Is a BMW Extended Warranty Worth It? (2024)

If you’re a new BMW owner, it’s important to learn how to maintain your vehicle. A BMW extended warranty lasts up to seven years or 100,000 miles after the vehicle’s in-service date and can remove the stress of paying for car repairs.

Our team will compare CARCHEX’s vehicle service contracts to the BMW extended warranty to help you determine which type of coverage fits your needs best. While CARCHEX offers industry-leading vehicle service plans, it’s worth comparing your options to make an informed decision.

The BMW extended warranty offers a simple way to offset expensive repair costs once your manufacturer or factory warranty expires. Owners can purchase BMW extended coverage for new, used, or pre-owned BMW models directly from the dealership.

If you’ve purchased a new BMW, it’s likely that you spent well over $35,000 for your luxury vehicle. On top of that steep price tag, BMW owners can end up paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars for maintenance and repairs at the auto shop. In fact, the average annual repair cost for a BMW is $968, according to RepairPal.

BMW of North America offers extended warranty plans under its Ultimate Protection Program that may help cover these pricey repairs.

There are two different tiers of the BMW extended warranty: Platinum and Powertrain. Below, we’ll outline exactly what’s covered in both of these levels:

BMW Factory vs. Extended Warranty

A BMW extended warranty is called a BMW Vehicle Service Contract under its Ultimate Protection Program. Here are a few similarities and differences between the company’s extended car warranty and its original factory warranty:

• BMW’s new vehicle warranty lasts four years or 50,000 miles for both bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage.
• Your BMW extended warranty covers your vehicle for up to seven years or 100,000 miles. It takes care of issues related to mechanical breakdowns caused by defective parts or faulty workmanship.
• While factory warranties only last so long, you can buy a BMW extended warranty before the original warranty expires — you don’t have to buy it the same time you purchase your vehicle. That means you have a little time to consider all your options and not feel pressured to make a decision in the showroom.
• Both types of warranty give you access to 24/7 BMW roadside assistance services.
• For both types of plans, all covered repairs must be performed in BMW facilities by company technicians, using 100% genuine BMW parts.
• Instead of one standard warranty, your vehicle BMW extended protection plan options are Platinum and Powertrain, with the Platinum plan being the most comprehensive.

The last difference between these two plans: you’ll have to pay extra for a BMW extended warranty while the factory plans come with the vehicle. Contracts purchased from BMW tend to be pricier than those purchased from vehicle service plan providers.

How Long Does a BMW Extended Warranty Last?

BMW extended warranties come in a few different forms and carry varying terms:

• New and used BMWs: Extend your warranty up to three years, for a total of seven years of coverage. Choose a timeframe of 5, 6, or 7 years, and either 75,000 or 100,000 miles.
• BMW certified pre-owned warranty: Warranties can be extended one, two, or three years based on whether you’re a CPO, CPO Elite, CPO Wrap, or CPO Wrap Elite owner.

Once your BMW factory warranty runs out, turn to CARCHEX to learn about coverage options. We’ll run through various choices for BMW vehicle protection, whether the plans are from CARCHEX, BMW, or elsewhere.

CARCHEX vehicle service contracts have several benefits:

• Longer contracts: CARCHEX offers plans that last up to 10 years and only start after your original warranty has expired.
• Flexibility with repair shops: You can choose from among thousands of certified mechanics instead of needing to get car repairs done at a dealership.
• More coverage options: CARCHEX offers five levels of coverage with several customizable plans available within each tier. 
• More time to choose: You can buy a vehicle service plan from CARCHEX at almost any point in your vehicle’s life. We cover new, used, and certified pre-owned BMWs, even if you need an extended warranty for a car over 100k miles.

CARCHEX vs. the Competition

Drivers turn to CARCHEX for its affordable rates, strong reviews from customers and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and transparent claims process. Below is a vehicle protection plan comparison between CARCHEX and other popular third-party vehicle protection providers.

Updated October 2024.

Additional Benefits from CARCHEX

A BMW vehicle service contract from CARCHEX is a great way to protect your investment. For more than 20 years, our team has gone above and beyond to make sure that customers receive the best car coverage possible. Below are some of our priorities:

• Customer service: CARCHEX promises “Customer Experience Above All” to every one of our policyholders. We hold an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB.
• Affordability: We strive to keep prices down for drivers in order to make extended vehicle coverage an option for everyone. Those who could struggle with costly car repairs have an easier time managing our low monthly payments.
• Transparency: Our sample contracts are available online and all claims are paid directly to the repair facility. If you’re not satisfied with our coverage after purchasing, we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Extra perks: All of our vehicle protection plans come with 24/7 roadside assistance, towing services, rental car reimbursement, fuel and fluid deliveries, and trip interruption benefits. Terms and conditions apply—see your CARCHEX contract for details.

CARCHEX offers five extended vehicle protection plans that are all easily customizable. Each option is backed by a top-rated auto service plan administrator and our strong dedication to customer service. Our plans are also available in California, something that’s not true of other third-party providers like CarShield. Here’s a basic overview of the five CARCHEX coverage plans:

• Titanium coverage: The Titanium plan comes with the highest level of coverage among plans we offer. Covered repairs include select components in the engine, transmission, high-tech electronics, A/C, steering, and other systems.
• Platinum coverage: This vehicle service contract covers hundreds of specific parts across most major systems in your vehicle.
• Powertrain Plus coverage: Offering flexible terms and coverage for the most vital systems, this CARCHEX option is often a good match for vehicles with more than 60,000 miles.
• Powertrain coverage: Built to protect your vehicle from the most common and expensive repairs, the CARCHEX Powertrain plan covers your car’s powertrain.
• Extra Care: This plan works to enhance existing powertrain coverage and provides coverage for select additional components in the electrical, steering, suspension and braking systems.

Conditions and restrictions apply to all CARCHEX coverage plans. Consult your contract or reach out to our team with questions about your coverage.

When choosing whether to purchase a BMW extended car warranty or a third-party vehicle service contract, it’s important to do your research and read the fine print. It’s normal to have plenty of questions before you’re ready to commit to a long-term vehicle service contract.

Our team is ready to answer your questions about each of our vehicle service plans to help you make a confident, informed decision.