BMW Insured Comprehensive Warranty - what a con...

[Tony B2]

This is becoming like a stuck record....

I am getting even more seriously hacked-off with my normal dealer, who has had my 330D since last Friday morning, with 2 problems (ABS failure, and no aircon), both of which I believe are covered by the Comprehensive warranty (which includes wear and tear).

The dealer STILL has not got confirmation of cover, after 4 full business days.

Service advisor could not be bothered to call me back yesterday, when I left a message in the morning, nor today, so I chased again this evening.

ABS failure - diagnosed as faulty sensor. Their cost to replace - £340....parts cost for sensor is what...£70? ABS sensors are explicitly covered in the warranty document. And I have had 3 replaced before now (from memory 2 on this car, and 1 on my M3 which has the same warranty cover)

Aircon condenser leaking (so no aircon) - under the comprehensive warranty cover, everything is covered unless it is explicitly excluded. No mention of any exclusions on the aircon condenser.
Dealer's cost to replace.....£1001....!!! Parts cost on-line.....£80....

Car is 66k miles and has total BMW dealer service history, always on time. Wear and tear is covered up to 100k miles in the warranty document...

Getting very close to losing my temper with both parties...

[edthefed]

Air con condenser leaking ?

What is the cause of the leak, if for example its been holed by way of an impact with something then the warranty might not cover as "accidental damage / negligence" is not covered

[Magnum 475]

I had the opposite experience with my (now sold) 330i.

In 3 years of ownership it had:

New PCV System
Replacement Turbo
Replacement Catalytic Converter
2x Oil Filter Housings
Replacement window switches panel
and a couple of smaller items that I can’t recall now.

All paid for by BMW warranty @ £60 / month.

The only thing I couldn’t get them to do was the intermittent clunk in the steering rack - probably because it was intermittent and never clunked while the dealer had the car.

The warranty was great, the car not so great.

[MarkJS]

Tony B2 said:

Aircon condenser leaking (so no aircon) - under the comprehensive warranty cover, everything is covered unless it is explicitly excluded. No mention of any exclusions on the aircon condenser.
Dealer's cost to replace.....£1001....!!! Parts cost on-line.....£80....

Car is 66k miles and has total BMW dealer service history, always on time. Wear and tear is covered up to 100k miles in the warranty document...

Getting very close to losing my temper with both parties...

I don’t remember seeing the air conditioning condenser being mentioned (and I’m not saying it isn’t) but I do know that on page 17 of the warranty handbook, it states:

“Any components not specifically listed are not covered”

Don’t ask me how I know….

[Dannbodge]

I also had the opposite experience

Had an E90 335i. Started the cover at 58k miles for around £50p/m (£100 excess)

Ended up claiming well over 3k worth of parts and probably the same in labour on the policy.
No quibbles or arguements, they just got on with it.

[mmm-five]

Had the AUC and then Comprehensive Insured Warranty on my Z4MC from 9000 miles to 100,000 miles...paying around £80/month.

Over the 5 years I had the warranty - say £5000 of premiums - I had a new engine (at 22k miles), 2 new front calipers (about 40k miles), and a diff (about 70k miles). Total cost of works on the invoices to BMW Warranty was about £19k...and that was at the labour costs that BMW Warranty were paying. I'd dread to think how much more that would have been to a normal punter.

Now that I do much less mileage (about 75% less miles p.a.), I don't bother with the extended warranties.

But, as with any insurance product, there will be winners and there will be losers.

[Tony B2]

MarkJS said:

Tony B2 said:

Aircon condenser leaking (so no aircon) - under the comprehensive warranty cover, everything is covered unless it is explicitly excluded. No mention of any exclusions on the aircon condenser.
Dealer's cost to replace.....£1001....!!! Parts cost on-line.....£80....

Car is 66k miles and has total BMW dealer service history, always on time. Wear and tear is covered up to 100k miles in the warranty document...

Getting very close to losing my temper with both parties...

I don’t remember seeing the air conditioning condenser being mentioned (and I’m not saying it isn’t) but I do know that on page 17 of the warranty handbook, it states:

“Any components not specifically listed are not covered”

Don’t ask me how I know….

With the Comprehensive level of cover, the logic is the other way around - any component not listed (as excluded) is therefore covered. As the aircon condenser is not listed as excluded at this level of cover, it is included.

With the "Named Component" level of cover, your logic is correct.

I have always had the "Comprehensive" level.

I had another call this morning - the warranty people (i.e. not BMW people but Allianz?) have asked for the dealer to remove the bumper for additional pictures.

As the technician working on the car has said that he can see no external damage, this is getting to be ridiculous.

They are desperate (and almost certainly incentivised) to find any excuse.

Assuming that the claims (ABS sensor too) are accepted, the car might be ready EoD tomorrow.

That will be 6 days off the road. And they are supposed to offer a loan car after 2....

[Tony B2]

Magnum 475 said:

I had the opposite experience with my (now sold) 330i.

In 3 years of ownership it had:

New PCV System
Replacement Turbo
Replacement Catalytic Converter
2x Oil Filter Housings
Replacement window switches panel
and a couple of smaller items that I can’t recall now.

All paid for by BMW warranty @ £60 / month.

The only thing I couldn’t get them to do was the intermittent clunk in the steering rack - probably because it was intermittent and never clunked while the dealer had the car.

The warranty was great, the car not so great.

This is how it used to be for me, too, up until the last couple of years.

Now, the whole claims approval process is an absolute, prolonged pain.

[danb79]

Zero issues here with the F31 - had 3 lots of work done under 2 claims in 2023/early 2024 via Bowker BMW here in Preston

Took the car in; got the work done with all receipts/lists of work done and no hassle at all

Haven't extended the warranty this year as had always planned to have it for the 1st 2 years

[Pica-Pica]

I have the extended warranty. About £400 p.a.
Apart from the universal EGR recall (twice), I had a rear differential gasket replaced under that (Allianz) warranty due to oil seepage. F30 335d.

[Sheepshanks]

Tony B2 said:

That will be 6 days off the road. And they are supposed to offer a loan car after 2....

Do BMW dealers not routinely have loan cars? I get one even if not needed as they're always keen to get it back ASAP.

[DJMC]

Over £13,000 of extended warranty claims here, no hassle, loan car for months during the Covid parts shortage and £10k of this for a diesel sensor leak which went everywhere.

[Tony B2]

I agree with the comments regarding "no problems" with various claims over the years.

I did have the same experience, up until the last 2, maybe 3 years.

Since then, it has been a real pain getting anything approved even when it is clearly within scope (e.g. the current ABS problem), plus last year's extended problems with diesel glow plugs and EGR.

In the last 12 months, the 330 has been off the road for a total time exceeding 3 weeks, due to difficulties getting claims approved.

I do not blame the dealer particularly - although I think they could push harder for responses, and could definitely be better returning my calls.

This is down to Allianz, and to an extent BMW GB, who appear happy to let them make claims - legitimate ones - be a pain in the arse for the customer.

It used to be simple - in to the dealer, yes, it's a problem, yes it's covered, get the parts to fix it. Job done.

It was as simple and painless as having a new car.

Certainly not now.

I am currently paying over 2k/yr on the warranties (2 BMWs), plus the £100 excess/claim when they eventually, finally agree to cover the claim.

[Sheepshanks]

Tony B2 said:

I am currently paying over 2k/yr on the warranties (2 BMWs), plus the £100 excess/claim when they eventually, finally agree to cover the claim.

Blimey, I do like to have good warranty coverage, even if just a safety net, but at £2K I'd have to seriously think about that vs self insuring and building a relationship with an indie. Perhaps this is unthinkable if you just have to have BMW, but maybe even change car brands

[Cheburator mk2]

Sheepshanks said:

Blimey, I do like to have good warranty coverage, even if just a safety net, but at £2K I'd have to seriously think about that vs self insuring and building a relationship with an indie. Perhaps this is unthinkable if you just have to have BMW, but maybe even change car brands

Errr... X5M here - £107pm since 2020... 55k miles over that period...

1 new engine with with turbos £32k I think
1 new transfer box £10k
2 x new air compressors and 2 x rear suspension air bags £6k
2 x high pressure fuel pumps and 2 x new injectors £4k
1 new rear fuse box £2k
2 new front control arms £1.5k

I am sure there are other thing that I have forgotten about ...

I was told by my local dealer - SJ Bromley - that up to about £2k they don't need authorisation from Allianz... They may be talking porkies though...

[Pica-Pica]

Sheepshanks said:

Tony B2 said:

I am currently paying over 2k/yr on the warranties (2 BMWs), plus the £100 excess/claim when they eventually, finally agree to cover the claim.

Blimey, I do like to have good warranty coverage, even if just a safety net, but at £2K I'd have to seriously think about that vs self insuring and building a relationship with an indie. Perhaps this is unthinkable if you just have to have BMW, but maybe even change car brands

Mine is £359 this year with £250 excess. 8 year old F30 335d.

[Sheepshanks]

Cheburator mk2 said:

Errr... X5M here - £107pm since 2020... 55k miles over that period...

1 new engine with with turbos £32k I think
1 new transfer box £10k
2 x new air compressors and 2 x rear suspension air bags £6k
2 x high pressure fuel pumps and 2 x new injectors £4k
1 new rear fuse box £2k
2 new front control arms £1.5k

I am sure there are other thing that I have forgotten about ...

OK, you should do the second thing - change car brands!

[Cheburator mk2]

Sheepshanks said:

Cheburator mk2 said:

Errr... X5M here - £107pm since 2020... 55k miles over that period...

1 new engine with with turbos £32k I think
1 new transfer box £10k
2 x new air compressors and 2 x rear suspension air bags £6k
2 x high pressure fuel pumps and 2 x new injectors £4k
1 new rear fuse box £2k
2 new front control arms £1.5k

I am sure there are other thing that I have forgotten about ...

OK, you should do the second thing - change car brands!

Why, it's Trigger's broom now Practically brand new...

My brother's Cayenne Turbo S generated similar bills under warranty...

It's luck of the draw if you get a Friday car...

My Z4MC that I had from new for 50k miles (1/3 of them on track/the Ring) generated the grand total of two front callipers and discs under warranty...

[MarkJS]

Tony B2 said:

MarkJS said:

Tony B2 said:

Aircon condenser leaking (so no aircon) - under the comprehensive warranty cover, everything is covered unless it is explicitly excluded. No mention of any exclusions on the aircon condenser.
Dealer's cost to replace.....£1001....!!! Parts cost on-line.....£80....

Car is 66k miles and has total BMW dealer service history, always on time. Wear and tear is covered up to 100k miles in the warranty document...

Getting very close to losing my temper with both parties...

I don’t remember seeing the air conditioning condenser being mentioned (and I’m not saying it isn’t) but I do know that on page 17 of the warranty handbook, it states:

“Any components not specifically listed are not covered”

Don’t ask me how I know….

With the Comprehensive level of cover, the logic is the other way around - any component not listed (as excluded) is therefore covered. As the aircon condenser is not listed as excluded at this level of cover, it is included.

With the "Named Component" level of cover, your logic is correct.

I have always had the "Comprehensive" level.

I had another call this morning - the warranty people (i.e. not BMW people but Allianz?) have asked for the dealer to remove the bumper for additional pictures.

As the technician working on the car has said that he can see no external damage, this is getting to be ridiculous.

They are desperate (and almost certainly incentivised) to find any excuse.

Assuming that the claims (ABS sensor too) are accepted, the car might be ready EoD tomorrow.

That will be 6 days off the road. And they are supposed to offer a loan car after 2....

My experience tells me otherwise unfortunately. I have only ever had Comprehensive cover on any of my BMW's.

I had an LED tail-light showing signs of water ingress last year and while it was in for a service, I brought the issue up at the dealer with a view of making a warranty claim which they then referred to BMW for permission to proceed. This was denied and part of the explanation was that lights are not covered which itself is covered by the statement on page 17 which I mentioned in my previous post.

For the record, the warranty has always been excellent (apart from this occasion) and I have never had any quibble previously with other cars. Not that I've had any other cause to use it with this car as it's been mechanically faultless and I do sometimes wonder if I'm better banking the £500 or so per year as a repair fund. I get breakdown rescue within that though.

Going back to the LED tail-light - the dealer offered me a hefty discount on the part (I'd already priced it elsewhere) as a bit of goodwill and fitted it while it was on the ramp.

[mekondelta]

Call the warranty company directly. They have very good service and will discuss your case and you can see whether the story from the dealer matches or not...