It’s usually a good idea to only use genuine OEM components produced by BMW when a repair is necessary. Although there are aftermarket possibilities at the neighborhood auto parts shop, the majority are of lower quality. This implies that you’re much more likely to experience early failure.
Replacement parts for BMW cost more, as one might anticipate. The majority of these parts are produced by prestigious companies like Bosch and Bilstein. You are purchasing premium workmanship. Maintaining high-performance vehicles is considerably more expensive. The BMW M5 is a nice illustration. This powerful sports car has improved brakes, performance tires, and a unique sport suspension.
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Why BMW maintenance costs 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.
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.
Is a BMW’s upkeep expensive?
Yes, it is the answer. The cost of maintaining a BMW is significantly more than that of a Toyota. BMW is a luxury brand, thus this is the situation. These brands are far more expensive to purchase and maintain.
When it comes to the maintenance costs that you will have to spend out of your own pocket to keep your BMW maintained over the long term, BMW is comparable to Audi and Mercedes.
The good news is that you won’t have to spend a fortune on maintenance if you buy a new BMW. However, why is that so?
Because new cars rarely break, this is the situation. Older vehicles break down more frequently, and fixing these issues is very expensive. Therefore, if you decide to buy a BMW, I suggest choosing one that is under 5 years old and has minimal mileage. This will essentially ensure that you won’t have to spend a fortune on repairs for this car.
The cost of repairs would increase as the age of the BMW increased. This is true since many of the components have been phased out or are extremely hard to find. They must be imported from a European nation that has them on hand, preferably Germany. BMW parts are therefore pricey.
This process is time- and money-consuming. Before you could receive that particular part for your BMW, your automobile would be out of commission for weeks, if not months. You will therefore be without a car during this time and be required to pay for an Uber or a cab. Not to mention the hefty repair bill you will be responsible for.
FAQ: BMW Repair Prices
Yes, BMW servicing is more expensive than many other manufacturers, whether they are premium or not, once the warranty expires. Over a ten-year period, a BMW may cost $12,000 more to maintain than a Toyota and $5,000 more than a Mercedes-Benz.
Because it’s a German car with specialized parts and technology, maintaining a BMW is pricey. It’s not merely a car to get people from point A to point B; it was designed for driving aficionados. 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.
Additionally, the Digital Motor Electronics (DME) system in cars connects countless sensors and controls. A BMW may require a sophisticated method for a simple repair on another vehicle, which increases labor expenses.
Yes, a 3-Series BMW requires pricey maintenance once the manufacturer or certified pre-owned warranty has expired. A used BMW 3-Series typically costs $1,000 to $1,700 per year in maintenance and repairs.
A BMW 328i oil change can cost between $149 and $174, according to RepairPal. Nevertheless, depending on your area and BMW model, you can pay more than that.
Your Technician
According to estimates from 2018, the Porsche 911, BMW 640i Gran Coupe, and BMW M4 are the top three most costly cars to maintain and repair during a ten-year period. The 3.0L inline-6 engine used in the M4 is a little twin turbocharged engine that produces 425 horsepower. A track GTS version is available that generates 493 HP using a cutting-edge water injection system.
Which BMW model do you own?
The true surprise lies here. The cost of maintenance will be pretty minimal if you own an ancient BMW that was popular back in the day, like an E30 3 Series, for instance. It’s not a sophisticated automobile, so there aren’t many electronics or speciality parts, and since it was a widely sold model, replacement parts are easy to get and labor costs aren’t too high.
However, if you have a brand-new BMW 7 Series, it will cost much more because its parts are more expensive and high-tech. It is also much more complex, which means there are more potential problems and you must rely on more expensive specialists to work on it.
Therefore, when commentators and YouTubers make generalizations about how expensive it is to sustain any business, they are merely selling you clickbait.
Of course, certain BMWs cost a lot to maintain because they are difficult to repair and unreliable, like the E65 BMW 7 Series, which is a complete nightmare. However, some vehicles, like an E46 BMW 3 Series or an E39 BMW 5 Series, are manageably simple and affordable to maintain when done correctly.
Why Do BMW Parts Cost So Much?
If you’ve had a BMW for any significant amount of time, you’ve undoubtedly come to the conclusion that these cars require far more care than a Honda or a Toyota. BMWs are high-end cars with more bells and whistles, which means they have more electronic components that are defective. BMW is no exception to the overall trend of increased labor costs among German premium firms.
Finally, you may have noticed how absurdly costly BMW parts are when compared to domestic vehicle parts if you previously had a domestic car. On my Ford Ranger, I changed an idle control valve, which cost $30. On my BMW, I had to replace the same item, which cost me $120.
Because BMW is a smaller car manufacturer, many parts are imported, and BMW is known as a high-end car maker, BMW replacement parts are expensive. BMW often uses high-end manufacturers (like Bosch or Bilstein).
As you can see, a number of factors influence how much BMW components cost. Although they are more expensive, I have learned over the years how to significantly reduce the cost of BMW parts.
How much do parts cost for a BMW?
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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Is repairing a BMW affordable?
BMW owners spend, on average, $968 annually on maintenance and repairs, according to RepairPal. BMWs are costly to maintain compared to the $652 industry standard. The maintenance costs of BMW are comparable to those of other German luxury models like Mercedes-Benz ($908) and Audi ($987).
The cost of owning a BMW varies based on the car. Compared to its normal commuter line, BMW’s high-performance M line and SUVs are more expensive to maintain. One of the reasons the BMW 3 Series is so well-liked is that it’s one of the most cost-effective versions to maintain.
Using information from RepairPal, the following table compares the cost of maintenance for a select BMW models:
You’ll be glad to learn that a few BMWs include a free maintenance term. Under BMW Ultimate Service, maintenance is included for four years or 50,000 miles on vehicles from the 2015 and 2016 model years. BMW Ultimate Care offers three years or 36,000 miles of maintenance on models made in 2017 and after. If you’re wondering how the two plans differ, BMW Ultimate Service covers more wear and tear and maintenance-related items than BMW Ultimate Care.
Free maintenance programs can initially reduce the cost of ownership, but you’ll need to be ready to pay maintenance and repair fees once the program has ended.
Are BMW repairs difficult?
Are BMWs challenging to fix? How challenging it is to repair a BMW depends on its age, model, engine, and level of luxury amenities. Older vehicles with simpler components can be easier to fix than newer BMWs with all the frills.
Do BMW oil changes cost more money?
Response given by. You are correct! An oil change for a more cheap automobile will often cost between $35 and $75, while an oil change for a BMW will typically cost between $135 and $175. There are three reasons why prices differ: oil type, components, and labor