[Wlmitty]

My X530 is coming up on warranty expiration and JD been offering an extended warranty now for a couple months. Now I'm down to a couple weeks to decide.
To be honest its pretty rich for an additional two years as long as under the 500hrs mark.
Ive been told that with the quality of these machines that its not practical.
I just want more opinions from real owners and should I be concerned.
My machines are very well maintained and kept in an insulated garage year round.
The only issue Ive ever had was the hour meter fogging up.
Twice its been replaced by Dealer and the second one only lasted 8 months.
Don't know what gives with that. My D170 has 250 hrs and in the same garage and never fogged up. The X530 has 230 hrs. Anyone else with an X500 series had this happen?

Well any input appreciated.
Thanks

 

[mikgran]

IMO, a two year extended warranty is a waste of money. Your X530 is an extremely reliable tractor and should enjoy years of problem free service.

However, the cheesy seats have been a problem since they started using them in 2006. The box store mowers have a more durable seat. Go figure. Here’s one of many better built seats available in Ebay-

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Replacemen...=323692172684df1cc00b30ff4736ac9a21b1a23322c1

 

[jerryh20]

they are betting the machine will hold up 2 more years and you are betting on a possible problem and paying ahead of it actually happening. then if and when it happens you get in line to have it fixed instead of fixing it yourself or taking it to a shop that will fix it today. agree with milgran.

 

[eric102]

I'm probably the exception for it paying off but I bit on the extended warranty at the end of 4 years on my X739. At 4 1/2 years a coolant leak developed on what I thought was a head gasket but it ended up being on a manifold gasket. While it was torn down they noticed the coolant pump was leaking slightly so it needed to be replaced and/or resealed. I don't know what the total shop labor and parts would have been but it was probably more than what I paid for the 3 year zero deductable warranty and I still have 2 years left on it. Just the pick up and delivery would have cost around $250 if I didn't have the warranty.

 

[Alberta Al]

I look at the lack of added value of extended warranties by comparing the costs to a lifetime of savings if I never buy extended warranties on ANY product I buy. So far the only time I could have used an extended warranty was for one of our refrigerators where the compressor gave out prematurely. When products gave out, it was always well after an extended warranty would have been expired. I have a 2013 X540 in which I do my own basic maintenance. Keeping the air system clean, oils, etc will go a long way in getting you past an extended warranty period.

 

[inspectorudy]

The only thing to change my mind on an extended warranty was on my wife's 2013 SRX Cadillac. It is an electronic wonderland and we all know what happens when there is an electrical problem. It usually isn't the parts that are so horrible but the testing and labor to find the problem. On mechanical things, I do not think they are worth it. Of course, there are always the persons who have the major break downs and they benefit but for most people, they lose money.

 

[Michael]

That extended warranty is a insurance policy and you as the consumer will lose your money as 99% of the folks that buy into those. The best way around this is get the cost that JD is charging on it and do not sign up for but put the money of the warranty into a savings account and use the money in it for repairs as needed for the next two years. If after two years you still have money in the account take yourself a vacation with the money.

 

[RussKish]

Here is my 2 cents: 3 things come to mind here: 1.) Can you fix it yourself? (have tools, knowledge, willing to do it). 2.) Have the physical capability? (bad back, shoulders, arms, legs, lungs, heart, mind). 3.) Financial means (MONEY, $$$$). Only you the prospective buyer/owner can answer those questions. The old phrase "Pay me now or pay me later" comes to mind. I would set up a "tractor fund" just like the "Xmas fund" for repairs,etc. I like being able to pay myself personally. Find good places to do the work if you can't. You buy the parts. It is about controlling the cost of these things.

Here endeth the lesson.

 

[demonspeed]

I look at the lack of added value of extended warranties by comparing the costs to a lifetime of savings if I never buy extended warranties on ANY product I buy. So far the only time I could have used an extended warranty was for one of our refrigerators where the compressor gave out prematurely. When products gave out, it was always well after an extended warranty would have been expired. I have a 2013 X540 in which I do my own basic maintenance. Keeping the air system clean, oils, etc will go a long way in getting you past an extended warranty period.

Exactly my thoughts. This has worked well for me in all facets of purchasing - lawn equipment, electronics, vehicles, etc.

When you buy a John Deere you’re buying a quality product. That it’s essentially bulletproof is part of the price of admission in the first place. Even if you can’t work on your machine yourself, in the unlikely event you need to get something repaired within the next two years, you’ll still be cheaper in the end.

It seems as though you are capable of repairs considering what you’re saying about maintaining it. That goes a long way more than anything. When I buy used a used tractor or vehicle, I’d rather have the well- maintained high-mileage/hour one instead of the neglected low-mileage/hour one.

 

[inspectorudy]

I like watching car auctions and one thing I have noticed is that many German car makes do poorly at auction if they are out of warranty. This is due in large part because of the electronics in them. They are known for trouble and if you have to pay a Mercedes Benz/Audi dealer to find and repair the problem you can be looking at thousands of dollars. One of the things that have made the older JD's so survivable is that they had few electronic devices on them. As time goes by all electronic components change their values and when they reach a certain level they can cause headaches with false readings or momentary glitches. I would advise anyone who is thinking about buying a new model car with a lot of electronics on board to consider an extended warranty. Engines and trannies are not in this same category of potential failures that cannot be easily traced or diagnosed.

 

[Wlmitty]

Hey thanks for the input guys.
I didn't want to out right and say it but that extended warranty is near 700.00
for the additional two years.
I can do just about anything as far as repairs or mods.
In fact I came up with a steel pulley solution for that stupid plastic idler pulley on the main drive belt.
I posted on here about it last year when mine burnt the bearings out and screaming like ****.
Didn't even bother calling warranty service for that.
Funny that someone mentioned the refrigerator cause I did the same thing and bought extra warranty and it way outlasted that time span and ended up selling it after 20 years still working.
And my seat is shot too. And never out in weather. But the old D170 seat is perfect. Go figure.
So I think to pass on the ext. warranty.
If any of you have that plastic pulley issue check out my fix for it here on the forum using JD parts in steel!
God day all and thanks.