Service Plans

[AllanB]

I see in the States with your new bike purchase you can buy a service plan. Appears to cover all servicing during the period of cover. I know the same applies in England and Europe to many vehicles.

Some plans appear to still cost you but 'cap' the maximum you have to pay (I read today on a VW forum of a max customer contribution of $300, regardless of the actual chargeable cost).

You buy the 'plan' with your new vehicle - presumably you work out it is in your favor first.

I've not seen it in NZ for bikes or cars (may exist for vehicles). I do know the local Suzuki car dealer has free everything for over 60's purchasing a new Suzuki. Includes WOF, tyres, servicing etc. They will bank on that age group not doing many kms per year.

Having purchased a new ride recently I wonder what price the 'plan' would need to be to assist me. I don't average huge kms per year (5000 or so, more within the first year usually ) so it would possibly be of little use to me - but the km chasers (Hitcher..) could benefit.

I presume the plans offshore are backed by the factory or a secondary company. Volume will make it attractive, as such possibly not applicable to NZ.


So - goodies in NZ from the makers? When I purchased a new Honda (8 years back) the labor on the first service was free (this was a nice touch much appreciated).

Ducati offer frequent extras on selected models - it may be a set of pipes, super low interest, discount off rrp or $x worth of accessories.

Suzuki used to be good on 'free' Yoshimura pipes and there is always the annual Summer Fest to fuck off anyone who purchased 6 months earlier ....

Don't know about the others but a mate just got $8k off the original rrp on a new BMW.


The question is - what would tempt you (apart from a $5 rebate and a packet of chips of course) to purchase new in the way of 'goodness' beyond the awesomeness of the bike you desire (given most new bikes are awesomeness and you have a great choice).

[AllanB]

Is it wrong to replay to your own post?


I'd like a set charge menu. Services are basically A or B - A being your basic oil/filter, plug in to check for computer updates and general check over. B being valve check as well.

Could add a C - brake fluids, fork fluid and the like.

Set price so you know what it costs up front. Say a basic A service is set at $300. May be actual chargeable cost of $250, or it may run up to $350 on the day but $300 what you'll pay.

I'd be happy with that. Anything outside the standard is a phone call to the customer to approve of course (ah mate your chain and sprockets are shot...)

[Ender EnZed]

I vaguely recall seeing some Mitsubishi ads a few years ago for a service plan with new vehicles.

[Motu]

5 years, extendable to 10, you pay for all servicing, and have to do it by the book to get a warranty. I don't see a problem with that....but then, I do work for them.

[Gremlin]

I'd like extended warranties for a start. I tried with the BMW (while still inside the factory 2 year) but essentially it was only 3rd party insurance type arrangements. You can buy somewhere around 7 year warranties for BMWs for example in USA.

The only issue I have with set menus is even the factory gets it wrong. Oil change for shaft drive for example prior to my year was considered unnecessary, and for life. Factory recommended for mine was 40k, I didn't like that either, and was doing it every 20k, or if I'd been doing water crossings during a 10k interval I had it replaced at the next interval (cheap insurance). Now BMW is changed it's tune again, and says every 20k.

As per my name, I have a knack for turning pretty much anything into consumables (including brake discs), so yes, I'd take a service plan like a leech finding a human

[caspernz]

Service plans typically would work on a cents per kilometre basis, with a time elapsed interval to back it up. Still won't cover stuff other than normal consumables, or if it does, I'd guarantee you're paying thru the nose for it. In the transport industry, service plans are very common, more about budgeting than anything else really.

On a bike, personally, I'll just do what needs doing as it comes up. In simple terms if you can't afford to maintain the bike, can you actually afford it? Service plans on two wheels seems more like a sales pitch to move bikes...

[AllanB]

On a bike, personally, I'll just do what needs doing as it comes up. In simple terms if you can't afford to maintain the bike, can you actually afford it? Service plans on two wheels seems more like a sales pitch to move bikes...

And moving bikes would be a good thing. So potentially something for consideration by the big dealers. However there have also been plenty of KB comments on $ being made in workshops and parts not bikes.

[nzspokes]

You can find most workshop manuals online. Tools can be bought anywhere.

The rest is easy.

[jasonu]

All insurance is a risk. If you buy a policy, your bike takes a big shit and they pay for it, you win. Never make a claim, they win.
If you are willing, buy a workshop manual and some tools and do all the work you are capable of doing yourself. Some people who have too much money or just don't want to get their hands dirty will buy these policies no matter what the cost.
Insurance companies are not in the business of selling policies that everyone makes huge gains from.

[Madness]

I vaguely recall seeing some Mitsubishi ads a few years ago for a service plan with new vehicles.

The Mitsi extended warranty is limited to fairly modest mileage. Probably alright for Nana going to the supermarket once a week but fairly useless if you're averaging more than 50,000km/year. I just started using Oil Changers for my servicing on the work ute as I've blown the extended warranty with "high mileage" and I'm $aving $hitloads compared to a Mitsi dealer $ervice.

[Gremlin]

Actually, one thing I've come across. For bikes, more often than not you must have it serviced by an authorised dealer for warranty to stand.

My dad's work ute is on a lease and not even a year old. Lease company stipulates they want an MTA member... that's it.

[AllanB]

You can find most workshop manuals online. Tools can be bought anywhere.

The rest is easy.

Talking of new purchases here - not aftermarket second player warranties.