OT BG Lifetime Warranty OT

[Captain Neon]

To be more like my friend Bob Toft , the wife is in the process of buying a 2009 PT Cruiser w/ 41K mi. The dealer informed us that the Chrysler certified vehicle we are planning to purchase also includes the BG Lifetime Warranty that requires that planned maintenace be performed at a BG-approved shop. I am balking at the requirement that some one else changes my oil, etc., when I can do it my self and pour the magic juice in myself.

Does any one have any experience with this warranty? I'm quite tempted to continue to use the BG additives, but change my own oil at 2K as I have done w/ all my vehicles. Were this a brand new vehicle and they were trying to sell me this coverage, I'd tell them to take a flying leap, but the coverage is already provided and there are 41K (14.5K as a rental) driven by and maintained by some one else.

Any suggestions on how long I should I have the dealership do their scheduled service (if at all)? If I knew the extra premium on the service, I might have a better idea if it is worth the expense, any one else currently making use of BG Lifetime Services that can compare the prices? I know how much it costs me to change oil and I know how much the additives are.

[JerseyHarold]

The warranty sounds like a new-style gimmick to lock you into dealer service. Since when does buying a vehicle include relinquishing your right to service it yourself?

I'd read the fine print on the warranty and then ask whether the seller can state in writing that whatever additives they use are approved by Chrysler.

[greg g]

what is BG?? don;t see any thing here about requiring dealer service unless you opt for warrantee coverage above the basic offered with certified vehicles. I think the dealer is trying to get you to buy (yes the certification costs you) additional stuff certified by the dealership independent of the Chrysler program. Your piece of mind is another piece of the pie for the dealer. Tell him you want to renogotiate the deal without going through their approved finance folks and without the certification.

Thr program is administrated by Cross Country Motors club you might want to search for complaints or reviews of their warantee programs.

With that information in hand you can make a better decision.

call the number

http://www.certifiedpreowned.chrysler.com/

http://pa.motorwebs.com/certified/chrysler/default.html

Manufacturer vs. Third Party

Typically, manufacturers allow vehicles that are 5 years old or newer with 60,000 miles or less to be certified if they pass inspection. (The number of inspection points can range from 115 for Ford to 300 for Audi. Porsche sells certified pre-owneds up to 6 years old and 100,000 miles. Ford cuts off sales at 4 years and 50,000 miles. Kelley Blue Book has an overview of all the manufacturer's programs. Double check the info, though, because I found an error in the Porsche listing.

There are also third party certified pre-owned programs. Take caution. These are not associated with manufacturers. They are extended warranties that you pay extra for. When something goes wrong (and notice I didn't say "if"), your car may or may not be covered. These are a real crapshoot because there's always the risk the company backing the warranty could fold its tents and steal away into the night. The risk of that happening with a manufacturer is minimal.

Don't Be Fooled by Certified

No matter what it says on the outside, always get a used car inspected before purchase. The sales rep is going to claim it's a cream puff. "There's nothing to worry about," he'll say. "I can't hold the car because somebody else wants it. Don't you trust me?" All a sales rep wants to do is close the deal. Walk away. You'll be glad you did.

Edited October 10, 2010 by greg g

[Don Coatney]

When I bought the used Caddy for my wife the salesman told me synthetic oil is required and I must return the car to the dealership for all oil changes. I asked him to explain why and he could not do so.

I also told him that if he placed a dealership topper on the lisence plate that I would send him a monthly bill for advertisment fees.

With all the questions I ask this salesman Lisa later told me I about had him in tears as I dont sugar coat the questions.

As many on this forum know being blunt (in a business deal or otherwise) is a charactor defect I have but I have no plans to change this defect as I dont view it as a defect. I think it is better to state the honest facts. I prefer that others do the same with me.

[Captain Neon]

BG is an additives company based in Kansas. The previous owner purchased their lifetime warranty coverage and met the maintenance requirements for the year he had the vehicle. The lifetime warranty is transferable as long the next owner continues to bring the vehicle to a BG-certified shop for its scheduled maintenance.

Were this a brand-new vehicle, I would not purchase this sort of coverage myself, as I have not had any issues with my '97 Neon that such a warranty would cover. However, as this is a used vehicle, that no longer has a factory warranty, I want a little protection in case some thing goes wrong. Unless one actually tears in to the engine and tranny, one can not tell what kind of problems are lurking.

[Oldguy48]

Chrysler has been doing this for a long time. I purchased a brand new 1988 Dodge Caravan, and they were pushing the BG additive back then. I'm not convinced that the additive was of any benefit. But it seemed like a good idea at the time.

[greg g]

The saleman told you you had to come into the shop for your oil changes because his sales manager, F and I guy, and service manager told him to tell you that. They told him that because they know that once they get you into the service bay, they can use scare tactics to sell you unneeded services or parts. (Especially if your are female) They want to do that because it increases the dealership profits and puts money into the Service managers bonus, and the service writers bonus, and packs the tech's time sheet with book flat rate time which makes everybody happy but you. Ask the dealership if they have any hard information on the benefits of the BG items when installed in Chrysler products. And if they are required by

Chrysler. So the additive guy sold his concept to the !st owner making money for nothing, and how they want to resell the concept to you.

I guess I am just genetically opposed to this kind of stuff. Sir your savig a lot of money on that computer but you need to buy the Geek Squad start up program the so and so antivirus hocus pocus, the extended warrantee, and for and extra 50 dollars we will waive the fee to collect the fee charge, and cover youfirst deductable charge. And please accept these coupons for a triple vente caffine bomb from Starwads.

Want my loyalty, sell me a quality product for a reasonable price, don;t treat me like a ool when questions are asked, and chare me reasonably for parts or repairs if and when they are needed. Not a bunch of paper before I take the product out of the store box etc.

[Captain Neon]

I guess maybe a better question might be, after buying a used car, how long until you finally breathe a sigh of relief? One year? Two? More?

As I mentioned before, the car comes with the warranty. I am not paying to transfer it. Were that the case, I would not get it, and would never buy such a thing for a new car as I know that I will change oil every 2K w/ a premium filter and premium oil.

[randroid]

Ben,

A personal friend, an attorney who also owned a car dealership, once told me that on a new car you can do all the maintenance yourself and still have a valid factory warranty as long as you kept exact records of everything. This was for a new car with a factory warranty and it was in the State of Oregon, but MO might have a similar law for used cars so it could be worth looking into. You'd still need to buy the BG warranty, the money from which is split between the dealership and the salesman, but if you had receipts for the products you might have a leg to stand on.

I personally look at that sort of warranty as I look at health insurance policies, which is to assume they will find a 'pre-existing' reason for whatever malady might befall you or the car that would nullify any obligation on their part.

Good luck!

-Randy

[greg g]

What do you do with your hardly used oil??? I would put about 5k more on it with no qualms at all.

From the BG website;

BG RF-7

BG RF-7 is a specially developed formula for engine oil which helps increase engine compression and power by increasing the viscosity of the oil. It also helps seal rings to increase compression and reduce blow-by. BG RF-7 contains additives which keep the engine oil from oxidizing or thickening, and it protects internal parts from corrosive damage. It will help reduce oil consumption and exhaust smoke and will reduce lifter and valve noise. BG RF-7 is compatible with both synthetic and petroleum-base oils.

Part No. 107

I wounder how it increases viscosity (resistance to flow) and keeps it from thickening (resisting flow) at the some time???? and how does thicker oil increase compression??

my skeptability alarm is going off.

[BobT-47P15]

Ben, thanks for the kind word........

Mary Ann's P T is a 2001 model which now has about 105,000 mi on

it. When we bought it, used, we decided to spend the extra $1200 or so

for the extended warranty. Normally we don't buy those things....but

it's HER car, etc. It didn't require any specific service such as you

are describing. But they did say something about regular servicing,

and so forth.

Well, something came up as a problem (now I can't recall

just what) in the drive line. We decided it warranted use of the Warranty.

Before they would pay for the work, the Warranty Co required us to take

the car to an ASE certified shop to be inspected and testify that it seemed

in good condition and had been properly maintained.

The car passed the inspection OK, and they did pay for the needed

work. That was the only time we used the warranty. When it came

time to renew that warranty, we said "no thanks" and let it drop.

What is the factory warranty on that model P T, Ben.

I thought some of the later ones have 100,000 mile ones.

My 06 Caravan only came with 3 yr/36K.

I didn't buy the extended for it as I figure the main thing that

might go wrong is the transmission......at least they used to be

a weak point on previous models, like the 94 one we had.

Repair or rebuild of a transmission is probably a bit more than

cost of the warranty, so I figure I'll take my chances.

So, if you take the deal, take the car in for the oil change, and

they find another unrelated problem, are you obligated to have

the dealer fix that too?

Personally, I got tired of changing my oil, so I go to a certain quick

lube near where we live. Have even taken the ol Plymouth to one.

I don't know how much more the dealer or designated shop

would charge for this brand of oil change, with additive.

So, it's free with the car......how much will it cost you in oil changes

over time,

how much driving will the p t get, how long do you plan to keep it?

If the cost isn't too bad, and possible benefits are good, it might be

worth it. Repairs are pretty expensive nowadays.

(Save yourself some time and oily hands.)