BMW Extended Warranty Review

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Last Updated: December 19, 2023

BMW Extended Warranty

Every new car of the BMW brand comes with a comprehensive bumper-to-bumper warranty that provides coverage for every part for four years/50,000 miles. Moreover, when your car's original warranty is about to expire, the company allows you to extend the range.

BMW extended warranties are the best options to help offset expensive repairs. You can get an extended warranty for your new, old, or pre-owned BWM from a dealership or third-party car warranty company. When buying a new BMW, you may spend more than $35,000 for this luxury vehicle. Above this, you may have to pay even thousands of dollars to auto shops for your BMW maintenance. RepairPal says the average annual BMW repair cost may range between $850 and $968.

You can avoid this financial burden by purchasing an extended BMW warranty. Unlike other extended warranties, BMW does not output any mileage restrictions to its roadside assistance. BMW is the only automaker that has more than one extended warranty program. The company makes it easier for drivers to choose the best option that suits their needs and preferences. All the warranty programs have the same basic range but have different costs and a list of exclusions.

The extended warranty allows BMW owners to add additional warranty plans, even if the car's original contract has yet to expire. Each warranty plan of BMW has six different lengths to choose from, which are:

• Five years/75,000 miles
• Six years/75,000 miles
• Seven years/75,000 miles
• Five years/100,000 miles
• Six years/100,000 miles
• Seven years /100,000 miles

BMW Factory Warranty Coverage

The factory warranty BMW comes with the following features:

• Roadside assistance for four years/unlimited miles
• Corrosion coverage for 12 years/unlimited miles
• Powertrain coverage for four years/ 50,000 miles
• Essential coverage for four years/ 50,000 miles
  

Extended Warranty Plans of BMW

BMW offers the following warranty plans to cater to the needs of car owners. Usually this is done through their Certified Pre-Owned programs. If you are purchasing your BMW from non-BMW dealership, then you may be able to use one of their extended warranty programs. For instance, when I purchased my 2018 BMW M4 from a Porsche dealer, I was given a 12K mile or 12 month warranty from the company that owns that Porsche dealership. This was important to me at the time, especially because of all of the buzz about the S55 crank hub issues.

Powertrain Plus

Powertrain plus is the most fundamental program in the BMW extended vehicle protection lineup. This plan extends the typical powertrain warranty many vehicles have when brand new. In addition, Powertrain plus offers comprehensive coverage for induction systems and all-wheel-drive transfer cases.

The limited coverage of this plan includes the following components:

• Fuel system
• Electrical components
• Cooling system
• Drive assembly
• Engine
• Transmission

Since the Powertrain plus plan primarily focuses on the main components of the car's Powertrain, the list of exclusions is extensive. The left-out features may include the following:

• Air conditioning
• Heating system
• Brakes
• Steering
• ABS interior and exterior infotainment system

Powertrain plus is not a bumper-to-bumper warranty; that's why it provides limited coverage for your BMW's interior and exterior.

Gold

The gold warranty plan by BMW is a step up from powertrain plus. This plan offers more comprehensive coverage for drivetrain parts. However, it does not get your vehicle into the coverage territory of a bumper-to-bumper warranty since the gold plan emphasizes the drivetrain, which makes it similar to a powertrain warranty.

The coverage with the gold plan includes the following components:

• Cooling and heat systems
• Brakes
• Steering
• Induction system
• Fuel system
• Transfer case
• Transmission
• Engine

The gold plan provides coverage for the same systems as the Platinum plan but may have specific changes. For example, it is unavailable for CPO vehicles and provides limited electrical system coverage.

Platinum

Matching the patterns of gold plans and powertrain plus, the platinum plan includes extensive coverage for the major components of your BMW. In addition, this plan combines the features of bumper-to-bumper and Powertrain warranty.

The platinum plan offers coverage for the following systems:

• Brakes and anti-lock braking systems
• Transfer case
• Heat and air conditioning
• Infotainment system
• Final drive assembly
• Induction system
• Cooling system
• Transmission
• Fuel system
• Electrical system
• Steering
• Engine

The plan also provides limited coverage for your BMW's interior and exterior. The platinum plan is available for the owners of CPO, used, and new BMWs.

BMW Extended Warranty Packages

Below we have given a handy table to help you better understand what BMW warranty packages entail.

Pros and Cons of BMW Warranty

Eligibility for BMW Extended Warranties

BMW extended warranties are available for all new, used, and pre-owned BMW owners. You can purchase an extended warranty any time before the original contract expires. We recommend signing up for an extended warranty before the car's original warranty expires.

After the factory warranty ends, you might experience a costly repair which can result in a financial burden. Signing up for an extended warranty before the factory warranty expires can help you keep money in your pocket instead of paying auto shop bills.

Terms & Conditions for BMW Extended Warranty

Before investing in a vehicle's extended warranty program, it is vital to understand its terms and conditions. This practice will help you make the process as smooth as possible.

• Coverage for extended warranties under BMW Ultimate Protection Program is limited to material and artistry defects.
• It does not provide coverage for regular wear and tear items like clutches, headlights, brake pads, and replacement windshields. However, the company is clear about its terms and conditions and clearly states the components covered by its warranty programs.
  

BMW Extended Warranty Review - The Bottom Line

The effectiveness and reliability of BMW extended warranties depend on an individual's personal goals, needs, and situations. If your car already has its original warranty, there is no need to purchase an extended one. But we suggest buying a BMW extended warranty when your car's factory warranty is about to end.

BMW is one of the reliable automakers that offer more than one extended warranty programs to provide car owners with peace of mind. All the warranty plans offered by BMW are comprehensive and cover your vehicle's significant and expensive components and systems.

The Car Data Review Methodology

Our expert review team is committed to providing honest and objective information. Based on consumer data, we identified the following rating categories and did extensive research to determine the top extended auto warranty providers.

• Affordable: Many factors influence the cost of a service, making it difficult to compare prices between providers. Our secret shopper team analyzes different vehicles, mileages, and warranty plans to give you this rating.
• Coverage - Each consumer has different needs. Every car warranty company must offer a variety of coverage options. We consider the number of plans available, terms limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
• Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB), ratings, availability, years in business, and other factors when determining this score.
• Customer Services: Trusted extended car warranty companies provide a level of customer care. We consider customer reviews, BBB complaints, and responsiveness to customer service.