In This Article
Key Points:
- You can purchase a BMW extended warranty from any dealership before the factory warranty expires.
- Costs range from about $3,000 to $6,000 depending on your BMW model and the dealer you buy from.
- An extended warranty can be worth it considering BMW’s higher-than-average repair costs.
Driving a BMW is about feel, performance, and luxury. But owning one is about managing maintenance and repairs. BMWs can be expensive to own, especially if a prior owner didn’t follow the maintenance schedule.
BMW offers extended warranties that cover repairs after the factory warranty expires, but is a plan worth it? We’ll break down what BMW’s warranty extension covers and whether it’s worth it here.
Our Top Pick
After reviewing 20 extended warranty companies, we’ve determined that Endurance is our preferred option.
- Unlimited Miles for Cars Under 20 Years
- Maintenance Coverage Available
- Salvage or Rebuilt Cars Are Covered
- 24/7 Roadside Assistance
- Direct Administrator of Claims
What Warranties Do New BMWs Have?
Here’s a quick review of BMW’s factory warranty includes:
- New Vehicle Warranty (4 years/50,000 miles): This warranty includes bumper-to-bumper coverage for almost any breakdown except for exclusions. The powertrain is covered within this period.
- Other warranties: Hybrid battery (8 years/100,000 miles), rust perforation (12 years/unlimited miles), Federal emissions warranty (2 years/24,000 miles or 8 years/80,000 miles depending on component), California emissions warranty (3 years/50,000 miles to 10 years/150,000 miles depending on component).
Note that BMW’s extended warranty only expands coverage under the New Vehicle Warranty. In other words, it doesn’t add extra hybrid battery, emissions, or rust coverage. This is standard in the automotive industry.
BMW Extended Warranty Coverage
BMW’s extended warranty can cover up to 7 years or 100,000 miles on your vehicle. This coverage runs concurrently with the manufacturer warranty, which means you really get an extra 3 years or 50,000 miles of additional coverage. Most manufacturer extended warranties work like this.
You can choose between Platinum, Gold, and Powertrain Plus Extended Service Contracts (ESCs), though the Platinum plan is most popular according to owner forums. Be aware that you can only get a BMW extended warranty before the factory warranty expires.
Platinum vs. Gold vs. Powertrain Plus BMW Extended Warranty
The Platinum plan is similar to BMW’s bumper-to-bumper factory warranty. It covers most major parts and is the best choice if you want the highest coverage option. Modern BMWs have many convenience features like parking and lane sensors, digital displays, and automatic convertible tops that can be expensive to fix. A Platinum plan covers defects on these parts.
The Powertrain Plus plan, on the other hand, only fully covers the induction system (including turbocharger) and AWD transfer case. It offers partial coverage for other systems like the engine, transmission, and electrical.
Powertrain breakdowns can be expensive to fix, but major repairs are uncommon before 100,000 miles. That said, some BMW owners have had to get their water pump or turbocharger replaced before that time, so having powertrain protection can provide some peace of mind.
Gold coverage is between the two, and it may be a better option than Powertrain if you’re on a budget. You get coverage for most systems but miss out on infotainment and some electrical parts.
Here is a high-level comparison between each plan:
| Component | BMW Platinum Coverage | BMW Gold Coverage | BMW Powertrain Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Induction system | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Transfer case (AWD) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Engine | ✅ | ✅ | Limited |
| Final drive assembly | ✅ | ✅ | Limited |
| Transmission | ✅ | ✅ | Limited |
| Engine cooling | ✅ | ✅ | Limited |
| Electrical | ✅ | Limited | Limited |
| Fuel | ✅ | ✅ | Limited |
| Steering | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Brakes | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Climate control | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Suspension | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Induction system | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Interior and exterior | Limited | Limited | ❌ |
| Infotainment | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
BMW Extended Warranty Exclusions
Exclusions are part of all extended warranties, including BMW’s. For example, the company won’t cover damage from misuse or abuse (including racing) or regular maintenance like oil changes. Other exclusions are:
- Damage from lack of maintenance
- Cosmetic parts like interior leather and upholstery, trim, and paint
- Body panels
- Parts expected to wear out like spark plugs, batteries, brake pads, and wiper blades
- Wheels and rims
- Exhaust system and catalytic converter
CPO BMW Car Warranty Extension
If you get a CPO BMW, it comes with an extra 12 months and unlimited miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage. In other words, you get 5 years/unlimited miles with a CPO. You can get Platinum coverage to extend this to 6 or 7 years with unlimited mileage.
Used BMW Car Warranty Extension
Is BMW the Administrator?
How a BMW Extended Warranty Works
How Much Does a BMW Extended Warranty Cost?
According to owner forums, BMW’s extended warranty prices can range quite a bit from about $3,000 to $6,000 or more. Expect to pay higher prices if you drive more premium BMW models like the XM, 8 Series, M4, M5, M8, or i7.
But you should know dealers offer different prices. Some dealers are open to negotiation while others aren’t, but don’t feel like you have to buy the plan where you bought your car. You can call other dealers in the U.S. to find the best price.
BMW Extended Warranty vs. Third-Party Options
While BMW’s Extended Service Contracts provide good options, they aren’t the only way to cover repairs. You can also use a third-party option like Endurance. There are hundreds of third-party warranty programs, but not all provide reliable coverage.
Plus, with a BMW, you want to be sure the plan can cover repairs from specialty Euro shops or your dealership if that’s who you trust to do the work. A reputable third-party company works with any licensed mechanic including those options.
One of the main benefits of choosing a third-party plan is you can get coverage for much longer than 7 years or 100,000 miles. Of course, prices will also increase with longer plans since the likelihood of repairs goes up. Here are a few pros and cons of third-party warranties:
| Third-Party Warranty Pros | Third-Party Warranty Cons |
|---|---|
| You can buy a third-party plan before or after the BMW warranty expires | Repairs at independent shops don’t guarantee OEM parts. |
| Reputable providers work with any licensed mechanic (including Euro shops and dealerships) | Not all providers cover luxury vehicles like BMW. |
| You can get coverage for 200,000 or 300,000 miles or more depending on the provider. | Some providers have bad reputations, so you have to do your research. |
How To Buy a BMW Extended Warranty
You can get a BMW extended warranty from any dealer in the U.S. As we mentioned above, you don’t have to go to the selling dealership to get a plan. But you do have to get a plan before 4 years/50,000 miles (or the expiration of the CPO warranty).
As you compare quotes from BMW dealers, it can be a good idea to get a few third-party quotes, as well. Compare the fine print from sample contracts with what BMW offers. Be sure the third-party plan covers high-end vehicles and ask if you can go to the dealer for repairs.
Having compared 20 extended warranty providers, we found Endurance is the best option, especially for luxury makes. The company offers customizable coverage with unlimited mileage. It also offers a plan that covers maintenance like oil changes and brake pad replacement.
Our Top Pick
After reviewing 20 companies, we’ve determined that Endurance is our preferred option for extended car warranties.
- Unlimited Miles for Cars Under 20 Years
- Maintenance Coverage Available
- Salvage or Rebuilt Cars Are Covered
- 24/7 Roadside Assistance
- Direct Administrator of Claims
Is a BMW Warranty Extension Worth It?
A BMW extended warranty can be worth it since BMW ownership costs are high. BMWs are high-performance machines, but it takes work to keep them in top condition.
J.D. Power ranks the brand ninth in its 2025 Vehicle Dependability Study, which shows three-year-old BMWs have fewer issues than average for the auto industry. However, RepairPal ranks the brand 30th out of 32 companies. This ranking reflects a wider range of vehicle ages. According to RepairPal, BMW owners spend $968 per year on repairs and maintenance (the industry average is $652).
Whether a BMW warranty is worth it for you boils down to what you’re looking for. A plan can be worth it for peace of mind that major repairs are covered. But if you’re looking at it with a financial mindset, you’ll want to shop around and get a good price. Considering BMW’s cost range, look for a plan that costs around $1,500 or less per year of coverage.
BMW Extended Warranty FAQs
According to quotes owners shared in forums, a BMW extended warranty costs between $3,000 and $6,000 on average. You might find even higher prices than that from your dealership, so take the time to shop around.
How We Rate Extended Car Warranty Companies
We take a methodical approach to rating warranty companies. Here’s what that includes:
- Coverage: We consider things like the number of plans, mileage limit, maintenance coverage options, and added benefits to score companies in this area.
- Cost and buying experience: We get quotes from providers and pay attention to the experience with customer service. We also consider a company’s transparency during the buying process through sample contracts and clear coverage descriptions.
- Reputation: This category includes a company’s longevity plus its rating on the BBB and whether or not it has BBB accreditation.
- Customer service: To rate customer service, we look at BBB customer ratings plus Trustpilot scores. We also note whether the company is a direct warranty provider.
Advertiser Disclosure: Consumer Review Center might earn compensation from the companies featured on this page. This compensation could affect the placement, order, and visibility of products, but it does not affect the recommendations made by the editorial team. Not every company, product, or offer has been reviewed.
Related Resources
Is a BMW Car Warranty Extension Worth It?
In This Article Advertiser DisclosureLearn what extended warranties for cars over 100k miles cover and how to find the best vehicle protection plan for an
Powertrain Warranty Coverage Guide
A powertrain warranty covers vital systems that move your car forward, including the engine, transmission, transfer case, and drive axle.
Extended Warranty for Cars Over 100k Miles
Learn what extended warranties for cars over 100k miles cover and how to find the best vehicle protection plan for an older vehicle.
