lex326

All

The dealer sold me two plans on top of my lease of a 2015 GS Fsport:
1. Lexus excess wear and tear for 875;
2. Safeguard premier Tire & Wheel Service for $1,495 (a/k/a Road Hazard Protection).

What are people's experiences with these services?

1. As to #1, they said any dents, dings or scratches would be covered. Any damage to tires, hubcaps, etc.They said this was to avoid charges AFTER the lease is up.

2. For #2, they said any broken rim, wheel or blown out tire would be automatically covered for the 36-month lease period. They went so far as to say that I could take the car every april after a brutal winter to have scuffs/damage on rims fixed. They said this was unlimited protection DURING the lease period.

If these are snake oil, I have 30 days to cancel for 100% refund. Curious to hear your thoughts.

faifai83

...both are snake oil IMO

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

Not sure why you'd leap for the wheel/tire protection too, as the excessive wear & tear will protect you when you turn in the car anyway?

But yes, I agree with faifai83 - both are snake oil.

bclexus

I agree also with failfai83 and Thomas... Unless you really think you'll have in excess of $2,370 of dents, dings, scratches, damaged wheels and blown-out tires you're better off keeping that money and paying $100 out-of-pocket if you do happen to get a ding, etc...

dchar

Definitely snake oil at that price. But if you tend to abuse your cars, then it might be ok for you.

bclexus

Safeguard Premier Tire & Wheel Service has a history of denying claims for wheel damage.

And, just so you know - curb rash damage is considered 'cosmetic damage', which is not covered.

lex326

Thank you all for candid responses. I certainly don't abuse my cars. The rep made it sound like it was highly likely a rim would crack or tire would blow within 36 months which they said would cost a fortune. where I think they got me is because I have 19-inch rims. They told me that these are much more susceptible to damage or breakage than standard ones. I have no experience with these, so I took their word for it.

The pitch about the excess wear and tear was that Lexus would nickle and dime absolutely every ding and scratch once turned in.

Boomin

Wow the price for a peace of mind.

Where abouts are ya in Maine?

lex326

portland. they said that the winters up here necessitated it.

Like I said, I knew I had a window to cancel this if need be. I have never leased nor had these wheels, so I just didn't know how much peace of mind was necessary.

bclexus

Worth reading: Road Hazard Policies

thholr

Generally speaking, I would save myself the money and just plan on spending a few hundred bucks before lease turn in at a paintless dent repair place and then a paint guy to touch it up. I had them take 3 smalls dents out and touch up about 5-6 spots for about $125.

Ljslaw1

I had the rim and tire protection on my '13 F Sport and also took the protection on my '15 F Sport Crafted Line Edition that I just picked up last week. From experience I can tell you that all 4 rims on my '13 were bent due to rough road conditions/pot holes in the Northeast. Two of the rims were replaced and 2 were repaired. The size of the rims on the F Sport (19 inch) make the tires and rims susceptible to damage. Had I not purchased the protection, it would have cost me a fortune for the repairs/replacement. Also, curb rash is covered under my plan(s) and I had the rims cleaned up during the life of the lease on my '13 as well. I do think however that the price they sold it to you for seems high. Both times I negotiated the price down. Good luck with your decision.

lex326

If you can believe it, the price I paid was negotiated down $250!

SW17LS

I'd cancel them both and be careful with potholes. They're not so bad about turn in, generally anything other than stuff bigger than a credit card is just normal wear and tear.

AL13NV8D3R

When turning in lease you may or may NOT pay for any wear and tear and damages. If you paid for these protection plans it like pre paying for wear and tear. In the event you turn in your car 3 years later with NO wear and tear and damage to your car.....its like pre paying for something that never happend. This to me does not make sense. You are literally betting on yourself to lose. If you want these wear and tear protection and tire/wheel protection plans to be worth it you NEED to return your car 3 years later WITH some wear and tear and damage to some rims that way your not making the stealership any richer. To me those two things are a waste of money especially because you are leasing and its not your car. Its like buying an engagement ring to a girlfriend only to have some other guy marry her.