Consumer Reports recently assessed the lifetime expenses of various different vehicles. They carefully examined how much it would cost to repair and maintain cars ten years beyond the end of their warranties. Owners enjoyed some of the lowest repair and maintenance expenditures while still being covered thanks to BMW’s warranty choices. However, those expenditures soared when their coverage expired.
The consumer site analyzed the yearly prices of 2011 SUVs and automobiles, dividing them into groups based on their average price. Although consumers may be able to purchase a 2011 5 Series for $10,000 or less, they may end up spending as much as $1,200 a year to maintain it. The annual maintenance and repair costs for the BMW 3 Series are $800. Even more pricey used luxury cars, like the 2011 Acura MDX, would cost less to maintain annually on average than $500.
The hefty long-term maintenance costs for the 5 Series have probably actually decreased its market value. Even if it has out-of-date technology, the 2011 model nevertheless has attractive interior styling, smooth handling, and performance. Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generates 240 horsepower, which is on line with the 2021 model’s output. Additionally, it has a variety of engines and opulent embellishments. It’s a good car with no serious issues. However, maintaining it on the road is pricey.
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Cost of Ownership Overall
BMW owners spend $968 on repairs and maintenance on average each year, according to RepairPal. In comparison to other brands in its class, this amount is more. Due to its specialized parts and systems, BMW is infamous for having higher maintenance and repair expenses.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the term used to describe the cost of purchasing the vehicle plus any supplemental expenses incurred in operating it. You may view the overall picture of your investment—in this case, the BMW 5 Series—by evaluating the TCO.
We took Edmund’s ownership expenses five-year breakdown and factored in gas, insurance, repairs, and maintenance to calculate TCO for the most recent BMW 5 Series vehicles. Unless a particular model year has more recorded problems, you can anticipate that the cost of ownership will increase with the age of the vehicle does (most of the time).
TCO for the 2019 5 Series 530i: $28,912 or $5,782 annually TCO for the 2018 5 Series 530i: $33,920, or $6,784 annually 2017 TCO for the 5 Series 530i: $38,499, or $7,699 annually TCO for the 2016 5 Series 528i: $39,792 or $7,958 annually 2015 TCO for the 5 Series 528i: $39,783 or $7956 annually
Is the Ultimate Driving Machine cost-effective in terms of maintenance?
Remove the Band-Aid now. Every 10,000 miles, BMW owners may anticipate paying between $150 and $400 per service. A significant service may cost up to $3,000 or more. In the end, owners spend more on maintenance and repairs than most brands, between $1,000 and $1,700 annually.
You may always purchase an extended warranty, either directly from BMW or through a third-party service contract, if you’re concerned about future ownership costs. Standard BMW maintenance expenditures are not covered by a car warranty, but it will cover pricey items that are more prone to break over time.
We’ve combed the market and selected a handful of the top third-party extended vehicle warranty companies because there are many possibilities for extended coverage. These are businesses who did well in regards to things like price, standing, and customer support.
To help you reduce your out-of-pocket vehicle ownership costs, compare the best BMW extended warranty packages above.
Buying an A 5 Series
Although the current 5 Series lineup is pricey, you can get one for less money than you would for a high-end Mercedes or Jaguar. Having said that, the lowest price at which you can get a new 5 Series is $54,200. You will receive the 530i with that, which has a 2.0L twin-turbocharged 4 cylinder engine with about 248 horsepower. However, the transmission, an 8 speed automatic with paddle shifters and launch control, is quite impressive.
The 540i series, a somewhat more powerful version of the 530i with an additional liter and two extra cylinders under the hood, is another option. For only $5,450 more than the 530i, the 3.0L engine produces just around 100 more horsepower, bringing the price to $59,450.
For an additional $2,300 each, both of these models may be equipped with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system, bringing the price of the 530i and 540i respectively to $56,500 and $61,750. That’s not too terrible for a brand-new, AWD, luxury sedan. However, if you’re searching for a drivetrain that is even more cutting edge, look no farther than the BMW 530e, which increases horsepower from 248 to 288 by using an electric motor. Although it stands to reason that this would also reduce fuel consumption, those figures have not yet been made public on the official BMW website.
That said, the BMW M550i will set you back a big penny—more specifically, $76,000. Although this is the 5 Series lineup’s most potent vehicle, it is also by far the most expensive. Its 4.4L, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which screams out 523 horsepower and can reach 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, offers almost an additional 300 horsepower. The xDrive AWD system is the sole means through which the M550i can transmit power to the ground (no RWD drifting for you). You decide whether all that sweetness is worth an extra $20,000, but it undoubtedly gives this otherwise reasonable high-end sedan a little extra zip.
Is the cost of upkeep higher for a BMW?
Servicing your car as soon as the computer in it tells you to is the best method to cut down on maintenance costs. By seeing present or possible issues early on, maintaining a thorough and routine servicing program can help prevent the need for expensive repairs in the future.
BMW is known for having the highest levels of customer loyalty of any automaker worldwide. The cost of ownership and upkeep of “The Ultimate Driving Machine” is higher than most would think or predict, despite the widespread belief that performance cannot be priced.
If you purchased your BMW from a dealer, it should have a “BMW Ultimate Care” three-year, 36,000-mile manufacturer guarantee or service warranty. Under BMW Ultimate Care, all planned maintenance, including the initial spark plug replacement, is free. For an extra cost, Ultimate Care can be extended for up to 7 years/125,000 miles for vehicles manufactured in 2017 and later. Additionally, BMW offers customers a variety of plans that cover varying levels of maintenance, which helps owners organize their budgets effectively.
BMWs are more expensive to repair than other models, even rival luxury brands, once the manufacturer’s warranty expires. Over the course of ten years, maintaining a BMW might cost up to $5,000 more than maintaining a car like a Mercedes-Benz. Furthermore, the maintenance cost of a BMW might be up to $12,000 higher than that of a Toyota.
BMWs do not breakdown more frequently than other vehicles, according to experts. In terms of reliability, BMWs really fall in the center of the pack. The average BMW, according to sources like “RepairPal,” requires unscheduled maintenance 0.9 times annually, which is in line with the industry average.
BMW buyers adore their high-performance, luxurious automobiles despite the added cost. The best technological and safety features available are found in these elegant, high-comfort automobiles. In the automobile sector, BMW is still performing exceptionally well. Other brands find it challenging to compete with the brand on this front because the brand is connected with status, performance, and safety.
Why is maintaining a BMW so expensive?
Because it’s a German car with specialized parts and technology, maintaining a BMW is pricey. BMW is not only a vehicle to move passengers from point A to point B; it is designed for driving aficionados. BMW’s advanced technology calls a specialized certification to be repaired correctly. A skilled BMW mechanic will possess the knowledge necessary for a thorough and effective repair.
A $400 battery replacement, for instance, might be necessary because the mechanic must register the battery with the engine control module. If not, the battery risk of an early demise since the vehicle won’t “know” how to charge it.
How much does a BMW 5 Series cost to maintain?
During its first ten years of use, a BMW 5 Series will require maintenance and repairs that total roughly $13,530.
This is $1,569 above the industry average for models of luxury car. Additionally, there is a 40.39% likelihood that a 5 Series will need a significant repair at that time. This performs 0.83% worse than comparable cars in this category. The following graph shows how these expenses and the likelihood of repairs will rise over time.
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Is the upkeep on the BMW 5 Series high?
Don’t expect to buy a new luxury automobile for less than $50,000 since opulence has a cost. The majority of people are aware that premium cars cost more to buy, maintain, and repair. However, high overall ownership expenses may cause consumers to reconsider buying some premium cars. For the BMW 5 Series, that is accurate. According to a Consumer Reports survey, it actually has the greatest long-term maintenance and repair expenditures.
Are BMW components pricey?
In a nutshell, yes. Compared to other brands, BMW parts are among the most expensive. Additionally, the cost of the parts increases with the age of the BMW.
BMWs require between $5,000 and $12,000 more in maintenance than the majority of automobiles. This is so because BMWs are German automobiles produced with specialized components, technology, and parts.
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How durable is the BMW 5 Series?
Which model you choose will determine how long the BMW will last. In an ideal world, these model BMWs would last for the following number of years:
- The lifespan of a BMW 1 series is typically 200,000 kilometers.
- The average lifespan of a BMW 2 series is 200,000 kilometers.
- The average lifespan of a BMW 3 series is 250,000 kilometers.
- The average lifespan of a BMW 4 series is 200,000 kilometers.
- The average lifespan of a BMW 5 series is 150,000 kilometers.
- The average lifespan of a BMW 6 series is 200,000 kilometers.
- The average lifespan of a BMW 7 series is 200,000 kilometers.
Let’s examine each model and what might affect its useful life now that we know how long a BMW should endure. You might also be wondering how frequently BMWs breakdown or at what mileage you might anticipate a BMW to start experiencing problems. Do BMWs cost a lot to maintain? Why is the BMW’s resale value so low? Continue reading this page to see what our study has shown to provide the answers to these and other concerns.
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