Sundance 880 Marin vs Emerald E340 - Thin tub needed!

[KungFuEnglish]

Ok I am clearly new here and would like any assistance you pros can provide!

We have moved into a new house that came with an indoor hot tub room! Unfortunately, the hot tub was like 20 years old and is terribad. We are going to move the hot tub out and bring in a new one.

Double unfortunately, we have to get the new tub through the existing doorways. By my measurements, the doorway to the hot tub room is about 33.75" wide and 78" tall. If worse comes to worst, we will have out contractor come and pop the door frame off. It's a double door frame but only one side opens, so removing the frame will give us 70" width and maybe 80" height.

With this in mind, I have narrowed my search to 2 tubs that will potentially fit.

1. Sundance 880 Marin - 91" x 75" x 33"
2. Emerald E340 - 88" x 75" x 32"

I live in Kalamazoo, MI. We have a local, in the city dealer for the Emeralds, but have to go through South Bend, IN (about 1.5 hrs drive to The Great Escape) to get the Sundance.

Question 1: Do you think the Marin will fit in my doorway without removing the frame? If no, will the Emerald?
Question 2: Out of the 2 tubs, which is the better value overall? I have a quote for $9500 for the 880 Marin, all inclusive including delivery and everything, but haven't quoted the Emerald yet.
Question 3: The Great Escape said warranties through Sundance would come with $100 trip charge, and then the work would be free. Is this worth it, no big deal, or yes big deal?
Question 4: Is there another tub I am missing that would potentially fit, with or without removing the door frame?

Thanks so much for any helps!

[Vinny]

Here are a few, when they deliver it will be on it's side and all of them are around or smaller than the door width you stated. Take the door off and if you get a little wider there can be a few more tubs.

http://www.artesianspas.com/spa/island/santacruz.html

http://www.hotspring.com/shop-hot-tub-models/limelight/4-person-hot-tub-glow

http://www.bullfrogspas.com/listings/display/143/40/a5l

http://www.jacuzzi.com/hot-tubs/j-400/j-415/

If none of these are available, I would stick with the Sundance. I remember years ago I was interested in Emerald and someone posted photos of a not so old Emerald tub ... wasn't pretty. Things may have changed but I don't think Sundance ever had questionable quality.

[KungFuEnglish]

Here are a few, when they deliver it will be on it's side and all of them are around or smaller than the door width you stated. Take the door off and if you get a little wider there can be a few more tubs.

http://www.artesianspas.com/spa/island/santacruz.html

http://www.hotspring.com/shop-hot-tub-models/limelight/4-person-hot-tub-glow

http://www.bullfrogspas.com/listings/display/143/40/a5l

http://www.jacuzzi.com/hot-tubs/j-400/j-415/

If none of these are available, I would stick with the Sundance. I remember years ago I was interested in Emerald and someone posted photos of a not so old Emerald tub ... wasn't pretty. Things may have changed but I don't think Sundance ever had questionable quality.

Thanks for the reply. The hot springs one looks like a reasonable contender too and they have a local dealer I'll check them out.

The 33.75" width is the width of the door frame. Taking the door off the hinges is a given. I think by popping the molding off I can remove the center frame bar and get about 2 more inches, and that's the easy mod. Popping out the entire frame is a last resort.

We were looking at the caldera Martinique but it's 34" wasn't going to fit in without removing that frame bar.