BMW warranty

[tgr]

I'm considering a car under 60 000 miles with 'full BMW service history'

First question is how do I verify that?

Second question is what are the terms of the BMW warranty (which I presume the car doesn't have as it isn't being sold by a BMW dealer)

I seem to remember the warranty is payable monthly and is cheapest on a car under 60 000 miles but what does BMW need to do to check that the car has no pre-existing problems, service history is kosher etc?

Many thanks

[Swervin_Mervin]

tgr said:

I'm considering a car under 60 000 miles with 'full BMW service history'

First question is how do I verify that?

Second question is what are the terms of the BMW warranty (which I presume the car doesn't have as it isn't being sold by a BMW dealer)

I seem to remember the warranty is payable monthly and is cheapest on a car under 60 000 miles but what does BMW need to do to check that the car has no pre-existing problems, service history is kosher etc?

Many thanks

Nowt. But you can't claim in the first 30days IIRC. Or it may be 60. Plus, if they feel that any parts that you're claiming for are not OEM or equivalent, they could refuse the claim.

[Smuler]

tgr said:

I'm considering a car under 60 000 miles with 'full BMW service history'

First question is how do I verify that?

Second question is what are the terms of the BMW warranty (which I presume the car doesn't have as it isn't being sold by a BMW dealer)

I seem to remember the warranty is payable monthly and is cheapest on a car under 60 000 miles but what does BMW need to do to check that the car has no pre-existing problems, service history is kosher etc?

Many thanks

I guess a reasonable verification will be that all stamps are from BMW dealers. Check the names are dealers (google) , you could always check the dealer codes with BMW if you want to go further. You could even go further and contact the named dealers and ensure they serviced the car, but that's only if you think someone's faked it. You can contact BMW and see if they've records of dates when the car went into a dealer that matches. But I don't think records are foolproof as some get lost. You could ask the seller for any invoices?

To check everything's been done that was needed you'll need to know what the car required. I don't know what car, so can't say more ???

Under 60k is always cheaper for warranty and monthly is an option.

BMW dealers give an Approved Used Car warranty, slightly better terms than the BMW warranty you can buy 'off the shelf'
No non-BMW dealer can give either.

Unless it's changed very recently, no claim in first 30 days on the warranty you buy. The only exception is if you buy a car privately, already with a warranty and you simply 'take over payments within a month.'

I've never heard of the warranty people checking the car/car history before issuing warranty, they just get you to confirm it's been serviced in accordance with schedule by a VAT registered garage ; I don't believe there's an issue with warranty if you've used a BMW specialist instead of a main dealer or indeed any garage that's VAT registered and used BMW parts.

Obviously in the event of a claim, if they're able to identify there was a pre-existing issue then they have a right to forego the claim. So, in theory, you could contact BMW customer services and get all dates the car went into dealers and if they're dates not for service, try and find out, from dealer, what happened!!!

But that's probably OTT although I have done this when deciding on a car

[tgr]

Thanks for this very useful detail.

What's the advantage of the BMW approved used warranty v the bought in BMW one that I'd be going for if I got the car (E90 N53 so fuel system weaknesses)?

[Smuler]

The plus is list of exclusions is slightly bigger on the one you’d buy. Battery for example.

I n 2014-2016 I had a 335i covered by both types , so looked in detail at differences and all the key issues were covered in the one you’d buy; so you should be nice and tight with 330

Other plus with AUC from my experience is there’s never an excess (can’t recall if you have no excess if you buy) and in any event no quibble with any necessary diagnostic charges when they look to identify fault.

You can certainly download a policy document , if not send me a message and I’ll copy the page from mine.

It’s from 2016 but I don’t think list will have changed , but query before you buy. They are very helpful in my experience.

Plus if you add recovery , any issue which could adversely affect driving (and this is quite broad)call them out , you’ll get a spare car if yours needs immediate work done.

Much easier than trying to get a courtesy car from dealer. Plus they’ll run the diagnostic . And that should save money.

[Andehh]

tgr said:

Thanks for this very useful detail.

What's the advantage of the BMW approved used warranty v the bought in BMW one that I'd be going for if I got the car (E90 N53 so fuel system weaknesses)?

I can only comment on the BMW approve used one, and I found it fantastic. They dealer replaced a fair amount under the it, though some I wondered whether it was because of ya quiet workshop and items being worn quicker then expected, but mot failing type. I never complained though!!

They did;

Rear diff bush twice
A/C converter/radiator thing (common failure due to bad materials in manufacturing)
Both front lowered control arms assemblies

I also got them to replace both wing mirrors, as the mirror housing was scratching the support arm when they folded in & out.

[Smuler]

Thinking about your other point , they stopped making 330i E90s the saloon in 2010 so it’s gotta be over 7 years old.

Oil services , most likely every 2 as it’s low mileage (plus a tick in the box for whatever filter changed) ; brake fluid I think was bi annually on my 335i - so visits to dealer for that ; plus there was a vehicle check I think somewhere around 30k miles (maybe 3 years) so at least one of those with ticks in box for spark plugs I reckon. Plus I’d think one or more likely two sets of brake pads done. You can check where it’s currently at on the iDrive if it has one or by scrolling through the menus.

If the service book is reflective of this , you should be fine. I had to make sure my dealer ticked all boxes!

[tgr]

Very helpful all, many thanks! I had a look through the policy particulars last night Smuler, so thanks for the offer but don't want or need to trouble you. They seem comprehensive but in among all of the things that ARE covered, it's a little more difficult to spot any glaring omissions

ETA what is the significance of being more than seven years old?

Edited by tgr on Saturday 10th March 00:02

[tgr]

Bump - is there a cut-off point over 7 years old, or reduced cover?

[bmwmike]

No cutoff

Wear and tear up to 100k miles is included on the mondial warranty and I assume AUC too which is very good.

My ONLY issue with having the warranty at 67 per month on my f10 is having to deal with the God awful stupid BMW dealers in my area. YMMV!

[Smuler]

tgr said:

Bump - is there a cut-off point over 7 years old, or reduced cover?

I’ve never heard of that and l know plenty of people with BMW warranties on cars over 7.
Where’ve you got that from ?

[tgr]

Smuler said:

Thinking about your other point , they stopped making 330i E90s the saloon in 2010 so it’s gotta be over 7 years old.

Smuler I was just wondering whether there was anything behind this, nothing else

[gizlaroc]

Also, consider, if the car is just under 60k and from a BMW dealer, will it then be over 60k when the approved used car warranty runs out?

If it is it will cost a lot more, like 3x more and not worth doing imho.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Won't cost that much more IME. I got mine on 57k, but didn't get the BMW Insured warranty until well north of 60k - think even now several years later and at 12yo/108k it costs me <£50/mo for Driveline cover.

[gizlaroc]

Depends on the car, the X3 was £31 pre 60k and £76 if it went over.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

We've reduced ours to the £250 excess version on the X1, as it's just ticked over 60k when we renew in may it'll cost £580p/a instead of £420p/a. Still good VFM I reckon

[dave_s13]

I'm thinking about this at the moment.

Bought a 2008 E93 convertible 325i yesterday on 50k.

Only issue is the service book before the time the chap I bought it off went missing, this was reflected in the price, but everything that's been done on the car at a local indy is documented. Including a service, replacement HPFP 18month ago (ouch!!) And various other bits. Assuming I ring BMW customer services to ask the question will they check the system and verify it's still eligible.

I'm looking at £41 £51 or £61 for the 3 levels of cover. I can see a lot of value in it for these cars. As great as they are, they can go expensively wrong.....have you seen the frickin roof mechanism on these!!

[Dannbodge]

dave_s13 said:

I'm thinking about this at the moment.

Bought a 2008 E93 convertible 325i yesterday on 50k.

Only issue is the service book before the time the chap I bought it off went missing, this was reflected in the price, but everything that's been done on the car at a local indy is documented. Including a service, replacement HPFP 18month ago (ouch!!) And various other bits. Assuming I ring BMW customer services to ask the question will they check the system and verify it's still eligible.

I'm looking at £41 £51 or £61 for the 3 levels of cover. I can see a lot of value in it for these cars. As great as they are, they can go expensively wrong.....have you seen the frickin roof mechanism on these!!

As long as the garage that has done the work is VAT registered and used approved parts, then you should be able to get it.

[dave_s13]

I've been having quite a detailed email conversation with the insured warranty chap. He is exceptionally polite and sensible sounding btw.

Anyway, I now have it writing that if I get the car serviced and health checked at a main dealer I can have a warranty.

So there you go, I was pleasantly surprised by that.




ps......
and then typically, I noticed this morning the damn thing has an oil leak - couple of patches by the passenger front wheel! Got it booked in with a local specialist to sort that anyway but may be able to sort it myself if it's an obvious and easy one. These N53 engines seems to have lots of common oil leak points. Some look fairly easy to sort, others not. Hoping and praying it's the former.

[ladderino]

One thing that's also a considerable advantage of the BMW Warranty is that the BMW service mgr will handle all of the warranty paper work for you, and you also apparently stand a better chance of getting BMW good will payments for things that the warranty doesn't cover.

Thirdparty warranties don't have this advantage. I've had 5 or 6 trips to the dealer with my 335i over the past couple of years - I'm glad I didn't have to go through the pain of sorting out the warranty claims for each one of those.