Maintenance/extended warranty worth the price?

1jrowner · Apr 16, 2005

Hello BMWBoard,

I wanted to suck up all the feedback I could get on the extended maintenance and extended warranty you can get from the dealership. I bought a used 2003 330i and I have 2 years left on my original warranty/maint. I only have 18k miles on the car right now. I was quoted $1399 for 2 years of extended maintenance. In your opinions, figuring I'll have around 42k miles on the car, is the extended maintenace worth it (i.e, I'd spend more than $1399 in the next two years on maintenance items?).

Same issue on the warranty extention. The 6/100k warranty extension was quoted to me at $2,599. How negotiable are these quotes (I'm sure there's some play in there but not sure how much.)?

I know BMW have a history of expensive upkeep but I'm wondering if in the 2 years after the original warranty/maint. expire if I'd incurr over $4k in cost in these two areas.

I take great car of my cars so I'm not someone who negelcts them or doesn't maintain them. I just don't want to overpay for the extra coverage if I don't need to..

Rich2006 · Apr 16, 2005

Check the BMW USA site the extended warranty is less expensive. I just purchased a new 325xi and I believe that I can extend the warranty any time during the first for years.
Please check the site.

zman · Apr 18, 2005

I am considering the same question myself.
I have another year to go.

But, notice..those warranties do not cover maintenance!
Only if the certain parts break, then they will cover.
In fact, if you neglect the maintenance and parts breaks, it would not cover them.

Furthermore, the standard warranty would covers only the engine and mechanical parts. It doesn't cover electrical. For more money, it will cover limited electricals (computer parts). And, for even more money, it will cover the 'inside' electricals (i.e. radio, power window, power seat, etc.).

Now, since many car configurations are control by computers, I thought we should get at least the second option which would cover the computers. This costs easily $3K to $4K. Not cheap! But, then again, if they break without the warranty, it could cost as much!

I am sure it all depends how long we want to keep the car.
At this time, I am not thinking about changing/selling my car soon. And, for a guy like me, $4K is a lot.

BTW, when I was purchasing the car, the sale man said that the car is computerize. The impression was that it is a high tech car and it would be a plus for the owner. But, after I think about it, those computerize gizmos most of them are not for the owner. They are for the mechanics to figure out easily without wasting too much time what is wrong with the car. So, basically, we got charge more to make their lives easier. Not to mention, when you brought these cars in, they will charge you an 'arm and leg' to plug the car's computer to their computers to just find out the situation.

Average Jae · Apr 18, 2005

buying extended warranty is like buying insurance. you hope you never need it, but it is good if you have it.

unless my car was acting up during the first four years, i wouldn't opt for the extended warranty. (if your car was acting up quite a bit during the first four years, i'd sell it, instead of buying extended warranty.) so if you catch my drift, i wouldn't drop that much money on "hopes" of saving money in the long run. so i would wait and see, instead of spending the money now.

it really is like buying extended warranty for your TV at best buy. although i'm a sucker for those, over the years, i realized i never had to use it.. [:(]

such extended plans are good only if you plan on putting on lot of miles, with heavy wear and tare. since most maint work is based on how many miles you put on the car, rather than the time frame. (in my case, i don't even know if i can get to inspection 2 in 6-7 years.. so i'm def not dropping extra money into it.)

newguy · Apr 18, 2005

I had an extended warranty on a vehicle that I had purchased off a lease..(not a BMW). I had the distinct feeling that the dealership used it as a cash cow for their service dept...lots of things "broke" many times. I honestly felt that they used a lot of overkill on repairs to this car...when the warranty expired, I got rid of the vehicle..(it was a very comprehensive warranty), and it covered everything except for routine wear and tear, and maintenance. As stated above, a very good point, is that it is like insurance...seems pricey at the time, but ohhhh baby, if you use it, it seems cheap..be careful about deductible amount..hope this helps..

aNoodle · Apr 18, 2005

I didn't go with extended and I wish I had!

xmas63 · Apr 19, 2005

Keep in mind that the extended warranty and extended maintenance are two completely different things. I just bought the extended maintenance, inceasing my maintenance from 3yrs/36K to 6yrs/100K. For $1384, I will be getting a new set of pads and rotors, an Inspection II, another inspection I, oil changes, new wipers every year, coolant flush, brake fluid flush... all this stuff would add up to over $2K if I had ther work done by a dealer.

My original warranty is still in force, and I probably will not extend it.

Big Daddy · Apr 19, 2005

I never bought the extended warranties on any of my BMW's and never needed them. Maybe I was lucky but I did not feel bad saving that extra money. Of course my 98 M roadster only has 45k on it, so who knows. Like Jae said, it's insurance. I just put the cost of the extended warranty in the bank and am saving it for any unforseen future repair needs.

zman · Apr 20, 2005

xmas63 said:

xmas63,
Did you get this from the dealer??
Because I have asked about this before and their answer was that there was no such thing as 'extended maintenance' after the warranty is over. [???1]

xmas63 · Apr 20, 2005

zman said:

Yes, I got it from the dealer. In fact, I'm reasonably certain you can get them only from BMW dealers. Perhaps talk to the service manager. Also, keep in mind that you can purchase these from any dealer and have the actual work done at whatever dealership you choose---the contract is actually with BMWNA, not one specific dealership.

330i and like it · Apr 21, 2005

The question is what you are happy spending. Do you want the added insurance that if something goes wrong in the next 5 years its paid for. It really all depends on your money situation.
I have a BMW which i didn't buy the warranty because I am thinking things shouldn't go wrong with it if I look after it. I bought my wife a Chrysler van and bought the 6yr/100K everything covered because I expect that to need things fixing.

TheBry · Apr 21, 2005

I got the extended maintenance on my car but not the extended warranty. I figured I'd replace things that broke, but didn't want to go broke with regular maintenance ;-) Plus, I drive a lot of miles -- I'm at 30,000 now and have only had the car 13 months.

The good news is I paid off the car earlier this year, so with the 100,000 full maintenance paid for, I shouldn't have much out-of-pocket for the life of the car. It's a good deal. I always recommend extended maintenance due to the costly Inspection I and II, and the cost of brakes, rotors, wipers, oil changes, etc. It's all covered for 100,000 miles now so I'm essentially worry free.

dumayou · Apr 22, 2005

it's cover till 100,000 miles or 6 years 100,000 whatever come first???
if you don't mind I ask how much you paid for the extended warranty???

dumayou · Apr 22, 2005

oh and plus Inspection I is cover under your original warranty

xmas63 · Apr 22, 2005

dumayou said:

The first Inspection I is typically performed under the original maintenance warranty, but a second Inspection I is not.

I believe that for an '03, it costs a little under $1K.

EDIT: "It" meaning the extended maintenance, not the Inspection I!

1jrowner · Apr 25, 2005

I went by the dealership this weekend and their finance guy told me the extended maintenance price quoted on the website was "wrong" and then gave me a quote that was about $400 bucks higher for my 2003 330i. I sent a note to BMWUSA to get their expalination at to why the dealership would tell me "yeah, the website causes us a lot of problems and is wrong". Will let you know the official party line once I hear it.

direfan · Apr 25, 2005

1jrowner said:

I have looked all over the website but don't see a link to reveive a quote for an extended maintainence or warranty package. Can somebody please point me in the right direction. Thanks.

1jrowner · Apr 25, 2005

Go to the 3 series sedan page, on the left hand options, below show all 3 series, select warranties and services. Click on maintenance upgrade in the new page and there you go.

direfan · Apr 26, 2005

1jrowner said:

Ii don't see the menu you describe. This is what I see on the left hand side:

3 Series Overview
2006 325i Sedan
2006 330i Sedan
325i Sedan
330i Sedan
325xi Sedan
330xi Sedan
325Ci Coupe
325Ci Convertible
330Ci Coupe
330Ci Convertible
325i Sports Wagon
325xi Sports Wagon
Accolades
Delivery Options
Smart Investment

Could they have changed the site? Thanks.

dumayou · Apr 26, 2005

Try this link

http://www.bmwusa.com/BMW2003/Templ...BD8-4DDC-82E2-5B99447213A3}&NRCACHEHINT=Guest

Maintenance/extended warranty worth the price?

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