BMW vehicles are particularly expensive to service and repair. This makes a BMW extended warranty an appealing option, as it can defray expensive maintenance bills. But should you purchase a BMW extended warranty directly from the manufacturer or from a third-party provider?
This review will provide an in-depth analysis of the BMW extended warranty offered by the manufacturer. We will explain coverage and price options and compare it with some of the best extended warranty companies.
To see how much you would pay for third-party coverage, get free quotes from the industry’s highest-rated providers below.
| Best Coverage | Best Service | Best Budget Warranty |
 |  |  |
| Endurance | CARCHEX | CarShield |
| ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
| (877) 374-1840 | (866) 254-0205 | (800) 563-2761 |
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Table of contents
BMW Extended Warranty Overview
BMW offers three options for extended service contracts: Platinum, Gold, and Powertrain Plus.
- Platinum: The most comprehensive of the three levels of protection, it covers most major components such as the engine, transmission, electrical system, steering, air conditioning, and brake system.
- Gold: Gold coverage is slightly less comprehensive than Platinum. It does not cover the infotainment system and has only limited coverage for electrical components.
- Powertrain Plus: As the name suggests, this is a powertrain warranty. It only covers the engine systems and major drivetrain components. It provides limited coverage for most systems, focusing on the most critical components.
All plans also include 24/7 roadside assistance and have the choice between 75,000-mile and 100,000-mile coverage options.
Do You Need Extended Warranty Coverage?
Before purchasing a BMW extended warranty, you should first consider if you actually need warranty coverage. Every new and certified pre-owned (CPO) BMW comes with a warranty, and there is no reason to buy an extended car warranty until after the factory warranty expires.
The factory warranty for BMW X series models includes:
- New Vehicle Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles
- Rust Perforation Warranty: 12 years/unlimited miles
- Federal Emissions Warranty: Emissions related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, specific control devices for 8 years/80,000 miles
The BMW new vehicle warranty is a standard bumper-to-bumper warranty. It promises to pay for repairs related to the engine, powertrain components, and most mechanical systems. When your new vehicle warranty expires, you may want to consider an extended car warranty.
A BMW CPO warranty is a little less generous than CPO warranties offered by other manufacturers. It simply extends the new vehicle warranty by an additional year and for unlimited miles.
Maintenance Costs
Even after the factory warranty expires, a BMW extended warranty may not be worth the price if your car is reliable and repair costs are low.
But as all BMW owners are aware, BMWs are particularly expensive to maintain. As luxury vehicles, BMW parts are expensive, so repairs can be costly. The average annual repair cost for a BMW is $968 according to RepairPal. This cost varies depending on the particular model.
Common BMW problems and their repair costs include:
- Brake master cylinder replacement: $471 to $722
- Air conditioning compressor replacement: $4,350 to $4,665
- Wheel hub replacement: $352 to $413
- AC evaporator replacement: $1,518 to $1,744
RepairPal rates most BMW vehicles between 2.0 and 3.0 out of 5.0 in terms of reliability. The BMW X5, X3, 750Li, and 335d score particularly low. The 335d has an average annual repair cost of $1,113, which is high even among BMW models.
Research the repair costs for your model of BMW, and compare this against the price of an extended warranty. This will help you determine the potential value of a vehicle protection plan.
BMW Extended Warranty Cost
The cost for an extended auto warranty will be different for each person. Factors that impact the BMW extended warranty cost include:
- Vehicle model
- Vehicle mileage
- Level of coverage
- Contract term limit
- Deductible
You may also receive different quotes from different dealerships. Like the price of your vehicle, the cost of a BMW extended warranty can be negotiated.
BMWs are expensive vehicles to maintain, so vehicle service contracts are likely to be pricey. Some customers have reported prices as high as $6,500 for a 5-year/100,000-mile Platinum contract. Based on our research, a BMW extended manufacturer’s warranty is likely to cost between $3,500 and $6,000.
Contracts include $0 and $50 deductible options.
Benefits of a Third-Party Extended Warranty
Anytime you think about buying an expensive product, you should compare prices across providers. No matter the make and model of your car, the manufacturer isn’t your only option when it comes to purchasing extended warranty protection.
Generally, manufacturer extended warranties must be purchased when you buy your vehicle. They also require that your vehicle be serviced only at licensed dealerships. Dealerships are great places to have your car serviced, as technicians are able to specialize in specific manufacturers. However, depending on where you live or where you break down, getting your car to a dealership may not be convenient.
Vehicle protection plans from third-party providers often offer more flexible coverage options, contract start dates, and lower prices.
| BMW Extended Warranty | Endurance Extended Warranty | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Start Date | When original factory warranty expires | Anytime |
| Longest Term | 100,000 miles | 200,000 miles |
| Levels of Coverage | 3 | 5 |
| Deductible | $0, $100 disappearing, or $250 | $0, $50, $100, or $200 |
| Where to Get Repairs | BMW dealerships | Any US or Canadian repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
| Transferability | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cancellation | Prorated refund | Refund available within 30 days |
| Roadside Assistance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rental Car Reimbursement | ✓ | ✓ |
| Availability | Purchase from dealerships | Get Quote |
Final Thoughts on the BMW Extended Warranty
The BMW extended warranty can cover your vehicle for up to 75,000 or 100,000 miles. Among manufacturer extended warranties, BMW’s offering is somewhat limited. Other warranties offer better coverage with more perks.
BMW’s Platinum level coverage is comparable to third-party bumper-to-bumper warranties, however you may be able to get a longer term and better perks with a third-party provider. Read our comprehensive Endurance warranty review for more information on our top pick, and get free quotes from top providers below:
| Best Coverage | Best Service | Best Budget Warranty |
|
|
|
| Endurance | CARCHEX | CarShield |
| ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
| (877) 374-1840 | (866) 254-0205 | (800) 563-2761 |