A BMW extended warranty lengthens the 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that protects new BMWs from manufacturing defects. The company offers additional protection up to 3 years/50,000 miles. In this article, our review team discusses BMW’s warranty plans and how they compare to leading third-party warranty options.
Below, we describe the BMW extended warranty, standard BMW factory warranty coverage and your other options for extended protection. If you’re looking for coverage, our research team recommends getting quotes from a few of the best extended car warranty companies. Use the tool below to receive personalized quotes from our top picks.
BMW Extended Warranty Overview
An extended warranty, sometimes called a vehicle service contract, “extends” portions of the auto warranty that came with your new car. Most automakers have extended warranty programs, and BMW offers three different extended warranty plans: Powertrain Plus, Gold, and Platinum.
| BMW Extended Warranty | Coverage Terms | Covered Components | Exclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain Plus | 7 years/100,000 miles | Engine, fuel and cooling systems, transmission and drive axle | All-wheel-drive, transfer case and engine induction system |
| Gold | 7 years/100,000 miles | Everything included in the Powertrain plan as well as steering, anti-lock brakes, heating and air conditioning systems | Audio, entertainment and navigation systems |
| Platinum | 7 years/100,000 miles | Everything in the Gold Plan as well as the navigation system, entertainment system, audio system and certain exterior and interior parts | Wear-and-tear items like brake pads and wiper blades |
These plans can be purchased before or after your factory BMW warranty expires. It is generally recommended to purchase an extended warranty plan before the factory warranty expires in case a costly repair occurs shortly after the factory warranty ends.
Customer Perks
In addition to covered repairs, customers that purchase extended coverage get access to 24-hour BMW roadside assistance. A BMW service contract also includes genuine BMW parts from the manufacturer in the event of a warranty claim.
Exclusions
Even though a BMW extended vehicle protection plan covers most major components, contract holders aren’t entirely off the hook for repair costs. Most vehicle warranties exclude the following items:
- Items suffering from regular wear-and-tear (wiper blades and brake pads)
- Damage from owner abuse or neglect
- Damage from improper repairs
- Repairs to vehicles modified with aftermarket components
- Damages that would be covered by an insurance provider (collision, act of nature, theft)
- Regular maintenance
BMW Extended Warranty Price
BMW’s dealerships are free to set their own prices for each customer. According to CARCHEX, if you purchase an extended warranty from BMW directly, it will likely cost you between $1,000 to $1,500 per year. BMW also charges a $50 deductible for any needed repairs.
Unfortunately, not everyone pays the same price for peace of mind, The cost of a BMW extended warranty depends on several factors:
- The model, age, and mileage of your vehicle
- The level of coverage you choose
- The deductible amount
Has Your BMW Factory Warranty Expired?
Extended warranty coverage only kicks in after the factory warranty expires. It is worth getting to know the factory warranty that BMW provides its customers. It’s possible yours is still active.
What Is the BMW Factory Warranty?
Every new BMW includes the following warranties:
- Basic Coverage: 4 years/50,000 miles (covers all components other than normal wear and maintenance items)
- Powertrain Coverage: 4 years/50,000 miles
- Corrosion Coverage: 12 years/unlimited miles
- Roadside Assistance: 4 years/unlimited miles
BMW certified pre-owned vehicles come with the factory warranty plus another year of coverage with unlimited miles.
One weakness of BMW’s factory warranty is that it does not offer additional powertrain coverage beyond its basic coverage. Other luxury brands like Cadillac and Genesis offer this coverage, but BMW does not. For that reason, many BMW owners seek additional coverage through an extended warranty.
Powertrain issues generally occur with older vehicles, and they are notoriously among the most expensive repairs. For example, RepairPal estimates that a rack and pinion replacement on a BMW 528i typically costs between $3,125 and $3,342. Specifically considering an extended warranty to cover your BMW’s powertrain is a wise decision.
Is a BMW Extended Warranty Worth It?
Whether purchasing a BMW extended warranty is worth it or not depends on your individual situation and personal goals.
It is smart to consider purchasing an extended warranty if you cannot afford unexpected $2,000 to $4,000 repairs to your vehicle. For more information on this topic, read our article on whether extended car warranties are worth it.
While an extended warranty for your vehicle may be worth it, we do not believe that purchasing an extended warranty directly from BMW is worth the cost.
Dealership Vs. Third-Party Extended Warranty
While BMW’s plans are compelling, our review team believes that reputable extended car warranty companies such as CARCHEX and Endurance offer a better value than BMW’s own extended warranty.
Purchasing an extended warranty for your BMW from a BMW dealership will cost more than an extended warranty from a third-party provider due to BMW’s prestige and brand recognition. An advantage of purchasing an extended warranty directly from BMW is that you get BMW replacement parts whenever your vehicle needs a repair.
However, when comparing BMW’s extended warranty directly to CARCHEX and Endurance, purchasing directly from BMW is probably not worth the additional cost.
CARCHEX and Endurance beat BMW on four extended warranty comparison categories:
- Maximum length of coverage
- Number of coverage plans
- Repair network
- Accessibility of free quote
| BMW Extended Warranty | CARCHEX | Endurance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage Tiers | 3 | 5 (21 contracts total) | 6 |
| Maximum Term | 7 years/100,000 miles | 10 years/250,000 miles | 8 years/200,000+ miles |
| Pricing Availability | See BMW dealer for details | Get free quote online | Get free quote online |
| Repair Facilities | Only BMW dealerships | Up to 30,000 certified repair facilities | ASE-Certified®repair facilities |
Our Recommended Extended Warranty Providers
Endurance and CARCHEX both provide excellent and affordable vehicle protection plans. Endurance was named Best Provider overall by our review team for its top-notch customer service, awards and direct-to-customer business model. Read our full Endurance warranty review to learn more.
CARCHEX was named Best for High-Mileage Cars by our review team and received a high rating because of its strong industry partnerships, national media recognition and high rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Read our full CARCHEX review for more information.
We recommend that you reach out to several providers for free quotes and sample contracts to compare your BMW extended warranty options.
FAQ: BMW Extended Warranty
How much is a BMW extended warranty?
A BMW extended warranty costs around $3,000 for three years of coverage, but prices vary depending on coverage options and the condition of the used BMW.
Is the BMW extended maintenance warranty worth it?
Due to the short-term coverage and expensive nature of the manufacturer’s extended warranty, our research team believes a third-party provider is a better choice to cover BMW maintenance.
Is the BMW extended warranty transferable?
The manufacturer doesn’t disclose many warranty details on its website, but the BMW certified pre-owned (CPO) warranty is transferable for a $200 fee.
Does the BMW extended warranty cover batteries?
BMW does not offer battery replacement service for used cars under its extended warranty.
What is the BMW bumper-to-bumper warranty?
The New BMW Limited Warranty covers most major components, except for items subject to normal wear-and-tear, for 4 years/50,000 miles. That includes parts like electrical systems, steering and certain interior components.
How long is the BMW warranty?
The manufacturer’s warranty on a BMW includes 4 years/50,000 miles of limited coverage for major vehicle systems, 12 years of corrosion coverage and four years of roadside assistance.
What does the BMW warranty cover?
The original factory warranty from BMW includes a comprehensive limited warranty for new vehicles. It backs failures or defective workmanship on parts like the engine, climate control system, and other major components.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car warranty provider to formulate rankings of the best warranty companies. Our in-depth rating system takes into account coverage, pricing, transparency, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each provider is given a weighted score in five categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend auto warranty companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best coverage.
