AA To The Rescue - Air Suspension and Crank Pulley Damper

[zaw]

I was with the RAC for abour 10 years, but since purchasing the X5 two years ago I decided to purchase AA with Breakdown Repair Cover (BRC), i think it may have been about £170 with a deal off topcashback. It states 5 claims of upto £500 in event of breakdown. I had also purchased later an additional £10 offer , replacement hire vehicle in case of breakdown.

Anyway about 8 days I had air susp bag failure on OSR large leak, and 'SUSP INACT' message you could here it hissing. Since vehicle is unsafe to drive and technically a breakdown I called out the AA,  vehicle was towed to Garage of my choice which was Bosch service centre.

I did not realize how expensive the airbag was some £294 in VAT from BMW, i think it came to close to £440 approx including fitting, which AA approved , pretty much straight away. I also got the hire car through AA for 3 days while bag was ordered and fitted.

I was a happy bunny as u can imagine, anyway as I drove the car out of the garage everything seemed ok. However further along I noticed something appeared wrong there was a screeching noise  and opened bonnet and smell like burning near the front.

Second AA callout and was advised that vehicle would need to go back to garage as aircon pulley had come off and there could be pulley damage

At garage a secondary issue was diagnosed  crank pulley damper was shot. So another another claim was made to the AA for the pulley damper and associated belts. That work came to about £480 that was approved as well.

I only had to pay £35 x 2 for the claims which amounted to around £900 pounds so the cover is well worth it. It did help it was a reputable garage.

[RoShamBo]

Sounds great value for money ! Is there any limit to the car your covering for the BRC ? Mileage, age, etc ?

Ro.

[Raj]

That's good news.

I tried to get this and they wouldn't cover me as the engine size was too big LOL

[zaw]

Hello.

That is odd Raj as they pay max of £500 per claim so not sure why they would refuse on Engine Size, can appreciate age of car and mileage being factors.

RAC have introduced a cover Garage Parts and Labour to compete with AA 750 per claim no excess and up to 5 claims but not sure how well they pay out as only been in existence a year.

If you join topcashback website and click on link to RAC or AA you can get a good 30-40% off ie cashback.

I am sure my renewal will be high so may choose RAC and try it out or let policy elapse and generate new quote. They do expect you to keep your car serviced.

However its worth a punt if its cheap enough.
Also you can run through their website for quote, yes the mileage does increase the cost but for me its like a mini warranty.
hope that helps

[zaw]

Also my cars not new its late 12/2003 facelift 3.0d with about 100,000 miles on it when I applied

[mark hamster 28]

I had it on my range rover sport. Phoned to join AA and they talked me into it. Months later EGR valve playing up £400. AA paid out straight away and then the other side went and same again.! I paid DD and i think they only took about £45 off me at the time and had paid out over £700. Also i paid landrover £120 to diagnose fault and when i rang AA to ask them if i was covered, they said they have to send out AA man first which they did and he told me a good tip.! Let them (the AA) diagnose fault.!! cost £0. Saying that, when my BMW warranty runs out in May, i don't no if to pay and keep it going as i have been really happy with this also or go with AA again ??    O:-)