To warranty or not to warranty

[Matticus91]

Looking for opinions here, poll included.

Just got my 2011 135i 6MT and I'm facing a difficult decision.

My options (as I see them):

1. Leave the car bone stock without any warranty
2. Get a warranty and keep it stock for the warranty (cost: $2,500 for 3yr/30k miles)
3. Give in to the mod bug and go moderate bolt on's sans warranty

My car is my DD and I do around 10k miles a year, currently sitting at 56k miles.

For anyone considering a warranty, below is some quote information from various companies. Note that these quotes are going to vary from car to car... Mine is a 2011 135i M-Sport 6mt with 56k on it at the time of the quotes.

These quotes are all for comparable levels of "second tier" coverage, aka NOT bumper to bumper but will cover all major mechanical/electrical components and systems [engine, trans, diff, turbo(s), ac system, car computer, power steering, braking systems, etc. WILL be covered].

Will update as I receive more info:


Payment plans are not for the length of the warranty, they are either 24 or 19mo payments and the remaining time will be payment free. I didn't include that in the chart so the overall cost is a better gauge of affordability.

[LeFrenchy]

Honestly, I would save the $2500 and tuck it away for repairs. Minus the HPFP and perhaps turbos this car is very reliable for the most part.

From an Indy shop of course!

HPFP replacement cost: $550 installed
Turbo replacement cost: $2500 installed

That's what I did when I bought my 08 right off warranty and had the possibility. Decided to pass.

That's my 2 cents

[IEDEI]

my rules for having a 'reliable' german performance car.

(A) aggressive maintenance all the time
(B) no extended warranties; save the money for maintenance
(C) minimal to no modifying. stick with stock parts.

i have 70k miles on my 1M and it runs as tight as new. have done aggressive maintenance on it since i've had and the previous owner did as well. i have no plans for modifying, aside from a Vorsteiner exhaust i have yet to install. That's it. The rest of the money goes to maintenance.

I'm not a fan of 'modifying' cars anymore. I used to be 10 years ago...now if i'm not happy with the performance of my car; i will buy a different car! That won't be a problem anytime soon though because i'm hopelessly in love with this machine.

Just my 4 cents..

[MightyMouseTech]

Or find a mod friendly dealer and have at it!

[davis449]

I am considering moderate bolt-ons once my BMW warranty is up. I have kept my car stock under warranty so far, save for springs. Hell, I just got my front rotors and pads done under warranty last weekend. I don't even want to know how much out of pocket that would've been. I have an aftermarket warranty. My rule with German cars is the opposite of IEDI. I have had every single extended warranty pay off for me (more than the warranty cost me).

[dm874]

You can technically do both....Just take off your mods before you go to the dealer for warranty work

[Esteban]

This works for me:

- No extended warranty/save money for repairs
- keep up on all scheduled maintenance
- make necessary repairs
- minimal, safe (but fun), OEM mods
- keep as long as possible (till I die or it gets totaled)
- enjoy every day

[Matticus91]

Thanks for the input everyone

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

This works for me:

- No extended warranty/save money for repairs
- keep up on all scheduled maintenance
- make necessary repairs
- minimal, safe (but fun), OEM mods
- keep as long as possible (till I die or it gets totaled)
- enjoy every day

This is what I'm starting to lean toward, I think it's the closest thing to "moderation" on both ends in this situation.

I've also been looking at prices of repairs and parts since before I even got the car. What seems to be the best option out of warranty is to just replace stuff that fails with aftermarket upgrades. Since they seem to be either on par or cheaper than BMW parts and you'll either match the performance or get better performance out of it.

Still working on accumulating quotes from warranty companies and once I have a good base I'll post the details here for anyone considering them.

[tock172]

I have a 5 year, 100,000 mile warranty with a $100 deductible that is valid anywhere that's ASE certified. I would not have purchased my car without it. I've owned 5 other BMWs and I've spent years and thousands of dollars maintaining them. It's nice to have a newer one and a warranty for peace of mind.

That being said, the only other sound alternative is what EvenEsteban said below, which is the exact practice I followed with my previous 5 BMWs which were all out of warranty.

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

This works for me:

- No extended warranty/save money for repairs
- keep up on all scheduled maintenance
- make necessary repairs
- minimal, safe (but fun), OEM mods
- keep as long as possible (till I die or it gets totaled)
- enjoy every day

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by tock172

I have a 5 year, 100,000 mile warranty with a $100 deductible that is valid anywhere that's ASE certified. I would not have purchased my car without it. I've owned 5 other BMWs and I've spent years and thousands of dollars maintaining them. It's nice to have a newer one and a warranty for peace of mind.

That being said, the only other sound alternative is what EvenEsteban said below, which is the exact practice I followed with my previous 5 BMWs which were all out of warranty.

What company and if you don't mind me asking what did they charge you for that? The places I've gotten quotes from want crazy money for anything remotely worth it coverage-wise.

[lowbudgethero]

i was quoted $2300 for 4 years 60K miles on my car from Zurich

I have "minor" bolt ons, but I'll be taking it to my local mechanic