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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) Local Forums UK 330E Purchase & SMART/GAP/TYRE insurance

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      07-06-2020, 12:38 PM   #1
BillyLDN
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330E Purchase & SMART/GAP/TYRE insurance

Hello all,

Have been browsing for months in the background and thanks to a number of reviews etc I took the plunge and ordered a 330E back in Dec. I was given May as a delivery date, delayed until July due covid, collection is in two weeks.

I went with the M Sport with M Sport plus package in Mineral Grey, extended storage and driver assistant professional. Frustrated by the combining of options into packages as they included a number of options I didn’t want, so lost out on a few other bits which I would have liked.

Previous car was an E92 320D Coupe M Sport which I owned for 11 years!

I have a few questions re the various protection insurances offered.

As you will all know BMW offer various products, gap from ALA is considerably cheaper, £250 vs £419. I like the 12 months deferment period they offer as my insurance offers old for new replacement for the year.

The SMART cosmetic insurance is quoted at £369 for 3 years, can anyone recommend any other provider? Tidyalloys quote £190 for 3 years. It seems comparable... but I have no experience in the service provided.

I won’t bother with the tyre insurance £209 for 3 years. (May reconsider based on a members post re poor wear!!!) Tempted by alloy protection though, 3rd party quotes seem to be around £190 ish again for 3 years.

Lastly, the 3 year monthly payment for servicing works out at £900 at £25pm... this seems steep compared to the old £399 pack. I will be doing around 4500k Miles a year and wonder if I’ll be better off paying ad-hoc?

Thanks in advance!
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      07-06-2020, 01:35 PM   #2
Tam the Bam
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Originally Posted by DaveLDN View Post

Lastly, the 3 year monthly payment for servicing works out at £900 at £25pm... this seems steep compared to the old £399 pack. I will be doing around 4500k Miles a year and wonder if I’ll be better off paying ad-hoc?

Thanks in advance!
On this point... with that mileage you will only get ONE service in the three years. So definitely not worth it.

I didn’t take any of the offered insurances.

Hope you enjoy your car when it arrives......
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      07-06-2020, 02:56 PM   #3
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They will price match the GAP if you show them directgap.co.uk price. The starting figure is always a joke...

I wouldn’t buy a car on finance without Return to Invoice - thanks to depreciation, if the car goes walkies in year 3, you get a nice fat cheque? Seems a no brainer to me for £180.

Service Pack as said doesn’t stack up
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      07-06-2020, 03:44 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveLDN View Post
The SMART cosmetic insurance is quoted at £369 for 3 years, can anyone recommend any other provider? Tidyalloys quote £190 for 3 years. It seems comparable... but I have no experience in the service provided
I agree with ‘Tam The Bam’

Also By SMART do you mean the people that will repair any dent as long as within a certain size etc?
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      07-07-2020, 12:22 AM   #5
BillyLDN
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Thanks for the responses.

I won’t be taking out the service plan then.

Funboy - that’s the one, the bodywork repair stuff. It seems like a good idea on face value.
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      07-07-2020, 02:48 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveLDN View Post
Thanks for the responses.

I won’t be taking out the service plan then.

Funboy - that’s the one, the bodywork repair stuff. It seems like a good idea on face value.
Yea smartrepair; this is an option I did consider but then when I weighed up the cost vs potential claim I thought it would probably break even or perhaps be cheaper for me to just pay someone if, as, and when.

I purchased this on a previous Audi, but never used, hence not taking on the BMW this time.
Then again my circumstances are different, I rarely drive, my car is more of a toy not a need so my risk of chips, dents, scratches are a lot lower than someone that uses theirs daily.

If you use yours a lot I’d be tempted to take it out. Especially when you consider possible door dents in car parks etc.
Be interesting to know if someone has ever used the service though!
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      07-07-2020, 10:36 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by Funboy78 View Post
Yea smartrepair; this is an option I did consider but then when I weighed up the cost vs potential claim I thought it would probably break even or perhaps be cheaper for me to just pay someone if, as, and when.

I purchased this on a previous Audi, but never used, hence not taking on the BMW this time.
Then again my circumstances are different, I rarely drive, my car is more of a toy not a need so my risk of chips, dents, scratches are a lot lower than someone that uses theirs daily.

If you use yours a lot I’d be tempted to take it out. Especially when you consider possible door dents in car parks etc.
Be interesting to know if someone has ever used the service though!
15 claims it allows over the term, sounds reasonable having read into it. No garage for me so the car is at risk of being subjected to various dinks etc. I think I’ll go with it.
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      07-07-2020, 12:15 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveLDN View Post
15 claims it allows over the term, sounds reasonable having read into it. No garage for me so the car is at risk of being subjected to various dinks etc. I think I’ll go with it.
I actually think it’s probably the only extra worth buying, so don’t blame you.
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      07-07-2020, 12:23 PM   #9
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I actually think it’s probably the only extra worth buying, so don’t blame you.
When I looked at this I wasn’t sure if it affected your car insurance. The articles I read just confused me! (Easily done some would say)
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      07-07-2020, 02:08 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tam the Bam View Post
When I looked at this I wasn’t sure if it affected your car insurance. The articles I read just confused me! (Easily done some would say)
Haha... no not at all, you are buying a package service, nothing to do with insurance, like alloy wheel cover, same principal.
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      07-07-2020, 04:49 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Funboy78 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tam the Bam View Post
When I looked at this I wasn't sure if it affected your car insurance. The articles I read just confused me! (Easily done some would say)
Haha... no not at all, you are buying a package service, nothing to do with insurance, like alloy wheel cover, same principal.
Hi there.

Personally I would avoid all of the extra packs - overpriced especially the gap.

I've had all the mentioned extra packs on a previous car. As a disclaimer I got them all FOC as dealer messed up my factory order. Having had them I would never pay for them.

GAP - dealer version is not the best version whatever the cost. Avoid. Vehicle replacement is the one to go for.

Return to invoice is ok and is essential if financing but if the cost of a new car goes up, then buying a new car of similar spec will cost you. Worse if you got a good discount. Replacement takes that into account.

Do your research. Specialist providers offer more options.

SMART - limited on what they will do. Anything more than a certain length of scratch or dent they won't touch. Also won't touch damage in certain places like near roof or across panels. I tried to use it 3 times. Was successful once.

Alloy wheel - same as above. I did manage to use this but the repair was rubbish. Again they limit on what you can claim for.

Both SMART and Alloy Wheel are done by 3rd parties, nothing to do with BMW. You'll find the same package cheaper direct.

Tyre insurance - I used this once. £10 excess. Wasn't too bad considering one tyre can be £180/£200. BUT you need to provide proof the tyre is beyond repair, was within a certain MM of tread left and can't use it for normal worn tyres. Also have to have a direct replacement - so you can't for example use it to get rid of the run flats I.e. you get a flat on a run flat and want to replace with a Pilot Sport 4S and then just buy 3 pilot sports and get 1 'free'. I tried!

Service plan - used to be good when it was 5yr plan. Now it's really overpriced. I worked out I might get two services. That's £450 per service for what would be £200/250 normally.

Also if they add of these packs to your PCP (if financing) then the cost is even worse because of interest.
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      07-08-2020, 01:15 AM   #12
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GAP insurance is the only thing out of that lot. Try DirectGap, they are always good on price.
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      07-08-2020, 10:30 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by del82 View Post
Hi there.

Personally I would avoid all of the extra packs - overpriced especially the gap.

I've had all the mentioned extra packs on a previous car. As a disclaimer I got them all FOC as dealer messed up my factory order. Having had them I would never pay for them.

GAP - dealer version is not the best version whatever the cost. Avoid. Vehicle replacement is the one to go for.

Return to invoice is ok and is essential if financing but if the cost of a new car goes up, then buying a new car of similar spec will cost you. Worse if you got a good discount. Replacement takes that into account.

Do your research. Specialist providers offer more options.

SMART - limited on what they will do. Anything more than a certain length of scratch or dent they won't touch. Also won't touch damage in certain places like near roof or across panels. I tried to use it 3 times. Was successful once.

Alloy wheel - same as above. I did manage to use this but the repair was rubbish. Again they limit on what you can claim for.

Both SMART and Alloy Wheel are done by 3rd parties, nothing to do with BMW. You'll find the same package cheaper direct.

Tyre insurance - I used this once. £10 excess. Wasn't too bad considering one tyre can be £180/£200. BUT you need to provide proof the tyre is beyond repair, was within a certain MM of tread left and can't use it for normal worn tyres. Also have to have a direct replacement - so you can't for example use it to get rid of the run flats I.e. you get a flat on a run flat and want to replace with a Pilot Sport 4S and then just buy 3 pilot sports and get 1 'free'. I tried!

Service plan - used to be good when it was 5yr plan. Now it's really overpriced. I worked out I might get two services. That's £450 per service for what would be £200/250 normally.

Also if they add of these packs to your PCP (if financing) then the cost is even worse because of interest.
Thanks for this! Very comprehensive and has covered everything I needed along with the other responses too.
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      07-08-2020, 10:31 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_330e View Post
GAP insurance is the only thing out of that lot. Try DirectGap, they are always good on price.
Already had a decent quote from them, 269 4 years so will explore this option. Thank you
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      07-08-2020, 10:44 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveLDN View Post
Already had a decent quote from them, 269 4 years so will explore this option. Thank you
That sounds good. Think 2 years on my Golf was £150.
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      07-08-2020, 11:50 AM   #16
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We’ve all had different experiences clearly. On a previous Audi I had alloy wheel cover, claimed, no issue at all and a great service!

My wife had a smart policy previously on a Kia Sportage, claimed twice. Dent in door and massive rock scrape on bumper, both covered and fixed. This was a few years ago but back then a good service..... can’t imagine much has changed since. The ONLY reason I didn’t take smart repair is as mentioned above, I don’t drive enough to warrant it imo.

As for gap, personally the biggest waste of money ever.
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      07-08-2020, 05:52 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tam the Bam View Post
On this point... with that mileage you will only get ONE service in the three years. So definitely not worth it.
The way I read the Service package page it seems to me that 36 months is only the payment term. The actual services that are included may fall outside the 36 months (as it specifically highlights the latter service (Major) as 48 months).

Question is, does the total expected cost of an Oil Service + Major Service + MOT exceed £900? I don't have a clue about the likely costs for the services.

The rest of the service items (7 x seasonal health checks) are likely little more than a visual inspection.
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      07-09-2020, 05:47 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Funboy78 View Post
We’ve all had different experiences clearly. On a previous Audi I had alloy wheel cover, claimed, no issue at all and a great service!



As for gap, personally the biggest waste of money ever.
Until your car gets stolen i guess...
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      07-09-2020, 06:57 AM   #19
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Until your car gets stolen i guess...
Makes no difference for me personally. And would depend if you buy brand new or not mainly, or deposit put down.

It only covers the short fall and even then be prepared to argue. So many stories online about bad experience. I always have a deposit so GAP would have been worthless on every car I’ve ever owned.
My RS5 was £72k, my PCP was for £58k, if it was stolen what would I get back, £58k, not £72k as the deposit doesn’t count. It’s the shortfall from what you owe vs remaining balance.
Personally I find its just an extra insurance to get money from you, but that’s fine with the right policy depending on a load of other factors as well.
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      07-09-2020, 07:52 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Funboy78 View Post
I always have a deposit so GAP would have been worthless on every car I’ve ever owned. My RS5 was £72k, my PCP was for £58k, if it was stolen what would I get back, £58k, not £72k as the deposit doesn’t count. It’s the shortfall from what you owe vs remaining balance. .
Thats plain GAP, not RTI GAP though.
RTI GAP would give you £72k.
And in 3 years, when that RS5 is worth £40k, a potential cheque for £72k that costs you £200 odd isn't bad.
I agree, normal GAP I wouldn't bother with.
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      07-09-2020, 12:35 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G21-M340i View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Funboy78 View Post
I always have a deposit so GAP would have been worthless on every car I've ever owned. My RS5 was £72k, my PCP was for £58k, if it was stolen what would I get back, £58k, not £72k as the deposit doesn't count. It's the shortfall from what you owe vs remaining balance. .
Thats plain GAP, not RTI GAP though.
RTI GAP would give you £72k.
And in 3 years, when that RS5 is worth £40k, a potential cheque for £72k that costs you £200 odd isn't bad.
I agree, normal GAP I wouldn't bother with.
This is spot on. You really need to understand the different types of GAP before buying it and what is right in your situation.

Vehicle replacement is also worth a look at because it will cover the cost of a new RS5 at the increased price it would be after 3 years so if your car is written off in year 3, it would give you the £72k but also cover the cost if say a new RS5 cost £75k.
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