If it were you, what would you do?

[onebluemcm]

This is a maintenance/warranty question I have.

My in-service date was in early November 2006, so very soon I will be coming off of the factory warranty and maintenance plan, about 22k on the odometer now. I have about 2600 miles on the counter before I can get Insp. 1 done - I was told by my service adviser that if I could get it to 1200-1500 miles, they would probably go ahead and do the service.

I also inquired about warranty, and just to first clear any confusion, you can purchase extended warranty or maintenance even if you are not the original owner. I told them that if I were to purchase any extended warranty etc., I'd do it for the purpose of covering the motor and trans as much as possible within the offered programs - I was quoted ~$2500 to extend it out another 2 years. If I extend the warranty, I don't have to worry about trying to squeeze in Insp. 1 before I go out of maintenance.

Any thoughts or comments are welcome. Thx

I do realize that Insp. 1 is really not that big a deal - the only major thing as I see it is the valve adjustment, which I could do but would be easier if they did it - but then I question if they would do it to my standards.....the ever-present uncertainty about quality of work at the dealer....

So, if you were me, would you
a) do nothing, drive like normal, let warranty run out and do maintenance as needed on your own dime fully
b) try to get some mileage on it and get Insp 1 done at the dealer before warranty runs out and then just let it run out
c) go ahead and add extended warranty and maintenance

I'm only asking because of the few really, really bad stories that have surfaced here and on the M3 forum about VANOS and cam chain/gear problems. If these were things that were happening on cars with 50k+ miles on them, I wouldn't have a concern at all. With the low mileage cars being affected, I admit some worry about having to foot the bill for a major problem that could occur.

[Swashplate]

I plan to buy extended. It's just a matter of peace of mind.

[r4gs]

^secretariat has a point - u basically pay for what u get. pay up for extended warranty + maintenance = an additional two carefree years. i voted for pay-as-u-go, however, as i'm believing in the z4m's solid reliability other than motor mount issues, rear sway bar and firewall brace mount issues. inspection 1 will set u back between $800 to $1000 depending on the dealership, but do consider if that service history is important to u. i.e., further down the road should u ever consider selling the m, service history becomes a huge factor in sellability and price.

[dekaliber]

Personally, I wouldn't get extended maintenance (I have enough concern about my dealership's ability to change oil correctly), but if you've been meaning to take a fun road trip, no better time than now, with the wonderful weather and your upcoming Inspection I.

[-c-]

I was charged 1200 for the CPO warranty extension and it turned out to be worth every penny, as I’ve prolly would have paid 1200 by now on loaner car depreciation alone! lol


all in all the short time being out of the new car warranty my car has cost several times the warranty cost so I say go for it if its affordable, the maintenance cost id pass on as its normally way more than you'd spend anyway, when the dealer and I weighed out the total cost of the extended maintenance it didn’t make any sense.

[mfanatic325]

Just an FYI, my local dealer wouldn't merit Inspection 1 until my countdown meter said "< 300 miles"; and they're considered the best factory service around here.
So I wouldn't trust your service adviser's "1200-1500 miles" quote too whole-heartedly.

[GP20]

Originally Posted by mfanatic325

Just an FYI, my local dealer wouldn't merit Inspection 1 until my countdown meter said "< 300 miles"; and they're considered the best factory service around here.
So I wouldn't trust your service adviser's "1200-1500 miles" quote too whole-heartedly.

That's definitely something that varies depending on which dealer and service advisor you talk to. One time I had my service indicator at 1800 before an oil service was due, and dealer the told me to come back when it's down to 500 miles; I drove 20 minutes to another dealer and they said no problem at all and they did it with 1800 miles showing on the service indicator. Some dealers might've had a bad history with BMWNA as far as issueing warranty work and might be auditted by BMWNA; so they go by the rule book a little more tightly.

[GP20]

To the OP, I think the dealer might've given you some misleading info. If you're worried about the motor and transmission, getting the extended warranty won't give you free Inspection 1/2 and you'll still be paying for them. If you get the extended maintenance warranty that covers Inspection 1 and 2, the extended maintenance warranty doesn't cover the engine or transmission if something blows up.

[mfanatic325]

Originally Posted by GP20

To the OP, I think the dealer might've given you some misleading info. If you're worried about the motor and transmission, getting the extended warranty won't give you free Inspection 1/2 and you'll still be paying for them. If you get the extended maintenance warranty that covers Inspection 1 and 2, the extended maintenance warranty doesn't cover the engine or transmission if something blows up.

Yeah, I wouldn't waste money on maintenance items. The cheaper route for maintenance items would be to get parts on your own from Tischer BMW online, then do the labor yourself, or pay an indy (independent BMW-certified) shop to do it for you. All that will still be cheaper than anything that the stealer (dealer) can offer.

For instance, brake rotors, pads, and many of the car's fluids (aside from maybe a brake or clutch fluid or coolant bleed/flush) are very simple DIY jobs. Saves you tons of money if you "wrench" on your own. All they require is a floor jack, a jack stand or two, and some ratcheting tools. Very minimal investment altogether.
I'd save the big money for potentially large issues later on in the car's life =P

[esqu1re]

I would take the opportunity to drive the car as much as possible in the next month just so I get that inspection free, though! It's guilt free driving knowing that you'll be saving the money.

Should you decide against the above, I agree w/ Mfanatic--Pay an independent to do the inspection 1. Your engine/car, at 22,000, is still very young, and I would bet it's going to be fine for another two years as long as you know how to do some regular maintenance, including changing out some of those bolts known to come loose / fail. In my mind, BMW service isn't worth paying too much for.

[ebruder]

BMW changed its policy on Inspection 1 a few weeks ago. If your counter is 2000 miles or less, you are entitled to an inspection 1, no ifs, ands, or buts.

EB

[mfanatic325]

Originally Posted by ebruder

BMW changed its policy on Inspection 1 a few weeks ago. If your counter is 2000 miles or less, you are entitled to an inspection 1, no ifs, ands, or buts.

EB

Well that's retarded lol. I guess I got shafted into putting some mileage on my car
Cuz my SA told me they'll only do inspection 1 for me if I'm @ < 300 miles on the counter

[onebluemcm]

Originally Posted by ebruder

BMW changed its policy on Inspection 1 a few weeks ago. If your counter is 2000 miles or less, you are entitled to an inspection 1, no ifs, ands, or buts.

EB

How do you know this? Can I really walk into the dealer and say, "Hey, I'm under 2000 miles, I want my Insp 1 please"??

[pokeybritches]

If cam bolts are your only concern, you can do them yourself if you're competent. I wish I had the $3k they got from me for "free" maintenance. You'll be much better off on the maintenance side if you do the work yourself. Additionally, you can use non-OEM parts like track pads and high temp fluid. I discovered the need for high temp fluid last weekend on a drive when the pedal went to the floor without warning I'll ask the dealer but I'm pretty sure I'll be paying for some better fluid. It makes me question why I even bought that maintenance package in the first place if I'm going to go ahead and pay out of pocket for the stuff.

[bosstones]

Originally Posted by onebluemcm

How do you know this? Can I really walk into the dealer and say, "Hey, I'm under 2000 miles, I want my Insp 1 please"??

They may not take kindly to that depending on how you say it. A better approach, IMO, would be to verify existence of said policy update, bring your car in for Inspection 1 w/o disclosing mileage unless asked, and see what they say. If they give you crap, then mention the policy update.

[onebluemcm]

I didn't mean to come on like a bastard - I'd never walk in to any establishment and carry on like that. It's the web, you don't know me from Adam, I probably should not have been so sarcastic.

But, before I go in and say in a very similary way as you suggest, I'd just like to be sure that there has actually been some kind of policy change regarding Insp 1.

My apologies - I'm really now a pompas ass....promise.

[bosstones]

Originally Posted by onebluemcm

I didn't mean to come on like a bastard - I'd never walk in to any establishment and carry on like that. It's the web, you don't know me from Adam, I probably should not have been so sarcastic.

But, before I go in and say in a very similary way as you suggest, I'd just like to be sure that there has actually been some kind of policy change regarding Insp 1.

My apologies - I'm really now a pompas ass....promise.

Not trying to imply you're a bastard. Believe it or not, there are people that go in like that at dealerships, though. It amazes me.

Tone is hard to read and you're right....I don't know you. And it is the internet afterall. Now......stop making me look like a bastard for unintentionally making you look like a bastard. lol

[GP20]

Originally Posted by ebruder

BMW changed its policy on Inspection 1 a few weeks ago. If your counter is 2000 miles or less, you are entitled to an inspection 1, no ifs, ands, or buts.

EB

And where did you hear that bs from?

[mfanatic325]

Originally Posted by GP20

And where did you hear that bs from?

Don't question his authority u jackass!

[GP20]

BMW has been approving early inspections/oil services when the service indicator shows within 2k miles for a LONG time at customers' requests if you simply mention you're about to take a long road trip in your BMW. This is however case-by-case and one dealer might deny the request while another has no problem with it. The policy itself hasn't changed. If anything, lately BMWNA is tightening it up and dealers are now less likely to do inspections "that early".

[jrich4411]

Originally Posted by onebluemcm

I'm only asking because of the few really, really bad stories that have surfaced here and on the M3 forum about VANOS and cam chain/gear problems. If these were things that were happening on cars with 50k+ miles on them, I wouldn't have a concern at all. With the low mileage cars being affected, I admit some worry about having to foot the bill for a major problem that could occur.

ANY extended warranty plan is a crapshoot - In the end, the manufacturer makes money on them or they would not offer it for sale. There are many owners who have saved a ton of money by having purchased extended warranty or CPO, but most owners do not incur enough warranty work to truly justify the cost. I have nearly 60k on my '06 Roadie and so far, BMW has made money on the CPO they built into the price. Will you have a major failure? No way of knowing. Is $2300 worth your piece of mind? Only you can answer that question. With the low miles you are putting you your car, my opinion is no, it is not.
As for extended maintenance, again with your mileage, no. Drive it until you get your inspection 1. Even with the price of high octain fuel, it will still save $$$. See what other fluids you can also get replaced. After that, don't do it - an indy will do maintenance far less than the dealer, or better yet - do it yourself. You will not have any major maintenance costs in the next 2 years at your mileage.

[Incompatible]

Originally Posted by GP20

....... If anything, lately BMWNA is tightening it up and dealers are now less likely to do inspections "that early".

X2. It may be worth talking directly your favorite SA/dealer to get a read on the current policy. Slightly OT but an indication of BMWNA's mindset is the revision in low mileage (annual) oil changes under the 4 year new car maintenance plan. Once was, you were within policy if you showed up within 30 days prior to the full year since your last change. On my last visit I was 2 days early and was told by my SA that BMWNA would not reimburse the dealer if done "early". The new policy was no less then 1 year + 1 day since the last change. So I had to return later. I was also told that there were additional requirements on time and mileage which I don't remember but did think was odd.