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...
average cost of maintaining a BMW
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.
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.
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.
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.
When looking for a car, it is vitally wise to do your study on how a vehicle will affect you financially in the long run. Another wise choice would be to use the Jerry app to compare auto insurance quotes and locate the best deal possible, saving you hundreds of dollars each year.
Nothing lengthy. No contacting anyone. zero effort merely savings The typical user of Jerry saves $887 annually on auto insurance.
Are BMW repairs less expensive?
When calculating the total cost of ownership for BMWs, like with any other car, truck, or SUV, it’s critical to account for the expenses for routine maintenance. Examining the overall reliability rating of the vehicle can be one technique to assist you in determining the possibility of potential problems. A car is more likely to need maintenance and experience breakdowns if its score is lower. BMW is rated as the 30th most reliable car brand out of 32 by RepairPal, receiving a score of merely 2.5 out of 5.0.
BMW, nevertheless, was rated as the seventh most trustworthy automaker in the United States in 2020 by the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. BMW was ranked higher than other high-end manufacturers including Cadillac, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and Chrysler. With such contradicting scores, we advise researching the individual BMW model you now own or are considering buying to see what common maintenance and repair difficulties they may experience.
BMW is the most expensive brand to service in addition to these varying reliability ratings. In fact, throughout the course of ten years of ownership, BMW owners can anticipate spending $17,800 on average. Mercedes-Benz is the second most costly brand, costing over $4,900 more than BMW.
With Supreme for Highline Vehicles, you may discover comprehensive coverage for a number of BMW models as well as a number of other luxury automakers’ models, including Porsche, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Land Rover, and more. This inclusionary addition to our all-inclusive Supreme plan will assist in covering the expense of breakdowns and repairs for your luxury car, allowing you to save money and quickly get back on the road.
What does a BMW oil change cost?
How much does a BMW oil change cost? BMW oil changes typically cost between $135 and $175, with parts and fluids accounting for roughly $90 to $110 of that total and labor making up the remaining percentage.
Why is BMW maintenance so costly?
The components of BMWs play a significant role in why repairs are frequently so pricey. BMW components are highly proprietary compared to those of other automakers, therefore repairs frequently call for replacement parts or knowledge that can only be obtained from a BMW dealer.
Is buying a BMW worth it?
When BMW began promoting its cars as the “Ultimate Driving Machine” in the 1970s, the company soon grew to become one of the world’s top luxury automobile manufacturers.
BMW has a long history of producing eye-catching vehicles and SUVs that receive high praise from automotive writers.
Both auto fanatics and everyday people who just want the best for their vehicles greatly prize them.
Because they are high-performance luxury vehicles with excellent interiors, a smooth ride, high levels of comfort, and some of the best technological features available, BMWs are a good investment. BMW is a brand that embodies high status, and their cars offer an exceptional driving experience.
Are BMW vehicles dependable?
Fortunately, ratings of BMW dependability from several organizations support that excellent reputation: Customer Reports Every BMW in the lineup received a score above average in the 2020 rankings. The i3 electric car and the X6 midsize SUV are BMW’s most reliable models, and the brand as a whole is ranked seventh.
Are used BMWs trustworthy?
Considering a new BMW but put off by the price? Purchasing a used BMW can help you save a lot of money. These are widely available and far less expensive used than new.
BMWs have a long-standing reputation for high craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. They are renowned for the dependability of their rear-wheel drive and potent engines. The company produces a wide variety of designs, from sports cars to luxury automobiles.
It’s crucial to conduct thorough research before considering a used BMW. Here is a look at some things to think about.
The price of owning a BMW The BMW isn’t your typical car, and neither is the cost of maintenance. If you choose to purchase a BMW over a Subaru or Honda, you should be prepared to pay an additional $2,000 a year in repair, insurance, and maintenance costs. The car needs premium fuel, improved tires, synthetic oil, as well as labor and parts that are more expensive than usual.
Depreciation. Expect a significant decline in the value of your investment. Simply by comparing the cost of a BMW 3-Series that is three years old—roughly $30,000—you can see. At six years, it is worth around $17,000, though. The rate of depreciation, on average, is $4,000 per year. This indicates that for a used automobile buyer, purchasing a model that is five or six years old is likely wiser than purchasing a fresher one.
servicing and repairs. Because they have particular specifications, you must take your used BMW to a store that specializes in the brand. If you don’t have access to this kind of mechanic locally, repairs may be highly expensive and inconvenient.
Although you can get the service done at a BMW dealership, independent shops that focus on German vehicles will normally charge lower prices. Before you buy a car, make sure you bring it to one of these businesses to be inspected.
Dependability. Although Japanese vehicles have a higher track record than BMWs, BMWs are nonetheless dependable. Auto magazines and enthusiasts consistently give BMW cars “average” or “below average” ratings. Despite the company’s claims of lengthy servicing gaps, their turbocharged versions actually seem to have more issues more frequently.
Due to the fact that many parts on BMW and other European cars are made of plastic rather than more trustworthy materials, repairs are among the most frequent. The electronic system’s intricacy is another issue.