BMW warranty for a M car
Discussion
As I understand it I can buy a M car (E92) from a private buyer or non BMW dealer and put a BMW warranty on it - not cheaply I appreciate.
Can anyone advise if they've done this and how problematic it was?
I'm aware of Porsche and their refusal to warranty a car with any mods, including a non approved battery, so would rather go in with my eyes wide open.
Cheers for any input.
Can anyone advise if they've done this and how problematic it was?
I'm aware of Porsche and their refusal to warranty a car with any mods, including a non approved battery, so would rather go in with my eyes wide open.
Cheers for any input.
In my experience the BMW insured warranty is pretty pragmatic about modifications; typically they won't affect the warranty of an unrelated part. I.e. change the back boxes and the ABS/DSC pump will still be covered. But re-map the engine and you'll probably not be successful with an engine or gearbox warranty claim.
And the onus is very much on you to ensure that the service history is complete and meets their standards. Their check of the service history seems cursory when you take out the policy but can be thorough when a claim arises.
And if the mileage is over 60K be prepared to pay circa £2K per year.
And the onus is very much on you to ensure that the service history is complete and meets their standards. Their check of the service history seems cursory when you take out the policy but can be thorough when a claim arises.
And if the mileage is over 60K be prepared to pay circa £2K per year.
Thanks for the reply.
Only mod I'd do to an E92 is the exhaust mod. With LCI manuals rarer than rocking horse poo I'm tempted by an earlier one, but as I understand it rod bearings are more likely on an early one, and of course there's the actuators. Didn't realise re 60k miles, thanks for that.
Only mod I'd do to an E92 is the exhaust mod. With LCI manuals rarer than rocking horse poo I'm tempted by an earlier one, but as I understand it rod bearings are more likely on an early one, and of course there's the actuators. Didn't realise re 60k miles, thanks for that.
I bought an E92 from a non BMW dealer but bought the extended warranty, it took a while arguing the price as the previous owner had lapsed the cover and the initial quoted was more than 2 years of Porsche cover.I had previously. I do wish, like Porsche, they did a paid check on the car before they will cover it as I am not the original owner so don't really know if there are any mods that have been done that may affect a claim.
Paul
Paul
m999psw said:
I bought an E92 from a non BMW dealer but bought the extended warranty, it took a while arguing the price as the previous owner had lapsed the cover and the initial quoted was more than 2 years of Porsche cover.I had previously. I do wish, like Porsche, they did a paid check on the car before they will cover it as I am not the original owner so don't really know if there are any mods that have been done that may affect a claim.
Paul
This is my concern, you pay 1k+ only to find out that a claim is rejected. I just assumed you'd have to take it into a BMW dealer for a check, but seemingly not. I bet if you bought a car with a full BM history and tried to check it was all as the stamped book said (bound not to be service bills included) the dealers in question would quote GDPR at you as to why they couldn't confirm it all!Paul
BMW are much easier going than Porsche in terms of warranty. You don't have to go through an inspection or get any faults rectified before you can take out the warranty, it's just a case of buying it online/over the phone.
However they do seem to check the service history on the car if you make a claim, for example I got asked to scan a copy of my service book for an automatic tailgate motor claim which doesn't have anything to do with the service history.
Warranty gets much more expensive after 60k miles as mentioned, wouldn't bother with one if it's £2-3k a year.
However they do seem to check the service history on the car if you make a claim, for example I got asked to scan a copy of my service book for an automatic tailgate motor claim which doesn't have anything to do with the service history.
Warranty gets much more expensive after 60k miles as mentioned, wouldn't bother with one if it's £2-3k a year.
Shaoxter said:
BMW are much easier going than Porsche in terms of warranty. You don't have to go through an inspection or get any faults rectified before you can take out the warranty, it's just a case of buying it online/over the phone.
However they do seem to check the service history on the car if you make a claim, for example I got asked to scan a copy of my service book for an automatic tailgate motor claim which doesn't have anything to do with the service history.
Warranty gets much more expensive after 60k miles as mentioned, wouldn't bother with one if it's £2-3k a year.
I assume going for a full BM history would make things easier, though I assume they don't necessarily insist on this?However they do seem to check the service history on the car if you make a claim, for example I got asked to scan a copy of my service book for an automatic tailgate motor claim which doesn't have anything to do with the service history.
Warranty gets much more expensive after 60k miles as mentioned, wouldn't bother with one if it's £2-3k a year.
Is yours a full BM history, make any difference in your opinion?
Current quote for sub 60k is 1300.
This applies to Germany, but maybe it is interesting information too.
My old E89 Z4 had the factory warranty for 2 years, then I extended it for another 3 years for near original warranty conditions and for the last 2 years, I was allowed to only extended it on a yearly basis. The care was inspected before, with an inspection report at the end and it was 40-50€ each time.
Had to use it twice, once the flywheel had to be replaced (actually, since new it was reacting weirdly, but it took almost 5 years until the local BMW dealer acknowledged it) and once a battery cable was defect, causing the battery to not charge correctly (they were amazed that my car was still able to start and drive in that condition).
For my new M3 CS, I bought the extended warranty right from the start, so now I have 3+2 years of "new car warranty". Not cheap, but it was worth it last time I had it.
Every time I had to renew it or had a case that required the warranty cover to kick in, they have asked almost from the beginning if the car was "in original" condition or if the car had any "tuning". The warranty is also transferable to the new owner.
Regarding "older" cars, they will inspect it and based on the condition they will offer to cover it or not, but if it is not following the new car warranty, the extended one is offered through an (external) insurer. Even if the name is "BMW used car warranty".
My old E89 Z4 had the factory warranty for 2 years, then I extended it for another 3 years for near original warranty conditions and for the last 2 years, I was allowed to only extended it on a yearly basis. The care was inspected before, with an inspection report at the end and it was 40-50€ each time.
Had to use it twice, once the flywheel had to be replaced (actually, since new it was reacting weirdly, but it took almost 5 years until the local BMW dealer acknowledged it) and once a battery cable was defect, causing the battery to not charge correctly (they were amazed that my car was still able to start and drive in that condition).
For my new M3 CS, I bought the extended warranty right from the start, so now I have 3+2 years of "new car warranty". Not cheap, but it was worth it last time I had it.
Every time I had to renew it or had a case that required the warranty cover to kick in, they have asked almost from the beginning if the car was "in original" condition or if the car had any "tuning". The warranty is also transferable to the new owner.
Regarding "older" cars, they will inspect it and based on the condition they will offer to cover it or not, but if it is not following the new car warranty, the extended one is offered through an (external) insurer. Even if the name is "BMW used car warranty".
This doesn't answer your question but the engine in my E92 M3 has been diagnosed with a major fault - garage will investigating to see what is damaged internally but have mentioned it could be a new engine. So make sure you get a warranty if you're not happy to cover the cost (or whatever BMW won't pay for) if it does happen. This was on an E92 with very low mileage and FSH.
I've had good use from the insured Warranty and would heartily recommend it. It is insured through Allianz.
Both my M6s were bought outside the BMW network and covered very easily no inspection required. - it helps if it's a full BMW history as they can see it themselves (i guess they're plugged in to the dealer service network?)
If your car is approaching 60K miles as my last car was at renewal, you can switch to monthly payments and that fixes the cost otherwise there's a huge leap if you pay upfront when you renew over 60K.
The Emergency service option is in my opinion very good too as I found out when my car burst a tyre (OK it was me
) in France late on a Sunday afternoon.
Both my M6s were bought outside the BMW network and covered very easily no inspection required. - it helps if it's a full BMW history as they can see it themselves (i guess they're plugged in to the dealer service network?)
If your car is approaching 60K miles as my last car was at renewal, you can switch to monthly payments and that fixes the cost otherwise there's a huge leap if you pay upfront when you renew over 60K.
The Emergency service option is in my opinion very good too as I found out when my car burst a tyre (OK it was me
) in France late on a Sunday afternoon.fido said:
This doesn't answer your question but the engine in my E92 M3 has been diagnosed with a major fault - garage will investigating to see what is damaged internally but have mentioned it could be a new engine. So make sure you get a warranty if you're not happy to cover the cost (or whatever BMW won't pay for) if it does happen. This was on an E92 with very low mileage and FSH.
Thanks for your reply, & sorry to hear about the issues.Any ideas what it is, rod bearings? Would you mind advising year/mileage, as I understand the later LCI models are less susceptible to the bearing issue. That said not that it makes much difference as LCI manual couples are as rare as rocking horse dung!
Stever said:
I've had good use from the insured Warranty and would heartily recommend it. It is insured through Allianz.
Both my M6s were bought outside the BMW network and covered very easily no inspection required. - it helps if it's a full BMW history as they can see it themselves (i guess they're plugged in to the dealer service network?)
If your car is approaching 60K miles as my last car was at renewal, you can switch to monthly payments and that fixes the cost otherwise there's a huge leap if you pay upfront when you renew over 60K.
The Emergency service option is in my opinion very good too as I found out when my car burst a tyre (OK it was me) in France late on a Sunday afternoon.
Again, many thanks for your reply.Both my M6s were bought outside the BMW network and covered very easily no inspection required. - it helps if it's a full BMW history as they can see it themselves (i guess they're plugged in to the dealer service network?)
If your car is approaching 60K miles as my last car was at renewal, you can switch to monthly payments and that fixes the cost otherwise there's a huge leap if you pay upfront when you renew over 60K.
The Emergency service option is in my opinion very good too as I found out when my car burst a tyre (OK it was me
) in France late on a Sunday afternoon.So far up front it's about 1300 I've been quoted, just over 1500 if you pay monthly, I tend to pay up front. However I didn't realise that if you do monthly and the mileage trips over 60k the monthlies remain the same, thanks for that heads up appreciated.
So you get brake down too, that's handy, a saving of 100 - 200 then, cheers.
acme said:
Any ideas what it is, rod bearings? Would you mind advising year/mileage, as I understand the later LCI models are less susceptible to the bearing issue. That said not that it makes much difference as LCI manual couples are as rare as rocking horse dung!
Late 2012 under 30k miles.I'm awaiting the garage report before they request a new engine. In summary the front crank seal went losing alot of oil. Despite me querying this with the technician (well it's rare for this to happen on an engine with such low mileage?) they fit a new seal and now say the engine is knocking. (With little feedback from the mechanics I suspect its the crankshaft bearings - which would explain why the front seal went.) To be honest - I'm not very happy about this at all - spent weeks waiting for parts when the actual issue may be internal. Anyway, it's under warranty - will have await a new engine for god knows how much (20-25k including labour) and no car in the meantime.
I specifically bought a later version to avoid the rod-bearing issues (reading the threads here led me to believe that bearings were revised 2010/2011) but it has had several owners who may, or may not, have warmed up the car correctly. 10% of the cost of the car isn't alot compared the potential outlay (IMO).
Edited by fido on Saturday 13th April 00:34
fido said:
Late 2011 under 30k miles.
I'm awaiting the garage report before they request a new engine. In summary the front crank seal went losing alot of oil. Despite me querying this with the technician (well it's rare for this to happen on an engine with such low mileage?) they fit a new seal and now say the engine is knocking. (With little feedback from the mechanics I suspect its the crankshaft bearings - which would explain why the front seal went.) To be honest - I'm not very happy about this at all - spent weeks waiting for parts when the actual issue may be internal. Anyway, it's under warranty - will have await a new engine for god knows how much (20-25k including labour) and no car in the meantime.
I specifically bought a later version to avoid the rod-bearing issues (reading the threads here led me to believe that bearings were revised 2010/2011) but it has had several owners who may, or may not, have warmed up the car correctly. 10% of the cost of the car isn't alot compared the potential outlay (IMO).
Many thanks for your reply. This makes for worrying reading, as though I consider I have mechanical sympathy as you say it's so hard to tell if previous owners have - though how on earth they can't when M's specifically have the engine temperature notification is beyond me! I really must get a M car before we're all driving around in something akin to a powerful milk float!I'm awaiting the garage report before they request a new engine. In summary the front crank seal went losing alot of oil. Despite me querying this with the technician (well it's rare for this to happen on an engine with such low mileage?) they fit a new seal and now say the engine is knocking. (With little feedback from the mechanics I suspect its the crankshaft bearings - which would explain why the front seal went.) To be honest - I'm not very happy about this at all - spent weeks waiting for parts when the actual issue may be internal. Anyway, it's under warranty - will have await a new engine for god knows how much (20-25k including labour) and no car in the meantime.
I specifically bought a later version to avoid the rod-bearing issues (reading the threads here led me to believe that bearings were revised 2010/2011) but it has had several owners who may, or may not, have warmed up the car correctly. 10% of the cost of the car isn't alot compared the potential outlay (IMO).
Edited by fido on Friday 5th April 12:44
acme said:
Again, many thanks for your reply.
So far up front it's about 1300 I've been quoted, just over 1500 if you pay monthly, I tend to pay up front. However I didn't realise that if you do monthly and the mileage trips over 60k the monthlies remain the same, thanks for that heads up appreciated.
So you get brake down too, that's handy, a saving of 100 - 200 then, cheers.
To be clear the Emergency Service is an optional cost extra on top of the warranty about £150 I think but it's much more comprehensive than breakdown cover. It served us exceptionally well getting us and then my car home from France and a hire car.So far up front it's about 1300 I've been quoted, just over 1500 if you pay monthly, I tend to pay up front. However I didn't realise that if you do monthly and the mileage trips over 60k the monthlies remain the same, thanks for that heads up appreciated.
So you get brake down too, that's handy, a saving of 100 - 200 then, cheers.
Now I've worked out how to use the warranty quoting tool (!) it's between 1300 and 2k, depending upon the level of cover. The lower level covering a max payout of 5k, so in the case of the above example you'd be knackered if a new engine was needed.
I wonder what cover BMW give when buying one from them?
I wonder what cover BMW give when buying one from them?
acme said:
Many thanks for your reply. This makes for worrying reading, as though I consider I have mechanical sympathy as you say it's so hard to tell if previous owners have - though how on earth they can't when M's specifically have the engine temperature notification is beyond me! I really must get a M car before we're all driving around in something akin to a powerful milk float!
Quite easily really - if it is anything like the lights on the S54 engined M cars, the variable shift lights are attached to the coolant temp - all those lights can be extinguished as little as 1.5 miles into a journey and yet the Oil still be barely above 50 degrees C. Plus i'm assuming (having never tried) there is nothing stopping you driving like you stole it just with a rev limit at 4500-5000rpm. This will still cause premature wear on the engine.
Moral of the story, the car will let you drive how you like and can't be relied upon to prevent idiots - it's up to the user to generally be sensible until the oil temp is knocking around 80 degrees C and higher, which takes a 3-4x longer than the shift lights would suggest.
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