Member Since: 19 Mar 2013
Location: Essex
Posts: 2
Extended Warranty - worth it??
Hi all, this being my first post. I own a 2010 D4 XS, 55k on the clock, which I've had almost a year and hands down the best car I've ever driven, let alone owned!
My question is, the warranty expires next month and I wondered whether it's worth the cost of an extended warranty? I've been quoted £700, is it worth taking? Never had a single problem over the past year, but have seen some horror stories?
Please let me know your thoughts
Cheers
Rob
17th Dec 2013 9:01 am
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2907
I'd say yes, but shop carefully - others on the forum will say a definite no so good luck!
On the basis of my own experience I would avoid the LR one - they have ducked and dived every time I have tried to make a claim thus far, on one occassion I was told I would have to commit up to £450 for exploratory work before they would consider the claim
Warranty Direct seem to get a good press here on the forum, but again (and as with anything) there are mixed opinions.Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
300TDi Disco 1 (289k)
4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
S3 109 hi cap pickup (ex RN)
S2A 88 Safari SW with lpg conversion (bloody lethal)
17th Dec 2013 9:11 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73066
Yep, as WB sez opinions on extended warranties vary from "best thing since sliced bagels" to "I'd rather contract bubonic plague". Have a look in the Fin&Ins section for lots of opinions.
Personally, would hate to be without mine. These cars can be complete cash cows and better someone else pays the bills. In 4 1/2 years of extended warranties (Tesco then WD) never been paid out less than I've paid in premiums. It's a no brainer for me.
17th Dec 2013 10:16 am
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20835
Depends if you mind getting your hands dirty
Warranty companies exist to make money. In order to do that, they have to pay out less than they bring in.
And in my experience, they will do all they can to avoid having to pay out on a claim. That's how they make their money...
I also have it on good authority, that the assessors are paid a bonus/commission for every claim they reject My D3 Build Thread
Member Since: 03 Jul 2009
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 6910
No. For a halfway houseway the AA breakdown repair cover is ok as it doesn't cost too muchJoined the BMWX5 45e group
1994 Defender 90
2015 RRS Corris Grey/Black roof
2016 D4 Graphite Santorini Black
2012 D4 XS Orkney Grey
2005 D3 S Maya Gold
Convoy for Heroes 2011
17th Dec 2013 12:38 pm
pagoda
Member Since: 13 Aug 2009
Location: Not London Anymore (or the US for that matter)
Posts: 1929
waterbuoy wrote:
I'd say yes, but shop carefully - others on the forum will say a definite no so good luck!
On the basis of my own experience I would avoid the LR one - they have ducked and dived every time I have tried to make a claim thus far, on one occassion I was told I would have to commit up to £450 for exploratory work before they would consider the claim
Warranty Direct seem to get a good press here on the forum, but again (and as with anything) there are mixed opinions.
+ 1
Used WD for a few years, and whilst DM is clearly right, if you are hard over on claims, and are prepared to scrap it out, then it's worth it.PAGODA
17th Dec 2013 12:43 pm
Dusty
Member Since: 23 Sep 2013
Location: London
Posts: 1022
What you have to consider even if the warranty company do pay you out, they will want it serviced by a 'proper' garage, so you have to factor that extra cost into the price of the warranty. If looked after by yourself or a small independent that's not VAT registered they will invalidate the claim instantly.
For example the biggy belt changing service ranges between £600 and £1100 at most garages. You can do it yourself for about £200. I would imagine any warranty company would want to see that bit of paperwork and if you done it yourself there isn't any
I thought long and hard about a warranty and decided the only situation that it would pay off would be if the engine went bang and required replacing. As you'll read on the forum it happens, but I suspect it doesn't happen that often. So I decided to take a chance. Lets hope it doesn't come back to bite me in the bum!!Discovery 4 HSE
SDV6
2015
17th Dec 2013 1:59 pm
pagoda
Member Since: 13 Aug 2009
Location: Not London Anymore (or the US for that matter)
Posts: 1929
I think most people would be advised not to try to change the "biggy belt" themselves...just saying PAGODA
17th Dec 2013 2:20 pm
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2907
Dusty wrote:
For example the biggy belt changing service ranges between £600 and £1100 at most garages. You can do it yourself for about £200. I would imagine any warranty company would want to see that bit of paperwork and if you done it yourself there isn't any
That may have been the case in days gone by, but it is a more competitive world out there now and (perhaps in response to this forum?!) it is possible to get the belts etc done for much less than this from a main dealer. For example, one of the site sponsors who has a number of outlets is currently advertising the big belts service for £599, or just the belt side of things for £399.
The need for the warranty will also depend on your use of the vehicle - if you are a high mileage driver and have to have your car for work, then I think it is a requirement. However, if it is the 'play thing' and is used as the households second car and for weekend with family then maybe you can go without. If this route is taken then it may be worth putting the money aside as there will be a bill or two at some point along the way!Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
300TDi Disco 1 (289k)
4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
S3 109 hi cap pickup (ex RN)
S2A 88 Safari SW with lpg conversion (bloody lethal)
17th Dec 2013 2:25 pm
Durham4416
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: United kingdom
Posts: 273
I recently bought a d3 with 107k miles and have never considered a warranty in the past as I thought they where a waste of money, but after seeing the positive reviews for warranty direct I took out their break down policy, I can stomach the odd bill up to a £1000 but if the engine goes I'm screwed, so for the sake of £130 I think it's worth it. As long as the car gets recovered to a garage, be it a main dealer or any other vat registered garage they will pay 100% of the labour (up to £200 per hour) and 50% of the parts ( it's over 100k miles so they wouldn't pay more than 50% but they will for you as it's lower mileage)
They also cover wear and tear unlike most warranty companions that use that term to get out of most claims.
17th Dec 2013 8:26 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20835
Durham4416 wrote:
I...I can stomach the odd bill up to a £1000 but if the engine goes I'm screwed, so for the sake of £130 I think it's worth it.
As long as the car gets recovered to a garage, be it a main dealer or any other vat registered garage they will pay 100% of the labour (up to £200 per hour) and 50% of the parts ( it's over 100k miles so they wouldn't pay more than 50% but they will for you as it's lower mileage)
You say you can stomach a bill of £1000.
Your warranty covers 50% of the parts
A re-con engine from LR, is £5500, + VAT. Half of that is £3300...
Admittedly, better than having to stomach best part of £9k for a replacement engine, but it's still a hefty bill... Best make sure you can still cover that if it all goes wrong...My D3 Build Thread
Last edited by Disco_Mikey on 17th Dec 2013 9:10 pm. Edited 1 time in total
17th Dec 2013 9:06 pm
Durham4416
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: United kingdom
Posts: 273
^^^?
17th Dec 2013 9:07 pm
galwaygreen
Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525
from my experience ,we just extended the LR warranty that came with the car,,,,worked for us....one job covered the fee.
17th Dec 2013 9:33 pm
Durham4416
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: United kingdom
Posts: 273
I can see what your saying, I would have to find the money if necessary but don't know how many people driving d3's could just lay out £9k if their engine failed. That was just an example, I think the warranty will come in handy for smaller jobs aswell.
17th Dec 2013 10:11 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20835
While a failed engine is a bit extreme, like I said, if you can get your hands dirty, a warranty is not really needed.
I bought a 2nd hand, low mileage engine, replaced all belts, blanked EGR's, serviced the car, new front lower wishbones and ball joints, rear upper wishbone bushes, 2x hub bushes, 2x ARB links, ARB shims, silicone hose kit, along with some other bits and pieces, all for less than your parts contribution
I also know of a customer with a warranty, who was charged 50% of the parts bill from a local garage. They charged the warranty company full LR retail price for a front strut for his FFRR, and he had to pay the remaining £300. He could have bought exactly the same strut online, had it fitted, and it would have cost him less than his warranty contribution.
So, it even comes down to the individual garage, and how greedy they are My D3 Build Thread
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