BMW Maintenance Cost

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Last Updated: March 28, 2022

My Personal BMW Ownership Cost Experience

As wild as this may sound, I am a strong believer that in the long run it's cheaper to own a BMW M series vehicle than a regular BMW. Simply because they are built to be driven hard and they receive better parts than their non M friends. I have never had any issues with any of the BMW M4 cars that I've owned, however, the 535 cars tried to make me go broke. The only issue that popped up with my 2015 BMW M4 (besides the clearcoat peeling) was a ECU glitch which got sorted under warranty still. Even though there is a ton of noise about BMW S55 crank hub failure, I have never experienced it and I have put on around 70k miles on both of the M4s.

On the other hand, my E60 BMW 535 had a water pump failure which cause overheating, turbo wastegate rattle, high-pressure fuel pump failure, etc. As far as my F10 BMW 535 goes, I had the famous BMW F10 headlight condensation issue ($2200 for headlight and labor), water pump failure (BMW continued to use the same water pump as they did in E60, cost $1200), magnetic front suspension issues ($3200 to fix), power trunk motor failure, steering wheel clock spring noise, passenger door handle cable failure, etc.

As you can see, being able to afford a BMW isn't all just about if you can make the payments. It's also about if you can keep up with the repairs. The issues mentioned about my F10 535i xDrive all happened within 12 months. You can imagine my frustration with the car at that time, and the reason why I traded it for a Toyota 4Runner, which turned out to be a much better daily driver.

BMW Maintenance Cost

BMWs are expensive to repair and maintain. The industry average for auto repair is $652 per year. But the average maintenance cost of a BMW may spike up to $968, including mechanical repairs and routine maintenance. So 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 car's maintenance.

Below we have given some standard maintenance services for the BMW 328i to help you better understand BMW maintenance costs. The cost of service usually depends on the location and whether you go to a dealership to get the work done or an independent shop.

It is worth mentioning that if you go into a dealer for an oil change of your BMW, they will perform a full engine check, which can increase its overall cost. The dealership service manager often will approach you with a list of things that you "need to address" on your BMW and a large dollar amount associated with every repair. It is ok to say "No, thank you" and say that you will return to address them later.

My go-to strategy with BMW maintenance is to go to the dealer for oil changes so that they can inspect my vehicle and come up with a list of things that I would need to take care of. Then, I leave the dealer and take my car to an independent certified BMW mechanic to care for those issues at a fraction of the cost. However, if I were to have an extended auto warranty, I would be able to utilize it without paying much out-of-pocket expense.

So, a natural question arises, if the maintenance cost of BMWs is so high, then why do people still love these cars? The higher maintenance cost of BMW has a lot to do with comfort and performance.

A BMW is not an ordinary vehicle. The founder of BMW claims that they build an "Ultimate Driving Machine." This vehicle ranks higher due to its reliability and luxurious nature.

BMW Common Repairs & Service Schedule

Services 1

Service 1 includes a thorough inspection and oil change, and it happens every 10,000 miles.

Service 2

Service 2 includes thoroughly inspecting and changing the spark plugs every 30,000 miles. The latest models of BMWs use a conditioned-based system monitored by computer systems. These systems follow the basic patterns, but they use advanced technology. The methods used in the latest BMW models let you know which parts need attention and when to get service. It can help you save precious dollars on your BMW's yearly maintenance costs. Below we have given a handy table to give you a comprehensive idea of the latest BMW maintenance schedule.

The conditioned-based systems of the current BMWs will let you know when you need to check the engine coolant, steering, transmission, brake fluid, and brake pads. Your BMW's general repair and maintenance costs depend on what your vehicle's computer system recommends. For example, some models, such as M4, M5, M6 and M8, have carbon-ceramic brakes that require more attention during maintenance, resulting in higher auto repair bills.

Common BMW Repairs

In addition to routine services, common BMW repairs can also increase the annual maintenance cost of your BMW. According to the RepairPal, the following mechanical repairs commonly encounter on the latest BMW models:

Tips to Save on Your BMW Maintenance Cost

The most accessible way to save on your BMW maintenance cost is to do the general maintenance work yourself. Some general repairs and routine maintenance of your vehicles can be done at home, which can help cut off expensive auto repair bills. Differentiating between what BMW maintenance work you can do yourself and what you can't is vital to avoid complications or costly damages.

The following BMW repair and maintenance tasks you can do at home to save your precious dollars:

Oil Change

The replacement parts and fluids for BMW can be more expensive. A high-performance engine in BMW can cost up to $100 for a single oil change. This can become twice as expensive as going to a dealer for an oil change. Changing the oil of your BMW home can help you save $100 for every 10,000 miles.

Basic Services

An essential BMW service includes:

• An oil change.
• A tire rotation.
• A brake service.
• A replacement of the cabin air filter.
• A necessary battery inspection.

You can do all the essential BMW services in your home garage and save up to $500 on BMW annual maintenance costs.

Water Pump Failures

As a BMW owner, I have experienced firsthand the frustration of an overheating engine due to a water pump failure. It happened in both the N54 and N55 powered 5 series bimmers. Apparently, BMW loves using the same faulty pump from generation to generation.

The water pump is responsible for circulating coolant throughout the engine to maintain optimal operating temperatures. Unfortunately, overheating is a fairly common issue with some BMW models, particularly those equipped with the N54 and N55 engines.

Depending on where you are located and if you have established good relationships with individual repair shops, this fix can cost you anywhere from $800 to $1500. The first pump that I changed on the E60 set me back around $1200 which included labor, water pump, and thermostat. The second one on the F10 cost me around $1000 since part prices have gone down over time.

Changing Light Bulbs

On the 2019 BMW 328i, changing a typical light bulb can cost up to a hundred bucks. Your vehicle's light bulb costs about $10, but the dealer prices it at around $30. You can remove the headlight assembly to reach the light bulb and replace it with a new one.

On the 2019 BMW 328i, changing a typical light bulb can cost up to a hundred bucks. Your vehicle's light bulb costs about $10, but the dealer prices it at around $30. You can remove the headlight assembly to reach the light bulb and replace it with a new one. This is only a bulb replacement; however, as you have seen (or maybe still need to), the F10 BMW cars have a terrible headlight issue which can set you back over $2,200. If you are unfamiliar with this issue, please head to my BMW Headlight Repair write-up, where I take you down the nightmare of an experience I had to go through. This was one of the most expensive BMW repair endeavors I took part in.

BMW Ultimate Care Plan Coverage

The BMW Ultimate Care program offers excellent coverage for new BMWs. This program covers everything mentioned in the services schedule, including the spark plug change of the first week. Furthermore, you can extend this free maintenance program by up to 7 years per 125,000 miles for a fee.

BMW offers an Ultimate Care Plan to the original BMW buyers, which covers the following components:

• Fuel filter
• Key and remote-control battery
• Engine air filter
• Spark plugs
• Brake fluid
• Cabin microfilter
• Engine oil
• Engine filter

BMW model year 2015-2016 came with 50,000 miles or four years of the BMW maintenance plan. The routine maintenance of BMW is based on 10,000-mile intervals. The sensors of the car help car drivers know what part needs to get fixed at each point.

Apart from the BMW Ultimate Care program, you can also sign up for BMW extended car warranty to keep your BMW maintenance cost at the end of the spectrum.

BMW Extended Warranty

You can avoid the expensive BMW maintenance bills by purchasing an extended BMW warranty. Unlike other extended warranties, BMW does not issue 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
  

Extended Warranty from an Independent Provider

If you want to avoid buying a BMW extended warranty directly from the manufacturers, you can get it from an independent provider. In addition, purchasing an extended car warranty from an independent provider can allow you to choose a certified repair facility.

My top recommendations for an extended car warranty include:

·     Endurance

·     CARCHEX

·     Olive

·     ForeverCar

·     Autopom!

BMW Maintenance Cost Bottom Line

A BMW is more expensive to maintain than other reputable brands. Beyond routine maintenance, mechanical repairs can also increase BMW maintenance costs. However, you can sign up for BMW extended car warranties before the original contract expires to save on BMW's annual maintenance cost.

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.