Dealer Added Extras

[cwm33]

Greetings folks!

 

I'm a soon to be owner of a 2010 GMC Sierra SLE Crew Cab 4x4, and am just going through the final bit of paperwork signing and so forth at the dealer tomorrow.

 

I should mention that I live in Northern Alberta, so while the roads do get a decent bit of salt, the temperatures are generally quite cold, so we probably see more sand/light gravel here. I'm mostly a highway/city driver with some gravel roads, so there wont be a lot of heavy duty offroading being done by my truck.

 

I know the issue of the paint protection, interior cloth protection, and undercoating is going to come up tomorrow. I know these dealer add-ons are a big margin item for the dealer, and I peeked at his screen when we were doing the initial run through and the gold package (for all 3) costs $990.

 

Are these worthwhile to get from the dealer? Are they worthwhile at ALL or is it a complete ripoff/scam? I've done a bit of googling and have seen cases for both sides, but I wanted to ask specifically in a GM Truck dedicated forum for some more specific case advice.

 

Any advice would be much appreciated,

Thanks!

[pm26]

Absolute waste of money in my opinion. You can do a lot better by installing GM accessory rear wheel well liners, GM molded splash guards. Spray-on seat cloth protection is utter nonsense - if you want real seat protection, buy decent seat covers.

 

And about paint protection - this is the ultimate gimmick. There is no "magic paint sealant" out there that you could not buy and apply yourself for about $ 30. Frequent hand washing and periodic wax application do a whole lot more for your truck paint that this bogus one time deal.

[cwm33]

I've actually already ordered the GM molded splash guards with the truck, I'll have to ask about the accessory rear wheel well liners. Thanks for the idea! You don't happen to have a part number handy for those do you?

 

Thanks for saving me almost a grand! I was a bit leery before, but no question now. ;)

[truckofwinandawesome]

the GMC wheel House Liner P/N is 19166677, and its about $99.00US

[DTyrrell]

I got it in my truck. I figured why not.

 

I'll let you know in 20 years if it's made any difference

 

I can see the paint protection and cloth protection being a waste of money, but I truely do believe the undercoating is a good idea. This coming from a guy who got the whole $1000 package.

[cwm33]

Thanks for the part number for the wheel house liner! Are those easy for an average goober to install or should I get the dealership to do it?

 

I did notice that the Sierra had a bit of road noise from the back of the cab, which I'm pretty sure I read on here is more from an air vent at the rear of the cab. The undercoating wouldn't really help that, correct?

[dogzapper]

Whenever I get a new truck or SUV, I wait until a really nice day. Then, I vacuum the floors really completely and spray with carpets with ScotchGuard Fabric Spray. It takes three or four full cans of spray to do the floors and every bit of carpet, but I just soak it in.

 

It helps to use a piece of cardboard as a "stop-off" for areas you do no want to spray.

 

Then, I open all four doors, defeat the overhead lights, and let the inside of the rig dry for several hours. A sunny and windy day helps to dry the spray and to eliminate the smell.

 

You'll appreciate this a couple of years later when you spill a thermos-full of coffee all over the carpet. It towels off like it was never there.

 

This approach gives you what YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE GETTING at the cost several hundred dollars. The silly fact is that by personally spraying with the ScotchGuard, you are getting a much better protection than you would have from the "Gold Plan."

 

Here in Oregon, they call it "The Northwest Protection Package." Same bullshit, same lie, different name.

 

Good luck with your new truck, my friend. We need photos!!!!

 

Steve

[jro909]

its a dealer gimmick for money, i know a few folks that use to work at dealers....i guess back in the day they would off you a special security package where they would engrave your vin into the glass incase the vehicle got jacked..i can't see what they would do to the cloth interior, i mean are they laminating the seats? the under carriage coating sounds nice but make sure it was actually done lol

[chevytruckin08WNY]

When I sat down to sign the papers the finance guy starts out by telling me that they can no longer warranty the paint because chemicals in the paint had to be changed a few years back due to EPA regulations.

 

I'm guilty of letting them sucker me into getting the Dupont paint sealer.

[tunseeker1]

I can play a different card then most on this subject as I have been working in the aftermarket doing these things for a while.(18 years)

 

Scotchgard/Interior protection- Dealer does a quick once over thats not going to help. We use a machine that looks like an upholstery attachment for fabric protection that is like spraying out of the can. You can do yourself as described earlier.

 

Paint/Exterior protection- Dealer usually does a spray over or nothing on the car. We clean and hand detail the car and put on 3 coats of wax. Aquapel or Rain-x the windows and you are good to go. As stated before its more about maintenance then the original application.

 

Extreme Paint protection/Rockgaurd- We do a 3M clear film over the car to protect the paint.

http://www.invisiblemask.com/

 

Undercoating- I won't get into the dealer because its all over the map on what they do. To do it right the truck needs to be cleaned,degreased and dried before application.

This process, at a good shop will also involve removing the exhaust and taping over any lines or wiring to allow service later. The car should be baked to remove moisture because any moisture under the coating can cause rust to form under the coating.The factory dip will do much better at preventing rust then anything you can spray on.

 

Why do you need undercoating?

Rust is taken care of at the factory, frequent underbody wash is a better idea.

Road noise, It would be better to remove the interior and use sound deadning.

Protection. Better option is liners,mud flaps, or Rhino in the areas you are worried about.

[2016 Sierra Owner]

Are those easy for an average goober to install or should I get the dealership to do it?

 

Yes any goober can install these without tools. They fit so well in my truck that I did not even use the supplied self tapping screws.

[cwm33]

I think I'll definitely be telling the finance manager where to stick his gold package when I call him this morning! Thanks all!

 

For the self tapping screws on the wheel house liners, they don't go through any external facing metal do they? Also, for those screw holes, would I have to worry about any rust forming there?

 

Also, would I be safe to wait a little bit and buy the liners after I've owned the truck for a couple months? or am I better off getting the liners right away?

 

I'm not used to working on my own vehicles anymore, my last 2 cars were new Nissans and full of all sorts of complicated gizmos and whizbangs with next to nothing for an aftermarket in my local area, so I more or less just left it alone. I'll have to knock off some of my rust, good thing I've still been doing hobby woodworking, so I'm not a COMPLETE nincompoop with tools at least.

[snarkee]

if your dealer sends the truck out for the 3 applications, find out what place does it for them and go there after you get your truck

 

i did this and paid about a third of what the dealer wanted

 

this is my first time trying the package and although I believe the paint sealant is a gimmick, I do really like the undercoat material they sprayed on

[mkelly]

When I sat down to sign the papers the finance guy starts out by telling me that they can no longer warranty the paint because chemicals in the paint had to be changed a few years back due to EPA regulations.

 

I'm guilty of letting them sucker me into getting the Dupont paint sealer.

 

 

If you were buying a new truck(or a used truck covered by a factory warranty) then what the finance guy told you was illegal. I would avoid that dealership like the plague and report them to the bbb and the local county attorney.

[mkelly]

If you havent already talked to the finance manager.........

 

 

When you walk in ask him if its ok to record your conversation and then record the transaction on your cell phone. Not all finance managers are scum bags but it will be a little incentive for him to be a little more honest