warranty advice

Pmdad · #1 03-10-2009, 04:19 PM

Hi guys,
I need advice. I am waiting for my 2007 x5 with 9k miles to be delivered from California and the Carmax dealer is suggesting that I buy and extended warranty covering up to 100k or 6 years whichever comes first. The cost is $1549. Is it worth it or wait until my warranty is about to expire and buy a new one with BMW or the price seems to be reasonable. The dealer said that the coverage is similar to a BMW certification and I could take the car to a BMW if I want...

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Craig · #2 03-10-2009, 04:35 PM

Some of the after market warranties aren't worth the paper they're printed on. I would look into the company before you hand over any cash for the warranty.

Craig

LI-X5 · #3 03-10-2009, 04:40 PM

i"d say wait as the car / truck comes with a full bumper to bumper warr 4 yrs and 50k !!

Craig · #4 03-10-2009, 04:44 PM

You can purchase a BMW warranty before the factory warranty runs out. I wouldn't purchase an extended warranty until it's time for the factory warranty to expire. They pro rate your refund if you decide to sell the car. I was quoted 3895.00 for a 2 year extended BMW warranty for my diesel.

Craig

FSETH · #5 03-10-2009, 07:45 PM

It is up to you if you want to purchase the extended warranty or not, but I can tell you from personal experience that the MaxCare warranty from Carmax was the best thing I ever bought. It is far cheaper than the same coverage through BMW and it does allow you to take the car to the BMW dealership of your choice for service. I have had over $6,000 in warranty work done and all repairs were at a BMW dealer. I have a co-pay of $50 if I take it to CarMax or $75 if I take it to BMW. Needless to say, it has gone to BMW every single time.

If you are pretty sure you are going to have the car long enough to exceed the 50k mileage allowed by the original manufacturers warranty (within the given number of years of course), then I would buy the extended warranty through CarMax for sure.

By the way, you will want to get an oil change when you get your car. When I bought mine from CarMax, they told me they changed the oil when reconditioning the car. I asked if they used OEM oil and filters and they said no, but that they used good synthetic and that was good enough blah...blah...blah. We all know that it is not a good idea to run the full 15k+/- oil interval with a non-oem filter and typical synthetic oil. So, don't trust the oil lights without knowing what type of oil and filter you have in the car. I would bet that they are not OEM specs.

Pmdad · #6 03-11-2009, 10:35 AM

Thank you guys. This is so helpful in making my decision.Thanks for all the tips. This is going to be my first BMW and I am looking forward to it. Another question if I may... To protect the interior leather, I should consider buying the leather protection service plan which cost around $500-$600. This way, my daughter's car seat will not damage the leather too much. Has anybody purshase that service? if so was it useful? According to a friend, the product that MBW uses is called SIMONIZ System 5. Thanks

Craig · #7 03-11-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pmdad

Thank you guys. This is so helpful in making my decision.Thanks for all the tips. This is going to be my first BMW and I am looking forward to it. Another question if I may... To protect the interior leather, I should consider buying the leather protection service plan which cost around $500-$600. This way, my daughter's car seat will not damage the leather too much. Has anybody purshase that service? if so was it useful? According to a friend, the product that MBW uses is called SIMONIZ System 5. Thanks

All of those extras are just a profit center for the dealer. I would put down a towel or something to protect your seat. They also have the tire and wheel warranty, ding and scratch warrany as well. I skipped all of those extras when I picked up my car. Someone also said they make some kind of mat to put on the seat to protect the leather with a car seat. You might try a search for the answer.

Good luck with your car!

Craig

motordavid · #8 03-11-2009, 01:54 PM

The warranty extension is a tough question, with few good pat answers, imo...it really depends on several issues:
-the first being "are you really going to keep that car past the 4 yrs/50K mile program it comes with".
-if unsure, skip it; you can always extend it later.
-if you really believe you will keep it that long miles & time wise, than the question is do you want to pay that
upfront extension cost on top of the new car cost, which BMW has factored in for the "free maintenance/warranty"
already.

Strictly my 50Cts, but I would rec'd deferring until you get near the end of your oem warranty; you will still have
options of extended warranty coverage, then. If you choose to defer decision, you have 2+ years and 40K+ miles to
fall in or, out of love with the car.
GL, mD

stim141 · #9 03-11-2009, 02:09 PM

There are a couple of ways looking at it - are you positive you are going to keep it past 4 years? X5 extended warranties aren't exactly cheap. If you are - start looking now at other companies aside from BMW's extended program - buying now may save a percentage before the last few months of the factory warranty - but the risk of course is the car is sold/traded before the end of 4 years. Also check on the refund policies what percentage do you get back say before the extended kicks in and what is the ratio after it kicks in. Say for instance you total the car before the extended warranty starts or its stolen and never recovered.

Check the language of the policy some of the policies have a wear and tear exclusion - some do not (cost more but worth it). Check what are the other exclusions - what electronics are covered - most extended DO NOT cover Nav systems/touch screens or larger LCD screens. If they do they will add a premium to the policy.

From personal experience (Mercedes) I bough a policy that extended my warranty 6 years up to 100K. My deductable is only 25 and the entire car is covered. Bought it a day after the factory warranty expired and the company backdated the policy. Normally if the warranty expires they won't write a policy or jack up the rate.

Owned the car since new in 2001 - a CLK430 and drive it only about 4500 a year and I like it so I kept it. Only has about 38K and looks flawless. Take it to the dealer for service and the warranty company has never refused a claim - definately they paid out more than the policy cost by several thousands. Even with the low mileage things do wear out over time not necessarily mileage - ie rubber bushings, etc. Had a Mass Air Sensor, gauge cluster, drag link (steering rack), bushings, ball joints, other electrical stuff and bearings replaced.

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