Question @ Warranty/Maintenance Plan Extension...Should I?

[chatta325]

Hey...

new to this forum. I bought a 2001 325ci Convertible in June from the original owner in town...GREAT car- absolutely love it. Alpine White with black soft top and Tanin Red leather interior...loaded with every option. ANYWAY...had 30k miles when I got it. I'm in sales, so I drive a lot and have since run it up to 44k miles.

I'm trying to figure out if I should buy the Extended Maintenance Plan, which will cover it 6 yrs/100k miles...would cover maintenance items (bulbs, brakes, service intervals etc. The dealer told me the cost will be $1195 and I need to purchase before it rolls over 50k. Additionally, I'm faced with whether or not I should purchase an extended Warranty Plan, which will extend to 7 yrs/100k and cover components. Also need to buy this before the 50k mark. The tell me the cost for this is $1884.
I need advice...so far, with the maintenance plan I've had a complete brake job (would have cost me $950 at the dealer) and 4 different light bulbs replaced (I'm noticing the electrical system may be haywire in these cars). What is everyone's experience? Should I get the maintenance plan? warranty plan? Both? Neither?

Help!!!

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

i think maintanence is worth it...i cant remember what they told me teh warranty covered, not sure, but i remember when we got mine the dealership told me that one was worth it and one was not...anyone remember which the better one is?

 

[codex57]

Maintenance is worth it if you get it serviced at a dealer. I mean, just read your post again. A brake job will cost you $950, yet you pay just a couple hundred more for the plan.

The regular extended warranty is a little tougher to figure out. Window regulators and sunshade clips break often, but those aren't super expensive stuff to fix. Plus, I know people fix teh window regulators themselves. Other than that, not too much else has a history of being a problem cept possibly the Steptronic tranny or the subframe.

 

[Average Jae]

maint plan maybe worth it, esp if you put on lots of miles. since the said parts' maintenance is miles dependant and not usually time dependant. i remember askinga bout it at the dealers, and since i rarely put on milage, it's not worth it for me. but i'd find out what the dealer costs will be for maint after 50k, and figure out your actions from there.

extended warranty is an expensive insurance if you ask me, while the maint plan maybe worth it depending on your situation. (which i think you qualify for, from what little i read, but its your money, your car. think it through.)

 

[Harman1]

When you buy the extended warranty is it for 6 more years from that point or a total of 6 yrs or 100k miles which ever comes first

 

[TheBry]

I think it's a good idea to have the Maintenance Plan, but am not so sure about the Warranty. I got the extended maintenance (100,000 miles) because I wanted brakes and the expensive "Inspection 2" services covered, and the services performed, by a BMW dealer.

My dealership tried to sell me an extended warranty, but didn't really push too hard. They told me BMW didn't actually handle the administration of the warranty. They said a 3rd party handled the warranty. That sounded strange to me, so I balked and just took the extended maintenance.

 

[gizzy]

I think it's a good idea to have the Maintenance Plan, but am not so sure about the Warranty. I got the extended maintenance (100,000 miles) because I wanted brakes and the expensive "Inspection 2" services covered, and the services performed, by a BMW dealer.

My dealership tried to sell me an extended warranty, but didn't really push too hard. They told me BMW didn't actually handle the administration of the warranty. They said a 3rd party handled the warranty. That sounded strange to me, so I balked and just took the extended maintenance.

I got the exact opposite answer. I purchased the extended warranty, but declined the exteded maitenance because the maitenance was third party.

 

[Average Jae]

When you buy the extended warranty is it for 6 more years from that point or a total of 6 yrs or 100k miles which ever comes first

6 years from date of purchase, 100k miles from original odometer readings at the time of purchase. (odd how they give you 50k miles the first 4 years, then only give you 2 for the next 50k eh?)

 

[chatta325]

Thanks for the advice thusfar.

I figured that I would get the maintenance and bypass the warranty, but just wondered what others had to say about it. Obviously the maintenance is a good plan, since the brake job alone almost paid for it...as someone pointed out. I knew this of course.

Anyhow...just found this site the other day-seems pretty cool.

Thanks...

-r-

 

[///M SPEED]

I got the exact opposite answer. I purchased the extended warranty, but declined the exteded maitenance because the maitenance was third party.

Not if you buy it CPO. The extended maintenance warranty is from BMW, however if you purchase from another non-BMW dealer it would be third party....

 

[kaburke]

I'm with ya. The maintenance plan is a plus, the extended warrany is "iffy" at best. I've got the same car, just more miles (60K), and the key (with all bimmers) is to stay on top of the maintenance. If you do that, you'll be fine. Also, a word of advice: if you're going to the dealership regularly, talk to the technicians as often as you can. Often times, they have their own garages and do work on the side. Take advantage if so. My technician has a shop, so I take my car to him for everything. Much lower labor rate and the parts are cheaper too.