Is the BMW extended warranty worth it? (2021)

• BMW vehicles have high repair costs compared to other brands.
• The BMW Extended Warranty protects you from paying the full cost of a covered repair or replacement after a breakdown.
• A BMW Service Contract can be purchased through a BMW Dealership or an independent warranty service provider.

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If you plan to pay extra for a BMW Extended Warranty, you must understand your options, what is covered by your limited warranty and the costs associated with such a purchase. In this review, we will discuss in detail the BMW Extended Warranty options as well as alternative third party coverage plans.

We've researched the best companies with extended warranties for new and used BMW vehicles and found a few suppliers we recommend. Compare rates from several of our top rated providers below to get the best coverage and best value.

The Best Extended Warranty Companies We've looked at the best extended warranty providers for cars, and here are our top picks.

Best Overall	Best for Used Cars	Most affordable
Endurance	CARCHEX	CarShield
Get a quote	Get a quote	Get a quote
(877) 374-1840	(866) 254-0205	(800) 563-2761

BMW extended warranty: what is covered and what is not

BMW in North America refers to its extended warranties as BMW Extended Service Contracts, which are part of the BMW Ultimate Protection Program. This protection continues beyond what owners of new, pre-owned or Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) BMW vehicles receive under their original warranty. At best, you can extend coverage up to seven years or 100,000 miles from the service start date, whichever comes first.

BMW Extended Warranty	Coverage terms
Transmission	up to 7 years / 100,000 miles
Gold	up to 7 years / 100,000 miles
Platinum	up to 7 years / 100,000 miles

The BMW Extended Dealership Warranty only covers repairs and replacements caused by defects in materials or workmanship and not damage caused by normal wear and tear.

There are three BMW extended warranty plans: Platinum, Gold and Powertrain Plus.

True for all three plans: replaced with 100% Genuine BMW Parts and repaired at authorized BMW locations by trained BMW technicians. 24/7 roadside assistance is also included.

Platinum

As the highest tier available, this plan offers full protection for the following systems:

• Engine
• Steering
• Electrical
• Fuel system
• Transmission
• Cooling system
• induction system
• final drive assembly
• Infotainment system
• Heating and air conditioning
• Transfer case (4WD only)
• Brakes and anti-lock braking system (ABS)

The Platinum plan also includes limited coverage for the vehicle's interior and exterior. The BMW Extended Warranty is available to owners of new, used and pre-owned BMW vehicles.

Gold

The Gold plan protects the same systems as the Platinum plan, with the following changes:

• This is not available for CPO vehicles.
• Infotainment system not covered.
• The electrical system has limited coverage.

Transmission Plus

This plan for new and used BMW vehicles focuses on transmission protection and limits or excludes coverage for certain other systems.

Full coverage	Limited coverage	Exceptions
induction system Transfer case (4WD only)	Engine Fuel system Transmission Cooling system electrical system final drive assembly	Steering Brakes and ABS Interior and exterior Infotainment system Heating and air conditioning

How long does the BMW Extended Warranty last?

After you choose your coverage level, BMW will also let you choose the length of your term.

BMW owners can choose up to five, six or seven years of coverage and either 75,000 miles or 100,000 miles.

Remember that this is based on the commissioning date, which means that coverage is provided for one to three years after your four-year limited warranty expires, not five to seven. additional years.

What this means for used car owners and owners of BMW vehicles

Used car owners enjoy the same extended BMW warranty options as new car owners.

Those with CPO models are limited to the Platinum tier plan, the most extensive and expensive option. Timing options are also different:

• CPO Elite members are guaranteed only one additional year after the four-year limited warranty.
• CPO members may be insured for two additional years .
• CPO Wrap and CPO Wrap Elite members have the opportunity to receive up to three additional years insurance coverage.

When choosing a warranty period, remember that BMW CPO vehicles carry the remainder of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty plus an additional year of the original warranty.

BMW Extended Warranty Cost

If you're thinking about BMW's extended warranty, the main question you might ask is if it's worth the cost.

According to our research, BMW extended service contracts are expensive. Expect to pay between $1,000 and $8,000 for an extended BMW warranty.

We found a BMW M4 owner who was offered $6,500 for a five-year/100,000-mile platinum plan. The rest received similar prices.

For comparison, we used Cadillac's Platinum Protection Plan pricing tool. A five-year/60,000-mile contract for a 2016 Cadillac ATS that is no longer under warranty will be $3,750.60. As you might expect, the price of older high mileage models has gone up.

The BMW warranty covers almost all parts of a new car, but this protection disappears at the end of the warranty period.

Is the BMW extended warranty worth it?

When considering the cost-effectiveness of a BMW Extended Warranty, you must consider the vehicle's reliability and existing coverage.

BMW Factory Warranty

When you buy a new BMW, it comes with a limited warranty. This is different from an extended warranty because you are not buying additional coverage under a new contract - it is included with the vehicle.

Like most car manufacturer warranties, the BMW warranty covers the cost of repairing or replacing factory defects in materials or workmanship. Here is a brief description of the various warranties and duration of each system.

BMW Warranty	Coating length
New car warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles
Rust Perforation Warranty	12 years / unlimited miles
Federal Emission Guarantee	All emissions details: 2 years / 24,000 miles Special controls: 8 years / 80,000 miles
California Emission Control Guarantee	All emissions details: 3 years / 50,000 miles Special controls: 7 years / 70,000 miles TZEV vehicles: 15 years / 150,000 miles

Between these warranties, your new 8 Series Gran Coupe or M2 CS is basically fully covered. The new car warranty covers bumper to bumper with a small list of exclusions.

If you're planning on keeping your BMW longer than the first four years, it's definitely worth considering an extended warranty if you don't want to cover repair costs yourself.

BMW Reliability

Now consider how much maintenance and repair of a BMW usually costs. YourMechanic named the BMW the most expensive car to maintain, with an estimated 10 years of service costing $17,800.

RepairPal data shows that BMW owners can expect to pay an average of $968 for repairs each year. According to his research, the average annual repair cost for all brands was $652.

Let's break down some common BMW repair and replacement costs based on RepairPal data:

Model	Repair	Expenses
BMW 325i	Replacing the valve cover gasket to fix oil leakage	$298-$371
BMW 128i	Replacing the brake booster	$634 to $986
BMW 228i xDrive	Heater core replacement	1232–1713 dollars
BMW 335i	Fuel pump replacement	$2290–$3937

If these problems are caused by factory defects and your vehicle is in service in its first four years, your BMW warranty should cover all costs. Everything else is your responsibility. If this keeps you awake at night, an extended warranty might give you some peace of mind.

BMW Extended Warranty Reviews

The BMW Extended Service Contract is not the only option for extended coverage. Many people don't understand what a third party provider has to offer in terms of accessibility and flexibility.

Let's take a look at the pros and cons of a BMW Extended Warranty from a dealership versus a third party supplier.

Benefits of the BMW Extended Warranty:	Cons of the BMW Extended Warranty:
All true BMW - technicians are BMW trained and all parts are 100% genuine BMW.	The Dealership Extended Warranty limits you to specified repair facilities and locations.
If you're looking to sell your BMW, having an extended warranty can be a good way to attract buyers and increase your selling price.	The BMW plans we found were expensive. If you can't negotiate a price cut at the dealership, it's likely that you'll end up paying more for an extended warranty than with a third-party supplier.
Extended warranties provide peace of mind. You won't have to pay in full for costly repairs or replacements.	The dealership only covers your BMW for the first seven years or 100,000 miles. A third party provider plan can take much longer.
You can also purchase a maintenance plan to cover wear items.	The BMW dealership limits you to three plans without much room for customization.

What to Expect from a Third Party Extended Warranty Company

When you start shopping from a third-party supplier, it's easy to get lost in all the possible options. Our team has done most of the work for you and narrowed down your search to the best extended warranties. Our three main options based on coverage options, cost, reputation and other factors are:

The Best Extended Warranty Companies We've looked at the best extended warranty providers for cars, and here are our top picks.

Best Overall	Best for Used Cars	Most affordable
Endurance	CARCHEX	CarShield
Get a quote	Get a quote	Get a quote
(877) 374-1840	(866) 254-0205	(800) 563-2761

Overall, we think these companies will give you more coverage options and lower prices to protect your BMW.

For example, CARCHEX has five levels of coverage and Endurance has six levels compared to BMW's three levels of coverage. CarShield has four "traditional" extended warranty plans plus one plan specifically for high-tech components. Most plans have customization options so you can tailor your insurance to fit your vehicle.

In terms of costs, you'll probably save money by going with a third-party provider. A five-year, 100,000 mile plan from CARCHEX for a standard car costs less than $4,000. The price may rise as the BMW is more expensive, but it's still less than what BMW offers.

Two other important benefits:

• You can go to the dealership and use the services of their specialists, but this is not necessary. If you're doing well with a local mechanic, there's nothing stopping you from using them.
• You won't miss out on benefits like roadside assistance if you choose a third party service provider. Most providers include services such as towing, gas delivery and jump start, as well as car rental and trip interruption reimbursements.

To find the best BMW Extended Warranty for your vehicle and your budget, we recommend getting quotes from at least three suppliers.

To find the best BMW Extended Warranty, browse and compare offers from suppliers.

Frequently Asked Questions: BMW Extended Warranty

Can you transfer the BMW warranty?

The BMW New Vehicle and CPO Vehicle Warranty is transferable. However, a $200 fee may apply for certified BMWs.

The BMW Extended Warranty is also transferable, but may have a few limitations.

Does BMW have a maintenance plan?

BMW offers service plans to cover wear parts. There are two options depending on whether your BMW is a 2017 or earlier model.

• Models 2017 and up covered by the BMW Ultimate Care plan, which lasts three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. It comes with new or leased BMWs.
• BMW cars 2015 and 2016 vehicles sold or leased by a BMW Authorized Dealer on or after July 1, 2014 are covered by the BMW Service Program for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.

These BMW Service Plans are not transferable.

Does BMW have other protection plans?

Through its Ultimate Protection Program, BMW offers additional protection plans that can be purchased with an extended warranty. Some of these plans include:

• Painless dent repair to repair dents and small dents.
• Tire and wheel protection in case of damage from potholes, gouges, glass, metal, debris and other objects.
• Key protection to provide lockout assistance and reimbursement in case your keys are stolen, damaged or lost.
• Windshield protection in the event that stones, debris or other objects break or crack the glass and require repair.

Can I extend the BWP CPO warranty?

Yes, you can extend your BMW CPO warranty, but those with new and used vehicles have more options.

Can I purchase a BMW warranty on a used car?

While you can't buy the original factory warranty, you can find a used car still under warranty. However, you can purchase a BMW Extended Warranty on a used car, whether from a dealership or a third party supplier.

Find out what we consider to be the best used car warranty companies.

What is the BMW warranty period?

The BMW factory warranty lasts four years / 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The maximum period you can be covered by BMW is seven years / 100,000 miles from entry into service. This will include a four year limited warranty plus a three year extended warranty.

Can I get a BMW Extended Warranty for more than 100,000 miles?

Yes, but not in a car dealership. Many third party providers offer extended coverage for BMW vehicles over 100,000 miles.