I did not look at the link Jeff provided but I'll tell you what I got. I signed up for the BMW Original Owner Protection Program. It extends my factory warranty to 6 years or 100,000 total miles. For me, that added 3 years and about 50K miles since I am at 50K miles now. The MSRP on it per BMW rules is about $3400. I can tell you the markup is $750. All dealers charge the same and mark it up the same. That is set by BMWNA. If your dealer tells you they don't make money on it, you know that is not true. Now, what kind of deal you can work out, that depends on you. I got it for cost plus $375 and that was a very special deal.

I would not be so quick to go with an aftermarket company when you consider what happened to 1source. The BMW warranty is fully backed by BMW and there is no middleman to get approval from. Also, I found that Warranty Direct would cost almost as much. They sent me two quotes and they are both around $2900.

Your plan to establish a fund is not a bad idea. I considered that but I am not good about that and would probably not be saving as other expenses pop up. The fear of some major problem with the X5 convinced me to just buy what amounts to insurance. I'll be a genius if my X5's engine or transmission ever goes. Personally, having had all four window regulators replaced, amongst other things, I know that there will be another so I thought the "insurance" would be worth it.

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