MINI2

hoojkel · Jan 11th, 2008, 09:28 AM

Hi,
My 3 year warranty runs out on the 15th April and I have been looking at getting cover from Warranty Direct but, I got my 2nd hand jcw from a main vauxhall dealer and he gave me a full 12 months comprehensive warranty under network Q which runs out at the end of June. So, do I just go along with the vauxhall dealers warranty until the end of June and then get something with warranty direct ( dont want expensive bmw warranty ) after this runs out??
Cheers
Kel

Tommo · Jan 11th, 2008, 09:56 AM

Hi Kel,
I can only speak of my own experience, but to me taking out a warranty with these types of companies is a waste of money. It's basically an insurance scheme and as such their remit is to collect more money in policy payments than they pay out and therefore produce profit.
I've had a couple of cars where the garage has thrown in an extended warranty and when I've had problems getting anything out of the companies involved it's like pulling teeth !
Looking at some of the information that Warranty Direct's own website produces shows that the MINI is in the top 10 most reliable cars (number 6) so why not take the monthley premium that you would pay to them and put it into a savings account and if you have any problems hopefully the sum you've saved up will make any repairs cost a lot less ?
Do you have any specific worries as to what may go wrong with your car ?

hoojkel · Jan 11th, 2008, 11:00 AM

Well if I did that and say 2 months after my warranty ran out and something seriously went wrong then I would have only a few quid in savings to fix it?? If I paid the warranty for the year then that covers major mechanical work which could run into thousands. I don't think putting £20 that I save per month into a savings account would cover any possible failings. Thats exactly what warranty is for and it also improves resale value. You could also say the same for Insurance companies in that they put out vague policies and make money from them but that is the price we all pay for having cars on the road. You have to have these things ' Just in Case', you can't save money you would normally give to insurance companies to save up for a possible crash and pay for the damage. My point was should I be ok with a warranty I have until end of June with a vauxhall dealer as my mini warranty runs out in April.

Tommo · Jan 11th, 2008, 12:11 PM

In that case, if the Warranty you already have with Vauxhall was free why not just take out the Warranty Direct policy now ? Then you have two lots "Just in case "!

spf · Jan 11th, 2008, 12:53 PM

I would check but I believe you get offered a better level of warranty care with warranty direct (and a better price) if you are coming straight out of a dealer warranty. Go to their web site and check by playing with the different options.

hoojkel · Jan 11th, 2008, 12:54 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by tommo13 (original)

In that case, if the Warranty you already have with Vauxhall was free why not just take out the Warranty Direct policy now ? Then you have two lots "Just in case "!

Ah, why would I pay for another warranty when I have one that expires at the end of June??

Tommo · Jan 11th, 2008, 01:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by hoojkel (original)

Ah, why would I pay for another warranty when I have one that expires at the end of June??

I think you just answered your own question

hoojkel · Jan 11th, 2008, 02:16 PM

Soz,
Maybe i'm being a bit vague here. Because the Vauxhall warranty runs out in June and it is with a vauxhall dealer, would I be better just going to Warranty Direct when the bmw warranty runs out in April as Warranty Direct give you the option to send your car to a Dealer of your choice, ie mini, whereas if I keep on with the vauxhall dealer for the next few months then the car would have to go in with them to get any faults fixed. Should I be worried that it would go to a vauxhall dealer not a mini dealer.

OneDriver · Jan 12th, 2008, 12:12 PM

Just a small thing to think about - even after warranty has expired BMW will often help you out anyway. You paid a premium for the car thus expect a premium service.

I had Engine management systems fail, gearboxes and poor paint work.. all fixed out of warranty at no cost or with free parts.

Not sure if this would be the same with a Mini thats been out of the MINI service loop though.....

Lawrothegreat · Jan 12th, 2008, 01:37 PM

This is a tricky one. It would be interesting to know what these insurance based companies are like when making claims. Do they riggle out of paying at every opportunity? Or are they fair? I would hope in extending the BMW warranty you would get the same level of service as with the standard BMW/MINI warranty. With this I have had two clutches and even a set of brake pads replaced under warranty because I could prove mechanical failure. But I have to admit I would also be tempted by the cheaper premium and taking the risk.......

Tigger, Eeyore & Roo · Jan 12th, 2008, 02:40 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Lawrothegreat (original)

I would hope in extending the BMW warranty you would get the same level of service as with the standard BMW/MINI warranty.

You would hope, but you would be disappointed. The BMW extended warranty works in a similar way to Warranty Direct, in that it is just a mechanical breakdown insurance. This is quite different from the original BMW warranty.

If you look at the T&C's of the two policies, the Warranty Direct cover is argueably better as it includes some wear and tear items that the BMW one doesn't.

Realistically, treat these policies only as insurance against the catastrophic failure that would really hurt financially.

Tigger.

PS: In answer to the original question, whatever you do, start talking to Warranty DIrect NOW. The longer you talk to them, the lower their price goes! Honestly!!

spf · Jul 21st, 2008, 12:46 PM

IMPORTANT - If anyone has cover with Warranty Direct, when your renewal notice comes through check all the details as mine came with 3 errors

1. They had downgraded me to a network garage instead of franchised dealer
2. They had downgraded my cover to Extracare instead of Luxury care
3. They had increased the price even though I had been guaranteed the price would be held for the second year.

If I hadn't checked I would have had a lot less cover for more money!! Or was that what they were hoping for?!

Jan 11th, 2008, 09:28 AM	#1
hoojkel MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Belfast Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 436 Offline	Non-Mini Warranty Hi, My 3 year warranty runs out on the 15th April and I have been looking at getting cover from Warranty Direct but, I got my 2nd hand jcw from a main vauxhall dealer and he gave me a full 12 months comprehensive warranty under network Q which runs out at the end of June. So, do I just go along with the vauxhall dealers warranty until the end of June and then get something with warranty direct ( dont want expensive bmw warranty ) after this runs out?? Cheers Kel

Jan 12th, 2008, 02:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
Tigger, Eeyore & Roo I'm Back! My Classifieds Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 4,572 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Lawrothegreat (original) I would hope in extending the BMW warranty you would get the same level of service as with the standard BMW/MINI warranty. You would hope, but you would be disappointed. The BMW extended warranty works in a similar way to Warranty Direct, in that it is just a mechanical breakdown insurance. This is quite different from the original BMW warranty. If you look at the T&C's of the two policies, the Warranty Direct cover is argueably better as it includes some wear and tear items that the BMW one doesn't. Realistically, treat these policies only as insurance against the catastrophic failure that would really hurt financially. Tigger. PS: In answer to the original question, whatever you do, start talking to Warranty DIrect NOW. The longer you talk to them, the lower their price goes! Honestly!! Unintimated and I'm back!! For sunshine, fun and Cornish Pasties: New MINI Kernow Cornish Oggy Run 2009!

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Jan 11th, 2008, 09:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tommo 24hr Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Up North Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 248 Offline	Hi Kel, I can only speak of my own experience, but to me taking out a warranty with these types of companies is a waste of money. It's basically an insurance scheme and as such their remit is to collect more money in policy payments than they pay out and therefore produce profit. I've had a couple of cars where the garage has thrown in an extended warranty and when I've had problems getting anything out of the companies involved it's like pulling teeth ! Looking at some of the information that Warranty Direct's own website produces shows that the MINI is in the top 10 most reliable cars (number 6) so why not take the monthley premium that you would pay to them and put it into a savings account and if you have any problems hopefully the sum you've saved up will make any repairs cost a lot less ? Do you have any specific worries as to what may go wrong with your car ?

Jan 11th, 2008, 11:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
hoojkel MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Belfast Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 436 Offline	Well if I did that and say 2 months after my warranty ran out and something seriously went wrong then I would have only a few quid in savings to fix it?? If I paid the warranty for the year then that covers major mechanical work which could run into thousands. I don't think putting £20 that I save per month into a savings account would cover any possible failings. Thats exactly what warranty is for and it also improves resale value. You could also say the same for Insurance companies in that they put out vague policies and make money from them but that is the price we all pay for having cars on the road. You have to have these things ' Just in Case', you can't save money you would normally give to insurance companies to save up for a possible crash and pay for the damage. My point was should I be ok with a warranty I have until end of June with a vauxhall dealer as my mini warranty runs out in April.

Jan 11th, 2008, 12:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tommo 24hr Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Up North Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 248 Offline	In that case, if the Warranty you already have with Vauxhall was free why not just take out the Warranty Direct policy now ? Then you have two lots "Just in case "!

Jan 11th, 2008, 12:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
spf MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cleveland Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 1,179 Offline	I would check but I believe you get offered a better level of warranty care with warranty direct (and a better price) if you are coming straight out of a dealer warranty. Go to their web site and check by playing with the different options.

Jan 11th, 2008, 12:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
hoojkel MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Belfast Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 436 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by tommo13 (original) In that case, if the Warranty you already have with Vauxhall was free why not just take out the Warranty Direct policy now ? Then you have two lots "Just in case "! Ah, why would I pay for another warranty when I have one that expires at the end of June??

Jan 11th, 2008, 01:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tommo 24hr Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Up North Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 248 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by hoojkel (original) Ah, why would I pay for another warranty when I have one that expires at the end of June?? I think you just answered your own question

Jan 11th, 2008, 02:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
hoojkel MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Belfast Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 436 Offline	Soz, Maybe i'm being a bit vague here. Because the Vauxhall warranty runs out in June and it is with a vauxhall dealer, would I be better just going to Warranty Direct when the bmw warranty runs out in April as Warranty Direct give you the option to send your car to a Dealer of your choice, ie mini, whereas if I keep on with the vauxhall dealer for the next few months then the car would have to go in with them to get any faults fixed. Should I be worried that it would go to a vauxhall dealer not a mini dealer.

Jan 12th, 2008, 12:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
OneDriver It's only a one... Honest Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bristol & Cheshire Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 177 Offline	Just a small thing to think about - even after warranty has expired BMW will often help you out anyway. You paid a premium for the car thus expect a premium service. I had Engine management systems fail, gearboxes and poor paint work.. all fixed out of warranty at no cost or with free parts. Not sure if this would be the same with a Mini thats been out of the MINI service loop though.....

Jan 12th, 2008, 01:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
Lawrothegreat Mini Design Philosopher Join Date: May 2004 Location: Berkshire, UK Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 832 Offline	This is a tricky one. It would be interesting to know what these insurance based companies are like when making claims. Do they riggle out of paying at every opportunity? Or are they fair? I would hope in extending the BMW warranty you would get the same level of service as with the standard BMW/MINI warranty. With this I have had two clutches and even a set of brake pads replaced under warranty because I could prove mechanical failure. But I have to admit I would also be tempted by the cheaper premium and taking the risk.......

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Jul 21st, 2008, 12:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
spf MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cleveland Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 1,179 Offline	IMPORTANT - If anyone has cover with Warranty Direct, when your renewal notice comes through check all the details as mine came with 3 errors 1. They had downgraded me to a network garage instead of franchised dealer 2. They had downgraded my cover to Extracare instead of Luxury care 3. They had increased the price even though I had been guaranteed the price would be held for the second year. If I hadn't checked I would have had a lot less cover for more money!! Or was that what they were hoping for?!