Extended warranty

[saph23]

Hi,
Does anyone have some advice on purchasing an extended warranty for a 2002 330ci. My warranty expires in 2 weeks and I'm thinking of purchasing an extended warranty. Any specific companies I should check with? I got one quote from a local BMW dealer that offers a warranty from Fidelity for $2300 for 4 yrs 48,000. This is with no deductible. I'm in Florida, so let me know if anyone has any thoughts.

 

[zman]

I am also looking into Extended Warranty. Do you know what are covered and what are NOT covered on the dealer's warranty?

 

[saph23]

I don't know the exact specifics. I was able to find some independent warranties that cover bumper to bumper with cosmetic and maintenence items as the only exclusions for the same price as the BMW dealership offer. The lowest price I found was from a company called Auto Service Warranty. The guy on the phone claimed they cover just about everything for 1599 w/ no deductible.

 

[Big Daddy]

Be careful, many private extended warranty companies have gone bankrupt and the owner is left with nothing. I would buy the BMW extended warranty if I were going to buy one, and the price on those is negotiable. Lisha just negotiated the purchase of one I believe and got it for less than the original quote.

Check this thread extended warranty

 

[zman]

OK, I believe extended warranty is NOT the same as extended maintenance.

Is it best to get extended maintenance?, or extended warranty? [???1]

This is what I find on extended maintenance

http://www.bmwusa.com/BMW2003/Templ...3E1-479F-9234-82A06C82C310}&NRCACHEHINT=Guest

 

[Big Daddy]

You are correct, extended warranty and maintenance are not the same. Maintenance is just that, oil & filters, brake pads, etc. but will not cover you should say your transmission fail. A warranty is for big time failures, engines, trans, etc. a maintenance is for the day to day things. Apples and ornages! If you are concerned about the big sudden expense due to a major failure get the warranty. IF you do not want to pay for brake pads, rotors, oil, etc, get the maintenance plan. Or save your money and get neither?

 

[MyHarley]

The BMW Maintenance contract is listed on BMW North America's website........this price is available through the dealerships..........if they quote you higher, they have placed a markup on the contract.......tell them you have the information from the BMW North America website and they have to give you this price.....the maintenance contract is with BMW not the dealership so you can go to any dealership......if I'm not mistaken it is $975.00 on the website.........I also have the extended warranty and will have to look up what it cost.........the dealership should be able to give you the information on what is covered and what is not covered......there is a $50.00 deductible........

 

[MyHarley]

OK in July 2005 I paid $2048 for the 100,000 mile warranty with loaner car and $985 for the 100,000 mile maintenance service......

 

[Big Daddy]

Thanks Lisha, i knew you'd come through!

 

[zman]

Big Daddy: did you buy both or just the extendend maintenance?

One other thing, BMW USA on their web-site says

"Depending on the model year of your BMW, you’re covered for a period 4 years/50,000 miles (2003 and newer) from original date of purchase whichever comes first or 3 years/36,000 miles* (2000-2002). To help keep your vehicle functioning at peak form, BMW now offers a Maintenance Program upgrade of 6 years/100,000 miles of coverage."

I have 03 325xi with 30K miles on it. The car has 4 yrs/50K warranty and mintenance on it which will end sometimes next year. If I buy the extendend maintenance for $985 (upgrad up to 6 yrs/100K), does it mean I have another 6yrs/100K, or I have only another 2 yrs/70K?

 

[Big Daddy]

I actually bought neither, but if I were going to buy one it would be the warranty. I do my own maintenance so the oil, filter, brakes are not big issues with me. I believe the extended gives you another 2 yrs and 70 more k in your case. In other words the total years from date of sale are 6 and the total miles from zero is 100k.

 

[Average Jae]

buying extended maint/ warranty is like buying the extended service plan at best buy or circuity city w/ your brand new tv. i personally don't think its worth it, but i guess it comes out to a 5-7.5% of purch price insurance for 2 years of piece of mind..

it really depends on how hard you are on your car. it doesn't do me much good since i only racked up 17k miles in 2+ years. but if you are pulling in near 15k miles a year, and there's enough wear and tear on the car, extended warranty maybe worth it.

 

[Sheepdg]

2Y/70K. The 6Y/100K is from the In-Service date of your vehicle.

If interested, I would not actually purchase either (Ex Warranty or Ex Maintenace) until you need it - i.e., just prior to your time or milage running out. If your car gets totaled, you wasted your money for nothing.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

2Y/70K. The 6Y/100K is from the In-Service date of your vehicle.

If interested, I would not actually purchase either (Ex Warranty or Ex Maintenace) until you need it - i.e., just prior to your time or milage running out. If your car gets totaled, you wasted your money for nothing.

That's good advice, same goes for money put down on a lease...

 

[zman]

OK in July 2005 I paid $2048 for the 100,000 mile warranty with loaner car and $985 for the 100,000 mile maintenance service......

What is the time limit of your extended warranty? Is it also 6 yrs/100K?

 

[lilbimmer]

I was supposed to be having the current 100k warranty transferred from the previous owner of my 330ci, but I hav eyet to talk to a human in almost 2 weeks. I made contact with someone almost 2 weeks ago, sent in my transfer application and everytime I call I hear the same message over and over again. I have now become suspicious that it is no longer in business - I mean who goes that long w/o any human communication??

Anyone ever heard of www.1sourceautowarranty.com? If you find some additional info on them let me know - thanks!

 

[MyHarley]

What is the time limit of your extended warranty? Is it also 6 yrs/100K?

Yes, you are correct and its through BMW.............

 

[zman]

Ok, thank for all the responses.

I have been analyzing my situation. My car is 2003 325xi. Its warranty and maintenance will expire sometime in Sept 06. I have put 30K on the car since in the past few years I drove about 20 miles oneway to work. The dealer has recently peformed the 1st inspection (30K) and break change. This time, I have made a chance on my commute to work. Now I ride train and the distance from the house is ONLY 2 miles away.

Thus far, the car has not had any problem (knock on wood) except coil problems which had been taken care of long time ago. The manufacture maintenance thus far is good, but the dealer only replaces oil once a year, or every 15K miles.

I think Spending $985 for another 2 years on maintenance would be a waste of money. The maximum oil change I would get out of it is twice. It means I would be spending $400+ for an oil change. That is an expensive oil change.

I also think it would be a waste of money to spend $2000+ on extended warranty for the next 2 years. I have not heard/seen any major problem that would cost any one that much money IF he/she takes care of the car and doesn't abuse it.

I think I will spend the money on OBD reader/reset and the maintenance book.
What do you think?

 

[1jrowner]

I tried to get the dealer to give me the extended warranty price quoted on the BMW website (even gave them the screenprint from the website). They blew it off saying that the website was wrong in their pricing and the price the dealer gave me a lot higher quote saying that's the real price and they don't negotiate. I'd always heard that BMW's customer service wasn't the best and unfortunately this hasn't been proven wrong to me yet (at least not at the Dallas dealerships).

 

[Sheepdg]

I'd Pass on Both

Ok, thank for all the responses.

I have been analyzing my situation. My car is 2003 325xi. Its warranty and maintenance will expire sometime in Sept 06. I have put 30K on the car since in the past few years I drove about 20 miles oneway to work. The dealer has recently peformed the 1st inspection (30K) and break change. This time, I have made a chance on my commute to work. Now I ride train and the distance from the house is ONLY 2 miles away.

Thus far, the car has not had any problem (knock on wood) except coil problems which had been taken care of long time ago. The manufacture maintenance thus far is good, but the dealer only replaces oil once a year, or every 15K miles.

I think Spending $985 for another 2 years on maintenance would be a waste of money. The maximum oil change I would get out of it is twice. It means I would be spending $400+ for an oil change. That is an expensive oil change.

I also think it would be a waste of money to spend $2000+ on extended warranty for the next 2 years. I have not heard/seen any major problem that would cost any one that much money IF he/she takes care of the car and doesn't abuse it.

I think I will spend the money on OBD reader/reset and the maintenance book.
What do you think?

You're buying an insurance policy, plain and simple. On average, BMW will make a lot of money on these programs. On average, you will have paid too much. However, you could have a major $X,000 incident which it would be good to have the Warranty.

Like life insurance, you're not planning to die in the next few years. But if you have a spouse and a young family, what level of risk are you comfortable with (and at what price).

It sounds like (from your usage) that you'd be best to self-insure. If you've only put 30K on in 4 years and appear to be reducing your milage pretty substantially, the "odds are in your favor". Plus, there are quality indy's who are far more cost competitive (and as many will claim better qualified).