BMW Extended Warranty

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’s 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.

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 for up to 7 years/100,000 miles.

BMW Extended Warranty Plans

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 BMW extended warranty plans include 24-hour roadside assistance.

BMW Extended Warranty Exclusions

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

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.

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 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.

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:

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.

Best Aftermarket Warranty for BMW

See a comparison of BMW and one of our top recommended providers, Endurance, below.

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.

BMW Extended Warranty After Purchase: Recommended Provider

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.

Endurance: Best Coverage

Our top recommendation for a BMW extended warranty is Endurance. The company’s Supreme plan with the Highline add-on is a specialized warranty designed for a variety of luxury models. It’s an exclusionary warranty, so it covers all mechanical breakdowns unless it’s explicitly excluded in the contract. The Endurance Highline Supreme plan is available for the following luxury BMW models:

• M2
• M3
• M4
• M340
• 8 series (except I8 and M8)
• X3 M
• X4
• X5 M

Other BMW models (such as the I8 and M8) are eligible for Endurance’s standard plans. The Highline add-on is for performance models only.

BMW Extended Auto Warranty: FAQ

Below are frequently asked questions about BMW extended warranties.

How We Rate Warranty Providers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of extended auto warranty providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a warranty company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

• Reputation: It’s important that an extended car warranty company is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) score well in this category. Established providers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
• Coverage: Our team of experts looks at the number of extended warranty plans available, as well as term limits, exclusions, and added benefits like roadside assistance. Ratings also take into account the availability of maintenance coverage.
• Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact vehicle service contract pricing. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and plans and consider available deductibles.
• Transparency: Our team evaluates the availability and transparency of each company’s contracts, as well as whether each provider offers a money-back guarantee.
• Customer Experience: We listen to real customer sales calls and comb through reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Warranty companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the availability of mobile apps and chat features.