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Crash Course:
- BMW earned an overall score of 4.0 out of 5.0 in our 2024 automaker extended warranty study.
- BMW’s two extended warranties, the Platinum and Powertrain plans, add up to 7 years/100,000 miles of coverage after the factory warranty expires.
- BMW extended warranties from the dealership cover repairs and replacements due to defects in material or workmanship – not breakdowns from normal wear and tear.
In this article, we share what our experts learned about the cost and coverage of BMW extended warranties. We also provide a few key points to help you decide if an extended service contract is right for you. In addition, you’ll also find a few recommended providers from our 2024 list of the best extended car warranty companies to compare.
BMW Extended Warranty Terms and Conditions
BMW of North America offers extensions to its new car factory warranty known as BMW Extended Service Contracts. These vehicle service contracts (VSC) function just like a warranty and are part of the BMW Ultimate Protection Program.
Below are the most important details you need to know about BMW’s vehicle service contracts:
- Eligibility: Available for new and used BMW vehicles that still have the factory or CPO warranty.
- Finance: You can add the cost of the extended warranty to your car payment when you purchase your VSC from the dealership. Note, you will end up paying interest on the VSC if you choose this option.
- Repairs: All repairs are done by certified BMW technicians using genuine BMW parts.
- Deductible: Options vary. The most common one is a $100 deductible.
- Transferability: Extended warranties for new and some used cars are transferable but CPO vehicles require a fee.
- Benefits: Plans come with free roadside assistance that includes fuel delivery, battery jump starts, lock-out services, and tire changes.
BMW Extended Warranty: Our Rating
In our 2024 automaker extended warranty study, BMW earned a 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranked it 30th out of 33 manufacturers in the study. In the table below, you’ll find a categorical breakdown of how BMW scored.
| Category | BMW Extended Warranty Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 |
| Coverage | 4.5 |
| Cost | 3.9 |
| Accessibility/Usability | 4.4 |
| Benefits | 3.25 |
BMW Extended Warranty Coverage
BMW extended warranty coverage can range from a comprehensive bumper-to-bumper warranty – similar to the factory warranty that covers nearly every component on your vehicle – to a basic powertrain warranty that only covers your vehicle’s major systems.
BMW owners who purchase extended coverage from the automaker can continue their coverage for up to seven years or 100,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first.
BMW Extended Warranty Plans
BMW owners have two plans to choose from: Powertrain and Platinum. You’ll find more detailed information about these warranty plans in the section below.
| BMW Extended Warranty Plan | Coverage Terms | Covered Components | Exclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 7 years/100,000 miles | Extensive drivetrain coverage and limited coverage for other components | Suspension system, steering, brakes, and more |
| Platinum | 7 years/100,000 miles | Covers everything except for what is listed in the contract as exclusions | Wear-and-tear items like brake pads and wiper blades |
BMW Platinum Warranty
Available for owners of new, used, and CPO BMW vehicles, the Platinum plan has few exclusions and offers the most comprehensive coverage level from BMW. This BMW warranty offers coverage for the audio, entertainment, and navigation systems. It also adds limited coverage for the vehicle’s exterior and interior.
As the highest level available, the BMW Platinum Plan offers complete protection for these systems:
- Engine
- Steering
- Electrical
- Fuel system
- Transmission
- Cooling system
- Induction system
- Final drive assembly
- Infotainment system
- Heat and air conditioning
- Transfer case (all-wheel-drive only)
- Brakes and anti-lock braking systems (ABS)
BMW Powertrain Warranty
The BMW Powertrain Warranty, which is available for new and used BMWs, focuses on protecting the powertrain and limits or excludes coverage on several other systems. As such, the Powertrain plan provides limited coverage for major parts like the engine, transmission, drive axle(s), fuel, and cooling systems, plus a few additional parts.
With the Powertrain Plus warranty, the only parts singled out for “comprehensive coverage” are the drivetrain components, which usually include parts like the transmission, transfer case, drive shaft, and differential.
BMW Extended Warranty Exclusions
While BMW’s extended warranties are comprehensive, they don’t cover everything. Excluded components, systems, and repairs include:
- Maintenance parts
- Wear-and-tear items (brake pads and wiper blades)
- Cosmetic items like paint and bodywork
- Damage from accidents
- Repairs resulting from vehicle misuse, including abuse or neglect
- Damage caused by environmental conditions
- Aftermarket modifications or accessories
BMW Protection Plans
In its Ultimate Protection Program, BMW offers additional protection plans that can be purchased with an extended warranty. Some of these plans include:
Paintless dent repair: To fix dings and small dents.
Tire and wheel protection: To address damage from blowouts, potholes, glass, metal, debris, and other items.
Key protection: To provide lock-out assistance and reimbursement when your keys are stolen, damaged, or lost.
Windshield protection: To repair chips or cracks in the glass resulting from rocks, debris, or other items.
BMW Extended Warranty Benefits
While some warranty providers include several perks with their plans, BMW provides just one. Every warranty plan comes with 24/7 BMW roadside assistance. This includes coverage for emergency roadside services such as towing, jump starts, and fuel delivery.
BMW Extended CPO Warranty
Used car owners have the same extended BMW warranty options as those with new vehicles. Those with CPO models are limited to the Platinum level plan – the most extensive and expensive option. Term options are different for CPO extended warranties:
- CPO Elite members can only be covered for one additional year after their four-year limited warranty expires.
- CPO members can be covered for two additional years.
- CPO Wrap and CPO Wrap Elite members can have up to three additional years of coverage.
*When selecting your length of coverage, don’t forget CPO BMWs come with the remainder of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty plus one more year of original warranty coverage.
BMW Extended Warranty Cost
Based on our research, BMW customers can expect to pay between $1,000 and $8,000 for an extended warranty, which is relatively expensive compared to the company’s competitors. Along with a regular monthly payment, the figures above include deductibles of $50, which drivers pay towards a covered repair.
BMW Extended Warranty Prices
As the estimates above show, the price range for BMW extended warranty coverage can vary wildly. One major reason is that BMW dealerships are authorized to charge whatever they want for extended warranty coverage. The wide range of extended warranty cost is also reflected in the following quotes, which were reported by BMW customers on popular online BMW enthusiast forums:
- Powertrain: $1,700 for extending coverage by 1 year/25,000 miles.
- Platinum: $7,000 for an additional 3 years of coverage.
- Powertrain: 1,700 for an additional year of coverage.
- Platinum: $6,500 for a 5-year/100,000-mile package.
BMW Extended Warranty Price Factors
Expand the section below to learn which factors affect the cost of a BMW extended warranty.
While the prices above are a strong indicator of BMW extended warranty prices, your specific coverage cost depends on several personal factors, including:
- BMW Model: Because some BMW models are more costly to maintain than others, the specific type of BMW you drive affects the cost of your warranty coverage.
- Vehicle Age and Mileage: Generally, older vehicles with a lot of odometer miles cost more to cover because older cars usually require more maintenance and often run into more mechanical issues than newer vehicles with lower mileage.
- Warranty Term: The length of coverage you choose affects warranty costs. In nearly all cases, longer coverage periods cost more than shorter ones.
- Coverage Level: It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that the level of coverage you choose is one of the biggest factors that affect your price.
- Deductible Amount: While a higher deductible means you will have higher out-of-pocket costs when you need a covered repair, choosing a larger deductible can also lower the amount you pay for the warranty overall.
- Purchase Location: Since BMW dealerships are free to set the price of extended warranty coverage, the dealership you purchase the warranty from has a higher impact on the cost of extended warranty coverage than most automakers.
- Down Payment: Generally, choosing a payment structure with higher down payment upfront will lower your coverage overall.
- Payment Period Length: While longer payment periods can lower the amount you pay for your warranty each month, you can expect to pay more for coverage overall if you choose this option.
- Financing: Most dealerships offer extended coverage as an option to tack on your financing when you purchase a vehicle. Because interest is applied to financing, choosing to finance your warranty coverage can greatly increase the amount you pay.
Is a BMW Extended Warranty Worth It?
An extended warranty may be worth it for many BMW owners because it offers significant value in several ways. Given the high cost of BMW repairs, a vehicle service contract could save you money compared to paying out of pocket for repair work – though there’s no guarantee that it will.
In addition, an extended warranty can transfer to a new owner if the car gets sold. This means having coverage can increase the resale value of your BMW. Extended warranties also provide peace of mind by reducing the risk of having to come up with money for repairs unexpectedly.
While a warranty plan from BMW can be a good investment for some drivers, it isn’t the right choice for everyone. Before you decide to purchase additional coverage for your vehicle, there are a few things to think about.
Are You Still Covered By the Factory Warranty?
When you purchase a new BMW, it comes with a limited factory warranty of four years or 50,000 miles. This differs from the extended warranty because you’re not purchasing extra coverage under a new contract – it’s included with the vehicle.
Like most manufacturer car warranties, the BMW warranty covers the cost to repair or replace factory material or workmanship defects. Here’s a quick summary of the BMW factory warranty coverage and term lengths:
| BMW Warranty | Coverage Length |
|---|---|
| New Vehicle Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Rust Perforation Warranty | 12 years/unlimited miles |
| Federal Emissions Warranty | All emissions-related parts: 2 years/24,000 miles Specific control devices: 8 years/80,000 miles |
| California Emission Control Warranty | All emission-related parts: 3 years/50,000 miles Specific control devices: 7 years/70,000 miles TZEV vehicles: 15 years/150,000 miles |
Many new BMWs are leased, 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 aren’t leasing, when considering whether an extended car warranty is worth it, consider how long you plan to own your car.
BMW Factory Maintenance Plans
BMW offers maintenance plans to cover wear-and-tear items. There are two options based on whether your BMW is a 2017 or earlier model.
2017 and newer models are covered under BMW Ultimate Care, which lasts for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. This comes with new or leased BMWs.
2015 and 2016 BMW vehicles sold or leased by an authorized BMW center on or after July 1, 2014, are covered under the BMW Maintenance Program for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.
These BMW maintenance plans aren’t transferable.
BMW Reliability
After your factory warranty coverage expires, you will have to foot the bill for covered repairs unless you purchase extended coverage. Because of this, your vehicle’s reliability is extremely important to consider when determining whether or not a BMW extended warranty is worth it.
As a brand, BMW made a solid showing in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudyTM, which surveyed car owners about problems encountered after three years of ownership. BMW was reported to have 190 problems per 100 cars. That result puts it ahead of rivals Audi (275) and Mercedes-Benz (218), but behind industry leader Lexus (135).
BMW Repair Costs
Although BMWs are reliable, you can expect your repair and maintenance costs to be higher than average. Data from RepairPal shows that BMW owners can expect to pay an average of $968 per year on repairs, which was notably higher than the study’s reported annual average of $652 across all brands.
Here are a few examples of common BMW repair and replacement cost prices for popular models based on RepairPal data:
| BMW Model | Repair | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 128i | Brake booster replacement | $791–$1,019 |
| BMW 528i | Head gasket replacement | $2,751–$3,346 |
| BMW 528i | Water pump replacement | $975–$1,181 |
| BMW 325i | Valve cover gasket replacement | $328–$404 |
| BMW 228i xDrive | Heater hose replacement | $296–$335 |
| BMW 528i | Rack and pinion replacement | $2,778–$4,611 |
| BMW 335i | Fuel pump replacement | $1,383–$1,440 |
| BMW X3 | Air conditioner compressor replacement | $1,281–$1,641 |
| BMW X3 | Starter replacement | $700–$809 |
BMW Extended Warranty Repair Network
With a BMW extended warranty plan, you get the benefit of having services performed by BMW-certified professionals using brand-certified parts. However, this can also be seen as a limitation.
Since BMW has fewer than 400 authorized dealers in the U.S., you will be severely limited as to where you can get your vehicle serviced under a BMW extended warranty. Depending on where you live, a breakdown on the road could leave your car at a BMW dealership far from home while it’s being repaired.
For example, according to ScrapeHero, there are just two BMW dealers in New Mexico and none at all in Wyoming, North Dakota, and Montana. If you live in any of these states and break down near home, you may need to travel a long way for covered repairs.
BMW Extended Warranty Reviews
As you might expect, people have mixed opinions about BMW extended warranties online. Some customers point out that warranty plans generate a profit for BMW, which implies that many people don’t get back what they spend on them. However, many others say that the chance that a warranty may cover repairs that otherwise would cost thousands of dollars is good enough to justify buying a plan.
These comments are indicative of many of the BMW extended warranty reviews on Reddit that we read for our research:
“[The warranty covered] oil pan gasket, A/C evap, rear seal, some bearings, thermostat. Closing in on 80k miles on an N55. Warranty was ~$3k. Worth every penny.”
– u/shipwreckedpiano
“Warranties are a gamble. Maybe you won’t need it but if you do then you are lucky to have it. With all the tech parts in this car I would recommend getting it.”
– u/hopelessandhappy
Should I Buy a BMW Extended Warranty?
While comprehensive, BMW’s new vehicle warranty does not last as long as most other factory warranties. If you need costly repairs caused by factory defects and your car is in its first four years, your BMW warranty should cover the costs. Anything beyond that is your responsibility.
The table below offers a comprehensive list of the pros and cons of buying a BMW extended warranty:
| BMW Extended Warranty Pros | BMW Extended Warranty Cons |
|---|---|
| Everything is true BMW – the technicians are BMW-trained and all parts are 100% original BMW. | The dealership’s extended warranty limits you to its specified repair facilities and locations. |
| If you want to sell your BMW, having an extended warranty could be a good way to attract buyers and increase the selling price. | The BMW plans we found were expensive. Unless you’re able to negotiate the price down at the dealership, it’s likely you’ll end up paying more for an extended warranty than you would with a third-party provider. |
| Extended warranties provide peace of mind. You won’t have to fully pay for a pricey repair or replacement. | The dealership only covers your BMW through its first 7 years/100,000 miles. A third-party provider plan can last well beyond that. |
| You can also purchase a maintenance plan to cover wear-and-tear items. | The BMW dealership limits you to two plans, not leaving a lot of room for customization. |
Best BMW Extended Warranty Companies
A BMW Extended Service Contract is not your only option for extended coverage. You can also buy coverage from one of many independent warranty providers. We reviewed the best providers for BMW extended warranty coverage. Based on plan options, cost, reputation, and other factors, our team’s top three companies are Endurance, autopom!, and CARCHEX.
Third-Party BMW Extended Warranty Advantages
Third-party warranty plans offer similar coverage, but have some differences from branded BMW plans. While they don’t have the official brand support that BMW ESC plans have, independent warranties have some distinct advantages in comparison. These include:
- More coverage options: Compared to BMW’s three coverage levels, CARCHEX has five levels of coverage, Endurance has six coverage levels, and autopom! has three extended warranty plans. Most plans have customization options to fit your coverage to your car.
- Better prices: In terms of cost, you’ll likely save money by going with a third-party provider. An Endurance plan that lasts 2.5 years/40,000 miles can cost between $2,600 to $3,800. We received an autopom! quote for a 4-year/unlimited-mile plan at $3,177. CARCHEX offers month-to-month contracts that vary from $110 to $190 per month. While these prices may increase because BMWs are more expensive to maintain, they are still lower than you would pay for a BMW extended warranty.
- More repair shop choices: Instead of being limited to BMW dealerships for services, with aftermarket coverage, you can have covered repairs done at more than 30,000 repair facilities nationwide. With this level of flexibility, you can continue to use your favorite mechanic and still receive coverage. You can also go to the dealership and use its technicians, but it’s not required.
- Added benefits: You won’t miss benefits like roadside assistance, rental car coverage, or trip interruption reimbursement when choosing a third-party provider.
- Purchase at any time: BMW requires customers to purchase an extended warranty while their vehicle is still covered under a factory warranty. 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 expires.
- Purchase from home: You’ll need to buy a BMW extended warranty from a dealership, but that isn’t the case with an independent provider. Most allow you to get free quotes to compare and purchase coverage online or over the phone, without the pressure of being in a dealership.
- Fewer restrictions: Third-party providers can also be more accommodating about the vehicles they cover. You can find plans for older, higher-mileage BMWs that you can’t get from the manufacturer.
BMW Extended Warranties: Conclusion
A BMW extended warranty can be a good choice for Bimmer owners who want to continue their factory coverage. Due to the relatively low reliability and high cost of repairs for BMW vehicles, an extended warranty may offer more value than it would for other brands.
With two available options, an official BMW extended service contract is a strong option for lengthening your warranty. However, it’s worth looking into plans from third-party providers as well. These plans tend to offer more flexibility in how you purchase and use your coverage, come with more benefits, and are often less expensive. The best providers offer free quotes, so you can easily explore all that’s available for your BMW.
BMW Extended Auto Warranty: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about BMW extended warranties:
Can you transfer your BMW warranty?
The BMW warranty for new and CPO vehicles is transferable. There will be a $200 transfer fee for Certified BMWs, though.
BMW’s extended warranty is also transferable, but there may be few limitations.
Can I extend my BMW CPO warranty?
Yes, you can extend your BMW CPO warranty, but those with new and used vehicles have more options.
Can I buy a BMW warranty for a used car?
While you can’t buy the original factory warranty, you may be able to find a used car still under warranty. However, you can buy a BMW extended warranty for a used car, whether from the dealership or a third-party provider.
See what we think are the best used car warranty companies.
How long is a BMW warranty?
The factory BMW warranty lasts four years/50,000 miles, whichever comes first. The longest you can be protected by BMW is seven years/100,000 miles from the in-service date. This would include the four-year limited warranty coverage plus three years of extended coverage.
Can you get a BMW extended warranty over 100K miles?
Yes, but not from the dealership. Many third-party providers offer extended coverage for BMWs with over 100,000 miles.
Can you buy an extended warranty from BMW later?
You can buy the BMW extended warranty later. While you don’t have to buy it right away, you do have to buy the Ultimate Protection extended warranty from BMW before your factory warranty expires.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best extended auto warranty providers.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, availability, and years in business when giving this score.
- Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car warranty company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account the number of plans offered by each provider, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations to give this rating.
- Customer Service: Reputable extended car warranty companies operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
BMW Extended Warranty
Our team rated BMW extended warranty 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.
Product Brand: BMW
Product In-Stock: InStock
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