Trying to decide if service maintenance plan is worth it

[condor767]

Need help guys and gals. Here’s the deal. (I recently posted a similar thread last week but am still unsure.)

Purchased a new 2019 Bighorn couple weeks ago, very happy with the truck.

Dealership sold me a $2295 service maintenance plan. This plan covers:

-all scheduled oil changes and tire rotations for 10years/100k miles
-all scheduled maintenance service intervals for 10years/100k miles
-wheel rim protection/replacement and tire protection/replacement for 5 years
-roadside hazard/assistance for 5 years
-dent/ding protection/repair for 5 years
-windshield crack/chip protection/replacement, 5 years
-free key fob replacement, 5 years

I can cancel this plan anytime, full refund in the first 30 days and then it’s pro rated. I’m not quite sure how often the oil changes happen but I’m pretty sure they are at 5k intervals and the dealership oil changes/tire rotations run anywhere from $50 to $100 per visit.
Scheduled maintenance service intervals (30k, 60k,etc) can run anywhere from $300 to $600 depending on the mileage.

Opinions? Am I ahead of the game with $2295 or is this a wash?

 

[mlrtimemach]

Depends on how many miles you drive it in 10yrs verse the 100,000 mile. I hit 97,000 in 4 yrs an goin by the service schedule had to change the tranny fluid on my 4x4 twice and the axle fluids once. That cost me around $600 total plus the oil changes during that time. I do buy the 3 oil change deal when they have them an think I pay just over $100 for those. I will mention I used coupons for the tranny an axle fluid changes.
I'd bet I didn't spend $2,000 for maintenance in those 4 yrs but I also wasn't covered for all the other things. Which I never would have needed to use anyway.

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[mtnrider]

If you have the ability to do it yourself I would say it's not worth it. However if you can't then yes it is. Out to 100K miles it really looks to be nothing more then fluid changes and kicking the tires. There is no major maintenance to be done. Look in the owners manual and decide if there is something you can;t do in that first 100k. Most of it is pretty simple inspcetions.

Oil changes are based on the indicator which the manual said could go as low as 3500 miles but don't exceed 10K. So you are going to be somewhere in between I would guess. You will have to stick to what the indicator says so they are not going to do them earlier. Air filters, you are looking at 2 across 100K so not much

I would ask about brakes and batteries, are those covered? I'm sure they will "inspect" them but will they replace them for free?

And lastly, the dealer does not do anything that doesn't make them money so they are going to make sure they do. I'm sure you will get stuff popping up when you bring it in that they are going to say is not covered. = Additional cost. I would make sure you get in writing everything that is covered (and not)


.

 

[condor767]

If you have the ability to do it yourself I would say it's not worth it. However if you can't then yes it is. Out to 100K miles it really looks to be nothing more then fluid changes and kicking the tires. There is no major maintenance to be done. Look in the owners manual and decide if there is something you can;t do in that first 100k. Most of it is pretty simple inspcetions.

Oil changes are based on the indicator which the manual said could go as low as 3500 miles but don't exceed 10K. So you are going to be somewhere in between I would guess. You will have to stick to what the indicator says so they are not going to do them earlier. Air filters, you are looking at 2 across 100K so not much

I would ask about brakes and batteries, are those covered? I'm sure they will "inspect" them but will they replace them for free?

And lastly, the dealer does not do anything that doesn't make them money so they are going to make sure they do. I'm sure you will get stuff popping up when you bring it in that they are going to say is not covered. = Additional cost. I would make sure you get in writing everything that is covered (and not)


.

Thanks for that. I won’t be doing any oil changes myself. However... aren’t there 3 big scheduled service intervals out to 100k miles? 30k, 60k and 90k. I know the 60k and 90k probably cost around $500 at least. Those are all covered as well.

 

[condor767]

Depends on how many miles you drive it in 10yrs verse the 100,000 mile. I hit 97,000 in 4 yrs an goin by the service schedule had to change the tranny fluid on my 4x4 twice and the axle fluids once. That cost me around $600 total plus the oil changes during that time. I do buy the 3 oil change deal when they have them an think I pay just over $100 for those. I will mention I used coupons for the tranny an axle fluid changes.
I'd bet I didn't spend $2,000 for maintenance in those 4 yrs but I also wasn't covered for all the other things. Which I never would have needed to use anyway.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Thanks. I drive between 10k-12k miles per year. So I should hit 100k right at, or very near the 10 year mark.

 

[mtnrider]

Thanks for that. I won’t be doing any oil changes myself. However... aren’t there 3 big scheduled service intervals out to 100k miles? 30k, 60k and 90k. I know the 60k and 90k probably cost around $500 at least. Those are all covered as well.

I download the owners manual and looked at it and I am not seeing anything. Most of these new vehicles don't require any big ticket maintenance until way out past 100K. The old 30, 60 90 is out the window. I'm not seeing anything but oil changes and inspections? I would look at it yourself just to make sure but I'm not seeing anything difficult or high dollar.


.

 

[Jrod]

I download the owners manual and looked at it and I am not seeing anything. Most of these new vehicles don't require any big ticket maintenance until way out past 100K. The old 30, 60 90 is out the window. I'm not seeing anything but oil changes and inspections? I would look at it yourself just to make sure but I'm not seeing anything difficult or high dollar.


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The only big ticket item I found was replacing the platinum plugs. They are rated for 100k, but the service plan lets you replace them at 90k. I would call the dealer and ask them how much they charge. Price will differ.

 

[condor767]

Thanks guys. Think I will cancel it.

 

[mikeru]

Need help guys and gals. Here’s the deal. (I recently posted a similar thread last week but am still unsure.)

Purchased a new 2019 Bighorn couple weeks ago, very happy with the truck.

Dealership sold me a $2295 service maintenance plan. This plan covers:

-all scheduled oil changes and tire rotations for 10years/100k miles
-all scheduled maintenance service intervals for 10years/100k miles
-wheel rim protection/replacement and tire protection/replacement for 5 years
-roadside hazard/assistance for 5 years
-dent/ding protection/repair for 5 years
-windshield crack/chip protection/replacement, 5 years
-free key fob replacement, 5 years

I can cancel this plan anytime, full refund in the first 30 days and then it’s pro rated. I’m not quite sure how often the oil changes happen but I’m pretty sure they are at 5k intervals and the dealership oil changes/tire rotations run anywhere from $50 to $100 per visit.
Scheduled maintenance service intervals (30k, 60k,etc) can run anywhere from $300 to $600 depending on the mileage.

Opinions? Am I ahead of the game with $2295 or is this a wash?

Unless your driving habits require you to follow the severe service schedule, normal service oil change interval is 10k miles, not 5k. So that potentially cuts the number of "free" oil changes in half. I don't purchase these plans any more when I buy a new vehicle. But I have the will and the means to do the maintenance myself. I already get roadside assistance, and my insurance covers windshield issues (minus $50 deductible). The tire and wheel coverage only covers the damaged wheel or tire. If your tires are half worn out, and you destroy one tire, you'll have to replace all four tires. The other three are not covered, only the one that was damaged is covered. I found that one out the hard way. Not worth the cost in my opinion, but it's something you'll have to decide for yourself.

 

[runamuck]

I have a cpl. friends that own dealerships and my son's first job after getting his degree in finance was as the finance guy at a dealership so I have heard lots of horror stories about the add-ons they sell. I dont ever buy their extras after I settle on the price.

 

[NorthStar1]

I received notification from Ram a couple weeks ago that with my new Ram I received two years of free Ramcare which includes two free oil changes and rotations per year. I had this on my last truck and all I had to do was pay a little to upgrade to full PUP synthetic. And then at the end of the two years I had the opportunity to buy another two years for roughly $149. You might want to check with the dealer to see when you get your free Ramcare...see link below.

https://ramcare.ramtrucks.com/Owner/

 

[Smokey613]

If you are spending that kind of money I would think it would be better to put it towards a factory extended warranty.

 

[Hendrix De Leon]

Yeah I f up on getting this maintenance package for $1100. Sounded good during but prob won’t make that money back.