The BMW warranty system has managed to keep a lot of BMWs on the road with little to no expense out of pocket. But with the evolution of the automotive industry and consumer trends, the warranty coverage for BMWs has shifted over the years. Back when I first started at the dealership, the cars always seemed to be under warranty, and it didn’t take much to extend that warranty to 100,000 miles. Now, it’s more on the consumer to determine the coverage once the initial factory warranty expires. After the 50,000 mile mark, there are a fair number of products out there to choose from. But with that, come the fine details.
If you have a BMW under warranty, here are some things you can do to get the most out of the coverage you have or want.
Know What You’re Getting
If you’re shopping for an extended warranty, be sure you know the difference between a maintenance (service) warranty and a comprehensive (repair) warranty. They are completely different. A maintenance warranty is only going to cover your service items: Oil changes, brake fluid, filters, and maybe brakes. A repair warranty will cover items due to mechanical or electrical failure. Generally, this warranty is more expensive but keeps the vehicle on the road. Most customers confuse the maintenance warranty with repair because of the terminology used. Know the difference.
Read the Fine Print
The devil is in the details. So, when shopping for a warranty, ask to see the detailed, itemized list of what is and isn’t covered. If they hand you the brochure, that’s not it. Sometimes this list is containing in a PDF, but it’s the list the warranty company and adjuster will refer to when submitting a claim. Take your time reading it. This defines the specifics of your selected coverage.
Have the Vehicle Inspected
If you’re trying to get the most out of your warranty or the coverage is about to expire, take the car to a local shop and ask them to do an inspection for any leaks or worn components. You can take that report to your local BMW dealership and ask them to verify these items are covered under your warranty. BMW does not do this internally because they call it “fishing”. It’s up to you to bring concerns to their attention about your vehicle.
Failure vs. Wear and Tear
Failure is determined by “This did not come like this from the factory.” Therefore, it has failed and if covered under warranty, replaced. When it comes to wear and tear, it is simply that. Something that has failed due to use over time. Generally, things made from rubber fall under this category. Therefore, most warranty companies will not cover rubber suspension components or motor mounts, unless otherwise specified in the coverage. CV axles might fall under this too.
The Ultimate Oil Care Plan for $275
While this program does beat the cost of an annual oil change (over three years) it is designed to get your out-of-warranty BMW into the shop for upsells. So be aware of this when most dealership labor rates are $250-$300+.
Tell Them Everything
When you bring your vehicle in under warranty, let the service advisor know about every little noise, smell or oddity that you notice. That way its documented on the repair order and it gives the technician permission to fully inspect the vehicle, looking for anything associated with the complaint.
Stick with Big Name Companies
I hate to say it but the bigger the warranty company, the more solvent they are. Meaning, they are far less likely to go under versus a smaller (cheaper) warranty company. While this is subjective to the company in question, it’s important to do some research here because I’ve seen firsthand where they go out of business before the customer gets to use the warranty coverage they purchased.