BMW Extended Warranty or...
autoPOM! Mechanical Breakdown Protection?
The decision to buy a BMW Extended Warranty or autoPOM! Mechanical Breakdown Protection for your BMW may be a wise decision!
Hello, my name is Teddy Fields and I've been asked by the folks at autoPOM! to share my experience with BMW vehicle reliability and repair.
First, let me explain the difference between a BMW extended warranty and mechanical breakdown protection from a third party.
- A BMW extended warranty is only offered by the manufacturer and are usually sold through the dealership.
- Mechanical breakdown protection provides extended coverage (beyond the manufacturer’s warranty) and may be purchased from a third party.
- There are pros and cons to each option but the main difference is that Mechanical Breakdown Protection from a third party allows you to have repairs performed at any authorized automobile repair facility in the US or Canada. The BMW extended warranty requires that repairs be performed at an authorized BMW repair facility (usually at the dealership.)
BMW Luxury
No other luxury car brand has ever commanded the passion, and loyalty that BMW enjoys. From the 1-Series, to the 8-Series BMW owners are often more loyal to their cars, than they are to their political party.
If you're planning to buy a BMW, congratulations! You obviously have exquisite taste. However, you may want to also buy some form of extended protection.
When you drive a BMW, you're keenly aware of how it feels. A subtle image of the pavement below is somehow sent through the steering wheel. Turn it, and the whole car seems to read your mind. It dances through the corner with the grace of a ballerina...and the power of an angry elephant. These cars can be as thrilling, as they are luxurious.
And that's the brilliance of a BMW. On the one hand, you've got a comfortable German executive car. But at the driver's fancy, it can turn into a razor sharp rocket ship. Even the small engine models have an athletic presence.
Key BMW Features And Potential Problems
I-Drive: This ingenious system consolidates all of the car's various adaptive settings (suspension, gearbox etc.), along with the radio and climate control. A single, console mounted knob is all that you need to adjust...anything on the car. Problem is, it can be complicated to operate, and it's very trouble prone.
Your CD's can keep playing, after the car's shut off. The radio can change channels...whenever it wants to. And, the whole system can freeze, or crash. Just like a computer. Reprogramming, or replacing a faulty i-Drive system can cost several thousand dollars, if your BMW warranty expires. For this reason, you may want to consider a BMW extended warranty or Mechanical breakdown Protection from autoPOM!
SMG Transmission: The Sequential Manual Gearbox offers the best of both worlds. If you like the driving experience of a manual, you can paddle-shift through the car's 7 gears. Not only does this give you complete control of the car, but the SMG's automated clutch gives you near-instantaneous gear changes. With the flick of a switch however, the SMG can also act just like an automatic.
If you're a driving enthusiast, this is a great transmission choice. But keep in mind, this is a BMW. So, when you have to replace the clutch (yes, it has one), or one of the many internal hydraulic pumps, you're going to pay a pretty penny if your BMW warranty has expired.
Hi-End Features Means Hi-End Repairs
This is not to say that BMW's are unreliable, because they aren't (see reliability reports below). What I'm trying to explain is, these are high-end cars. They all have cutting edge features, and because of this, they can cost quite a bit to repair, or maintain which is why it is important to consider a BMW extended warranty or a vehicle service contract.
If you want the best, you're going to have to pay for it. However, if you buy a BMW extended warranty, unexpected repairs is one thing you won't have to pay for.
BMW will pick up the cost of repairs as long as the car is still under the manufacturer's warranty.
- The standard BMW warranty is 4 years/50,000 miles
- This covers all the mechanical and computerized parts of the car. And yes, parts and labor for a BMW are quite expensive.
Unexpected Repairs
Once the BMW warranty expires, those huge repair bills will be yours to pay. Here are a few typical issues with the BMW models.
- Cooling System: Some 6-cylinder models are cursed with a weak cooling system. As the car approaches 40,000 miles, the water pump, radiator, and overflow bottle can break. Leaving you with an overheated Bimmer, and a hefty repair bill.
- Suspension Problems: BMW's are renown for their handling. But, that brilliant suspension can break. The Thrust Rod bushings can go bad, sending violent vibrations through the steering wheel. The power steering hoses can crack, and the rear differential can also fail.
BMW Reliability
Before making any decision, research your specific model and year to ensure reliability. Certain cars are known to be unreliable, making the extended protection decision a no-brainer. Check out the the U.S News and World Report. for current reliability ratings.
Another easy to find out about a product's reliability in the age of the Internet is to check with a community of people that have the same product. People in these groups tend to be very outspoken. In the case of automobiles one such community is Edmunds.com.
Use the links below to research your specific model for known problems.
MSN.Autos.com is another great resource to check the reliability record of your used vehicle.
Do I really need to buy an extended warranty or service contract?
If your BMW warranty is about to run out, you might want to seriously think about purchasing extended protection of one type or the other. It is largely a matter of personal choice whether you choose to go with a BMW extended warranty or mechanical breakdown protection from a thrid party.
If you choose to purchase an extended warranty from the dealer make sure that you're getting a genuine BMW extended warranty and not a third-party's product that is sold through the dealer.
If you decide to buy mechanical breakdown protection from a third party, make sure you're purchasing it from a reputable third party company. autoPOM! is a very good choice for Mechanical Breakdown Protection. autoPOM! plans are backed and administered by Mercury Insurance Group. autoPOM! has an A+ rating from BBB and Mercury has an A+ rating from AM Best.
Teddy Field
autoPOM! can provide you with repair service comparable to the manufacturer's extended warranty. Not surprising, autoPOM! pricing is far less than dealer pricing and offer the flexibility of allowing you to choose the repair facility that you're most comfortable with.
See 10 Reasons To Choose autoPOM! and Mercury.Good luck with your BMW. Please let the folks at auto-POM know how they may be of assistance and how they might earn your business.
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