POLL: E85/86 Avg Repair Bill: Truth of Warranty Requirements

[Stuart Truman]

It'll simply come down to those of us that are risk averse with our cars will take a warranty and those who are not, won't. No right or wrong answer

 

[StevenH72]

It'll simply come down to those of us that are risk averse with our cars will take a warranty and those who are not, won't. No right or wrong answer

I completely agree, but this thread isn't so much about anybody's subjective stance, but more trying to see what sort of issues forum members have encountered.

i.e if we assume that most members are enthusiasts or at least take more care of their Z than the average owner, does the better care/ maintenance result in a lower incidence rate of issues?

Obviously you and mmm-five, amongst others have been unlucky (or lucky if you look at it from a warranty perspective), but I am assuming that this is a minority of cases.

Although at the moment, it appears that there are only 16 Z's on the forum...and maybe too small of a sample size. Hopefully others will vote in the coming days.

 

[Z4coupebeaver]

I hope others do vote to make ths meaningful.

 

[mmm-five]

My ///M had a new engine and ancillaries at about 23k miles, and nothing major since, but that means the average over the 4 years or so I've owned it is around £3k/year.

What happened that meant you needed a new engine?

Don't know exactly as the reason for failure changed depending on who you spoke to at the dealership. In the end the diagnostic bill was ramping up so BMW told them to fit a new engine instead. From the invoice, it looks like they replaced the VANOS as well, so I'd assume something went wrong there otherwise they would have simply replaced the original one.

Initially they wouldn't even give me a copy of the invoice/job sheet, but I complained that I'd get awkward questions from any potential purchaser when I came to sell it (which I did when I tried to sell it a couple of years back). The deal fell through when the buyer (a dealer) decided they didn't want to have to answer those same awkward questions.

New engine had it's running in service carried out a week after I got it back (1100 miles later), and was then run in over the next 4,000 miles. Not had a peep from it since.

Inspection schedule is a bit out of order though, as the engine was fitted in lieu of an Inspection 1 (as they had to put oil, filters, plugs in anyway, and do the valve clearances). So my schedule is about 24k miles out of line with a car with a factory-fitted-engine.

 

[srhutch]

Sorry but your poll is flawed. There is no options for the N52 engine which covers all 2.5, 2.5si and 3.0si facelift cars.

To many choices are also going to spread the results to thin.

 

[StevenH72]

Sorry but your poll is flawed. There is no options for the N52 engine which covers all 2.5, 2.5si and 3.0si facelift cars.

To many choices are also going to spread the results to thin.

I'm glad somebody pointed this out :wink:

I haven't decided how I'll draw conclusions yet, but the above is definitely a consideration, and once those who are going to vote have done (say in a couple of weeks), I can look at the results.

I think, absent have 100 variants, there will always be flaws with a poll of this nature, I tried to structure it in the most simple way possible.

The only characteristic I would have liked to add would be pre and post facelift cars, but again that would add too many variants. Limiting it to just engines would not dissipate results between roadsters/ coupés.

All members will have a choice that represents their scenario, we can worry about the results at a later date .

 

[StevenH72]

Only 22 voters so far guys.

Come on I know there are more than 22 Z's on this forum.

Get voting

 

[srhutch]

The only characteristic I would have liked to add would be pre and post facelift cars, but again that would add too many variants. Limiting it to just engines would not dissipate results between roadsters/ coupés.

Bearing in mind that all facelift 6 cylinder cars have the N52 engine you are loosing quote a chunk of possible results.

For example I had the head replaced on my facelift 2.5si under warranty which cost over 3K.

Perhaps you could sales down the poll to

Pre face lift roadster M54 (2.2, 2.5, 3.0)
Face Lift Roadster N52 (2.5, 2.5si 3.0si)

Leaving just the 2.0, 3.0si coupe, ///M and alpina.

On the E89 again do it my Engine type N52, N54 etc.

 

[StevenH72]

The only characteristic I would have liked to add would be pre and post facelift cars, but again that would add too many variants. Limiting it to just engines would not dissipate results between roadsters/ coupés.

Bearing in mind that all facelift 6 cylinder cars have the N52 engine you are loosing quote a chunk of possible results.

For example I had the head replaced on my facelift 2.5si under warranty which cost over 3K.

Perhaps you could sales down the poll to

Pre face lift roadster M54 (2.2, 2.5, 3.0)
Face Lift Roadster N52 (2.5, 2.5si 3.0si)

Leaving just the 2.0, 3.0si coupe, ///M and alpina.

On the E89 again do it my Engine type N52, N54 etc.

This would have been a better way to format the poll you are right. Although we've had 29 votes cast now, if I re-arrange we will lose all of these votes.

If people are happy to vote again I will re-format, but I wonder whether people that have already voted will return and re-vote...again.

 

[StevenH72]

Guys, only 32 votes so far.

I know there are more than 32 Z's kicking around this forum...get voting!

 

[Sae]

Like someone said previously, I'm on the point of view that warranty is linked to attitude to risk and the ability to self underwrite. Even with the risk of an engine and tranny replacement. Don't forget youre in a bmw so I guess you'd be pretty unlucky to suffer an engine/tranny failure.

Nearly 4 years ownership, not failed an MOT or needed additional service inspection work.
I didn't extend get warranty after 1st year, so have 'saved' 3 years of warranty, however, under the rules of karma, I wouldn't be completely miffed if there was a bill round the corner.

So far, only needed to replace the battery last summer @ £150 + £50 for AA call out.
The only things I will quite possibly need to fork out for in the coming year will probably be new tyres and wheel refurb, at last MOT they noted that the tyres are beginning to crack and the paint is flaking off the wheels, but from what I've heard it's a common fault. I'll prob wait to replace tyres in conjuction with possibly diff wheels...
Oh, and the door seals are beginning to get that chocolate bloom on them, so watching out for damp footwells.

So, I can foresee some spend coming my way, but at least the non wear/tear expenses don't amount to 3 years warranty costs.

Touch wood and all that, but can't help thinking that if the next forthcoming years ownership continues like this then I'd be a happy man - so fingers crossed.

 

[slick]

I ticked the 2.5 under £100.........I did fit different wheels and non runflat tyres but not because of wear , just my preference