Warranty question, to extend or not extend?

[Wshowell]

my 12/2015 S70 just clicked past 49K miles. It’s been reliable with the exception of 2 door handle replacements. Since I. Am about 30 days away from the warranty running out due to mileage, I need to make a decision to buy one of the ESA options or go without and save some $$.
My options are:
A. Do nothing and hope it stays reliable incurring any out of warranty charges. ( big ticket items like battery and drivetrain still Covered for many more years and infinite miles)
B. Spend the $2k+ for the 2 year ESA which should get me through 2021 as our annual Miles will be greatly reduced when we add a model 3 to our driveway.
C. Spend the $4500+ and extend out 4 years and another 50K.

Remember, with the ESA any warranty claim comes with a $200/deductible so I need to have some pretty pricey repairs in order for the ESA to be considered a “good buy”. If. Door handle costs $800 to repair, I have to,pay the first $200.

Currently, I’m leaning towards option A and risking paying out of pocket. I’m assuming I’ll have a few “minor” items like another handle repair. Anyone regret getting or NOT getting the ESA that has a 2015 build? Thanks all!

 

[Tam]

It's up to your risk tolerance.

I paid 4 years each for my 2012 Model S and 2017 Model X.

It's a known pre-paid cost that I am comfortable with as opposed to not paying it now but I won't know what I'll pay in future.

 

[Lasttoy]

I did not buy,
I have 118k miles, replaced one door mechanism.
I now have one spare mechanism for each door in case one gear fails.
I am the luckiest guy on here if you look ay all the complaints. Thank god.
I love this car, no complaints from me.

 

[Wshowell]

It's up to your risk tolerance.

I paid 4 years each for my 2012 Model S and 2017 Model X.

It's a known pre-paid cost that I am comfortable with as opposed to not paying it now but I won't know what I'll pay in future.

I own a few four plex apartments on N Locust...that should explain my risk tolerance.

 

[TaoJones]

I started getting messages from the first car at 63K miles that led me to believe there might be an issue with the second 12V battery. Logs were pulled but the SvC didn't review them. A week later, the MCU failed.

Get the ESA .

See if they'll commit in writing to transfer the unused portion if any toward your next Tesla when the time comes.

 

[Tam]

...that should explain my risk tolerance.

Just like what happens in insurance system or a casino, the house always win!

So why do people still buy insurance or go to casino?

For insurance, it's a peace of mind, and for casino, it might be entertaining.

Most of the times, most cars on freeway zoom by fine. There might be an accident once in a while but not majority of the time.

The same with your car, most would be fine, but some might need some repairs.

My 2012 Model S had the MCU (17" center screen) replaced at 75,000 miles which was worth $4,000.

At 87,500 miles, it had its heater replaced which was worth $4,500.

There are quite a few others who have reported failed MCU and heater-A/C too so mine is not the only one.

But note that Tesla refused to charge me $200 deductible each time because I brought mine in during a pre-paid scheduled maintenance each time.

If you can squeeze in your budget, I would say paying for a known pre-paid cost is acceptable.

If you can't, then take the comfort thought that bad things don't happens 100% of the time, just once in a while.

 

[sw4819284]

We got the ESA with our new S, delivered yesterday . It was a no-brainer. I've read so many stories about how expensive Teslas are to repair, and I want 8 years / 100K miles of care-free driving. They almost certainly will come out with better cars in those 8 years, but our car will still be awesome, and we want to drive it for a long time without worrying.

 

[Trailblazer]

I normally avoid extended warranties like the plague, but... I just passed 50,000 miles and pulled the trigger on the 4-year/50K ESA for my 2015 Model S. I plan on driving the car for another 50K miles, and I wanted the peace of mind.

 

[JohnnyG]

Count me in... I just hit 50k on my 2015, and bought the ESA. I'm in-between jobs at the moment, and as much as I didn't want to fork-out $4500 right now, I didn't want to chance being left without transportation if a major component failed.

I hate the idea of the $200 per visit, because I've had my fair share of visits where they said they couldn't reproduce, or it was 'within spec'. After a couple more visits, they finally are able to reproduce or agree that it's not normal, and fix it.

Oh, and yea, I don't ever buy extended warranties on anything. This is an exception...

 

[houstonian]

Mmy 12/2015 S70 just clicked past 49K miles.

JAN 2017 S75D-nee-S60D here and about to hit 50k (do ~35/40k per year) and facing the same question.

The only issue so far was a door handle issue and a trunk cinch replacement but otherwise been pleased with the car <knock on wood>

I am not planning on dropping $4k + $200 [ x ] n of repairs for the ESA as it'll only see me through another 2.5 years at best. My major concerns are the MCU (more on this in a second), door handles, speakers, and "small" items like window motors, windshield wiper motors, door locks, etc.

A week later, the MCU failed.

MCU failure concerns me as well.

Planning on upgrading to MCU 2.0 when (if?) Tesla announces the details and using the funds I otherwise would have applied to the ESA. Also, mulling over a Rese (sp?) sound system upgrade too, but not nearly as interested in that as a quicker MCU.

Anyways the takeaway point here is everyone always sights MCU failures as the raison d'être for picking up the $4k ESA. If the MCU DOES fail WITHIN the ESA period AND you pay the $200 co-pay for a remanufactured (1.0?) MCU then I guess you're coming out ahead. If not, you've lost the $4k - [whatever other repairs are covered under the ESA period]...and the MCU can still fail after the ESA expires!

Seems better to put $4k aside, use it to pick up a new MCU 2.0 if/when it comes out (or worst case use it to by a new MCU 1.0 whenever it's needed, not just within the time frame of the ESA) and pay for whatever other repairs crop up.

 

[chammerbeck]

Would love to hear about 3rd party extended warranties. I toyed with this idea a few months ago. Most won't even insure a Tesla. I found one, but don't remember which, that looked promising BUT I just don't trust them in general.....

 

[AmpedRealtor]

my 12/2015 S70 just clicked past 49K miles. It’s been reliable with the exception of 2 door handle replacements. Since I. Am about 30 days away from the warranty running out due to mileage, I need to make a decision to buy one of the ESA options or go without and save some $$.
My options are:
A. Do nothing and hope it stays reliable incurring any out of warranty charges. ( big ticket items like battery and drivetrain still Covered for many more years and infinite miles)
B. Spend the $2k+ for the 2 year ESA which should get me through 2021 as our annual Miles will be greatly reduced when we add a model 3 to our driveway.
C. Spend the $4500+ and extend out 4 years and another 50K.

Remember, with the ESA any warranty claim comes with a $200/deductible so I need to have some pretty pricey repairs in order for the ESA to be considered a “good buy”. If. Door handle costs $800 to repair, I have to,pay the first $200.

Currently, I’m leaning towards option A and risking paying out of pocket. I’m assuming I’ll have a few “minor” items like another handle repair. Anyone regret getting or NOT getting the ESA that has a 2015 build? Thanks all!

In my case the ESA has proven valuable. Work done under ESA:

• Rear hatch strut replaced due to noise
• Radiator fans replaced due to noise (crap quality, now squeaking again)
• Rear half shafts replaced due to vibration
• Four air struts replaced due to vibration
• Rear tail light replaced due to insect intrusion

I paid $2,500 for my ESA back in 2013.

 

[RAM_Eh]

I did not buy and had my S until recently. Sold it at 107,000 miles 172,000 km and only had $500.00 in repairs after the warrantee expired.
- one door handle repair
- one small part in rear drive line


I believe I would by a used S out of warrantee in a heartbeat if I was in the market.