[flash3]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

I don't know about the alignment. I've never had one come out of alignment, but maybe that's only 'cause I didn't swerve to avoid an accident and plow over three curbs.

The insurance bit is all about the wheels and tires and getting them replaced. A note I thought was important is that it doesn't matter which tires so long as they're properly sized. So when you get a new set, switch to Winters, etc. the thing still covers. Stupidly, I didn't ask specifically about the wheels (Winter set, etc.), so not sure about that.

I really like the RFTs. The safety and convenience advantages are outstanding. That said, they're certainly not cheap, particularly if you're a long way from home and need to get home. With all the construction (house and road) in my area and my previous "three tire experience" I'm enjoying not having to worry about whether every shiny thing I see on the road is a nail prepped to stick in my tire and ruin my day.

I was thinking of getting new tires from Costco, so they would provide me the 'warranty' going forward so the BMW plan would be a waste, no? I think I understood differently from what you said above.

[Nahoa]

/I guess it depends on what the Costco warranty covers. The one we're talking about here covers the tires and the wheels so if you bust a low-pro wheel on a nasty pothole, that's also covered. My passing understanding of the Costco warranty is that it's tires only. If you're going that route, and haven't already, you might want to check out TireRack.com. In the past I've found better tires there cheaper and they offer a warranty option, too. Not sure the details. I kinda liked that this plan covered any tires I put on the car (and the wheels). So, if something wacky happens on a road trip requiring a new tire, that one is covered, too.

[flash3]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

/I guess it depends on what the Costco warranty covers. The one we're talking about here covers the tires and the wheels so if you bust a low-pro wheel on a nasty pothole, that's also covered. My passing understanding of the Costco warranty is that it's tires only. If you're going that route, and haven't already, you might want to check out TireRack.com. In the past I've found better tires there cheaper and they offer a warranty option, too. Not sure the details. I kinda liked that this plan covered any tires I put on the car (and the wheels). So, if something wacky happens on a road trip requiring a new tire, that one is covered, too.

Good info. Thanks a lot!! -- I will definitely ask all the req'd questions prior to picking up this option, if I go that route.

Additionally, did they offer you any other plans/services?

[xDrive35i]

And if anyone is curious, this is what my car looked like for the near 2 years I spent without the BMW branded 18" wheels I bought the car with...yes, I even kept them on for the summer.


And this is what happens when you get into an accident with those cheap wheels.


Part of the cool, fast wagon look were the wheels I used to have, so when they started bending and then breaking, it was a bummer to put these wheels on it instead.

[mstevens]

An alternative view is that we've driven an E83 X3 and an E85 Z4 year-round in rural NH for the last 7 years. The roads here are execrable, especially right around this time of year when the frost heaves are forming.

I've had to replace one set each of summer and winter RFT's on the Z4 and one set of all-season tires on the X3 because they wore out. I've had my winter wheels straightened by M C Wheel twice after they bent due to potholes and frost heaves. That cost $80 per wheel.

We both drive aggressively on roads that are at the best of times pretty poor. We've never broken a wheel or damaged a tire. When we got our new F25 X3 and E89 Z4 we cheerfully passed on the tire and wheel insurance.

[flash3]

So I called BMWNA today for pricing on the Wheel & Tire Insurance, and they basically said the pricing is in the dealer's hands.

What is everyone paying for their coverage?

[MA78]

Originally Posted by flash3

So I called BMWNA today for pricing on the Wheel & Tire Insurance, and they basically said the pricing is in the dealer's hands.

What is everyone paying for their coverage?

$799 for 5 years.

[flash3]

That is much better than one dealer in SC that told me $1195 for 5 years.

BTW - can we purchase wheel and tire insurance from any dealer?

[Mako]

[QUOTE=flash3;9103682]So I called BMWNA today for pricing on the Wheel

[MA78]

Originally Posted by flash3

That is much better than one dealer in SC that told me $1195 for 5 years.

BTW - can we purchase wheel and tire insurance from any dealer?

Dunno. Probably.

[RockyMntX35i]

My dealer let me know the extended warranty option was available at anytime the X3 was still within it's original warranty period. I'll evaluate my needs before original warranty expires.

Was wondering same question if "group discount" buying of optional warranties are available? Or if select dealers might offer warranty packages at a discount.

[///MPower_2014]

Before everyone jumps to purchase this, understand a few things. The insurance only pays for rim repair or replacement only if the damage is so bad the tire can either not hold pressure or cannot be mounted on a rim. Thus, a slightly bent rim that causes vibration is not covered!

I purchased the tire and wheel insurance when I got my '08 328xi (205/55-16), never damaged a tire, but bent all wheels on potholes enough to cause vibration. (I live in the Northeast with very bad roads) Had to spend $120/wheel to straighten...all not covered by insurance.

If you purchased an X3 xdrive28i with the standard 17" wheel (what I now have), the tire sidewall are plenty tall enough to prevent rim damage and the tires themselves will take a pretty good beating too....dont' bother with the insurance.

If you purchased 18" wheels, you have about the same amount of sidewall as the 328xi I was talking about, and you're still probably wasting your money.

If you purchased the 19" wheels, then I would probably get the insurance.

Of course, regardless of tire size, if you live where the roads are in very good condition, even with 19" wheels, don't bother.

Yes, some have experience tire damage, but it's not as common as it was when RFT's just come out, and in general. If you have to only replace one tire, it's still less than the insurance.

Decide for yourself, the above is just my experience and opinion.

[loatron]

Originally Posted by flash3

So I called BMWNA today for pricing on the Wheel & Tire Insurance, and they basically said the pricing is in the dealer's hands.

What is everyone paying for their coverage?

I'm being offered $1245 for 3 years coverage on my 28i lease. The roads are terrible here, but I think I'm going to forgo the coverage. Perhaps if I can talk the dealer down to $800 I might consider it, but in the past 3 years of living here, I've only blown out 1 tire from a pothole, and that was with 19inch wheels and very low profile summer tires.

[MA78]

Originally Posted by RockyMntX35i

My dealer let me know the extended warranty option was available at anytime the X3 was still within it's original warranty period. I'll evaluate my needs before original warranty expires.

Was wondering same question if "group discount" buying of optional warranties are available? Or if select dealers might offer warranty packages at a discount.

That's not the same as Wheel and & Insurance. This can only be purchased at the time of delivery.

[MA78]

Originally Posted by 2008_BMW_328xi

Before everyone jumps to purchase this, understand a few things. The insurance only pays for rim repair or replacement only if the damage is so bad the tire can either not hold pressure or cannot be mounted on a rim. Thus, a slightly bent rim that causes vibration is not covered!

I purchased the tire and wheel insurance when I got my '08 328xi (205/55-16), never damaged a tire, but bent all wheels on potholes enough to cause vibration. (I live in the Northeast with very bad roads) Had to spend $120/wheel to straighten...all not covered by insurance.

If you purchased an X3 xdrive28i with the standard 17" wheel (what I now have), the tire sidewall are plenty tall enough to prevent rim damage and the tires themselves will take a pretty good beating too....dont' bother with the insurance.

If you purchased 18" wheels, you have about the same amount of sidewall as the 328xi I was talking about, and you're still probably wasting your money.

If you purchased the 19" wheels, then I would probably get the insurance.

Of course, regardless of tire size, if you live where the roads are in very good condition, even with 19" wheels, don't bother.

Yes, some have experience tire damage, but it's not as common as it was when RFT's just come out, and in general. If you have to only replace one tire, it's still less than the insurance.

Decide for yourself, the above is just my experience and opinion.

Totally disagree. My '09 328i with 18s went through 3 RFTs in les than 15k miles. And they're not cheap to replace.

[///MPower_2014]

Originally Posted by MA78

Totally disagree. My '09 328i with 18s went through 3 RFTs in les than 15k miles. And they're not cheap to replace.

After I mentioned the 16" on my 328xi, the wheel sizes (and their respective tires I didn't list) I was referring to are only for what the X3 comes with, which have taller sidewalls than the 3 series with the same diameter wheel.

For a 3 series (or any BMW car), I would agree that if your running 18" wheels, the insurance is worth it, but not for 18" wheels on an X3 that has a much taller sidewall tire on it.

[MA78]

Originally Posted by 2008_BMW_328xi

After I mentioned the 16" on my 328xi, the wheel sizes (and their respective tires I didn't list) I was referring to are only for what the X3 comes with, which have taller sidewalls than the 3 series with the same diameter wheel.

For a 3 series (or any BMW car), I would agree that if your running 18" wheels, the insurance is worth it, but not for 18" wheels on an X3 that has a much taller sidewall tire on it.

I still disagree. The side wall is taller, but not enough to protect the wheel from damage if you hit a big hole at high speed. There's also road debris to consider.

I think that $799 is a small price to pay for the peace of mind.

[perto]

Way do you pay about 800$ for wheel insurance over a period of five years? I took a Google search in Norwegian and got zero hits for insurance of tire and wheel, in English I got nearly 16000 hits!!! In my 25 years of driving cars and motor cycles i have got two repairs of tires and that have cost me a total of 20$. For dose 4K over a twenty five years period I could buy at least two sets with tires.

[MA78]

Originally Posted by perto

Way do you pay about 800$ for wheel insurance over a period of five years? I took a Google search in Norwegian and got zero hits for insurance of tire and wheel, in English I got nearly 16000 hits!!! In my 25 years of driving cars and motor cycles i have got two repairs of tires and that have cost me a total of 20$. For dose 4K over a twenty five years period I could buy at least two sets with tires.

Don't know what to tell ya. With my last car I hit a pot hole and had to replace a rim and two tires. Cost nearly $900.

[flash3]

I think I am opting for this just for the peace of mind. You never know what could happen, especially in wintery states.

[Brutus1]

Here they ask $899.

[kittyoh]

Originally Posted by MA78

$1000 is ridiculous. I paid $799.

Was it the BMW plan or another company?