Is A BMW Maintenance Plan Worth The Cost? Our In-Depth Analysis

Owning a BMW comes with a reputation for expensive maintenance and repairs. But is purchasing an additional BMW maintenance plan really worth the investment? In short – it depends. A BMW maintenance plan can provide peace of mind and budget protection from surprise repairs. However, the plans don’t cover all services and come with their own costs.

In this detailed guide, we’ll answer:

What’s included in a BMW maintenance plan?
How much does a maintenance plan cost?
What maintenance is not covered?
What are the pros and cons of getting a plan?
Is an extended maintenance plan worth it for a certified pre-owned BMW?
Can you negotiate or customize a BMW maintenance plan?
Our verdict: is a BMW maintenance plan ultimately worth the money?

What Does a BMW Maintenance Plan Include?

A BMW maintenance plan covers certain routine maintenance services and wear items during the term of the plan. This can include:

Oil changes and engine oil top-offs
Oil filter replacements
Air filter replacements
Cabin air filter replacements
Spark plug replacements
Brake fluid changes
Vehicle check and standard inspections
Replacement of front and rear brake pads and brake discs
Replacement of clutch discs
Replacement of wiper blades
Maintenance updates and functionality checks on installed software and firmware

Maintenance plans also include roadside assistance benefits like flat tire changes, lockout service, jump starts, and towing.

The exact inclusions can vary based on the plan’s time length and coverage tier. BMW offers maintenance plans ranging from basic 1-3 year terms up to 5-7 year extended plans. The longer the maintenance plan, the more services it will cover.

For example, a standard 3 year/36,000 mile maintenance plan for a new BMW includes:

All factory-recommended maintenance services from oil changes to inspections
Engine oil services
Brake fluid changes
Air filter and cabin air filter replacements
Spark plug replacements
Wiper blade replacements
Roadside assistance
Warranty protection up to 6 years/100,000 miles

Meanwhile, a 5 year/60,000 mile maintenance plan would additionally cover services like:

Transmission oil changes
Differential oil changes
Belt replacements
Additional brake fluid changes
Extra wiper blade sets
Water pump inspections

So in general, the more expensive extended BMW maintenance plans include everything in the basic plans plus additional services and part replacements.

How Much Does BMW Maintenance Plan Cost?

The cost of a BMW maintenance plan depends on the coverage length and vehicle model. On average, you can expect to pay:

1 year maintenance plan: $500 – $700
2 year maintenance plan: $800 – $1,100
3 year/36,000 mile basic plan: $1,200 – $1,800
5 year/60,000 mile extended plan: $2,500 – $3,500

CPO vehicles may cost slightly more:

1 year CPO maintenance plan: $700 – $900
2 year CPO plan: $1,500 – $2,000

You can pay the full maintenance plan cost upfront when you purchase or lease the BMW. However, some dealers will let you roll the cost into your financing so you can pay it off monthly.

The maintenance plan cost is on top of your normal monthly car payment – so factor that in when budgeting.

What ISN’T Covered by a BMW Maintenance Plan?

While they cover a wide range of factory-recommended services, BMW maintenance plans do not cover everything. Common exclusions include:

Tire rotations, replacements, or repairs
Wheel alignments or wheel balancing
Wiper arm replacements
Any repairs needed due to collision, accident damage, or improper vehicle use
Updates to navigation maps
Cosmetic repairs like trim pieces, moldings, upholstery
Modifications to the vehicle beyond stock specs

BMW maintenance plans only cover factory-recommended maintenance services. Any repairs needed due to normal wear and tear use may not be fully covered either. For example, the plans include standard brake pad and rotor replacements. But if your brake calipers fail, you would have to pay that repair cost.

Additionally, many covered repairs require you to pay a deductible. For example, replacement of front brake pads might carry a $200 deductible per service visit. So you are not getting full free coverage even for included maintenance items.

The Pros of Getting a BMW Maintenance Plan

While the costs are not insignificant, BMW maintenance plans offer some compelling benefits:

Budget protection – The plans allow you to lock in maintenance costs upfront. This helps buffer against rising shop labor rates and inflation on parts/supplies. Instead of unpredictable repair bills, you pay a consistent monthly amount.

Peace of mind – Having a maintenance plan means you don’t have to stress about affording surprise repairs. The cost of covered services is taken care of (minus deductibles).

Convenience – Maintenance visits are quick and easy. Plans are accepted at all BMW dealers nationwide. Loaner cars are provided if needed.

Extended warranty – Most maintenance plans come with an extended warranty that goes beyond the standard 4yr/50,000 mile BMW warranty. This provides protection from factory defects longer.

Higher resale value – Certified pre-owned BMWs with a maintenance plan often sell for more. The remaining plan coverage transfers to the new owner.

New vehicle perks – On new BMW purchases, a maintenance plan lets you roll the cost into your financing. This allows you to keep more money upfront while locking in long term savings.

For the right BMW owner, these benefits can provide real value and peace of mind.

The Cons of Getting a BMW Maintenance Plan

However, BMW maintenance plans also come with their downsides:

Upfront cost – You have to pay the full plan cost upfront or roll it into your financing. This increases the total cost of the vehicle.

May not use full value – There’s no guarantee you’ll actually use all the covered services. For example, you may end up driving fewer miles than expected. But you’ve already paid for the plan.

Limited coverage – As noted, the plans don’t cover tires, alignments, body repairs and more. There are also deductibles on many repairs. So you still face some maintenance bills.

CPO plans may be excessive – For certified pre-owned BMWs with lower mileage, extended 5-7 year maintenance plans often provide minimal additional value compared to basic 1-2 year plans.

Better off self-funding? – With discipline, you may be able to save/invest the plan cost and have enough self-funded for repairs. This avoids paying overhead/profit margins to the dealer.

No customization – BMW does not allow customization of maintenance plans. You have to choose one of their set packages, which may include services you don’t want or need.

So while they can provide peace of mind, BMW maintenance plans are not a miracle solution. They simplify budgeting but still leave you with some maintenance costs.

Are Extended Plans Worth it for Certified Pre-Owned BMWs?

For certified pre-owned (CPO) BMWs, longer 5-7 year maintenance plans often provide less value compared to new BMWs.

Here’s why:

Lower mileage – CPO BMWs tend to have less than 50,000 miles. Even if you drive 15,000 miles annually, a 3-4 year plan should sufficiently cover the miles.
Remaining warranty – CPO BMWs come with extended limited warranties (usually 2 years) from when the car was first sold. Between that and a short maintenance plan, most major issues should be covered.
Upfront cost – The longer 5-7 year CPO maintenance plans still require paying a large upfront cost. But you may only need 1-2 years of coverage.

For these reasons, most CPO BMW buyers are better off choosing a 1-2 year maintenance plan instead of the extended versions. This provides budget protection for the first couple years of ownership when surprise repairs are most likely. But it keeps costs reasonable.

In some cases, even skipping the maintenance plan on a CPO BMW can make sense if you have the savings to self-fund repairs. Evaluate your risk tolerance. But don’t over-spend on unnecessary long CPO maintenance plans.

Can You Negotiate or Customize a BMW Maintenance Plan?

BMW does not encourage negotiation or customization of their maintenance plans. The available plan options offered at the dealer reflect corporate policy pricing. Some buyers have reported getting a small discount (5-10%) off the listed price by asking. But there is limited flexibility.

That said, you can inquire with the finance manager about custom plan options. For example, if you want a basic 2 year plan but would also like to add coverage for brake pads. Or if you want to extend the length but reduce some services. The answer will likely be no – but it never hurts to ask!

BMW corporate sets the plan terms though. Customization is not really something they allow. If you want to pick and choose services, you’ll have to budget and pay for them à la carte.

Verdict: Is a BMW Maintenance Plan Ultimately Worth the Money?

In the end, deciding if a BMW maintenance plan is “worth it” comes down to your personal situation:

Driving habits – Will you actually use all the covered services based on your projected annual mileage? If you drive well under 10,000 miles per year, a longer plan probably won’t pay off.

Repair risk tolerance – How much budget uncertainty and repair risk are you comfortable with? The plans provide peace of mind but cost a premium for that certainty.

Affordability – Can you comfortably afford the $1,000 – $3,500 cost of a maintenance plan? Or is that money better used to self-fund repairs or pay other expenses?

CPO or new vehicle – Well-priced 1-2 year plans offer the best value for most CPO owners. Only buyers putting lots of miles on a new BMW need extended coverage.

While not a no-brainer, the convenience and budget protection of a maintenance plan makes sense for some BMW owners – particularly those lacking repair savings or who want absolute certainty in costs. For CPO buyers, a shorter 1-2 year plan is often the sweet spot for value.

Carefully weigh the benefits against the costs and exclusions. BMW maintenance plans simplify expenses but still leave you with some maintenance bills so don’t expect complete freedom from maintenance costs. Make an informed decision based on your personal financial situation and risk preferences.