Just received a letter from my dealer about my newly order MINI.

Several warranty items:

Extended Warranty
Pass Key (Guaranteed key replacement)
Xzilon (molecular adhesion - interior and exterior)
Tire and Wheel Protection

I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the latter three?

I know key and tire replacement can be expensive, so maybe they are worth while, unless you never lose/break your keys or have a flat.

If I'm the lazy type does having the Xzilon save me a detailing or two?

I tried searching for these subject, but can't find much info.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you may have.

Craig

 

I'll answer the Xzilon question. I know this one is a little controversial, so I can only say what applies to me.

First off.. I'm betting that the price of application is a little shocking....
Just so you know, the same product can be purchased under a little different name at http://www.southseasparts.com/pilot_supplies.html
I bought a bottle from them 2 years ago. They sell a 16oz bottle for a lot of money, but to tell you the truth it is worth the $$
Yes this will save you detailing time.
Yes it is very very easy to apply with just a couple warnings.
1. Make sure you clay and polish with a non silicone polish. Then apply.
2. Do not apply in the sun, and make sure any streaking is wiped off.

I love to detail cars and do it for fun and more than occasionally for money. I am also extremely busy, so if I don't have to detail my wife's RX330, I'm a happy guy. I bought this stuff because a detailing buddy sent me a sample to put on the hood of my truck. I did it in the fall and watched water bead all winter and into the summer. I was so impressed that I bought a full bottle that summer. At the time I had a black GS300 and had to polish it every 3 months or so to keep it mirror black. I applied this stuff and my buffer didn't touch that car for 18 months.
I put it on my Dark Gray Mini in the spring of 2007 and the car is still beading water today.
One caveat. You can polish this stuff off. So if you like to detail and you do use this, you can polish it off without too much effort.
Also, that 16 oz bottle that I have has put two coats on all three of my vehicles along with one of my dads cars and I still have just a touch less than half a can left.
Yes it's expensive.
Yes I'd buy it again.
Yes My screen name is Chpsk8... that should say enough about "does it work".

... if you are local to me I'd put a coat on for free just to prove it!

 

I did not get the offers you mentioned, not in the mail anyway...wish I had. We did add the Tire & Wheel Warranty for $350 it covers wheels and tires for 75,000mi. We drive in an Industrial Area to get me to work, so it was well worth it.

 

Wheel & Tire... may be worth it depending on your local conditions and luck... and whether you plan to keep or ditch the runflats...

Keys.... just don't lose your keys...

Paint protection.... I paid for something like that once..... never again. Prima Epic lasts 6 months, is easy and painless to apply and costs $20 for enough to last at least 5 years...

 

$350 is not bad for tire & wheel. My dealer wanted $599 so I went without. Luck of the draw.

 

To be honest I'm not much of an extended warranty person. I was leaning towards the Xzilon as I'll be picking the MINI in November supposedly and I don't figure I'll have much time to properly detail her with Winter showing up 1 day after I pick it up. I live in Binghamton, NY so not the worst winters in the world, but not the best either. They spec'd $399 which ain't cheap, but I want to protect my new toy. That price includes interior and exterior.

Tires, I just don't know. I haven't lived with runflats so I can't say yet if I will want to ditch them and get a can of that "fill up the flat so I can drive it a bit and make it all foamy inside" stuff. Non runflats sure seem to be a bit cheaper and sound like they are easier on the old butt... That spec's to $399 for 5 years.

Keys, I don't plan on losing them, however life does sometimes get in the way! I understand they are mighty expensive, and I may be wrong but you only get 1 key with the Convenience Pkg? This is $239 for 5 years.

Thanks, I appreciate the thoughts. Hopefully others will too.

Craig