[tman]

In the mail yesterday, I received an "invitation" to join AAA for $59 p/y plus no "new member enrollment fee ($15) also". I'm sure this is related to the fact that I just picked up my "used 06 330i" in August. It seems like a good deal at $59.

Should I go with it or is it a waste of money? Can someone tell me how good/bad it was when they had to use their services.

[MainlineE90man]

you have BMW ASSIST available to you.... use that.... much better than AAA

[KL2DC]

I have AAA but I also have another car to cover. Its true we have BMW roadside assistance, but AAA will also cover you when you are out and about in rental cars. I haven't called on them for roadside assistance yet so I can't comment but I have used the discount benefits quite a few time.

[nmulax]

I've always had AAA service. To me it just goes hand-in-hand with owning a car. I never had any real issues with them... sure I would have appreciated it if they arrived in a more timely fashion, but I think this is just me being impatient while sitting on the side of the road.
My one real gripe; the towing. They only provide towing for a set distance. Anything over that comes out of your pocket... and the tow company wants payment right then and there.

BMW Assist is pricier then AAA, and I believe they actually use AAA's service in terms of assisting you with a roadside emergency. However, I'm going to heavily consider sticking with that after the free subscription runs out for two reasons.
1. I like the Concierge service you can only get with BMW Assist
2. No matter where you are, BMW Assist will pay to tow you to the nearest BMW dealership.

for $60 a year, why not get both.

[RichP]

If you do any travelling, and perhaps drive other cars on occasion, its worth it over BMW roadside assist. Also, alot of hotels, airlines, and even car washes give a AAA discount; it can quickly cover the expense of ownership.

[darkcloud]

Originally Posted by nmulax

My one real gripe; the towing. They only provide towing for a set distance. Anything over that comes out of your pocket... and the tow company wants payment right then and there.

True with just the basic service. If you bump the membership up to the next tier for a couple $$ more a year then you get towed anywhere, pretty much any distance for no extra cost.

Another benefit I haven't seen mentioned is that you can use your membership in any car. Friends, family, rental, work, etc. The car does not have to be listed in your name. You just have to be there when the tow truck shows up. You could even have your car there and be helping your friend out with the membership. AAA is more than worth the cost, and the discounts are the bomb.

[skitsvilli]

Go with Merit Home & Auto,they are much better than AAA. Everything is unlimited and the huge selling point is that it covers you and not the vehicle. So regardless of what car you are in you can always get service(even a friends). Also, they reimburse your insurance deductible up to 500.00. Did you want the 800 #?

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by MainlineE90man

you have BMW ASSIST available to you.... use that.... much better than AAA

BMW Assist is a telematics unit/service, has nothing to do with AAA-like service.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by tman

In the mail yesterday, I received an "invitation" to join AAA for $59 p/y plus no "new member enrollment fee ($15) also". I'm sure this is related to the fact that I just picked up my "used 06 330i" in August. It seems like a good deal at $59.

Should I go with it or is it a waste of money? Can someone tell me how good/bad it was when they had to use their services.

I´m confused. Why would you need the AAA or a service like that with a new BMW? You get Roadside Assistance during your warranty period. That provides more services than AAA when it comes to breakdowns.

[JackMac]

Isn't AAA the roadside assistance provider now for BMW NA within the US?

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

I have AAA but I also have another car to cover. Its true we have BMW roadside assistance, but AAA will also cover you when you are out and about in rental cars. I haven't called on them for roadside assistance yet so I can't comment but I have used the discount benefits quite a few time.

Don't most rental companies have their own roadside assist? I'm pretty sure they do.

[ward]

Jspira's on the money

AAA is stupid to buy as you already have better coverage by BMW for as long as your car is under warranty

[aphall]

I've got AAA, but then again, I don't drive only BMWs. It helps when my other car breaks down, or when my gf or friend's cars break down. I insure my cars through them too. Couldn't be happier with their services.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by JSpira

I´m confused. Why would you need the AAA or a service like that with a new BMW? You get Roadside Assistance during your warranty period. That provides more services than AAA when it comes to breakdowns.

Someone posted here recently that BMW Assist will only tow you to a stealership, for example if you have a run-flat go south. True? If so, that's bogus and AAA would be a better option as they'll tow you anywhere, including friendly local tire shop or just plain home. If the stealership has no rear run-flat and won't for weeks, I'm sure as heck not "storing" my car there in the interim.

I carry AAA "Plus" coverage, which gives me up to 150 miles of towing (with a 20 yr old Scirocco, this is pretty much mandatory), and as others pointed out, you can use it with anyone else's car - just be there when the truck shows. I get WAY more than my membership's cost out of it every year, plus discounts at hotels and stuff.

[ward]

assist has ZERO NOTHING ZILCH to do with roadside assist


for the 3rd time so far in this thread

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by ward

assist has ZERO NOTHING ZILCH to do with roadside assist

for the 3rd time so far in this thread

[tman]

I was mainly looking into filling in the gaps that the BMW Roadside Assistance might not provide. I found out yesterday that the "Plus" membership is $96 per year. :| I'm still debating whether or not I will get it. It does have a lot other fringe benefits though.

[Kyoshi71]

Now if the question was, "AA or not AA" instead (Alcoholics Anonymous)? I might have to put some thought into it!!

[JSpira]

I´m in London right now so I cannot do this, but would someone either look in the Service and Warranty book or press the SOS button in the car and enquire what the limitations are in where and how far RA will tow.

[Pedal2Floor]

Originally Posted by JSpira

I´m in London right now so I cannot do this, but would someone either look in the Service and Warranty book or press the SOS button in the car and enquire what the limitations are in where and how far RA will tow.

JSpira,

This if from the BMW NA website Roadside Assistance PDF Brochure

"Towing service

If your vehicle should break down while covered under
warranty or require towing after an accident or collision,
it will be transported to the nearest authorized BMW
center. You may also elect to have your BMW towed to
the BMW center of your choice, provided that the center
is within a 50-mile radius of the closest center."

"Emergency Valet service

This emergency concierge service is available in the
event that you require services beyond BMW Roadside
Assistance. If you should experience a mechanical
breakdown and need alternate transportation or lodging,
Emergency Valet service provides a personal assistant
who will stay on the line with you and help you locate
the appropriate rental car, taxi, lodging and/or airline
reservations. This specialist can also provide enhanced
directory assistance, including turn-by-turn directions
to the location you request. He or she will even contact
up to three individuals and conference them into your
call to relay emergency information. Most importantly,
you are assured of personal assistance until all of your
needs are met."

"Trip-interruption benefits

If you should experience a breakdown covered by
warranty 100 miles or more away from home, you
are entitled to trip-interruption benefits, including
reimbursement for meals, lodging, car rentals and/or
substitute transportation. We will also provide travel
arrangements to reunite you with your vehicle after it
has been repaired at an authorized BMW center.
This coverage, including towing, is limited to $750 per
incident, up to five days. Claims for these benefits must
include original receipts for services provided (i.e., meals,
lodging, car rentals and/or substitute transportation)."

[Pedal2Floor]

Standard AAA Service

Towing Service including accident and
warranty towing: When your vehicle cannot be
started or driven safely after attempting any of
the above emergency services, or when in the
service provider’s judgement your vehicle cannot
be placed in safe driving condition, it will be
towed to the contract facility rendering the service
or up to three miles (five miles in
Connecticut) in any direction from the point of
disablement unless prohibited by law.
If you choose to have your vehicle towed to a
licensed repair facility other than the garage rendering
service, you will be charged for the distance
towed in excess of three miles (five miles in
Connecticut.)

Extended Road Service Benefits
AAA Plus - The Best of the Best
Members may purchase AAA Plus which
extends basic road service benefits to include
the following:
• Extended Towing Benefits
AAA Plus extends present AAA membership
towing benefits (one tow per disablement)
by providing up to 100 miles of towing
in any direction from the point of disablement
to a destination of your choice.


Looks like if you are out of BMW warrenty and you want to get AAA, you should get the Extended or Plus plan.

[Ascension]

AAA If you have other cars, I highly recommend it:rocks: