BMW Extended Warranty: Is It the Right Choice For You?

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Given the high cost of BMW repairs, you may be considering an extended auto warranty once your factory warranty expires. But is a BMW extended warranty your best option for covering your vehicle?

Our experts wanted to see how the BMW extended warranty stacks up against some third-party providers from our review of the best extended car warranty companies. So we analyzed the German automaker’s pricing, coverage options and other details. You can use this information to compare BMW’s plans with other warranty providers and come to your own conclusions about which option is the right option for you.

A comprehensive, bumper-to-bumper BMW factory warranty comes with every new car the company sells. This warranty covers the vehicle for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. But some BMW owners may want to get extra years of coverage by purchasing an extended warranty from the BMW dealership.

The BMW extended warranty protects vehicles against mechanical breakdowns for 75,000 or 100,000 miles, depending on the extended warranty plan you choose. BMW offers three levels of coverage: Platinum, Gold, and Powertrain Plus. Here is a list of what each warranty covers:

The BMW new vehicle limited warranty is a standard bumper-to-bumper warranty. It promises to pay for covered repairs related to the engine, powertrain components, and most mechanical systems. When your new vehicle warranty expires, you may want to consider an extended car warranty.

A certified pre-owned warranty from the BMW dealer is a little less generous than CPO warranties offered by other manufacturers. It simply extends the new vehicle warranty by an additional year and unlimited miles for used cars.

Even after the factory warranty expires, a BMW extended warranty may not be worth the price if your car is reliable and repair costs are low.

But as all BMW owners are aware, BMW maintenance is particularly expensive. As luxury vehicles, BMW parts are expensive, so repairs can be costly. The average annual repair cost for a BMW is $968 according to RepairPal. This cost varies depending on the particular model.

Common BMW problems and their repair costs include:

RepairPal rates most BMW vehicles between 2.0 and 3.0 out of 5.0 in terms of reliability. The BMW X5, X3, 750Li, and 335d score particularly low. The 335d has an average annual repair cost of $1,113, which is high even among BMW models.

Research the repair costs for your model of BMW, and compare this against the price of an extended warranty. This will help you determine the potential value of a vehicle protection plan, even if that value is peace of mind alone.

You may also receive different quotes from different dealerships. Like the price of your vehicle, you can negotiate the cost of a BMW extended warranty.

BMWs are expensive vehicles to maintain, so vehicle service contracts are likely to be pricey. Some customers have reported prices as high as $6,500 for a 5-year/100,000-mile Platinum contract. Based on our research, a BMW extended manufacturer’s warranty is likely to cost between $3,500 and $6,000.

Contracts include $0 and $50 deductible options.

Anytime you think about buying an expensive product, you should compare prices across providers. No matter the make and model of your car, the manufacturer isn’t your only option when it comes to purchasing extended warranty protection.

Generally, manufacturer extended warranties must be purchased when you buy your vehicle. They also require that your vehicle be serviced only at licensed dealerships. Dealerships are great places to have your car serviced, as technicians are able to specialize in specific manufacturers. However, depending on where you live or where you break down, getting your car to a dealership may not be convenient.

Vehicle protection plans from third-party providers often offer more flexible coverage options, contract start dates, and lower prices. You can easily get an instant free quote from most providers online.

The BMW extended warranty can cover your vehicle for up to 75,000 or 100,000 miles. Among manufacturer extended warranties, BMW’s offering is somewhat limited. Other warranties offer better coverage with more perks.

BMW’s Platinum level coverage is comparable to third-party bumper-to-bumper warranties, however you may be able to get a longer term and better perks with a third-party provider. Read our comprehensive Endurance warranty review for more information on our top pick. Our team also wrote in-depth CARCHEX and CarShield reviews. If you can’t decide between these providers, read our CarShield vs Endurance, Endurance vs CARCHEX, and CarShield vs CARCHEX reviews.

Q & A

Is it worth buying a BMW extended warranty?

A BMW extended warranty may be worth it, but we recommend exploring third-party providers too. The manufacturer extended warranty offers comprehensive coverage, but with shorter terms and likely higher prices than you can find elsewhere.

How much is a BMW extended warranty?

The cost of a BMW extended warranty will vary based on your car’s model, age, and mileage. BMW offers multiple coverage options with different term lengths and deductibles.

How long is the warranty on a BMW?

The BMW factory warranty lasts for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. A BMW extended warranty can be purchased from BMW or a third-party provider. The BMW extended warranty lasts for up to 75,000 or 100,000 miles.

When can you buy a BMW extended warranty?

You can buy a BMW extended warranty from any BMW dealership. You must purchase the extended warranty when you buy your vehicle. With a third-party vehicle service contract, you can sign up at any time.