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.
In This Article...
How much does maintaining a BMW cost?
Let’s get right to the point: maintaining a BMW is pricey. The cost of basic maintenance and mechanical repairs for a BMW is $968 annually, according to RepairPal. This is a lot more than the $652 yearly average for the sector. About twice as frequently as the industry average, BMW owners frequently visit the repair shop. They are also marginally more likely than owners of other vehicles to require major repairs.
So why do people adore BMWs if upkeep is so expensive? Well, performance and comfort are major factors. A BMW is more than just a mode of transportation that gets you from A to B. After all, the German automaker asserts that it creates the “perfect driving machine,” not the least expensive daily commuter.
BMWs are expensive to maintain.
BMWs are by far the most expensive car manufacturer to repair, claims Your Mechanic. The competition is not even close. With an average maintenance cost of $17,800 over ten years, BMW comes in #1. Mercedes-Benz came in second with an average maintenance cost of $12,900 during a 10-year period. In contrast, the typical Toyota only cost $5,500 to maintain during a 10-year period because they are recognized for requiring less maintenance.
According to Your Mechanic, such high maintenance costs are usual in German premium vehicles. Audi comes in sixth with an average $12,400 maintenance expense over a 10-year period. This is primarily a result of the pricey, high-end parts that these luxury vehicles require. Naturally, it will cost a lot of money to fix those pieces when they break or need maintenance.
However, while being premium vehicles, they also have ongoing problems. For instance, according to Your Mechanic, a BMW is four times more likely to not start than a typical automobile. It was ranked seventh overall as a result. Additionally, the window regulator on the BMW required replacement 18 times more frequently than the window regulator on the ordinary car.
Value Service by BMW.
Visit the professionals at the BMW Center in your area when service is required. No of how many miles or years you’ve driven, BMW Value Service offers affordable prices on a range of necessary procedures. Your BMW maintains its demanding levels of performance thanks to expert maintenance and affordable price. Your BMW can still gain from these services even if you decide not to purchase Ultimate Care+ or if your car is no longer eligible.
Locate a Licensed Mechanic
With a 2.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating, BMW is ranked 30th overall out of 32 automobile brands. This evaluation is based on the average of 345 different models. A BMW has typical ownership expenses with an average annual maintenance cost of $968. A 15% chance of a repair being severe and an average of 0.9 visits to a repair shop per year are some other factors that affect BMW reliability.
Do I have to have BMW service my car?
If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you’re looking for information on whether you have to take your BMW to the dealer for maintenance or an oil change. Can I take my BMW to any mechanic? is a question you may have already questioned yourself. In summary, you can take your BMW to whichever mechanic you choose for maintenance and oil changes. There is a little more to it than that, but overall, you are under no need to visit the BMW dealer ever again if you choose not to.
You must keep in mind that not all mechanics are certified to operate on your BMW, even though you have a choice in who does so. Even though all modern cars have four wheels, many of them are very specialized, and sometimes that’s where the similarities between various manufactures end. We’re going to go into the specifics of getting your BMW serviced today, including some warning signs you should watch out for. In the end, we’ll provide you with enough knowledge to locate a skilled BMW mechanic in your neighborhood. Since it’s in their best financial interest to have you return to them for everything, including the needless nitrogen for your tires, you probably won’t hear this information from your BMW dealer.
The dealership industry has a little-known secret: “Service and repair” is their “bread and butter.” They make every effort to prevent you from taking your repairs elsewhere because of this. They advocate against independent mechanics since it will put more money in their own wallets even though they are fully aware that they provide the same services for less money. You need to hear this if you’re still wondering, “Can I take my BMW to any mechanic for service?”
How frequently should BMWs be serviced?
About every 5,000 miles, or in a year or two, you’ll bring your model in for maintenance. No matter how long you drive on the roads around Philadelphia, the BMW Maintenance Schedule is designed to keep your car running at its peak.
What is included in a BMW comprehensive service?
The following service items are included by BMW Service Inclusive: engine oil service, air filter, micro filter, fuel filter (only for diesel models), and spark plugs.
For the first four years from the date of your vehicle’s initial registration, your servicing is covered (coverage runs until time limit is reach, or mileage limit is reach, whichever comes first). The one upfront payment is personalized through individual pricing for each model to fit your new BMW.
Knowing that all work will be done by certified BMW technicians using only Genuine BMW Parts, the majority of which have a two-year warranty, will give you complete peace of mind.
Applying T&Cs. Coverage is valid for electric vehicles up to four years after registration, and for gasoline, diesel, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles up to five years.
Why does BMW servicing cost so much?
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 long does a complete service on a BMW take?
You might be in and out in about 45 minutes, or even under 30 minutes, if you choose a licensed service center. However, it can take longer to reach your vehicle if you visit a BMW Center or general auto shop during busy times.
How much does an oil change for a 2022 BMW cost?
An oil change for a BMW typically costs between $120 and $180 at a BMW dealership or between $120 and $180 at an independent service. However, you can do-it-yourself (DIY) for about $80, as we’ll explain in this post.
According to BMW, you should change the oil in your vehicle every year or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, if you want to extend the life of your engine, you should change it earlier. See more below on that.
By going to a nearby independent mechanic that has been highly rated, you can also save money on your oil change.
Are BMW repairs more expensive?
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.
Should you maintain your BMW annually?
A service is a crucial component of any automobile maintenance plan and will help to maximize the lifespan of your BMW by ensuring that your car stays in immaculate condition and performs to the highest quality.
A service will make sure that your vehicle is in good operating order and will also identify any possible problems before they become serious, whether you only need a portion of your BMW repaired or want the entire vehicle inspected.
Contrary to popular assumption, not every BMW requires maintenance at the same mileage point. BMW does advise that you get a service every year, or every 10,000 miles if you use your car a lot.
How much does a tune-up for a BMW cost?
The usual cost of a tune-up for a BMW is between $200 and $400, but if you also require an oil change, the cost may exceed $500. BMW advises having your car tuned up every year or every 10,000 kilometers.
Some of the most well-known luxury and high-performance vehicles are made by BMW. You certainly adore your BMW, but repairs and maintenance may be quite pricey. While tune-ups are an investment, having your BMW tuned up on a regular basis can help stop smaller problems from becoming bigger ones.