Because BMWs are considered luxury vehicles, they can be expensive to maintain. This makes a BMW extended warranty an attractive option, as it gives drivers peace of mind that their budgets will be protected in the event of a major breakdown. But does BMW provide the best protection for its vehicles?
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at BMW extended warranty costs and coverage, as well as the manufacturer’s factory warranty and average maintenance costs. We’ll also see how BMW stacks up against one of the best extended car warranty companies in the industry.
To get a BMW extended warranty quote, you’ll need to contact a local dealership. To find out how much you would pay for a third-party protection plan, get free quotes from several leading providers and compare pricing.
What Does A BMW Extended Warranty Cover?
You can purchase BMW extended warranty coverage when you buy a new BMW. There are three levels of BMW warranty protection, and coverage terms are available up to 7 years or 100,000 miles.
Here’s what each BMW extended warranty plan covers:
- Platinum: Covers most major mechanical and electrical vehicle parts, except for a short list of exclusions
- Gold: Provides full coverage for the engine, transmission, drive assembly, transfer case, cooling system, fuel system, induction system, steering, braking system, heating, and air conditioning components
- Powertrain Plus: Includes varying levels of coverage for the engine, transmission, drive assembly, electrical system, cooling system, and fuel system
All plans come with a number of exclusions that are common for most extended car warranties. Some excluded items are:
- Upholstery
- Wiper blades
- Glass
- Bumpers
- Exterior trim
- Tires
- Wheels
- Brake pads and shoes
All BMW extended warranty plans also include 24-hour roadside assistance.
BMW Extended Warranty Cost
BMW extended warranty costs are not available on the manufacturer’s website, but we found a number of customer reviews in which BMW owners disclosed the price of their warranties. Many people paid between $2,500 to $3,500 for three years of coverage. This is a high price for an extended warranty plan compared to competitors, but it is not surprising considering the high maintenance cost of BMW vehicles.
Your BMW extended warranty cost will vary depending on your vehicle model and the particular dealership you visit, and final prices may be negotiable.
Do You Need BMW Warranty Coverage?
When deciding if an extended warranty is right for your vehicle, you should compare expected repair costs against the price of your extended warranty. Also consider what factory coverage is included with new vehicles. If you plan to part with your vehicle before factory coverage expires, it is not usually worth purchasing an extended warranty.
BMW Reliability
Like all luxury vehicles, BMWs can be expensive to maintain. The average annual repair cost across all BMW models is $968, according to RepairPal. This is much higher than the industry average of $652, which isn’t surprising given that BMW is a luxury vehicle.
Here are a few popular BMW models and their reliability ratings:
RepairPal Reliability Rating |
Average Annual Repair Cost |
|
BMW X5 |
2.0 out of 5.0 |
$1,166 |
BMW X1 |
3.5 out of 5.0 |
$915 |
BMW Factory Warranty
All BMW vehicles come with the following factory warranties:
- 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty
- 12-year/unlimited-mile corrosion and rust warranty
- 8-year/80,000-mile federal emissions warranty
Certified pre-owned (CPO) BMWs come with an additional 1-year/unlimited-mile warranty that takes effect after the expiration of the vehicle’s 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty.
BMW factory warranty coverage is long compared to some other manufacturers, but because repair costs can be so high, a BMW extended warranty may be a good idea to protect your wallet against potentially expensive breakdowns later in your vehicle’s life.
Benefits Of A Third-Party Extended Car Warranty
If your car is not eligible for a BMW extended warranty or if you are looking for cheaper, more flexible coverage, it may be a good idea to look into third-party alternatives. A third-party extended vehicle service contract may be less expensive, offer more coverage options, and can be purchased at any time.
See a comparison of BMW and one of our top recommended providers, Endurance, below.
BMW Extended Warranty |
Endurance Extended Warranty |
|
Start Date |
When your factory warranty expires |
Anytime |
Longest Term |
100,000 miles |
200,000+ miles |
Number of Plans |
3 |
6 |
Deductible |
Variable |
$0, $50, $100, $200 |
Repair Facilities |
BMW dealerships |
Repair shops certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®) |
Extra Benefits |
|
1 year free of Elite Benefits, which includes:
|
How to Purchase |
Purchase from dealerships |
The Bottom Line: BMW Extended Warranty
BMW vehicles can be expensive to maintain, which means an extended warranty has a greater likelihood to return value. However, BMW extended warranty contracts are also expensive and must be purchased when you buy your new BMW.
We recommend customers looking for BMW extended warranty coverage check out third-party providers like Endurance in addition to the manufacturer to see if they offer cheaper coverage with more added benefits. Get free quotes from a few top-rated auto warranty providers below.