BMW’s new vehicle warranty, while comprehensive, does not last as long as most other manufacturer warranties. This is one reason to consider a BMW extended warranty or a third-party vehicle service contract for added peace of mind.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at the coverage BMW offers in these plans, and we’ll show some advantages of considering a third-party option for an extended warranty. We reviewed and ranked the best extended car warranty companies that offer BMW extended warranty coverage. Depending on how often you drive your BMW and how long you intend to keep it, one of these could be a better choice for you.
When shopping for extended warranties, the best thing to do is call around and get quotes customized to your specific vehicle. That way, you can compare each company’s prices and get a feel for customer service.
In this article:
- BMW Extended Warranty Overview
- Cost Of BMW's Extended Warranty
- Do You Need BMW Extended Warranty Coverage?
- What Are The Benefits Of A Third-Party Warranty?
- Our Take On BMW's Extended Warranty
- Frequently Asked Questions
BMW Extended Warranty Overview
If you buy a new vehicle, you can add BMW extended warranty coverage right away or at any time before your original warranty’s expiration. So, for example, if you drive more than 12,000 miles a year, you’d need to buy the extra coverage before your car is 4 years old.
The BMW extended warranty program offers three levels of coverage: Powertrain Plus, Gold, and Platinum. This is fairly average, though some aftermarket warranties offer more choices with longer coverage.
| BMW Extended Warranty | Coverage Terms |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | 7 years/100,000 miles |
| Gold | 7 years/100,000 miles |
| Platinum | 7 years/100,000 miles |
The Powertrain Plus plan offers “limited coverage” of major components of the engine and transmission. The engine itself, transmission, fuel and cooling systems, and drive axle are among the systems receiving limited coverage. The only parts singled out for “comprehensive coverage” are the all-wheel-drive transfer case (if equipped with all-wheel drive) and the engine’s induction system.
The Gold level provides what BMW calls “comprehensive” coverage for the engine, transmission, fuel and cooling systems, steering, anti-lock brakes, heating, and air conditioning. Electrical components receive “limited” coverage, while audio, entertainment, and navigation systems have no coverage at all.
The Platinum BMW extended warranty combines all the features of the first two plans and adds coverage for the audio, entertainment, and navigation systems. It also adds limited coverage for the vehicle’s exterior and interior.
For each of these plans, you can extend the original warranty term by 1, 2, or 3 years, choosing between 75,000 or 100,000 miles for each term. As with other car brands’ extended warranties, those terms include the length of the original factory warranty. For example, if you choose 5 years/75,000 miles, you are getting an additional 1 year/25,000 miles of coverage. If you choose a 7-year/100,000-mile term, you’re really adding 3 years/50,000 miles of coverage.
Cost Of BMW's Extended Warranty
The cost of a BMW extended warranty will depend on the particular model and the terms you choose. That information will be available when you are negotiating the vehicle’s purchase with the dealer. BMW says its dealers are free to set their own prices.
Some brand enthusiasts have posted their quotes on BMW fan forums, indicating a price range of about $1,700 for an additional 1 year/25,000 miles of Powertrain Plus coverage to well over $7,000 for a 3-year Platinum BMW Extended Service Contract.
Regardless of which BMW extended warranty plan or term you choose, you get 24-hour roadside assistance and will pay a $50 deductible for any covered repairs. All repairs must be performed by an authorized BMW dealer to be covered by the extended warranty.
Do You Need BMW Extended Warranty Coverage?
When considering a BMW extended warranty, you should take into account average BMW maintenance costs and the warranty coverage that comes standard with new BMWs.
Like the Mercedes-Benz warranty, BMW's factory warranty coverage lasts for 4 years/50,000 miles and covers the entire vehicle. There is no added powertrain coverage beyond that, as there is from some other luxury brands, including Acura, Infiniti, Cadillac, and Genesis. The latter comes with 10 years/100,000 miles of powertrain coverage.
BMW’s roadside assistance lasts four years with no mileage restriction, and the corrosion warranty is 12 years/unlimited miles. Many new BMWs are leased, and so those drivers need not be concerned about the warranty running out unless they plan to buy the car at the end of the lease.
If you buy a BMW certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle, you will get what remains of the car’s original 4-year/50,000-mile warranty, plus another year of coverage with unlimited miles on top of that. This warranty includes travel protection through BMW Roadside Assistance, and you can buy a BMW Extended Vehicle Protection Plan as well.
BMW Repair Costs
Like all modern vehicles, BMWs have become more complex in recent years, and some buyers worry about how that affects vehicle reliability. All 2021 model-year BMWs, for example, use turbocharged engines, and many are equipped with all-wheel drive. In-car electronics are more capable and complex than ever.
With all of that, BMW as a brand made a solid showing in the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM, which surveyed car owners about problems encountered after three years of ownership. BMW was reported to have 108 problems per 100 cars. That result puts it ahead of rivals Audi (127) and Mercedes-Benz (122), but behind industry leader Lexus (81).
That’s for the brand as a whole. BMW makes many different models. J.D. Power rated three BMW models in the top three of their classes for quality and reliability.
| BMW Model | J.D. Power Award |
|---|---|
| BMW 2 Series | Highest Ranked Small Premium Car |
| BMW 4 Series | #3 Compact Premium Car |
| BMW 5 Series | #3 Midsize Premium Car |
If your new or certified pre-owned BMW should need repairs, however, costs can be high. Here are a few examples of repair prices for 2016 models from RepairPal.
| BMW Model | Repair | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 BMW 528i | Cylinder head gasket replacement | $2,550–$3,292 |
| 2016 BMW 528i | Water pump replacement | $777–$894 |
| 2016 BMW X3 xDrive28i | Air conditioner compressor replacement | $1,726–$2,109 |
| 2016 BMW X3 xDrive28i | Starter motor replacement | $503–$1,275 |
What Are The Benefits Of A Third-Party Warranty?
Depending on how you drive, a BMW extended warranty from the manufacturer may not offer exactly the right amount of coverage for your needs. A third-party warranty from one of our top picks can offer more flexibility in coverage, for both miles and years.
Also, consider that BMW has just 341 authorized dealers in the U.S. A breakdown on the road could leave your car at a BMW dealership far from home while it’s being repaired. For example, there are just two BMW dealers in the states of Iowa and New Mexico.
On the other hand, with a third-party warranty, you could have covered repairs done at more than 30,000 repair facilities nationwide. Third-party plans also come with a range of benefits like trip interruption reimbursement. Our top picks for BMW extended warranty coverage include Endurance, CarShield, and CARCHEX.
When considering whether an extended car warranty is worth it, think about how long you plan to own your car. You may not know how long you’ll keep a new BMW until you’ve driven it for a few years. At that point, you might even be past your factory warranty. But with a third-party warranty, you don’t have to worry about missing that deadline, because you can still buy this extended coverage option after the factory warranty has expired.
| BMW Extended Warranty | Endurance | CARCHEX | CarShield | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Start Date |
Upon expiration of factory warranty | Anytime | Anytime | Anytime |
| Max Length of Coverage | 7 years/100,000 miles | 8 years/200,000+ miles | 10 years/250,000 miles | 200,000 miles |
| # of Plan Options | 3 (18 contracts) | 6 | 5 (16 contracts) | 6 |
| Transferable | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deductible |
$50 |
$0+ | $0+ | $0+ |
| Trip Interruption | No | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Roadside Assistance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Repair Network | BMW dealers only | Shops certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®) | > 30,000 facilities nationwide | ASE-Certified repair facilities |
| Cancellation Policy | No | Refund if within 30 days | Refund if within 30 days | Refund if within 30 days |
| Availability | From local dealer | Free, instant quote | Free, instant quote | Free, instant quote |
| Contact your BMW Dealer for Pricing |
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Our Take On BMW's Extended Warranty
BMW's extended warranty covers many parts, but it's expensive. Looking at third-party warranties, you’ll find comparable coverage that can last longer for less. Also, the added benefits of roadside assistance, towing, rental car coverage, and trip interruption reimbursement can last much longer than anything the factory BMW extended warranty offers.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Warranty providers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of extended warranty plans available, coverage terms, and added benefits like roadside assistance.
- Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of plans and vehicles. Companies with lower prices per year of coverage receive the best scores.
- Transparency: This score takes into account contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each warranty company.
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