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BMW is known for its fast and luxurious cars, so it’s no surprise these vehicles are expensive to repair and maintain. If you want to avoid paying out of pocket for unexpected repair costs once your BMW factory warranty expires, consider extended warranty coverage.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into BMW’s extended warranty offerings. This includes coverage options, costs, perks, and exclusions for each plan. We’ll also touch on third-party plans and how to search for the best extended car warranty for your needs.
Key Points:
- BMW’s manufacturer-backed extended warranty lasts 7 years/100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- BMW offers three levels of coverage that are similar to exclusionary vehicle service contracts, mid-level extended warranties, and powertrain coverage.
- According to RepairPal, BMW models cost 48 percent more on average to repair per year than other vehicles, and rank 30th out of 32 car brands in reliability.
What Does A BMW Extended Warranty Cover?
BMW sells manufacturer-backed warranty plans through the BMW Ultimate Protection Program. There are three levels of protection providing coverage for 7 years/100,000 miles.
BMW Extended Warranty Coverage Breakdown
BMW’s three extended vehicle service contracts are called Platinum, Gold, and Powertrain Plus. These plans are comparable to exclusionary, mid-level, and powertrain coverage, respectively. See the table below for an overview of what each provides:
If you’re looking for a complete breakdown of protected systems by each level of coverage, we’ve got you covered in the table below:
Coverage for the transfer case on BMW plans only applies to vehicles with all-wheel drive. The Gold and Platinum Plus plans may carry limited coverage on some systems listed in the table above.
BMW doesn’t list deductible options in its extended service contract brochures, so you’ll need to reach out to your local BMW dealership for that information.
BMW Extended Warranty Perks
With a BMW extended warranty, you’ll receive repairs done by BMW-trained automotive technicians who use genuine manufacturer replacement parts. You’ll also have access to 24/7 BMW roadside assistance services, which include:
- Towing
- Battery jump-starts
- Lockout services
- Tire changes
BMW Extended Warranty Exclusions
While BMW extended vehicle protection plans cover most major components of your car, there are some exceptions. Most extended warranties exclude these items:
- Tires
- Glass
- Brake pads
- Upholstery
- General maintenance
- Windshield wiper blades
BMW Protection Products
If you want protection for items that your BMW extended warranty won’t cover, the automaker offers several additional products that can help fill in the gaps left by your warranty’s exclusions. See the table below for a breakdown of BMW’s protection products:
BMW Maintenance Plans
For all new models, BMW offers maintenance coverage called Ultimate Care, which ensures your car receives service at the right intervals. All BMW models 2017 and newer come equipped with Ultimate Care for 3 years/36,000 miles.
You can pay to extend this coverage with four options available through an authorized BMW retailer:
- BMW Ultimate Care Scheduled
- Ultimate Care+
- Ultimate Care Oil Services
- Value Service
Is An Extended Warranty Necessary For My BMW?
When deciding whether an extended warranty is right for you, you need to consider several factors. First, compare the average repair costs for your BMW model against the price of an extended warranty plan. You’ll also need to decide if you’re comfortable paying for repairs out of pocket.
In the sections below, learn more about BMW repair costs, reliability, and the manufacturer’s limited warranty coverage that comes with new cars.
BMW Repair Costs And Reliability
BMWs are luxury cars which helps explain why the average cost of repairs is significantly higher than the auto industry average. According to RepairPal, the average annual repair cost for a BMW is $968 per year, which is 48 percent more than repair costs across all makes and models.
BMWs aren’t the most reliable vehicles, either. RepairPal gave BMW 2.5 out of 5.0 stars for reliability, which means it ranks 30th out of 32 total car brands. BMW ranked just above average in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study℠.
See the table below for common BMW repairs reported to RepairPal:
If you’re uncomfortable thinking about paying this much for vehicle repairs, it may be worth considering an extended warranty.
BMW Factory Warranty Coverage
Before buying an extended warranty, check if your BMW is still under a factory warranty. All new BMW vehicles come with a manufacturer’s limited warranty. Here are the term lengths of BMW factory warranties:
- New Vehicle Limited Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles
- Corrosion Warranty: 12 years/unlimited miles
- Federal Emissions Warranty: 8 years/80,000 miles
You’ll also receive roadside assistance and scheduled maintenance services at no extra cost with your new BMW. Roadside assistance lasts for four years while the Ultimate Care maintenance plan covers 3 years/36,000 miles, whichever comes first.
BMW Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Coverage
Owners of a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) BMW get an additional warranty on top of their factory warranty. The 1-year/unlimited-mile CPO warranty is exclusionary, meaning all systems and parts are covered unless specifically listed in the contract. Here’s what BMW lists as exclusions:
- Vehicle maintenance such as brake pads and rotors
- Upkeep services like adjustments and battery repairs
- Suspension parts such as ball joints or bushings
- Various parts like glass, wheels, and door handles
- Interior items such as carpeting, lightbulbs, and upholstery
Roadside assistance comes with your used BMW CPO warranty coverage.
BMW Extended Warranty Costs
You’ll need to reach out to a BMW dealer to learn about costs for extended warranty coverage, as the automaker doesn’t provide pricing online. Alternatively, there are plenty of BMW owners discussing on online forums the deals they received on manufacturer-backed extended coverage.
One BMW 530xe owner reported paying around $4,000 total for a 7-year/100,000-mile Platinum Plan. Another driver we found paid the same amount after negotiations for a 7-year/75,000-mile Platinum Plan for a 2020 BMW 540i. While these examples are helpful, your actual costs for extended coverage for your BMW will depend on a variety of factors such as:
- Vehicle model, age, and mileage
- Coverage level
- Years of coverage
- Deductible amount
Of course, where you buy your extended car warranty also plays a part in how much you pay. We’ll cover your purchasing options down below.
Where Can I Buy BMW Extended Warranty Coverage?
You can buy factory-backed coverage from a dealership, or you can purchase a vehicle protection plan from an independent warranty provider. Both options have pros and cons. It’s up to you to decide which provider or warranty plan best fits your needs.
Manufacturer Vs. Third-Party Extended Auto Warranties
BMW’s manufacturer-backed extended warranties provide plenty of perks, such as genuine BMW parts and repairs done by BMW-trained technicians. However, third-party warranty companies may offer the same or similar benefits at a cheaper price. Benefits of choosing an independent warranty provider for your BMW include:
- More coverage options: BMW only offers three manufacturer-backed plans. Many third-party companies offer five or more plans so that you can find the perfect fit for your needs.
- Flexibility: You can’t purchase an extended warranty through BMW once your factory warranty has expired. However, third-party plans can be purchased long after this coverage is gone.
- Your choice of repair facility: Expect to have covered repairs done at a dealership under a BMW extended warranty. Third-party providers, however, allow you to choose almost any licensed repair facility.
BMW Extended Warranty: Our Take
BMWs are expensive to maintain and aren’t the most reliable cars out there. An extended warranty from the automaker can provide peace of mind and protection against faulty workmanship or defective parts.
However, it’s worth considering third-party companies in your search. They can offer more protection plans, flexibility, and even perks like rental car reimbursement and trip interruption coverage. We recommend checking out Carchex and Endurance as you shop around as both scored highly in our comprehensive review of the best providers in the industry.
Read our Carchex review and Endurance review to learn more, or check out our comparison of Carchex and Endurance.
BMW Extended Warranty: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about BMW extended warranties:
How We Rate Car Warranty Companies
Our review team extensively researches extended car warranty providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:
- Reliability: Warranty providers that earn strong ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), work with reliable partners and administrators, and have a long history in the warranty industry score well in this category.
- Coverage Plans: We take a close look at the coverage plans available through each provider, including how many are offered, maximum term limits, plan exclusions, and more. We also evaluate the added benefits companies include with their warranty plans, such as roadside assistance and trip interruption benefits.
- Pricing: Our team performs a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and coverage plans to get a sense of a provider’s average costs. We see how each company’s pricing, deductible options, and discount opportunities compare to competitors when determining this score.
- Transparency: We evaluate the availability and transparency of each company’s contracts, as well as whether each provider offers a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Experience: We consider customer reviews and complaints from sites like the BBB and Trustpilot. Our team also reaches out to customer service reps during our secret shopper analysis to get a sense of the customer experience with each company.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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