Is it advisable to purchase a car with pre-installed accessories from a 4S store?
2 Answers
4S stores offer vehicles with pre-installed accessories for purchase. A 4S store, short for Sales, Service, Spare Parts, and Survey, is an integrated automobile sales enterprise that combines vehicle sales, spare parts, after-sales service, and customer feedback. Advantages of 4S stores include: 1. Brand advantage; 2. Comprehensive and standardized service system; 3. Diverse value-added services; 4. Enhanced customer interaction and loyalty. The car maintenance services provided by 4S stores encompass: 1. Replacing engine oil and oil filters, cleaning air filters, and inspecting the condition of generator belts and wiper blades; 2. Checking fluid levels for proper operation; 3. Verifying tire pressure and inspecting for uneven wear, bulges, or damage; 4. Examining the vehicle's undercarriage, including brake pads, brake discs, connecting rods, ball joints, and CV joints for any signs of damage; 5. Testing all switches and lights to ensure they function correctly.
To be honest, I encountered this exact situation last month when accompanying my buddy to pick up his new car. The display model in the showroom came with a 360-degree camera and leather seats, and the salesperson kept emphasizing what a great deal it was. There are three crucial points to check with such pre-installed accessories: First, verify whether they're genuine OEM parts - don't let them pass off aftermarket components. Second, make sure the warranty period for these add-ons is separately specified in the contract, distinct from the vehicle's main warranty. Third, compare prices with the official website's base model pricing to ensure the installation fees are reasonable. We later discovered that while ordering these configurations separately would mean a three-month wait, the dealership's pre-installation price was actually 15% more expensive than getting them done later at an aftermarket shop - though it did save the hassle of dismantling a brand-new car. In the end, we only signed the deal after negotiating three additional free maintenance services from the 4S store.
