Should we purchase warranty upgrade on CPO 2014 Audi Q5

jennykert

Several months ago we purchased a CPO 2014 Audi Q5. The original manufacturers warranty extends to August 28, 2017. After that the certified preowned warranty kicks in for two years taking us through August 2019. The CPO warranty looks similar to the manufactures original warranty with the exception of coverage for stereo system and the computer.

We have an option to purchase an upgraded extended warranty from the dealer. This upgrade is $3000 and would cover us until August 2021 or 100,000 miles whichever comes first. Right now the car has 42,000 miles so I don't believe the warranty would last till 2021 I think we would hit 100,000 miles before that. We most likely will be keeping the car for awhile.

We havent owned a luxury vehicle before and we aren't sure if we should pay for the upgrade, or just go with the 2 year CPO warranty that came with the car.

Thanks!

kyfdx

jennykert said:

Several months ago we purchased a CPO 2014 Audi Q5. The original manufacturers warranty extends to August 28, 2017. After that the certified preowned warranty kicks in for two years taking us through August 2019. The CPO warranty looks similar to the manufactures original warranty with the exception of coverage for stereo system and the computer.

We have an option to purchase an upgraded extended warranty from the dealer. This upgrade is $3000 and would cover us until August 2021 or 100,000 miles whichever comes first. Right now the car has 42,000 miles so I don't believe the warranty would last till 2021 I think we would hit 100,000 miles before that. We most likely will be keeping the car for awhile.

We havent owned a luxury vehicle before and we aren't sure if we should pay for the upgrade, or just go with the 2 year CPO warranty that came with the car.

Thanks!

If you don't think you'd get two full extra years out of the warranty, then it starts to look pretty expensive. You have two years to drive the car, and see how problematic it might be. If it looks bad, you can ditch it. And, still have that $3000 in your pocket.

jennykert

Thanks for the comment. Unfortunately, the dealer is telling us we have to purchase it by August 28, 2017. Maybe I'll give Audi another call about this (not dealership) The dealer keeps saying this is an "Audi" warranty upgrade--but when I called Audi, they didn't seem aware of any such upgrade....

If we had 2 years to decide, then we are golden....

kyfdx

It might be true that you can't purchase it later. In most cases, you can buy extended warranties any time before the base factory warranty expires. The dealer is trying to sell you a high profit item. Take what they say with a grain of salt.

But, you can learn a lot in two years:

1) Does it seem like every time you have a problem, it isn't covered by the CPO warranty?
2) Does the car have so many problems, that even with a warranty, you wish you hadn't bought it.
3) You discover you'll hit the mileage limit sometime in 2020.

If any of those occur, you'll be happy that you didn't pay $3000 for that warranty. You may find that maintenance costs alone will cause you to sell the car earlier.

Mr_Shiftright

What's your prior purchase history like? Are you likely to keep this car past 100K miles?

kyfdx

Key statement: "We havent owned a luxury vehicle before"

I would worry about sticker shock from European dealer car maintenance

jennykert

Thanks for all you help. We usually keep cars for a long time. However, I am inclined NOT to get the upgraded warranty--see how the next few years pan out...Once out of warranty--is it harder to find mechanics (non-dealership) that know how to work on Audi's?

Thanks

kyfdx

jennykert said:

Thanks for all you help. We usually keep cars for a long time. However, I am inclined NOT to get the upgraded warranty--see how the next few years pan out...Once out of warranty--is it harder to find mechanics (non-dealership) that know how to work on Audi's?

Thanks

Depends on where you live. There is an excellent VW/Audi specialist in my area. I'd guess most metropolitan areas have one.