On average, BMW owners pay between $ 150 and $ 400 per service for mileage of 10,000. Each primary service may range between $ 1000 and $ 3000. On an annual basis, the owners incur about $1000 to $ 1700 more for maintenance than other brands.
Any car enthusiast will tell you that longevity of any vehicle is ultimately hinged on the level of care and maintenance provided by the owner. BMWs are no exception to the rule.
BMW maintenance: Is it expensive?
BMW’s maintenance cost is more expensive than many other brands. BMW owners visit the repair service shop twice as often as the industry average. The chances of the owners encountering a severe repair are also significantly higher. Over 10 years, you will likely spend $ 5000 more to maintain a BMW than a Mercedes-Benz and $ 12000 more than a Toyota.
A report by BMW owners highlights leaking engine oil, blower motor resistor fails, and regulator fails as the most common problems.
Why BMWs are expensive to maintain
Being a German car with specialty parts and sophisticated technology makes BMW expensive to maintain. A BMW is designed to be a car for driving enthusiasts and not one to just get people from point A to B. For decades, the name BMW has been synonymous with the idea of a luxurious vehicle. It is no surprise, therefore, that the cost of BMW maintenance is pricey.
Most BMW owners do not mind paying extra for a quality drive. However, since the services are very expensive, it is essential to choose a mechanic shop with the right expertise for your routine auto repairs. To attain legitimate service, find a suitable service provider certified by BMW technicians.
Car Warranty; Does It Lower The Cost Of BMW Maintenance?
The cost of BMW maintenance may be lowered over time by securing an extended car warranty at the right price. The extended warranty caters to mechanical breakdowns upon the expiry of the factory warranty. With such a warranty, you are only deemed responsible for a one-time deductible payment or monthly payment to meet the contract.
The BMW’s factory warranty coverage runs for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever precedes the other. The BMW extended warranty may then extend for another three years or 50,000 more miles. The warranties are, however, only valid at the dealership, meaning that they can be more expensive than independent mechanic services in the long run.
How often should you seek BMW maintenance?
If you keep running to your auto dealer too often, you will likely pay way too much. You may be trying to play safe, but in some ways, playing too safe could prove costly.
Different time intervals are recommended for specific types of maintenance. Tire inflation and windshield wiper fluid checks must be conducted monthly. Other services are less frequent. Depending on factors such as the car’s age, style of driving, and the driving conditions of your area, you can work with an expert to know how often you need checks for the proper performance of your vehicle.
The BMW service and warranty book are also helpful in figuring out the appropriate maintenance schedule for your model.
How does the free maintenance program work
A free maintenance program is offered by BMW during the first few years of the car’s life. The program provides free maintenance for the first three years or coverage of 36,000 miles, whichever comes before the other. After the program ends, one must outsource maintenance from an independent or local service provider.
How to plan an oil change
A myth exists that BMW only recommends an oil change every 15,000 miles. Nothing could be farther from the truth. While this may work short term, such infrequent oil changes could cause significant damage over time.
Change your car’s oil regularly to avoid incidences that minimize the lifespan of your car. Consider oil changes every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. The cost ranges between $ 135 and $ 175. The changes remove excess dirt which accumulates in your engine.
Changing the Brake Fluid
You should change your BMW brake fluid once every two years. A failure to change your brake fluid regularly makes your car’s braking system less effective and significantly delays performance. Having dysfunctional brakes is detrimental to you as a driver, as well as other road users.
Changing brake fluid and brake pads ought to be done correctly. You need to get in touch with an expert who takes his job seriously. Brake fluid changes should cost between $ 210 and $ 224.
Tire and wheel protection
Considering the cost of BMW maintenance, tire and wheel protection must be among the biggest priorities. You may decide to get the protection as part of the BMW maintenance package. Ordinarily, tire and wheel protection has a different warranty and is separate from insured maintenance.
Protection programs generally run for around five years. The programs protect from road debris such as broken glass, metal, and roads in poor conditions which are recurrent hazards for all drivers.
A Windshield replacement.
You should have your car windshield replacement for your BMW, once the crack which extends to the outer edge is longer than your hand. The cracks will prevent you from seeing the road. A windshield replacement costs anywhere between $ 100 and $ 400. For a quick and safe replacement, always engage a professional.
BMW Ultimate Care Plan Coverage
Available to original BMW owners only, the ultimate care plan coverage is a free maintenance program. The program covers the following items.
- Engine oil
- Engine filter
- Brake fluid
- Cabin microfilter
- Spark plugs
- Vehicle check
- Engine air filter
- Remote control and key battery
- Fuel filter
The plan covers everything you require for your third service in a single package. Done in intervals of 10,000 miles, the maintenance schedule has sensors to let drivers know what needs to be fixed and at what point.
Your BMW will let you know when it requires service.
Recent BMW models have technology that lets you know when to check in at the car repair garage. The most efficient version is the Service Interval Indicator (SII). The technology keeps track of your service dates and tabulates mileage to let you know when the BMW is due for its next service.
To take BMW self-monitoring a step further is a service known as Condition Based Servicing system. Essentially, CBS makes BMW a smart car. The car becomes capable of learning how you drive and the environmental conditions you normally encounter. With a BMW’s in-built computer, CBS keeps tabs on the car’s key components such as oil and cabin air filters, brake pads (both front and rear), and spark plugs. The system alerts you via dashboard display when these parts are becoming dysfunctional and informs you of the right time to get them replaced.
The CBS system also keeps track of brake fluid, tire pressure, and engine oil, making the work incredibly more accessible for you. The systems not only help you budget the cost of BMW maintenance but also ensure that you do not keep visiting the car repair garage unnecessarily. All you need to do is pay close attention to your car when it alerts you of something. When the dashboard signals an alert, ensure that you schedule an appointment with your repair shop within the recommended time frame.
A few tips may help you maintain the optimum performance of your car and lower the cost of BMW maintenance.
Check the status of the tires monthly.
While your BMW’s computer will assist you in monitoring air pressure, it will not detect uneven wear and tear, indicating that your car may require alignment.
Inspect the engine’s rubber hoses and gaskets
While conducting tire checks, ensure that you also get under the hood to check the status of the rubber hoses and gaskets of the engine. Faulty seals or cracks may lead to a decline in terms of engine performance as well as potential breakdowns.
Conduct regular oil changes at intervals of 7,500 miles not 15,000 miles
A more frequent oil change may increase the lifespan of critical internal parts of the engine. Such an impact shall lead to an overall decrease in the cost of BMW maintenance.
Conduct regular checks of your car’s spark plugs and air filters.
Your BMW system is not equipped to let you know when it’s time to inspect your spark plugs and air filters. Ensure that you visually check your air filters during each oil change and change the spark plugs at regular intervals. You also need to work with your service provider for periodic inspections.
Maintain the coolant flush
Coolant flushes and refills are rarely required in most vehicles except at intervals of 30,000-mile. The coolant remains a closed system and should not be contaminated. A leak occurs when the coolant needs refills between flushes, and the BMW needs to be taken in for service check-ups.
Maintain your BMW conditioning system
BMW vehicles rarely have air conditioning problems. However, if no cold air blows during a temperature rise, the AC could have an underlying problem. You can try and diagnose the problem and decide whether to conduct the air conditioner repairs yourself or visit an air conditioner repairs shop.
Always remember that the fluid in the air conditioning system is part and parcel of the system. When there is a leakage, the system is bound to malfunction. Once you suspect a leak, search for stains in your garage or parking slot.
Recharging the AC is a straightforward process that can be done in 15 minutes. Buy the fluid from your local shop, and you shall be able to do it yourself.
AC systems may also break from the inside. The phenomenon is commonly referred to as the ‘black death’ by mechanics. To prevent this, ensure an occasional check of your air conditioners by an expert.
BMW car speaker system repairs
Speaker repairs are normally a good option, primarily if the speaker has been functional in the past. Specific experts can easily upgrade BMW speaker systems. Whether you have a Harman Kardon or another type of stereo system, custom modifications are available for your vehicle.
The average cost of replacing a speaker could range between $ 500 and $ 1000, depending on your budget and the type of speaker. When detailing your cost of BMW maintenance, you can calculate whether you want your speaker systems repaired or replaced.
How long BMW’s last
A BMW car is expected to last 15 years when maintained according to the proper service schedule. Reports by many owners indicate that the threshold has been achieved, while others have seen their cars surpass the 20-year mark and beyond.
Owning a BMW for more than 20 years is not easy since cars do not age gracefully. Various components of the car wear out indefinitely, while other consumables, such as tires, oils, and certain fluids, need to be constantly changed. However, this is to be expected of any vehicle.
If the car is hard driven over the years, regular maintenance is not carried out, or you live in cold areas with salted roads, various integral parts of your BMW will wear out faster.
A BMW is capable of lasting over 300,000 miles with adequate maintenance. Having a concrete plan to budget for the cost of your BMW maintenance is essential. Corrosion wears out the car’s structure and metallic components, making it unsafe to drive and uneconomical to service. Salty roads accelerate the corrosion process.
Over time, the number of car owners has affected the maintenance documentation, making it difficult to ascertain how well the vehicle has been taken care of over the years. To achieve the best out of your BMW, stick to the recommended maintenance schedule as advised by the company.
