extended maintenance program

[eagleasis]

Tommorrow is last day of my 3yr/36000 mi "free maintenance." Most most people tell me to spend the $1844 to get 6yr/100K, but the best BMW guy in town says no (Carl at La Jolla Independent). I am confused!

Got a 540IA with 12K on it now. Any wisdom out there, help!

[Antiburn]

Since your car I wouldnt expect anything major to go wrong. But then again a guy next to me at work is replacing a valve head on a 5 series that has 7 grand on it, so you never know. If you want to spend the 2k$$ or sum and feel that your secure and wont be dealing out thousands if something goes wrong then go with it. But if you wana listen to carl and not get the plan then go a head. Its jsut a feeling of securance if you get it. Why dotn you go ask carl if he'll fix your car for free if it breaks.

[Presley348]

Originally Posted by eagleasis

Tommorrow is last day of my 3yr/36000 mi "free maintenance." Most most people tell me to spend the $1844 to get 6yr/100K, but the best BMW guy in town says no (Carl at La Jolla Independent). I am confused!

Got a 540IA with 12K on it now. Any wisdom out there, help!

================================================== ========


Hi eagleasis:

I own a 04 530i with 1,500 miles, and I am going to purchase the 7yr 100,000 miles extended BMW warranty soon!

I am not talking no chances, now these Bimmers are fine cars, but cost fine $$$ to get repaired when something goes out.

Presley348

[jeffreyb4me]

AHhhhhh, huhh? I think this a great question for any owner in your current position and there's a few things, obviously, to think about.
I to am a Independent BMW tech of numerous years and Carl may have a good point. Their extended warranty policy is an excellent policy however, a full extension of the factory warranty.
I DON'T RECALL IF INCLUDES MAINTAINANCE !!!!
**YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS 1st **
IF it still includes all scheduled maintainance, I'd JUMP at the offer, as long as your COMPLETELY satisfied with the Dealers Service Department ! ! !
They'll be the ONLY people you'll be dealing with for the next THREE YEARS ! and your still covered by the new car warranty for another 14K or until 4 years since purchase.
LIKELY things to fail with-in 6yrs/100K
1] I'm not including maintainance services[which are few these days]
2] waterpump
3] belts
4] cam cover gaskets
5] expect 1 or 2 emission related failures, poss. $$$
6] expect 1 or 2 body/electrical failures
7] probably rear intake cover valve failure
8] these a just a few of the common ones on your model I see everyday, some cars less than others.

It maybe a wash dollar wise, may not, but to me, the most important aspect of all these things you'll have to deal with when [if] something goes wrong is the level of care you get, personally, from which
every establishment you chose.
Personally, I'd go with Carl. We Independents HAVE to try harder, spend the money for the diagnostic equipment and basically keep ourselves
up to date and 'trained'. It takes a lot of work and commitment to develop a great reputation. I certainly DO NOT speak for all or even most Independents but I've also worked in the dealer network for years and are fully aware of the reasons
so many of the best Technicians leave them.

For what it's worth, my nod goes to Carl.

[Presley348]

[quote=jeffreyb4me]AHhhhhh, huhh? I think this a great question for any owner in your current position and there's a few things, obviously, to think about.
I to am a Independent BMW tech of numerous years and Carl may have a good point. Their extended warranty policy is an excellent policy however, a full extension of the factory warranty.
I DON'T RECALL IF INCLUDES MAINTAINANCE !!!!
**YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS 1st **
IF it still includes all scheduled maintainance, I'd JUMP at the offer, as long as your COMPLETELY satisfied with the Dealers Service Department ! ! !
They'll be the ONLY people you'll be dealing with for the next THREE YEARS ! and your still covered by the new car warranty for another 14K or until 4 years since purchase.
LIKELY things to fail with-in 6yrs/100K
1] I'm not including maintainance services[which are few these days]
2] waterpump
3] belts
4] cam cover gaskets
5] expect 1 or 2 emission related failures, poss. $$$
6] expect 1 or 2 body/electrical failures
7] probably rear intake cover valve failure
8] these a just a few of the common ones on your model I see everyday, some cars less than others.

It maybe a wash dollar wise, may not, but to me, the most important aspect of all these things you'll have to deal with when [if] something goes wrong is the level of care you get, personally, from which
every establishment you chose.
Personally, I'd go with Carl. We Independents HAVE to try harder, spend the money for the diagnostic equipment and basically keep ourselves
up to date and 'trained'. It takes a lot of work and commitment to develop a great reputation. I certainly DO NOT speak for all or even most Independents but I've also worked in the dealer network for years and are fully aware of the reasons
so many of the best Technicians leave them.

For what it's worth, my nod goes to Carl.[/QUOTE
================================================== ================

jeffreyb4me

I contacted an extended Extended Warranty Company to get a price quote for their 7 year 100,000 mile extended warranty on my new 04 530i. They will sale me their plan which supposed to cover everything including my computer iDrive, all but the navigation package, for $2000.00.

I then called my BMW dealership and told them about a plan same as theirs, but is a lot cheaper by another company. I reminded the salsman how he had first quoted me $3,600.00, and now since my phone call he came down to $2,300.00 real fast! As soon as my BMW salesman call back, I will buy the BMW dealership extended warranty plan because of following reasons:

1) For just a $300.00 difference in price between the two extended warranties, and because I trust the BMW dealer where I bought my 530i instead of some Internet extended warranty company, which might be OK, but I would rather deal with someone face to face, not keyboard to keyboard!. (LOL)

2) My BMW dealer will give me 0 deductible

3) 24/7 rental car provided to me until mine is repaired.

4) 24/7 wrecker service

5) $25.00 Transfer fee

Sincerely,

Presley348

[Presley348]

Originally Posted by jeffreyb4me

AHhhhhh, huhh? I think this a great question for any owner in your current position and there's a few things, obviously, to think about.
I to am a Independent BMW tech of numerous years and Carl may have a good point. Their extended warranty policy is an excellent policy however, a full extension of the factory warranty.
I DON'T RECALL IF INCLUDES MAINTAINANCE !!!!
**YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS 1st **
IF it still includes all scheduled maintainance, I'd JUMP at the offer, as long as your COMPLETELY satisfied with the Dealers Service Department ! ! !
They'll be the ONLY people you'll be dealing with for the next THREE YEARS ! and your still covered by the new car warranty for another 14K or until 4 years since purchase.
LIKELY things to fail with-in 6yrs/100K
1] I'm not including maintainance services[which are few these days]
2] waterpump
3] belts
4] cam cover gaskets
5] expect 1 or 2 emission related failures, poss. $$$
6] expect 1 or 2 body/electrical failures
7] probably rear intake cover valve failure
8] these a just a few of the common ones on your model I see everyday, some cars less than others.

It maybe a wash dollar wise, may not, but to me, the most important aspect of all these things you'll have to deal with when [if] something goes wrong is the level of care you get, personally, from which
every establishment you chose.
Personally, I'd go with Carl. We Independents HAVE to try harder, spend the money for the diagnostic equipment and basically keep ourselves
up to date and 'trained'. It takes a lot of work and commitment to develop a great reputation. I certainly DO NOT speak for all or even most Independents but I've also worked in the dealer network for years and are fully aware of the reasons
so many of the best Technicians leave them.

For what it's worth, my nod goes to Carl.

================================================== ===============

jeffreyb4me:

Question: is the BMW full routine maintenance program worth $1,500.00 an additional dollars for three years & 100,000 miles for a 04 530i?

I will be waiting on you answer.

Thanks,
Presley348

[jeffreyb4me]

I guess, no I think, believe?, it's really a good idea. The E60's are still early in the 'model run' and unfortunately, BMW is notorious for allowing the final 'engineering' to be done after the models are released to the cunsumers.....these rarely involve 'recalls' but 'Service Advisories' or some sich nonsense that BMW will perform at no charge while the vehicle is still under warranty. They usually include window regulator, electronic module updates
[though these are now mostly handled by upgradable software], when the E36 first came out,
nevermind, this reply could go on for a long time. Anyway, YES, I feel the $1500.00 would be well spent IF YOU ENJOY your dealership's service dept.

[Presley348]

Originally Posted by jeffreyb4me

I guess, no I think, believe?, it's really a good idea. The E60's are still early in the 'model run' and unfortunately, BMW is notorious for allowing the final 'engineering' to be done after the models are released to the cunsumers.....these rarely involve 'recalls' but 'Service Advisories' or some sich nonsense that BMW will perform at no charge while the vehicle is still under warranty. They usually include window regulator, electronic module updates
[though these are now mostly handled by upgradable software], when the E36 first came out,
nevermind, this reply could go on for a long time. Anyway, YES, I feel the $1500.00 would be well spent IF YOU ENJOY your dealership's service dept.

================================================== ===

Hi jeffreyb4me:

Thanks once again for your quick reply on my paying the extra $1,500 for the 7yr 100,000 miles really is a: 3year 50,000 BMW maintenance program.

Lets see if I get this straight, and please correct me if I am mistaken, I can buy my 7yr 100,000 extended warranty which as I see if really just buying an additional 3yr 50,000 miles warranty and not full the 7yr 1000,000 miles, because my original BMW warranty and maintenance program will be in effect for four years and 50,000, miles. And you being a technician gave me some good advice!

I am sure you see a lot things fail on BMWs that we consumers either fail or too cheap to see as you do as with the needed preventive BMW maintenance programs.

In essence I will be buying a $2300.00 extended warranty and a $1,500 extended maintenance program, which = $3,800.00 or I can take my chances and pay for routine maintenance i.e. brake pads, oil changes, etc., as they come up, and just go ahead and buy the $2,300.00 warranty.

This will be a tough decision for me to make in the next couple of weeks, and I hope I can afford both the programs, (but you know I don't see how it is necessary to buy double warranties coverage or fall for their salesman ploy wording technique: 7yr 100,000 which is true to a certain extent, but they fail to say anything about my original factory 5yr 50,000 BMW warranty coverage that is already in effect, and act like theirs will be in effect in the first 50,000miles which it will not, because the BMW factory warranty applies).

Presley348

[jeffreyb4me]

EEOOOWWW!!!! I smell 'salesman'[person] and they both can reek so badly...........I'm sorry, I wasn't paying close enough attention. These sales games give me indegestion. Let's see, the 3/50,000
extension was going to be $3600 but dropped to $2300 but that didn't include 4/50,000 maintainence
which was $1,500 or WAS it $2,400 dropped to $1,500 if your bought $3,600 non-package deal that didn't include a 'wash&vac' with each additional
accessory your purchased from the parts dept. through your salespersons.....................
NO, YOUR NOT GETTING WHAT YOUR BUYING, when they 'explain' it way but you've figured the numbers out bangbangbang.
You KNOW they wouldn't sell it if they didn't cash out on it and I hate the stupid games [you didn't buy a used KIA].
I assume your keeping the car a while.

Do you have an Independent you can trust?

$3,800 'could be' kept somewhere giving you some small return AND you shouldn't be expecting any
really expensive to go wrong 'til 100K is reached anyway, but little things might nickel&dime you a bit. I didn't buy the add-ons for my '98 Z3 but I work on these for a living and the dealers warranty
'repairs' were, you know, I never got one call from the CSI company, the Z was there 8 times [over 2 weeks at least once], let's say, no very satisfying and leave it there for now.
Hit me again with more of your thoughts or before you make the final decission.........................jeffb.

[Presley348]

Originally Posted by jeffreyb4me

EEOOOWWW!!!! I smell 'salesman'[person] and they both can reek so badly...........I'm sorry, I wasn't paying close enough attention. These sales games give me indegestion. Let's see, the 3/50,000
extension was going to be $3600 but dropped to $2300 but that didn't include 4/50,000 maintainence
which was $1,500 or WAS it $2,400 dropped to $1,500 if your bought $3,600 non-package deal that didn't include a 'wash&vac' with each additional
accessory your purchased from the parts dept. through your salespersons.....................
NO, YOUR NOT GETTING WHAT YOUR BUYING, when they 'explain' it way but you've figured the numbers out bangbangbang.
You KNOW they wouldn't sell it if they didn't cash out on it and I hate the stupid games [you didn't buy a used KIA].
I assume your keeping the car a while.

Do you have an Independent you can trust?

$3,800 'could be' kept somewhere giving you some small return AND you shouldn't be expecting any
really expensive to go wrong 'til 100K is reached anyway, but little things might nickel&dime you a bit. I didn't buy the add-ons for my '98 Z3 but I work on these for a living and the dealers warranty
'repairs' were, you know, I never got one call from the CSI company, the Z was there 8 times [over 2 weeks at least once], let's say, no very satisfying and leave it there for now.
Hit me again with more of your thoughts or before you make the final decission.........................jeffb.

================================================== ========
JeffB

I am like you I hate these Salesmen who try to sell a person something that they already have, i.e., a "Double Coverage BMW Extended Warranty Plan" that plays on the mileage thing (7yr/100,000miles), that already being covered for the first four years up to 50,000miles, by the original factory BMW warranty plan!

You know one would think that kind of practice can deceiving us consumers and should be some USA laws against that, but they are getting away with it, and thank God for these type forums that we can vent on and get feedback from other Bimmer owners on how they handle these over aggressive salesmen marketing ploys. (I wonder what Clark Howard on WSB radio nationwide call in talk show says about this type double car warranty practice, I think I might write in and see).

(Off the record, your name is "Jeffery B." you know I once had a friend name "Jeffery Barber" who had a beautiful sister named "Georgia Barber" that used to live in Marietta, GA, but later moved with his family up north, are you him by any chance?)

E. Presley348

[jeffreyb4me]

I agree, and off the record Raymond, while I have to great brothers, I, forelorne, have not one beautiful sister, not even an ugly one.....and never lived in GA but grew up in NJ..talk soon..........jeffb.

[Presley348]

Originally Posted by jeffreyb4me

I agree, and off the record Raymond, while I have to great brothers, I, forelorne, have not one beautiful sister, not even an ugly one.....and never lived in GA but grew up in NJ..talk soon..........jeffb.

================================================== =

I am down to the wire negotiating the best price possible for this BMW extended warranty plan with the BMW salesman. I was reading the finer print I saw where the BMW Dealership normally charges $1000.00 extra for the 0 Deductible in their 7/100,000 plan,

Also the warranty company they deal with is Fidelity Extended Warranty Company, (which I hope is good, have you ever had dealing with them in the past, or know someone who has?).

BMW the salesman avoinded this but I saw where BMA Dealers are charging $1000.00 less for their $100.00 deductible compared to the 0 deductible plan of $1000.00 more.

Beings I got BMW down from around $3,800.00 to $2,395.00, with 0 deductible, I do not think BMW dealer will come off $1000.00 for discounted cost of $2395.00 for their 7yr 100,000 warranty, do you? But hey it worth the try.

Even if my BMW dealership just comes off $500.00 for the $100.00 deducible plan, I feel it is worth it because just how many times will I actually use the warranty anyway within 7years, I would like to think 0 times, I know Bimmers are great cars, but be realistic I think I will take my 530i in for not servicing, but for warranty work will maybe be three to five times maybe?

In conclusion: As I said earlier I am new at Bimmer game, and you owning a few BMWs, and working on Bimmers for a living, JeffB could you tell me your expert BMW opinion on how may total do you think I will use my Warranty period on my 2004 530i "Chris Bangle Special" (LOL), in the next 7 years?

Presley348

[Presley348]

Originally Posted by jeffreyb4me

I agree, and off the record Raymond, while I have to great brothers, I, forelorne, have not one beautiful sister, not even an ugly one.....and never lived in GA but grew up in NJ..talk soon..........jeffb.

================================================
Hi JeffB:

Cluick on: http://www.bmwportal.net/modules.php...ed&cat=0&pos=0

That is what makes this a great BMW web site: "The Bimmer Chicks!"

Click below for a Pic of my 04 530i, (My name is 04Bangle530iOwner, over at The BMW Portal)

Click On: http://www.bmwportal.net/modules.php...ed&cat=0&pos=3


It is another good BMW forum.

Presley348

[jeffreyb4me]

hey Ray, takes too long to type from my phone and a bit to access sites but I've more to say. @ the NHRA nations here for weekend...talk Monday.....jb.

[jeffreyb4me]

Raymond, just occurred to me, what's the urgency in the extended warranty purchase, documented time limit??? or, does someone need some quick bonus money? just a thought, anyway, as I said in other posts, new models are prone to many little problems and the E60 is probably no exception. As for the warranty company, you personally won't deal with them, that's the 'service writer's' job.
DO MAKE SURE OF ANY FINE PRINT....review the new car warranty & the upsell warranty side by side with the salesmen, don't take anyone's word for anything ! ! but I'm sure you know that.
Have you gotten use to the 'crack in Bangle's butt'
visible from the side of the rear quater panel yet??
sorry, it's just, well, great car though......keep in touch............jeffb.