BMW extended warranty vs independant and mod/flash

[thump604]

Hi All,
I am exploring extended warranties, while I'm still under factory warranty for a few months. I have calls out to a number of independent providers also, although I am finding many won't cover an M4.

A local BMW dealer provided the following quote for BMW extended warranty(platinum):
3 year, 20K miles - $3,919
3 year, 35K miles - $4,570
4 year, 30K miles - $4,288
4 year, 40K miles - $5,344

Are these good/reasonable quotes?

Easycare could not sell direct, but I did find a local Chevy dealer that would sell my the policy. Requires a $200 inspection which comes with an oil change(I would opt out of oil change), but I'm still waiting on the actual quote.

I'm also waiting on Fidelity and one other to get back to me.

Also, I have another questions. I am one the fence about getting an extended warranty because I would really like to do a stage 1 tune. I know BMW can always tell if they car has ever had a tune on it, even if you remove it.

Have any of you had success getting engine/drivetrain type repairs done with a BMW extended warranty with mods/flash, even if they were removed prior to going to the dealer? Would I have better luck with a non BMW extended warranty? The logic is that I can then go to any indie shop and they either may not care to look and see if the car has ever been flashed or they may be able to tell and still won't care because they want the repair and revenue?

Or, Is it really a matter of if I want to do a stage 1 tune, then simply don't bother with any extended warranty and instead build a fund to cover costs that may arise? Extended warranties are expensive, so I don't want to waste the money and face disappointment so I'm trying to decide, get one and roll the dice, don't get one or get one and delay any tune until the extended warranty expires(seems a pity to have to wait so long to get the available power).

Thanks for any advice.

EDIT: Easycare quote
12/75000 - $5,126 + 207 purchase fee
Based on this, I'm considering BMW
3 year, 20K miles - $3,919
3 year, 35K miles - $4,570
But yet still on the fence with the whole flash issue
Wiht a BMW extended warranty am I able to go to any shop I want and does that help?

[bsmf8x]

Don't buy a BMW warranty if you're tuning. It's money down the drain because any serious repairs (engine/trans) they'll see that you've been flashed and you're screwed, even if you bring it in stock.

On the other hand, aftermarket warranties will never know what you don't tell them. If you bring the car in stock I'm confident you can get away with repairs.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

those prices are nuts. i dont understand why people are paying these outrageous premiums; you could cover 3-4 MAJOR repairs for that premium

[Laostuh]

Yeah.. I was quoted $5k for a "new car" warranty that would only cover me for 4 years from date of first sale. Which would have left me with only 1 year of warranty. Be careful with the fine print on the duration of these warranties.

[Nativetexan]

My own personal opinion is buy an extended warranty on a PO car, and buy enough to just cover the term of your note (at most).

And this is being ultra conservative and preventative.

I just bought my second to me '18 w/ 17k and purchased a Mastertech Ultra plan for 4yr/48k from date of purchase.

So I'll have 2 years manufacturer warranty still, then 2 years extended from that.

Discount Tire has a really good tire warranty for CHEAP too if you feel you need that.

[desertfox73]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

those prices are nuts. i dont understand why people are paying these outrageous premiums; you could cover 3-4 MAJOR repairs for that premium

Depends on how you define major. I just got hit with a $9k repair estimate for transfer case replacement at 9400 miles. Dealer is saying warranty void because my wheels/tires are non-OEM. Anything drivetrain related gets very expensive, very fast.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by desertfox73

Depends on how you define major. I just got hit with a $9k repair estimate for transfer case replacement at 9400 miles. Dealer is saying warranty void because my wheels/tires are non-OEM. Anything drivetrain related gets very expensive, very fast.

I hear you, but like you said the warranty would have denied it anyway. But I get your point. Just seems absurd to pay that much premium for a car that ain't even worth 50k

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by desertfox73

Depends on how you define major. I just got hit with a $9k repair estimate for transfer case replacement at 9400 miles. Dealer is saying warranty void because my wheels/tires are non-OEM. Anything drivetrain related gets very expensive, very fast.

Are you kidding me?! That’s insane. I mean I get it but that’s like grasping for straws on that one.

[bsmf8x]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

I hear you, but like you said the warranty would have denied it anyway. But I get your point. Just seems absurd to pay that much premium for a car that ain't even worth 50k

These cars cost 75-90k new so you have to realize that the parts are expensive.

Dct, crankhub, rear diff issues that are major will cost way more than 3-4K.

Its basically the piece of mind. I can beat on my car (not tracked and still maintained properly) and still sleep at night because if I need a major repair it's covered.

It's not uncommon for things like Dct replacement, rear diffs to be rebuilt, crankhub requiring retiming etc to happen.

Also, there's minor issues that cost 1500$-2000$ at the dealer.

A good counterargument is that you can get most minor things done for cheap at an Indy but again it's more for major repairs

[desertfox73]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Are you kidding me?! That’s insane. I mean I get it but that’s like grasping for straws on that one.

Yep.

[desertfox73]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

I hear you, but like you said the warranty would have denied it anyway. But I get your point. Just seems absurd to pay that much premium for a car that ain't even worth 50k

The kicker is...MAYBE the warranty would have denied it. Based on what I've learned over the last couple of days there is a whole lot of variation from dealer to dealer as to what gets covered by warranty. I literally have another member who runs the same setup as I do sending me their transfer case replacement service paperwork (covered under warranty) so I can use it to show BMW that they've covered this work before under identical circumstances.

It's a crapshoot with warranties, and BMW seems to be more commonly trying to find ways to void them and push 100% accountability to owners.

[thump604]

Originally Posted by desertfox73

Depends on how you define major. I just got hit with a $9k repair estimate for transfer case replacement at 9400 miles. Dealer is saying warranty void because my wheels/tires are non-OEM. Anything drivetrain related gets very expensive, very fast.

Damn, that's frustrating to read. i just had a battle with my local dealer for a fix under factory warranty, which I know I would win if I sued, but you have to sue. The escape they take over the terms are ridiculous and make me want to say f it, I'll go without. Refusing your fix for non OEM wheels/tires while I bet they are still within spec?

[thump604]

https://jalopnik.com/dont-let-the-ca...-wh-1736064825

[desertfox73]

Originally Posted by thump604

Damn, that's frustrating to read. i just had a battle with my local dealer for a fix under factory warranty, which I know I would win if I sued, but you have to sue. The escape they take over the terms are ridiculous and make me want to say f it, I'll go without. Refusing your fix for non OEM wheels/tires while I bet they are still within spec?

Yes, the wheel/tire setup i am running is identical in diameter to the OEM 20" winter wheel/tire setup (uses pirelli p zero 285/40/20).

I have yet to have an actual conversation with my SA, i received the bill via text (!!) and have put in a few calls to him.

[thump604]

I left out the following info which might be important:
Car has 43K miles and under warranty the following has been done:
- Cylinder head cover gasket leaking
- LCD display/pixel/backlighting misfires/malfunction - this area rattles, bmw tried to fix the rattle some weeks ago and it's still there.
- driveshaft replaced under recall
- spark plugs replaced at 28K
- backrest width pump

All pretty minor stuff except the driveshaft recall.

[NickyC]

I’m no expert, but I have to imagine if you grenade an engine the warranty company isn’t going to pay out $25k plus without some serious investigative work on their own. If you decide on the warranty, I’d leave stock and not expect to play with no pay. ;P