Emulator

So I'm biting the bullet and buying out my lease, I'm over my miles and I *love* my P+ Sports 6MT A4. I also happen to be just out of warranty, so I'm shopping my options. In the process of buying it out, I'll probably be financing it out over the next 3 years. I'm looking at getting a 4 year 48000 mile extension for the warranty.

My question to you good people is: what level of warranty? Theres platinum, gold plus, gold, silver plus, silver, and powertrain. I'm currently considering the gold or the gold plus, the gold plus looks like it covers a little bit more in regards to rear suspension and I figure the control arms are liable to be problematic before 100k miles so I'd like to make sure they are covered. Anyone have any experience with this and recommendations? Any help is appreciated!

Macallan21

Who is the warranty through?
Only get a warranty backed by Audi of America.. don't get one of those 3rd party ones from a radio commercial, or something only backed by that specific dealer.

It might be useful out to 100k. Doubt you'll really need it. But only trust AoA, and how much is it?

NJRoadFan

Keep in mind that the Audi "Pure Protection" plans aren't actually backed by Audi, but by Fidelity Direct. If you buy the car out, it might be possible to convince them to CPO the car.

Macallan21

NJ, sure, the CPO is backed my Audi of America.

Emulator

The extended warranty is through the dealership, it looks like it will cost about 3-3.5k for it. I'm worried about the control arms acting up before I finish paying for it. The CPO process costs 2k, however if they deem that I need new brakes or tires I'll have to pay for that stuff before they 'certify' it so it could end up costing the same as the extended warranty and the CPO only covers the car for 2 more years (its a 2010, CPO only goes out to 5 years from what I understand). The extended warranty I can add 4 years or 48000.

You really think I won't need it?

Macallan21

Why are you worried about the control arms? How much do they cost to replace?

You'll always have random **** go wrong on a car. I just spent $700 to find a door latch problem and get it replaced. It would tell the car to unlock and disable my alarm. Couldn't live with that. I'm spending another $160 to replace the rear left wheel well liner because it's flapping in the wind.

You might get use out of it. I prefer to self insure in these cases where the warranty cost is very high. If it were $1000, I'd say take it.

And I would not trust the dealership. The place where I bought my car, Sud's Audi in Bloomington, IL. They used to have another Audi dealership in Peoria, IL. He lost his franchise there. I don't know how that effects his Audi customers. I'm just waiting and watching to see if the Bloomington dealership gets stripped too.

Emulator

I just realized when I said 'through the dealership' that may have an open-ended meaning, the booklet they have for the ext warranty is 'audi pure protection' and has the audi logo all over it, I'm guessing this is AoA one? (I dont have it in front of me)

Macallan21

http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/f...re_select.html


Yeah, that looks like the official AoA plan. It's really your call. Do you think you'll spend $3500 in repairs before 100k miles?

I'm at 75K and have spent about $1000 between my door latch and the wheel well liner.
And I spent about $400 getting my TPMS sensors replaced on 4 tires when they rusted to the chrome caps.

NJRoadFan

Yes, Audi sells the product, but the policy is underwritten by Fidelity. Even if you have your car repaired at an Audi dealership, they will still have to get approval from Fidelity to perform the repairs like any other 3rd party vehicle warranty. You should also be able to have your car repaired at the garage of your choice, most of the VW/Audi specialist shops that I am aware of around here will work with warranty companies. Also keep in mind that a deductible usually applies for any repairs. No deductible polices are usually available for a higher price.

http://microsites.audiusa.com/ngw/13...e-Brochure.pdf

Another thing to be aware of, your emissions systems is covered by a federally mandated warranty of 8 years/80k miles (usually covers anything that will turn on the check engine light). It may be extended to 10 years/100k in your state if they follow CARB guidelines. Read your warranty booklet that came with the car.

Emulator

This is good feedback, thank you for sharing. Definitely making me reconsider the need for the extended warranty at all, I sorta figured stuff would start to fall apart right after 50k.