BMW is one of the top names that come to mind when people think about luxury vehicles. Their cars are designed to last and to deliver top-of-the-line performance. Still, manufacturer defects can happen, even in these premium cars. If you’re thinking about buying an extended warranty, take a look at our BMW extended warranty review first!

A BMW extended protection plan offers coverage from hefty repair bills that are related to manufacturer’s defects. BMW offers extended warranties that we believe are well worth the cost. 

The Highlights:

• BMW offers three distinct levels of coverage, but only the top tier is available for CPO vehicles.
• You have several options for term length and mileage limitations.
• All repairs are completed with genuine parts.
• Third-party vendors will give you better options for choosing your own repair shop.

Is It Worth Getting a BMW Extended Warranty?

Buying a BMW extended warranty is worth it for anyone who plans to keep a vehicle for a longer time than the factory warranty covers. Because of the cost to make repairs on BMWs, having the added protection of an extended warranty will give you peace of mind.

We recommend that you don’t purchase this warranty from the dealership, though. Instead, add it to your car later. There’s no requirement that you must buy it at the time that you’re purchasing the vehicle.

BMW has a sleek warranty that is easy to understand. We love to see simplicity when it comes to warranties, as complex warranty plans often confuse consumers, leading them to make poor choices.

There are three types of BMW extended protection plans. The lower two levels are available for any new or used BMW vehicle. The highest level is also available for new and used BMWs, but it’s also the only option for a certified pre-owned BMW.

Each of the three plans has its own level of coverage:

• Platinum:  This top-tier plan offers comprehensive coverage for every major system in your vehicle, including the engine, transmission, electrical, and cooling systems. The only limited coverage is for the interior and exterior of the vehicle.
• Gold:  This mid-tier plan has the same coverage as the Platinum plan. However, there is limited coverage for electrical systems and no coverage for the “infotainment” system.
• Powertrain:  As the name suggests, this plan only covers components in the drive train, such as the engine, transmission, and transfer case.

Take note that only breakdowns that are related to manufacturers’ defects are covered. If repairs are needed because of misuse, abuse, or negligence, the repairs will not be covered.

We should highlight that you don’t need to buy an extended warranty when you’re buying your car. You can add it on later. Different automakers have stipulations on when such coverage can be added, so make sure to check with BMW on their specific limitations.

When it comes to the length of your warranty, BMW has surprisingly flexible options. You can purchase coverage for lengths ranging from four years to seven years. This is slightly more complicated for certified pre-owned vehicles, which we’ll discuss in detail later.  You’ll also be able to choose your mileage limitation, either 75,000 or 100,000 miles.

BMW Factory Extended Warranty vs. Third-Party Extended Warranty

Flexibility on where you can have repairs completed is the primary difference between a BMW extended warranty and a third-party extended warranty. All repairs covered by your BMW extended warranty must be completed at an authorized dealer. Meanwhile, third-party providers typically allow you to have repairs completed at any licensed repair shop.

Another key difference in coverage happens in the parts used for your repairs. BMW extended warranties call for using BMW genuine parts, whereas a repair shop will most likely use aftermarket parts. This is an important thing to consider when thinking about which option will be right for you.

We’ve previously discussed that extended warranty pricing varies from car to car, which is why we won’t talk about costs in our BMW extended warranty review. The pricing is based on your mileage and VIN. You’ll need to obtain several quotes and compare specific coverage to make an informed decision.

What is Covered Under a Certified Pre-Owned BMW Extended Warranty?

The certified pre-owned BMW extended warranty coverage is part of the Platinum plan discussed above. However, the term length varies based on the type of CPO that you’re purchasing.

This can be complicated, so let’s break it down based on the CPO offerings that BMW has:

• CPO:  Term length of 1-2 years, your choice
• CPO Elite:  Only 1 year of coverage is available
• CPO Wrap: Your choice of 3 or 4 years of coverage
• CPO Wrap Elite: Term length of 2 to 4 years

That might be a lot to wrap your head around, which is why we wanted to make sure to mention it in our BMW extended warranty review! Essentially, just keep in mind that your term length options will vary based on the CPO type that you end up purchasing.

Do We Recommend a BMW Vehicle Service Contract?

A BMW vehicle service contract will provide the coverage you need to give you peace of mind. We think that this makes extended warranties worthwhile for anyone who plans to keep their vehicle after the factory warranty expires.

As for the BMW vehicle service contract options, the coverage is quite thorough for the top two plans. The powertrain plan, which will be less expensive, doesn’t have extensive coverage, but it will still protect you from potentially expensive repairs.

So what’s the bottom line from our BMW extended warranty review? We recommend the BMW extended warranty program. They have three clear options with explicitly stated coverage. Repairs will be made using genuine BMW parts, which we greatly appreciate.

If you are looking for another option, contact us today. We offer vehicle service contracts through our partner vendors. We provide transparent pricing and an explicitly stated markup. We even offer free consultations to help you decide if our options are right for you.