Long term ownership?

[sammyz]

My car is coming up to 3 years old in June. I've already decided to keep it for another year at least and maybe extend the warranty. However, I've had two faults in the last six months which were covered by the warranty but if they had'n't been they'd have cost me £1,200 each or more to fix Info screen and brake/traction control module.

I know fuel, tax, insurance and servicing are expensive but if the cars are unreliable as well then it's gonna be a real labour of love to keep it for the next three or four years. Have I just been unlucky or are faults pretty common on these cars? Who's had nearly three years of totally trouble free motoring from their 'M'?

 

[Rick Hunter]

I've had 27 months of trouble free (i.e. nothing major) life on my M. Once I'm near end of warranty, I'm considering extending it.

 

[Darren M]

I think people should keep new car for 5 years if possible to get their monies worth, and not renewing the warranty after 3. After the first 3 years cars depreciate less so although you may end up paying for the odd repair if you`re unlucky over the next two years, your car will likely depreciate less so it balances out.

I did that with a BMW diesel. The warranty expired and just a month later I had to pay out £550 on a fuel pump and 1 glow plug and at the time I thought 'ar$e - wish I paid for the extended warranty'. However, I kept the car for another 2.5 years and paid nothing further in repairs. If I had extended the warranty it would of cost near £1500+ so I was still nearly a grand better off not taking out the warranty and that was on a car that covered 25,000 miles a year.

Few years ago I was driving 27-35,000 a year in an old D reg BMW (1987)and it was very reliable, cars are even better these days if well maintained.

In my opinion, if you CAN afford to pay £1300 for a repair if you are unlucky, DONT take out the warranty. If you can`t afford, take out the warranty. A warranty is a kind of insurance and the general rule with insurance is - ONLY take it out if you have to (such as car insurance, buildings insurance).

 

[Wondermike]

Hmmm it's a tricky one, I think I would renew the warranty, but it's a personal choice.

 

[sammyz]

Darren,

can see your logic but in my case I'd have paid out £2,500 in 6 months if the car hadn't been under warranty. It will be interesting to see how much a 1 year extended warranty will cost, apparently you can put an excess on it as with motor insurance to drop the price (so the dealer tells me)

 

[Andy]

I'm facing *exactly* the same problem - also due mid-june.

A lot will depend on the cost to renew, as I fear it could be over £1000 anyway. But mine is knackered again, EML light on, misfiring like crazy and starting to creak a little more noticeably. I'm scared to death, there's simply soooo much to go wrong, I used to love watching the headlights level themselves when they come on, now I watch them scared that one day one will stick or something and it will cost £2000 to fix them :thumbsdown:

The only thing I would say is that there is no way I'm swapping mine come June for £18,000 in cash, so I've got no real choice. But I've got a OBD2 cable thingy and some software, a really helpful forum and a spare car, so I'm hoping that with some research and patience, some of the repairs I may face will be cheaper than if I'd just dropped it off at the dealers.

Next step? find a decent local indi to swap some brake pads and see how much I trust them for serious things later on, should they occur.

 

[sammyz]

I've got a good indi right on my doorstep. They seem to have a good reputation and I use them on our 52 plate X5. Interestingly, he was telling me that when he worked in main dealers he had never known anybody to actually do the tappet adjustments on the 'M' engines. They'd just change the rocker gasket usually.

 

[mikedav]

A lot will depend on the cost to renew, as I fear it could be over £1000 anyway. But mine is knackered again, EML light on, misfiring like crazy and starting to creak a little more noticeably. I'm scared to death,

That's a shame...I had a minor electrical gremlin when I picked it up that stopped the centre console lighting up...sorted under warranty though and 23k faultless miles since. Extending the warranty will give you peace of mind though. On the M3 the prices have recently been reduced, and as it's basically the same car I would expect roughly the same? Car must have FBMWSH and not be out of warranty yet (the BMW policy is defined as an insurance policy really)

Comprehensive: £835
Named Component: £706
Drive line: £557

This is from mtorque.co.uk

 

[vinny09]

Has anyone looked into any of the independent (non-BMW) warranty providers?

I get the sense that the BMW one is a bit of a rip-off but not sure how it compares coverage wise to the independents and what the impact on resale value of the car is to not have the BMW warranty.

Any thoughts appreciated - something I will face a decision on come September.

 

[gready]

I've got a good indi right on my doorstep. They seem to have a good reputation and I use them on our 52 plate X5. Interestingly, he was telling me that when he worked in main dealers he had never known anybody to actually do the tappet adjustments on the 'M' engines. They'd just change the rocker gasket usually.

sammyz - you got the contact details?

Cheers

 

[RustyZ4]

Has anyone looked into any of the independent (non-BMW) warranty providers?

I get the sense that the BMW one is a bit of a rip-off but not sure how it compares coverage wise to the independents and what the impact on resale value of the car is to not have the BMW warranty.

Any thoughts appreciated - something I will face a decision on come September.

Lots of warranty providers online and a lot cheaper, just make sure that they will cover BMW doing the work, as some warranties will not pay BMW labour rates, just local garage rates, covered mine with WMS £326.00 for the year.

 

[vinny09]

Thanks Rusty - I'll check them out.

 

[sammyz]

Indi in Liverpool are Field Lane Autos, 0151 5211377, they are near to Switch Island at the end of the M57/M62.

I had a warranty with Warranty Direct for a couple of years on a MGF, car was very reliable, yes really, they only claim I had was for a starter motor and that was sorted main dealer with no problems.

 

[Caddyshk]

I've had 27 months of trouble free (i.e. nothing major) life on my M. Once I'm near end of warranty, I'm considering extending it.

WHS - 32 Mos for me.

 

[Caddyshk]

Has anyone looked into any of the independent (non-BMW) warranty providers?

I get the sense that the BMW one is a bit of a rip-off but not sure how it compares coverage wise to the independents and what the impact on resale value of the car is to not have the BMW warranty.

Any thoughts appreciated - something I will face a decision on come September.

My Dealer sells and recommends the non BMW warranty?

 

[mitch]

I'm facing *exactly* the same problem - also due mid-june.

A lot will depend on the cost to renew, as I fear it could be over £1000 anyway. But mine is knackered again, EML light on, misfiring like crazy and starting to creak a little more noticeably. I'm scared to death, there's simply soooo much to go wrong, I used to love watching the headlights level themselves when they come on, now I watch them scared that one day one will stick or something and it will cost £2000 to fix them :thumbsdown:

The only thing I would say is that there is no way I'm swapping mine come June for £18,000 in cash, so I've got no real choice. But I've got a OBD2 cable thingy and some software, a really helpful forum and a spare car, so I'm hoping that with some research and patience, some of the repairs I may face will be cheaper than if I'd just dropped it off at the dealers.

Next step? find a decent local indi to swap some brake pads and see how much I trust them for serious things later on, should they occur.

Andy - you have a good indy on your doorstep in Pershore called PMW (http://www.allenpmw.co.uk) they come highly recommended and are very cost effective

mitch

 

[Andy]

Awesome, didnt know about them & I'm 4 miles from Persh, although I had my Alfas serviced by a place on the same trading estate.

Have you used them a fair bit? You've had an Alpina so I automatically take you seriously 8)

 

[mitch]

they were recommended to me and I have used them a few times for oil changes, pads & discs, etc.

Very tidy and very professional. They are ex BMW so know what they are doing and take it very seriously.

I would definately go back and the prices were half what BMW wanted

mitch