The new GLC CoupéRetail Price from R 735 900(incl. VAT, excl. CO2 Tax) Experience the new GLC ConfiguratorWheel-and-tire-replacement plans, virtually nonexistent 15 years ago, now are hot-selling finance and insurance products in the U.S., particularly at high-end dealerships. “They have almost become a core product,” says Rick McCormick, training director at Automotive Financial Services, an F&I firm. The rise in popularity corresponds with increased replacement costs. Run-flat tires can cost $500 each. Accessorized alloy wheels start at that much. Four upmarket rims can approach the price of a new entry-level subcompact. It wasn’t like that years ago in the era of ordinary inflatable tires and plain hubcaps. Today, it has reached a point where many premium car owners carry insurance plans to protect the investments at the ends of the axles. Consumer Reports cautions readers to avoid buying several F&I products, notes Steve Lynch, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services’ western regional manager.

“But even CR says wheel-and-tire protection is valuable. We’ve had customers asking for it.” He tells of a Mercedes owner who opted for the plan and ended up filing seven claims for damages incurred during his daily commute in Los Angeles. “That guy got more than his money’s worth on that F&I product, especially because we replace, not just repair,” Lynch says. “We were tempted to go up there and patch the road he takes to work.”   The cost of claims has skyrocketed. Consequently, some insurers are considering offering limited plans. “I think you’ll see a variety of offerings, including ones that repair, rather than replace, tires,” Mike Burgholzer, senior vice president at Warrentech, says at a recent F&I Industry Summit. Garret Lacour, head of RoadVantage, is one of the pioneers of wheel-and-tire protection plans. “We were the stepchildren for so many years,” he says. “But the product speaks for itself. There isn’t a driver that hasn’t had tire and wheel damage.”

Dealership F&I managers pitch the plans in different ways, he notes. “I’m not a believer in scare-tactic selling, but one F&I guy makes it a point of stepping over a damaged rim as he heads to his desk, telling customers, ‘That’s mine, and it would have cost me $1,200 to replace it without insurance.” Mercedes Financial encourages dealers to set up displays to draw customer interest. Some setups include damaged wheels retrieved from the store’s service department. “It’s not the display itself as much as what you do with it,” Lynch says. Mercedes Financial started offering wheel-and-tire protection plans in 2006 after dealers pitched the idea at a meeting. Two years later, the captive-finance company introduced an enhanced version that can be financed as part of a vehicle lease or purchase. Almost anything can happen when it comes to the only part of the vehicle that actually touches the roadway. “One dealer sent us a photo of a tire with a fork sticking in it,” McCormick says.

Burgholzer adds, “Road debris is everywhere.” The more expensive the car, the more costly the wheels and tires, and the greater the chances an owner will get a protection plan for those, says David Duncan, president of F&I provider Safe-Guard Products International. Hampton Bay Patio Furniture Slings“At Porsche F&I offices, it’s 100%. Homes For Sale Near Tcu CampusAt lower-end stores, it’s 30%. Caucasian Mountain Shepherd Pups For Sale Uk” The take-rate varies by region and the overall condition of roads in particular areas, he adds. InteriorRear beverage holdersPower windowsPassenger vanity mirrorRear door binsPower moonroofTelescoping steering wheelPassenger door binTrunk/hatch auto-latchTilt steering wheelSpeed controlRemote keyless entryGarage door transmitter: HomelinkOverhead consoleDriver door binAir conditioning1-touch up1-touch downDriver vanity mirrorAutomatic temperature controlEmergency communication systemFront dual zone A/CIlluminated entryFront beverage holdersPower driver seatMax seating capacity: 7Power passenger seatRear seats: split-benchLeather steering wheelRear seat center armrestSplit folding rear seat3rd row seats

: split-benchHeated front seatsFront seats: bucketFront center armrest: w/storageGenuine wood console insertGenuine wood door panel insertGenuine wood dashboard insertExteriorRear cargo: power liftgateRoof rack: rails onlySpoilerTurn signal indicator mirrorsPower door mirrorsBodyside moldingsNumber of doors: 4Bumpers: body-colorDoor mirrors: body-colorHeated door mirrorsEntertainmentSpeakers: 8Primary LCD size: 7.0"Steering wheel mounted audio controlsWeather band radioWireless phone connectivity: BluetoothPremium audio system: COMANDCD playerMP3 decoderAM/FM radio1st row LCD monitors: 1DVD-AudioDiversity antennaMechanicalRear anti-roll barRear tires: 275/55HR19.0Wheel size: 19"Power steeringSpeed-sensing steeringAlloy wheelsFront tires: 275/55HR19.0Four wheel independent suspensionAuto-leveling suspensionFront anti-roll barSafetyOverhead airbagPanic alarmOccupant sensing airbagPerimeter/approach lightsTraction controlKnee airbagSecurity systemPower adjustable front head restraintsDual front side impact airbagsIgnition disableABS brakes4 wheel disc brakesBrake assistAnti-whiplash front head restraintsElectronic stabilityDual front impact airbagsChildseat sensing airbagTech SpecsRear window defrosterRear reading lightsSpeed sensitive wipersVariably intermittent wipersRear fog lightsTrip computerTachometerRear window wiperDelay-off headlightsCompassFront reading lightsFully automatic headlightsOutside temperature displayLow tire pressure

warningRain sensing wipersNumber of valves: 32Manual-shift autoRecommended fuel: Premium UnleadedHorsepower: 362hp @ 5,000RPMTransmission: 7 speed automaticVariable valve controlVariable intake manifoldTorque: 406 lb.-ft. @ 1,500RPMMode select transmissionDrive type: 4MATICCylinder configuration: V-8Fuel tank capacity: 26.4gal.Engine liters: 4.7Compressor: twin turboEngine location: frontFuel economy highway: 19mpgFuel economy combined: 16mpgFuel economy city: 14mpgInterior cargo volume: 453 L (16 cu.ft.)Interior maximum cargo volume: 2,656 L (94 cu.ft.)Front legroom: 1,024mm (40.3")Passenger volume: 4,066L (143.6 cu.ft.)Front shoulder room: 1,486mm (58.5")Rear shoulder room: 1,481mm (58.3")Turning radius: 6.2m (20.4')Wheelbase: 3,076mm (121.1")Front headroom: 1,046mm (41.2")Rear legroom: 978mm (38.5")Rear headroom: 1,016mm (40.0")Payload: 800kg (1,764lbs)GVWR: 3,250kg (7,165lbs)3rd row shoulder room: 1,283mm (50.5")Curb weight: 2,450kg (5,401lbs)3rd row legroom: 889mm (35.0")3rd row headroom: 988mm (38.9")Exterior length: 5,121mm (201.6")Engine bore x stroke

: 92.9mm x 86.0mm (3.66" x 3.39")Compression ratio: 10.50 to 1Engine displacement: 4.7 LExterior height: 1,849mm (72.8")Engine torque: 406 lb.-ft. @ 1,500RPMExterior body width: 2,141mm (84.3")Engine horsepower: 362hp @ 5,000RPMWarrantyRoadside assistance coverage: 48 months/50,000milesPowertrain warranty: 48 months/50,000milesCorrosion perforation warranty: 48 months/50,000milesBasic warranty: 48 months/50,000milesPackagesDetails 0.0 %0.1 %0.2 %0.3 %0.4 %0.5 %0.6 %0.7 %0.8 %0.9 %1.0 %1.1 %1.2 %1.3 %1.4 %1.5 %1.6 %1.7 %1.8 %1.9 %10.0 %10.1 %10.2 %10.3 %10.4 %10.5 %10.6 %10.7 %10.8 %10.9 %2.0 %2.1 %2.2 %2.3 %2.4 %2.5 %2.6 %2.7 %2.8 %2.9 %3.0 %3.1 %3.2 %3.3 %3.4 %3.5 %3.6 %3.7 %3.8 %3.9 %4.0 %4.1 %4.2 %4.3 %4.4 %4.5 %4.6 %4.7 %4.8 %4.9 %4.99 %5.0 %5.1 %5.2 %5.3 %5.4 %5.5 %5.6 %5.7 %5.8 %5.9 %6.0 %6.1 %6.2 %6.3 %6.4 %6.5 %6.6 %6.7 %6.8 %6.9 %7.0 %7.1 %7.2 %7.3 %7.4 %7.5 %7.6 %7.7 %7.8 %7.9 %8.0 %8.1 %8.2 %8.3 %8.4 %8.5 %8.6 %8.7 %8.8 %8.9 %9.0 %9.1 %9.2 %9.3 %9.4 %9.5 %9.6 %9.7 %9.8 %9.9 %