BMW’s Extended Warranty

BMW’s extended warranty can be attractive once the factory coverage has expired, but there are some details you should know.

byAustin Fracchia, Linsay Thomas|
Share

0

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

When the original factory or CPO warranty runs out on a BMW, the company has a few different options to extend the coverage for BMW owners. Offering three different extended warranty plans, all under BMW’s Extended Service Contracts, the company gives the driver more options than just a regular, straightforward extended factory normally provides.

While there is a lot to like about BMW’s offerings and approach, we found there are a couple of disadvantages to know about before you go all-in with a BMW warranty extension.

BMW Warranty At-A-Glance

1-3

Years

up to 100,000 miles

Coverage

3

Years

<br>

<br>

<br>

Years

<br>

<br>

<br>

Years

<br>

<br>

Pros

  • Basic options to choose from when selecting the best-extended coverage for a BMW vehicle
  • Options for covering basic maintenance tasks (all factory-recommended scheduled services)
  • True 100-percent BMW replacement parts

cons

  • Limited options for certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle owners
  • Shorter year and mileage limits than other extended warranties
  • Not as many customization options as other extended warranties

Uproar.car —  Around the Clock Coverage for Your Car

Uproar.car will cover your car for less, protecting you against expensive repairs from bumper to bumper. With a focus on customer care and no middleman to complicate repairs and claims, you’ll get easy coverage you can actually use. The plan even pays for itself — Uproar.car’s warranty coverage gives you exclusive access to discounts, auto concierge service, and a 100 percent online claims process. And with clear, upfront price quotes, you’ll know exactly what to expect when it comes to the cost. It should also be noted, however, that this coverage does not extend to some luxury vehicles, cars over 120,000 miles, and cars more than 10 years old.

EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE MORE … FOR LESS

Save $350 on an Endurance warranty plan with coupon code: DRIVE350

Save $350 on an Endurance warranty plan with coupon code: DRIVE350

Going with a factory extended warranty is a good option for basic protection, but you can get more and save more with Endurance, ranked the top extended warranty provider by Consumer Advocates, Consumer Affairs, and Retirement Living.

Get a Free Quote

Save $350 with coupon code: DRIVE350

CarShield — USA’s #1 Auto Protection Provider

CarShield — USA’s #1 Auto Protection Provider

CarShield pays claims directly to a US or Canadian ASE-Certified® repair facility of your choice. Our contracts have low or no deductibles to prevent stress to your wallet at a critical time. Never worry about being stranded somewhere after a breakdown. All of our vehicle repair contracts include towing services to transport you and your vehicle to a safe repair facility.

Nationwide coverage for cars new and old

Nationwide coverage for cars new and old

CARCHEX has something for everyone. Have an old car? No problem. Live in California? Not an issue. CARCHEX 's plethora of warranty plans includes options for cars up to twenty years old with up to 250,000 miles, regardless of any existing or expired warranties. Click below or call 1-877-207-3304 for a free quote.

Warranty In-Depth

BMW is one of the automakers that has a more extensive extended warranty program many other automakers tend to offer. While some automakers just extend the original coverage (inclusions and limits) of the factory warranty, BMW has taken the approach of offering a few different choices to its drivers. 

So, in theory, it’s easy to pick the option that meets the needs of the driver the most. Each plan has a different list of inclusions and cost, but all of them have the same basic range of year (one to three years on top of the original factory warranty) and mileage limits (75,000 to 100,000 miles on top of the original factory warranty). 

This extension approach means BMW drivers can add an extended warranty plan, even if the original warranty hasn’t expired yet.

In total, each plan has six different lengths the driver can choose:

  • 5 Years/75,000 Miles
  • 6 Years/75,000 Miles
  • 7 Years/75,000 Miles
  • 5 Years/100,000 Miles
  • 6 Years/100,000 Miles
  • 7 Years/100,000 Miles

Powertrain Plus

This basic plan is the lowest offering in the BMW extended vehicle protection lineup. In many ways, choosing this plan essentially extends the typical powertrain warranty most cars come with when brand new. 

There is comprehensive coverage for the all-wheel-drive transfer case and induction system. Limited coverage includes drivetrain components like the engine, transmission, drive assembly, cooling and fuel systems, and electrical components. 

Since the plan is primarily focused on the powertrain, the list of exclusions is fairly large for a true extended warranty. Components like steering, brakes, heating, and air conditioning are all left out. 

Given the plan isn’t a bumper-to-bumper warranty, issues with the body, interior, or electronics like the infotainment system aren’t covered either.

Gold

The Gold plan is a step up from the Powertrain Plus option, offering more comprehensive coverage for drivetrain parts without getting into the coverage territory of a bumper-to-bumper warranty. Once again, its drivetrain focus makes it more like a powertrain warranty than anything else. 

The list of comprehensive coverage with the Gold plan includes the engine, transmission, transfer case, cooling system, fuel system, induction system, steering, brakes, heat, and cooling. There is also limited coverage for electrical systems and the overall interior and exterior. 

The infotainment system, however, remains off the table for coverage.

Platinum

Matching the pattern of the Powertrain Plus and Gold plans, the Platinum option offers even more comprehensive coverage for the major components of a BMW vehicle than the others. In fact, the plan covers pretty much anything you will find on a BMW to varying degrees. 

For the extra cost, the plan is a good choice for a blend of powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage. In the list of comprehensive inclusions, you will find main powertrain components like the engine and transmission with other major components such as the cooling, fuel, induction, steering, braking, heating, cooling, and electrical systems. 

There is also limited coverage for issues with the general interior and exterior of the vehicle. 

Few BMW plans will cover damage caused by accidents or bad driving., GETTYIMAGES
Feeling Overwhelmed?

What We Like

BMW’s overall approach to its extended warranty program is a highlight of its offerings. While the customization options are limited, the fact drivers can choose the amount of coverage they are actually paying for makes it more valuable in the long run. 

For example, a driver can pick a plan based on the condition of their vehicle. Newer vehicles may benefit from a lower plan, while older vehicles may require the extra coverage higher plans offer beyond the powertrain.

While maintenance service isn’t covered with any of the three plans, the company does make it easy to add some money-saving coverage in the form of its Ultimate Care and Ultimate Care+ programs. 

With these, all factory-recommended scheduled maintenance services are covered through the duration of the plan. Since this is an additional program, however, extra costs will be included.

Finally, while BMW’s extension concept is a bit difficult to understand (and potentially misleading), the idea behind it is useful for anyone wanting to extend the original factory warranties. 

Since it automatically adds onto the remainder of the factory warranty, and it’s not plan dependant, the extension is free of hassle.

What We Don’t Like

The main drawbacks of the BMW extended warranties have to do with the main things we like about the company’s offerings as well. For example, the tiered plan approach is good for giving drivers different options, but it doesn’t offer true customization where drivers can add the coverage they want or need without buying things they want left off. 

In this way, drivers may better be served by a third-party warranty provider than anything else. More than anything else, the lack of accident and maintenance coverage, while common for extended warranties, still limits the usefulness of BMW’s offerings. 

Unless a driver is willing to pay the extra costs of the Ultimate Protection plans, there isn’t much extra coverage for anything beyond factory and manufacturing defects covered by the normal factory warranties. This limits the peace of mind one can get from the vehicle protection.

Knowing how much coverage and for how long can also be confusing. BMW does a good job of specifying how long the extended coverage lasts and how it tacks onto the original factory warranty, but there is still room for some confusion.

Common Repair Costs

Some of the most common issues and repair costs with BMW vehicles:

  • BMW 328i: Trans Oil Cooler Line Replacement ($281 to $309)
  • BMW 528xi: Catalytic Converter Replacement ($3,027 to $3,119)
  • BMW 335i xDrive: Noise Diagnosis ($88 to $111)
  • BMW 740Li: Suspension Replacement ($6,235 to $6,335)
  • BMW 650i xDrive: Brake Pad Replacement ($513 to $548)
  • BMW 228i xDrive: Engine Mount Replacement ($589 to $673)

FAQs

Q. Can I extend a warranty on a used BMW?

A. Yes, however, you won’t get the original factory warranties tacked onto the extended warranty if they have expired.

Q. How long do I need to wait after purchasing a new car to add on the extended warranty?

A. You don’t need to wait at all, since the extended warranty adds onto the original year and mileage limits. 

Q. Is BMW’s extended warranty the same as its CPO warranty?

A. No. CPO warranties are only for used vehicles BMW has certified. This warranty lasts for up to six years or 100,000 miles

Q. Can I cancel an extended warranty from BMW?

A. It is possible. The best thing to do is to talk with someone from a BMW dealership to start the process. There is some waiting involved, so patience may be required. 

Is BMW’s Extended Warranty Worth It?

Deciding on whether to extend your original BMW factory warranty depends on the coverage you want or need for your vehicle. This can also partly depend on the condition and age of your vehicle. 

For example, if you primarily want to be covered for powertrain issues, the Powertrain Plus or Gold plans may just be enough. 

For more comprehensive coverage, the Platinum plan does include nearly everything in the vehicle, but you may better be served with a third-party extended warranty that allows you to customize the coverage more. 

More Information

Here are a few more resources you can use:

Uproar.car —  Around the Clock Coverage for Your Car

Uproar.car will cover your car for less, protecting you against expensive repairs from bumper to bumper. With a focus on customer care and no middleman to complicate repairs and claims, you’ll get easy coverage you can actually use. The plan even pays for itself — Uproar.car’s warranty coverage gives you exclusive access to discounts, auto concierge service, and a 100 percent online claims process. And with clear, upfront price quotes, you’ll know exactly what to expect when it comes to the cost. It should also be noted, however, that this coverage does not extend to some luxury vehicles, cars over 120,000 miles, and cars more than 10 years old.

EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE MORE … FOR LESS

Save $350 on an Endurance warranty plan with coupon code: DRIVE350

Save $350 on an Endurance warranty plan with coupon code: DRIVE350

Going with a factory extended warranty is a good option for basic protection, but you can get more and save more with Endurance, ranked the top extended warranty provider by Consumer Advocates, Consumer Affairs, and Retirement Living.

Get a Free Quote

Save $350 with coupon code: DRIVE350

CarShield — USA’s #1 Auto Protection Provider

CarShield — USA’s #1 Auto Protection Provider

CarShield pays claims directly to a US or Canadian ASE-Certified® repair facility of your choice. Our contracts have low or no deductibles to prevent stress to your wallet at a critical time. Never worry about being stranded somewhere after a breakdown. All of our vehicle repair contracts include towing services to transport you and your vehicle to a safe repair facility.

Nationwide coverage for cars new and old

Nationwide coverage for cars new and old

CARCHEX has something for everyone. Have an old car? No problem. Live in California? Not an issue. CARCHEX 's plethora of warranty plans includes options for cars up to twenty years old with up to 250,000 miles, regardless of any existing or expired warranties. Click below or call 1-877-207-3304 for a free quote.

stripe
Car Care