Warranty Extension

[blackangel]

I'd like to ask the panel for their expert opinion. My 3-series is coming to the end of its manufacturer's warranty at 3 years. The local dealer has offered to extend the warranty at something like £750. This seems quite steep to me. Any alternatives? What is the effect on re-sale value of allowing the warranty to lapse? I will probably continue to get the servicing done by BMW anyway, at least for a while.
Thanks for advice, wit, derision...

Blackangel

[Vesuvius996]

I ran BMWs for years (see profile.)


IIRC the renewal should be £400ish?? Less than a tenner a week.


Anyway, I did very well out of it, I say renew it. Car is worth more with the warranty if you need to sell.

[StuB]

If you let it lapse, you cannot get it back, but I reckon £750 is too steep as my local stealer has taken to arguing the toss over minor and major things. It will affect re-sale IMHO, but still isn't worth it to me.

I do have a good local independent that I trust though.

[MattOz]

blackangel,

The warranty renewal with BMW for an E46 serious is 720 quid for 12 months. It's steep, but it's worth it's weight in gold should something go wrong.

Matt

[Egbert Nobacon]

MattOz said:

blackangel, The warranty renewal with BMW for an E46 serious is 720 quid for 12 months. It's steep, but it's worth it's weight in gold should something go wrong. Matt

If you intend to keep the car for most of the next year,and getting it serviced at a franchised dealer then I would take the warranty.

Most BMW labour rates are approaching £80 - 100 per hour so it won't take much work (not including servicing) to get your money back and the warranties are very comprehensive.

IMHO They do make the car more saleable as they are transferable and you could probably price the car to reflect pro rata the number of months remaining.

The other alternative is to find a good specialist and put the warranty cost, plus labour costs saved at service time in the bank to cover any repairs needed. But then you have a car without full BMWSH which is argueably less attractive at sale time.

Its a judgement call really.

>> Edited by Egbert Nobacon on Wednesday 7th December 09:38

[blackangel]

Thanks for the advice, people.

At least it's good to know the local dealers aren't taking the piss more than BMW nationwide. Resale value of my car, a 325 Compact, is likely to be rubbish anyway, and I probably won't be replacing it for a couple of years. So, the question is whether to put my trust in legendary Bavarian reliability for a couple of years or put £1500 into their legendarily fat wallets over the next two of years. Hmmm... Deadline is 19th of December.

Thanks again.

Blackangel

[Vesuvius996]

Hold up - the warranty shouldn't be more than £400????

[dcb]

blackangel said:

I probably won't be replacing it for a couple of years. So, the question is whether to put my trust in legendary Bavarian reliability for a couple of years or put £1500 into their legendarily fat wallets over the next two of years. Hmmm... Deadline is 19th of December. Thanks again. Blackangel

Just to play devil's advocate, I wouldn't renew the warranty.

A three year old car isn't even run in yet, so it is very
unlikely to go wrong.

Multiply the probability of it going wrong by how much
an average claim is, add ten per cent profit, and that's
where the 400 quid comes from.

Like all insurances, only get it if you can't afford the
event you are protecting.

[vee]

Vesuvius996 said:

Hold up - the warranty shouldn't be more than £400????

It changed earlier this year - I think it has been outsourced and I hear dealers argue more than in recent years.

A 3 series is £720, be it 318 or M3

Similarly, a 5 series is over £900

My 330 lasped a week ago & I'm going to get a 3rd party one whihc covers most major things for less than half the price of a BMW one.

[Vesuvius996]

Jesus, that's the same as I just paid on my 911 Carrera!

Glad I sold the 330 Clubsport when I did!!

[Broccers]

Interesting views on the subject.

Personally I wouldnt buy a BMW without the manufacturers cover knowing how much I would've had to pay out in 12 months on this car.

Just getting it through the MOT was 300 ..... well would've been

[blackangel]

To be honest, if this car cost me £1500 in repairs over the next two years, I'd sell it. Not quite sure which way that sways my decision-making process. Probably in favour of keeping the money.

Blackangel

[bluesatin]

I have had two M cars and have had approx £15K in warranty work. I bought both cars from same dealer with less than 15 thousand miles and both had problems. One with the diff carrier and the other with the SMG. Pay the £750 as it is the best option and a lot less than £1,800 for a Maserati (now sold!)

[baz1985]

Its a must if you thrash it everywhere. E46=£720, E39/60=£970

[blackangel]

Bloody hell. After 3 years of faultless running, this morning the engine's rocking, down on power and lit up on the the warning display.
Just out of warranty- ouch!

Didn't think I'd need to stand by my decision so early.

Blackangel

[m12_nathan]

I think there is a grace perios after it runs out that you can renew it in?

[Philrose]

No there isnt Nathan

[eliot]

Philrose said:

No there isnt Nathan

yes there is, but only a week or two.

[blackangel]

From my description of the symptoms, does anyone want to hazard aguess as to the under-lying problem? The engine shudders gently at low revs (I haven't taken it above 3000 rpm since the trouble began and am driving the Passat instead). It's definitely down on power and doesn't start readily. The engine block has lit up in the warning display.

I'll know soon enough, I suppose.

Will keep you informed.

Blackangel

[StuB]

Could be a number of things, crank position sensor, coil, spark plug, HT lead etc. You need to get a fault code reading (from any good local independent) and then go from there.