and remotes in the event that they get lost or broken. The quote I originally provided for lease term coverage and up to 250,000km for $1503.00, however we are offering a $300 discount currently and wanted to make sure you were aware of the savings on such a great protection product. Of course this can be added into the cost of leasing or handled as an upfront charge if so desired.

Please let me know if you wish to take advantage of our current promotion."

Anyone?

[Weexy]

I'd pass.  I was offered a similar pkg, i think it was about $750 but that was for 3 years.
Very unlikely you will need anything for tires & rims, especially if you have a separate set of winter & summer wheels.  Windshields would be fixed by insurance and unless you have small kids rips & tears in upholstery are unlikely.   Only thing that might be nice is the key fob since they are costly to replace if lost, but wouldn't cost $1,200

I had thought for a bit that i should have bought mine because it had same dent removal coverage - had my car for 2 weeks and got a large door ding on passenger side that will probably cost me about $500 to repair.  I doubt that it would be covered though because its right down to the metal and the whole door will have to be re-painted.

[CanuckG35]

Yep, I would pass as well.  Your $1200 would be better spent somewhere else.

[SaskSpecV]

The dealer has recommended that we buy Audi WearCare for our 2012 Audi Q5 2.0t that we're picking up tomorrow (it arrived a month early!).  We're leasing the vehicle for 4 years and I want to know peoples' opinion/experience with this kind of warranty.

Would the dealership sell this product to you if they don't make money off of it?  Of course not.  So unless the extra peace of mind is really worth the money, it's just like any other warranty/insurance - the house (insurer/manufacturer) always wins. 

It's like the episode of the Simpsons where Homer becomes smart after they find and remove a crayon that was lodged in his brain.  When he has trouble dealing with the all the stupid people around him, he decides to have Moe (an unlicensed surgeon) hammer the crayon back up his nose to make him stupid again.
Homer, after first punch of crayon: Farther, you pusillanimous pilsner pusher!
Homer, after second punch of crayon: De-fence!  De-fence!
Moe: That's pretty dumb, but not quite...
Homer, after 3rd punch of crayon: Extended warranty?  How can I lose!
Moe: Perfect!

[2latecrew]

It covers tires & rims from a road hazard perspective,

By the end of 4 years you will need to replace the tires anyways. PLUS you can buy road hazzard on tires for around 10-20 a tire IIRC

repairs or replaces the front windshield if chips/cracks present themselves. 

Comprehesive on your insurance covers this also. I just had my winsheild replaced. $100 deductible and it comes with a lifetime no fee crack/chip repair. If they can fill/fix the crack without repacing the glass they do it free .

It covers the interior of the vehicle against stains, rips & tears as well 

So does a 10$ can of scotchgaurd and a set of $50 seat covers from Canadian Tire.

The margin in these extended warranties is HUGE for dealers. If you are really concerned take 1200 put it in a GIC or something and then cash it at the end if you need to cover more than 1200 in repairs. If not you'll at least earn interest on the $

[Cord]

Would the dealership sell this product to you if they don't make money off of it?  Of course not.

I bet they made money on the car too! Bastards!

[rrocket]

Would the dealership sell this product to you if they don't make money off of it?  Of course not.

I bet they made money on the car too! Bastards!

My friend (also works at a Ford Dealership) says they often make MORE money on the add-ons than the margin on the car itself....They're not called Stealerships for nothin'!! 


But yea, I'd pass on it and use that money for an APR chip!!!   

[CanuckG35]

Would the dealership sell this product to you if they don't make money off of it?  Of course not.

I bet they made money on the car too! Bastards!

From a dealership perspective, it's great.  From a buyer perspective, it's a waste of money the vast majority of the time. 

[Cord]

My friend (also works at a Ford Dealership) says they often make MORE money on the add-ons than the margin on the car itself....

Often true. So would the product in the original post be better for the customer if the dealer's cost was higher?

[airbalancer]

it maybe worth just for the rim protection, and dents removal , i have not had a lease car in almost 20 years so l am not sure for they can cost u when you return a car

[rrocket]

My friend (also works at a Ford Dealership) says they often make MORE money on the add-ons than the margin on the car itself....

Often true. So would the product in the original post be better for the customer if the dealer's cost was higher?

No.  But obviously the dealer knows that some of the aftermarket stuff they sell is completely useless and/or crap.  Yet they continue to do it just to make a buck.

[CanuckG35]

My friend (also works at a Ford Dealership) says they often make MORE money on the add-ons than the margin on the car itself....

Often true. So would the product in the original post be better for the customer if the dealer's cost was higher?

No.  But obviously the dealer knows that some of the aftermarket stuff they sell is completely useless and/or crap.  Yet they continue to do it just to make a buck.

Makes me think of the garbage paint protection package all dealerships offer that claim last for years.   

[Cord]

My friend (also works at a Ford Dealership) says they often make MORE money on the add-ons than the margin on the car itself....

Often true. So would the product in the original post be better for the customer if the dealer's cost was higher?

No.  But obviously the dealer knows that some of the aftermarket stuff they sell is completely useless and/or crap.  Yet they continue to do it just to make a buck.

So what is the issue with the product the OP asked about? Is it the dealer mark up? Price is too high? Or is it completely useless? Just trying to filter out all the red herrings here.

[rrocket]

So what is the issue with the product the OP asked about? Is it the dealer mark up? Price is too high? Or is it completely useless? Just trying to filter out all the red herrings here.

Yes to all of the above!!

[Cord]

So what is the issue with the product the OP asked about? Is it the dealer mark up? Price is too high? Or is it completely useless? Just trying to filter out all the red herrings here.

Yes to all of the above!!

Not to mention the dealer not standing behind a product they are selling.  Though to be fair, we only have one side of the story.

What are you talking about? The product is to cover lessees for damage they cause themselves as well as charges for excess kms. The dealer didn't make this product up, it's from Audi.

[rrocket]

So what is the issue with the product the OP asked about? Is it the dealer mark up? Price is too high? Or is it completely useless? Just trying to filter out all the red herrings here.

Yes to all of the above!!

Not to mention the dealer not standing behind a product they are selling.  Though to be fair, we only have one side of the story.

What are you talking about? The product is to cover lessees for damage they cause themselves as well as charges for excess kms. The dealer didn't make this product up, it's from Audi.

Sorry!!!  I posted a thought I had about another thread (the rust preventer thingy) in this thread!!

My bad!


You've been around the block, Cord.  Do you believe all of the extras your dealership sells actually add value and are a good deal for the consumer?

[CanuckG35]

My friend (also works at a Ford Dealership) says they often make MORE money on the add-ons than the margin on the car itself....

Often true. So would the product in the original post be better for the customer if the dealer's cost was higher?

No.  But obviously the dealer knows that some of the aftermarket stuff they sell is completely useless and/or crap.  Yet they continue to do it just to make a buck.

So what is the issue with the product the OP asked about? Is it the dealer mark up? Price is too high? Or is it completely useless? Just trying to filter out all the red herrings here.

It's like most extended warranties IMHO.  It's great to have that added coverage, however it's rare that you need to use it and are almost always losing in the financially.  Some people like that added feeling of comfort with the added coverage, but they pay for it of course.  It's "worth" will vary from person to person. 

[Guy]

I bought something similar when we leased the 07 XC70. It was $750 for 4 years, 100,000 km. It replaced the refundable security deposit of the same amount. When I gave the car back the windshield was cracked ($500 deductible) and the 4 tires were shot; $600 +tax ? There were also a few scratches that were qualified as excess wear for about $100. So I came out ahead. At the price Audi are asking I would have been break even.

So it's really up to you. Of course, if you end up buying the car at the end of the lease, then it is money wasted.

[CanuckG35]

I bought something similar when we leased the 07 XC70. It was $750 for 4 years, 100,000 km. It replaced the refundable security deposit of the same amount. When I gave the car back the windshield was cracked ($500 deductible) and the 4 tires were shot; $600 +tax ? There were also a few scratches that were qualified as excess wear for about $100. So I came out ahead. At the price Audi are asking I would have been break even.

So it's really up to you. Of course, if you end up buying the car at the end of the lease, then it is money wasted.

I've never seen a protection plan actually cover wear on tires.  Road hazard, ie, flat tires yes but tires down to the wear bars no.  And by the looks of it, Audi's plan doesn't cover wear on tires either. 

[Cord]

You've been around the block, Cord.  Do you believe all of the extras your dealership sells actually add value and are a good deal for the consumer?

Ahh, the ol' subject change! OK, I'll bite.  

I don't personally like a lot of finance office products. But I don't make blanket pronouncements about what someone else may or may not see value in. I would never buy the anti theft etching but I've seen some pretty happy people collect their $5000. When I was a lease manager I also saw a lot of people that were happy that they had purchased the wear care product. I doubt those people would care if told them, "glad it worked out for you but it really wasn't a smart purchase based on the odds." I also personally see no value in buying a 2009 Caliber or a 2010 F-350 dually but we just sold one of each today to people that loved them.

It's like most extended warranties IMHO.  It's great to have that added coverage, however it's rare that you need to use it and are almost always losing in the financially.  Some people like that added feeling of comfort with the added coverage, but they pay for it of course.  It's "worth" will vary from person to person. 

Well said.