Extended Warranty and maintenance - to do or not do?

[noonsey]

I am getting ready to pick up my X5 35d on Friday and was debating whether to purchase the extended warranty and maintenance. My dealers is giving me a quote of $4000 for warranty and $2300 for maintenance. I think this is higher that was I have seen on the forum posts.

What have you done. Have you gone for these extended programs and if so why? What was the price you were able to negotiate?

Thanks in advance for your response.

- Noonsey
X5 35d mettalic bronze, saddle brown/black 3rd row, premium, tech - on order
E39 2000 540i - current drive

[Lubehead]

The thought of paying for something now that I'm not going to use for a good long time, makes me initially reject the idea. I just reached 50k miles after 2 years almost to the day. I think my vehicle use is outside the norm. Consider how long it's going to take you to be out of warranty and at 50k/4 yrs, it seems to me there are better things you can do with your money.

I know that at this time if I decided to keep my '08, I could buy an extended warranty and although I haven't priced it, I expect it's nearly the same as it was when the car was sold. I would guess it's around $3k and in essence it's a bet that you're going to spend at least that on miles from 50k-100k. That's a bet I wouldn't make. I'd rather take my chances. Maintenance?; find an independent who has a good reputation and values your business and I am confident you won't spend that kind of money. Even if you did, I'd rather give it to the independent who has a vested interest in taking care of you.

Just my opinion.

[noonsey]

Thanks. Good advice, makes a lot of sense. I was leaning in the same direction. BMW radiators need replacement every 60K miles (this has been the case with my 540) which can cost $1000+ which is what got me thinking.

I use an independent right now and am very happy with the service I get, was glad to get out of the "free" maintenance program as most dealers have an entitlement mentality and much higher labor charges.

Regards,

- Noonsey

[dragoncoach]

Stop, take a deep breath, and step back and take things into perspective. $6300 is a lot to spend. Keep the money for now. As mentioned above, you may or may not spend that much but you are spending money now which you won't be using for 3 or 4 years! Besides, you can always extend the warranty before the original one expires. I think you have 1 month prior to expiration. If it gives you peace of mind, by all means purchase it, but I'd wait till the end of the factory warranty before buying. Don't let the F&I department take advantage of you in their office by using the "don't you want to protect your car and keep it running well" line. They often do because you may be in a weakened mental state do to the excitement of getting your new car.

[Lubehead]

"weakened mental state"

I find myself with this condition at other times as well.

I'm in one right now as a matter of fact. Can anyone tell me how to quote other posters statements as I see it being done? (as opposed to the way I did it)

[eomran]

I have an 07 and am 4000 miles away from the expiration of the warranty.

not sure if I am going to get the extended warranty.

I can invest in a diagnosing system that is a lot cheaper, I can fix anything unless I have to take out the engine or the transmission, but how many engine and transmissions were thaken out in a one owner car???

I have an 06 Mercedes Benz E350 sport, with extended warranty I paind $3100, 80000 miles on the clock, never been in the shop yet except for routine maintaince, so I am questioning the benifit of paying and not using it.

[FunfDreisig]

Our E53 was always under warranty (or extended warranties - plural). They always paid for themselves and then some

The heart of an E70 is not the engine & drive train -- its the electronics that control the entire vehicle down to things as simple as the parking brake -- which requires a special tool to release when the battery is dead - DUH.

FWIW I really enjoy restoring / maintaining cars, but... Unless this E70 is astonishingly trouble free during the initial warranty period, I expect to keep it under some form of extended warranty as long a possible. The threads about needing to be "reprogrammed" after practically every maintenance/repair, can make even normally simple repairs/maintenance, like replacing the battery, a big deal

Having said that, I won't be in a hurry to buy an extended warranty. I'll wait till the initial warranty is close to expiration and I have a much better feel for the reliability of this particular 2009 35d.

Funf Dreisig

[cmyX6go]

Originally Posted by Lubehead

"weakened mental state"

I find myself with this condition at other times as well.

I'm in one right now as a matter of fact. Can anyone tell me how to quote other posters statements as I see it being done? (as opposed to the way I did it)

Click on the quote button at the bottom right of the post you want to quote

[dragoncoach]

Warranties are basically an insurance policy. People buy warranties for peace of mind. That being, they won't have to worry about paying for costly repairs down the line. We actually bought one for our '04 SL500. It was expensive to buy but repairs on the SL are NEVER cheap. If any of the electronics or the convertible hardtop go out, it's going to run $2-3k. The decision to purchase an extended warranty is purly personal and everyone has a reason to purchase or not purchase.

[Ag4.8]

I have never bought an extended warranty and don't plan to with my E70. As a poster said, it is a personal decision. I think there are too many variables to consider before shelling out 6k for something you may need in 3-4 yrs. You may not even have the car then (accident, lemon, etc) and I doubt it adds anything to resale value. I would agree with other posters and at least wait until you are closer to expiration of your current warranty before buying anything.

I am curious, do posters who favor an extended warranty buy them for other purchases? I realize a car is more complex than most things. . .