Rust, paint, fabric, tint- $600. worth it?

[en13]

hi all

have 3 questions.
Do you think it's worth it to get electronic rust protection, paint protection and fabric protection for a new car?

Is it worth it at all? (regardless of whether car is new)

And... I've got an offer for all of the above plus tint (lifetime warranty) for $600. Do you think it's a good deal?

Input from guys who have done those protection thingamagigs will be great.. I don't know if it's just a waste of money.. am considering just going for the tint but my friend said that $600 is a great price for the whole works...

[SteelHand]

Where did you get that offer from???? - not a dealer surely?

[The_Hawk]

A good tint job can be up to $600 in itself (or as little as $200 if you shop around). With an average price of say $400, your "protection" thingy's aren't too expensive anyway now are they?

Do any of the protections come with any sort of warranty? I know when we got our lounge the protection system (read spray of some sort) also came with a cover that said if we rip it they will fix it.

As for these particular ones, you will have to wait for a Mk5 driver to chime in.

[Jester_Fu]

Rust protection on a Mk5? Seriously, it's illegal in NSW for them to even suggest such a thing. The car has a fully galvenised body with a 15 year factory rust gaurantee. Don't bother, as the rust protection is a lie. They can't do anything more than the factory has done without actually negating your 15 year factory warranty.

Paint protection, IMO, is snake oil. The best protection for your paint is a good policy of polishing and regular washing. Paint protection is utter BS.

Fabric protection is worth the money, IMO. You're likely to pay around $400 for that alone, so the $600 for tint and fabric protection is a good deal. Throwing in the snake oil for free means at least it's not a rip-off. I got leather protection on my R and if nothing else it's like buying a lifetime insurance policy for your upholstery. If you're getting leather, then it's well worth the money as leather can be an absolute bitch to maintain in aussie sun... so having someone warrant against you needing to leather feed etc. is brilliant. Cloth fabric it's still worth it as it protects you against stains.

So, summary: I think you're being fed 50% BS and 50% good value. I'd do it anyway, but make them admit that there's no rust protection to be applied and perhaps make them throw in headlight protectors as compensation

[TDI Dude]

Rust protection on a Mk5? Seriously, it's illegal in NSW for them to even suggest such a thing. The car has a fully galvenised body with a 15 year factory rust gaurantee. Don't bother, as the rust protection is a lie. They can't do anything more than the factory has done without actually negating your 15 year factory warranty.

Paint protection, IMO, is snake oil. The best protection for your paint is a good policy of polishing and regular washing. Paint protection is utter BS.

Fabric protection is worth the money, IMO. You're likely to pay around $400 for that alone, so the $600 for tint and fabric protection is a good deal. Throwing in the snake oil for free means at least it's not a rip-off. I got leather protection on my R and if nothing else it's like buying a lifetime insurance policy for your upholstery. If you're getting leather, then it's well worth the money as leather can be an absolute bitch to maintain in aussie sun... so having someone warrant against you needing to leather feed etc. is brilliant. Cloth fabric it's still worth it as it protects you against stains.

So, summary: I think you're being fed 50% BS and 50% good value. I'd do it anyway, but make them admit that there's no rust protection to be applied and perhaps make them throw in headlight protectors as compensation

Wot he said!!!! Ditto

[STV4SYT]

When i got offered it my response was "So you are telling me this new car i have just bought has got inferior paint on it that i need to pay an additional fee to protect it?"

soon shuts them up.

i didnt do any of it, IMO its cheaper to pay to get the car a real good professional detail every few months.

as for tints, im probably gonna get mine done at some stage, the GT is fairly dark already but preference will be to get the Satnav system if they tutn out to be any good. its killing me not having my USB stereo and i refuse to conform and buy an ipod.

[vinderliker]

You can by Scotch Guard from the supermarket or fabric places and do the interior protection yourself. Paint protection I agree, not worth it, much better to wash and polish yourself.

[en13]

wow! thanks for the input everyone. now i'm better armed with what i'm getting into.

from the sounds of it rust isn't necessary- maybe i will ask them to lower the price or something.

and no, this isn't from the dealer- apparently they cost about twice or even triple as much... this is my friend who was a dealer and knows the insides of the industry and somehow got this tint guy.. don't even know where it is! but it's a cash job.... i think they are very professional- probably what dealers use and then they just do side jobs to add to their income.

yeah, i don't get to wash my car much, too lazy but given this is new baby, it might change my mind on some things

i'll see how much a tint job is and if it's much cheaper standalone, i'll go for it and do the fabric myself.
although The_Hawk made a good point about warranty...

[jb747]

It is all snake oil, and about as effective. Not far from outright theft....

Perhaps any dealer who mentions it should be relegated to those you don't want to deal with.

[en13]

hmmm... i read somewhere (internet) that paint protection helps with removing static from cars..

do you think that's right- and therefore worth pursuing?

[jb747]

Paint protection is a total, complete, and utter waste of money. Static...the car is earthed anyway, so why would static be an issue? And, there's still no way that paint protection is going to make a difference.

Just keep your car clean and waxed.

[ozgriff]

I think the tint is worth it, esp. in Australia with the harsh sun. Rest of the deal is snake oil, if my paint or interior went bad... I'd get it on warranty, if it was my fault, a 'protection' probably wouldn't have stopped it anyway.

So $600 for a cash in hand tint job is excessive, and if you're not getting a written warranty for any of the work, don't put a cent down.

Like someone said, $300-$400 for a proper tint is what you will pay at an established shop.