[Kid Fresh]

I just spoke with a local BMW Business Manager, and he gave me a heads up:

Effective 11/01/09 BMW will be offering an Extended Warranty Plan for Non-Original Owners!!

Meaning those of us dealing with the stress of researching & selecting a 3rd Party Warranty will have the option of purchasing thru BMW NA and the assurance of an official BMW Extended Warranty; not 3rd party.

Options will be similar to the current 4/50, 6/100, 7/100 plans available now, although he didn't have any pricing available.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not stoked about kicking out 2-3k for my ride, but at least the dreaded "scenarios" associated with 3rd Party claims will be gone.

Also don't think BMW NA will be going "belly-up" anytime soon.

[jpsum]

is this going to be a CPO type warranty?

[Kid Fresh]

Originally Posted by jpsum

is this going to be a CPO type warranty?

I don't know, not much information available at this moment. Best thing to do is wait until 11/01, and contact your local BMW Business Manager to confirm all the details / pricing, etc.

[Kid Fresh]

Just spoke to two local BMW Business Managers today; BMW Warranty Reps were out yesterday presenting the Extended Warranty Plans. Unfortunately if you vehicle is over 45k you are not eligible to purchase the warranty.

Both Business Managers advised me the 45k mileage parameter / cut-off doesn't seem right.

As far as pricing goes, both offered the same pricing although one did offer a discount of $200:

3 plans are Available (standard pricing - dealers may vary from state-state):

1. Platinum: 3yr/100k: $3,900
2yr/100k: $3,380
2. Gold
3. Powertrain Limited

* Not sure of what is covered or the fine print in options 2 & 3, but both dealers advised the customer would have to sign a "waiver" if they decided to go with them. I know their goal is to sell the higher plan, but it appears some items / parts may not be covered with the lower plans.

[FCP Euro]

Pretty much everyone that would be going for this warranty is over 45K miles. That really is a shame. This looked like it was really going to be a good thing.

[Kid Fresh]

Originally Posted by FCPGroton

Pretty much everyone that would be going for this warranty is over 45K miles. That really is a shame. This looked like it was really going to be a good thing.

Indeed, I'm at 46,300 miles, may need to go with a 3rd party now.

Basically comes to:

Keep car - need to buy extended warranty
No Warranty - getting rid of car

[jeffersonkim]

Originally Posted by Kid Fresh

Just spoke to two local BMW Business Managers today; BMW Warranty Reps were out yesterday presenting the Extended Warranty Plans. Unfortunately if you vehicle is over 45k you are not eligible to purchase the warranty.

Both Business Managers advised me the 45k mileage parameter / cut-off doesn't seem right.

As far as pricing goes, both offered the same pricing although one did offer a discount of $200:

3 plans are Available (standard pricing - dealers may vary from state-state):

1. Platinum: 3yr/100k: $3,900
2yr/100k: $3,380
2. Gold
3. Powertrain Limited

* Not sure of what is covered or the fine print in options 2 & 3, but both dealers advised the customer would have to sign a "waiver" if they decided to go with them. I know their goal is to sell the higher plan, but it appears some items / parts may not be covered with the lower plans.

I think someone needs to look at the fine print to clarify.

I just talked to Mike at Crevier BMW: 714.835.3171 and he set the criteria to 45 MONTHS since it was first sold, not thousand miles to be eligible for the Gold and Platinum package.

Or maybe it's both?

I'm about 47 months old, but still under the 4 year warranty, so the only thing that was available was the Powertrain warranty.

2 years (24K miles) = $3,240
3 years (36k miles) = $3,740

UPDATE: Mike stated he wasn't familiar with the data and he seemed really flustered, so I don't really know how accurate the data is above in relation to my other source below through April.

[jeffersonkim]

SOURCE:
Shelly BMW
April Garcia
714.249.2212
aprilg@shellybmw.com

CONFIRMED: If you're more than 45 months since the car was first sold, you're not eligible for Platinum or Gold.

Prices are based on the fact that you're still under the original, 4-year warranty. It doesn't matter if you are the original owner or not.

Powertrain Only Warranty, $50 Deductible:
3 Years Additional / Total 100K miles - $2,390
3 Years Additional / Total 70k miles - $1,880
2 Years Additional / Total 100k miles - $2,120


Maintenance Plan:
2 years / Total 100k miles - $2,095

[Kid Fresh]

Originally Posted by jeffersonkim

I think someone needs to look at the fine print to clarify.

I just talked to Mike at Crevier BMW: 714.835.3171 and he set the criteria to 45 MONTHS since it was first sold, not thousand miles to be eligible for the Gold and Platinum package.

Or maybe it's both?

I'm about 47 months old, but still under the 4 year warranty, so the only thing that was available was the Powertrain warranty.

2 years (24K miles) = $3,240
3 years (36k miles) = $3,740

If memory is correct, I recall in order to qualify, it was both parameters. So if your car isn't over 45k miles and over the 45months, you are eligible for the Platinum plan.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Kid Fresh

Just spoke to two local BMW Business Managers today; BMW Warranty Reps were out yesterday presenting the Extended Warranty Plans. Unfortunately if you vehicle is over 45k you are not eligible to purchase the warranty.

Both Business Managers advised me the 45k mileage parameter / cut-off doesn't seem right.

As far as pricing goes, both offered the same pricing although one did offer a discount of $200:

3 plans are Available (standard pricing - dealers may vary from state-state):

1. Platinum: 3yr/100k: $3,900
2yr/100k: $3,380
2. Gold
3. Powertrain Limited

* Not sure of what is covered or the fine print in options 2 & 3, but both dealers advised the customer would have to sign a "waiver" if they decided to go with them. I know their goal is to sell the higher plan, but it appears some items / parts may not be covered with the lower plans.

VEry intersting, I called a random dealership today as the original owner, and I was quoted the exact same prices. But I am the original owner and he still mentioned 45k miles....

[mahutchi]

Sorry guys, but this just doesnt sound like that good of a deal. I just bought an extended exclusionary warranty (meaning everything is covered except regular maintenance items they list) from Carchex. 4 yrs/100k for $2800/$100 deductible. They advocate having work done at BMW dealers and they pay directly. I'm still in the 'grace period' so I can cancel, but I don't see anything here that makes me want to.
I didnt check to make sure, but I think BMWNA brokers the warranty, but like other mfrs., it is actually done by a 3rd party like Carchex.

[Kid Fresh]

Originally Posted by mahutchi

Sorry guys, but this just doesnt sound like that good of a deal. I just bought an extended exclusionary warranty (meaning everything is covered except regular maintenance items they list) from Carchex. 4 yrs/100k for $2800/$100 deductible. They advocate having work done at BMW dealers and they pay directly. I'm still in the 'grace period' so I can cancel, but I don't see anything here that makes me want to.
I didnt check to make sure, but I think BMWNA brokers the warranty, but like other mfrs., it is actually done by a 3rd party like Carchex.

I too spoke with Carchex and the rep basically said they were the "Progressive" of 3rd Party Warranties, they shop around for the best price based on the year, make, model, mileage on your car. I got a rate quote for 4yr/100k miles-$50 dedectible for $2,579 through Alpha Warranty Services. Also spoke with Warranty Direct; quite pricey: $4,729 (4/100k-$50 deduct)

I would have actually purchased the BMW Extended Warranty, but my car is not eligible due to my miles: 46,xxx. I've called 3 local BMW dealers and discussed their 3rd Party Warranty Options as well.

What ultimately changed my mine on purchasing any kind of 3rd Party Warranty is the "grey areas", there are too many. What truly will be covered is too vague. It's a weird sense of security for me, if I purchase the 3rd Party Warranty it should be honored at the local BMW Stealership (cool), but what if the issue requires diagnosis / tear down on the car and the warranty doesn't cover the part, your essentially forced to pay those jacked up rates in order to get your car back, with the frustration of already laying out the $3k.

Additionally there are 3 Indy BMW shops I spoke with and all advised to stay away from them; they don't even honor them there.

Bottom line for me is this; although there will surely be repairs, down the road with my car. I found a local Indy dealer (BMW Master Mechanic) who is familiar with the N54 engine, has the diagnostic equipment for troubleshooting and is 50% cheaper than the dealer. Still planning on saving monthly for those future expenses and my upcoming tax return will be a bonus. But I'm going to hedge my bets, keep the $3,900 in the bank and hope the BMW brand reliability stays on my side.

Cheers!

[mahutchi]

Understandable on not taking out an extended Warranty, and I found that what BMW offers is not that great and has the same holes as the others. Vemeco is the warranty company on my car, and when I read the contract, it seemed pretty clear to me what was not covered. maybe I missed something?
If we were talking about the wife's Camry Hybrid, an extended warranty would be total waste of $$. It has 60k miles and has had absolutely 0 issues. My car, on the other hand: HPFP replaced 2x, starter motor replaced, window actuator replaced, a couple of minor electrical gremlins fixed, and a cruise contral module replaced. I'm worried about the long-term reliability of the turbos, injectors and some electrical systems - each of which can costs thousands of $$ to fix. This warranty to me was too much peace of mind to pass up.