BMW Ultimate Care: Everything About BMW’s Vehicle Protection Program
BMW vehicles are renowned for their engineering, performance, and luxury. However, maintaining these Ultimate Driving Machines requires using authorized parts, specialized tools, and factory-trained technicians. Repairs and maintenance can be costly outside of the initial 4-year/50,000 mile BMW factory warranty.
That’s where BMW Ultimate Care comes in. This optional vehicle protection plan covers repair costs for mechanical breakdowns and regular maintenance services. Offered by BMW dealers, it provides coverage beyond the standard warranty period to give owners extended peace of mind.
But what exactly does BMW Ultimate Care include in terms of coverage? How much does it cost? Is it worth the investment for your BMW? This comprehensive guide will explain everything you need to know about BMW Ultimate Care to decide if it’s the right choice.
What is BMW Ultimate Care Vehicle Protection?
BMW Ultimate Care is a vehicle service contract offered by BMW dealers to extend repair coverage beyond the 4-year/50,000 mile factory warranty. It covers the cost of parts and labor for mechanical breakdowns of thousands of components.
Ultimate Care also includes scheduled maintenance services outlined in the BMW Maintenance Program. This covers engine oil, filters, brake fluid, vehicle checks, and more based on time and mileage intervals.
By purchasing BMW Ultimate Care protection, owners can reduce the risk of unforeseen repair bills throughout their ownership experience. Repairs covered by the contract are performed at BMW dealerships using original parts by factory-trained technicians.
BMW offers several tiers of Ultimate Care coverage. This includes just powertrain components, or more comprehensive plans that cover additional systems. Contract terms are available from 1 year up to 6 years after the factory warranty expires, or up to 100,000 total vehicle miles.
BMW Ultimate Care Coverage Details
The BMW Ultimate Care Vehicle Protection Plan has several tiers available to tailor coverage to your needs and budget:
- Powertrain Care – Covers repairs on over 1,000 powertrain components including the engine, transmission, drivetrain, and electrical system against defects in materials or workmanship.
- Gold Care – Adds coverage for front suspension, air conditioning, fuel system, steering, brakes, and more. Over 2,000 total components covered.
- Platinum Care – The most comprehensive plan. Includes all covered components in Powertrain and Gold Care plus all other vehicle parts except for some wear items and exclusions.
Additional plan features and inclusions:
- No deductible – $0 deductible for covered repairs
- Roadside assistance – 24/7 flat tire changes, vehicle fluid delivery, jump starts, towing, and lock-outs
- Rental car reimbursement – Up to $35/day for 5 days per covered mechanical repair
- Trip interruption reimbursement – Up to $1,000 for lodging, food, alternate transportation if a breakdown occurs 100+ miles away
- Maintenance services – Engine oil, filters, brake fluid, vehicle checks, and more
Ultimate Care coverage starts on the date of purchase and expires by time or mileage, whichever comes first:
- 1 year / 15,000 miles
- 2 years / 30,000 miles
- 3 years / 50,000 miles
- 4 years / 75,000 miles
- 5 years / 100,000 miles
- 6 years / 100,000 miles
In total, BMW Ultimate Care can extend your repair coverage for between 1 to 6 years beyond the 4-year/50,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty. This provides protection against unexpected repair bills during your ownership experience.
BMW Ultimate Care Costs, Terms and Eligibility
The cost of BMW Ultimate Care varies based on your vehicle model, coverage tier, length of contract term, and mileage of the vehicle at the time of purchase. In general, the more comprehensive the coverage and longer the term length, the higher the cost.
Here are some sample new vehicle BMW Ultimate Care costs as of 2023 for a 3-year/36,000 mile contract:
- 328i Powertrain Care – $1,880
- X5 xDrive40i Gold Care – $3,220
- M4 Competition Platinum Care – $4,410
For most models, expect to pay between $2,000 to $4,000+ for a multi-year Ultimate Care contract with comprehensive coverage. Keep in mind used vehicles with higher mileage will also cost more.
You can choose contract terms ranging from 1 year/15,000 miles up to 6 years/100,000 miles after the 4-year/50,000 mile new car warranty expires. The longer the term, the greater the repair coverage.
BMW Ultimate Care is available for purchase on new BMW vehicles and BMW Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles. These must be within 6 years from the original in-service date and have less than 60,000 miles.
Certain high performance BMW M models over 550 horsepower like the X5 M, X6 M, and ALPINA models are excluded from the Vehicle Protection Plan.
Getting a BMW Ultimate Care Quote
Since BMW Ultimate Care costs vary based on your specific vehicle, the best way to get accurate pricing is to get a free, no-obligation quote from your local BMW dealership.
To get a personalized quote, the dealer will need:
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Current mileage
- Desired coverage tier
- Length of contract term
BMW dealers can provide quotes in person at the dealership, over the phone, or through their website. Third party providers also offer quotes, but purchasing the vehicle service contract must be completed at an authorized BMW dealer.
The seller will go over BMW Ultimate Care pricing, coverage details, and paperwork to begin the contract. There are different payment options available including lump-sum payment upfront or financing the cost over time.
Getting quotes from multiple dealers can help find the best local price. Make sure to compare the same coverage tiers and contract length for an apples-to-apples comparison.
Consider getting quotes for different time and mileage terms. Opting for lower mileage allowances can reduce the cost if you don’t drive much annually.
Pros and Cons of BMW Ultimate Care
Below are some pros and cons to weigh when deciding if purchasing BMW Ultimate Care makes sense:
Pros
- Provides peace of mind from unexpected high repair bills after factory warranty
- Covers thousands of mechanical components against defects
- Includes wear items like brakes, belts, hoses beyond factory warranty
- Scheduled maintenance services included
- 0% deductible on covered repairs
- Protects resale value with certified BMW service history
- Repairs performed by factory-trained technicians at BMW dealers
- Special rental, trip, and roadside assistance benefits
Cons
- Added cost on top of vehicle payment
- May not recoup full cost depending on actual repair needs
- Cancelable by provider for any reason with prorated refund
- Doesn’t cover certain components like tire wear
- Repairs only performed at BMW dealerships
- Costly exclusivity of BMW original parts
For most BMW owners, the peace of mind of mechanical breakdown protection is worth the premium. And with the high cost of parts and labor at dealerships, a major repair bill can easily exceed the price of coverage.
Factor in your expected mileage, repair history of that model, risk tolerance, length of ownership, and budget to decide if BMW Ultimate Care makes financial sense. For a worry-free ownership experience, the added security of the coverage may be worth the investment.
Other Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about what is included and not included with BMW Ultimate Care coverage:
Does BMW Ultimate Care cover wear items?
Yes, Ultimate Care covers certain wear parts beyond the initial warranty including brakes, wipers, belts, hoses, rotors, and more. Exclusions vary by coverage tier.
What maintenance is included?
Scheduled maintenance services are based on the BMW Maintenance Program. This includes oil changes, filters, fluid changes, check-ups, and software updates specified by time and mileage intervals.
Can BMW Ultimate Care be transferred if I sell the vehicle?
Yes, remaining coverage can be transferred to a new private owner if the vehicle is sold.
Is there a deductible for covered repairs?
No, there is $0 deductible for any covered repair as long as you take your BMW to an authorized dealership.
Does it cover repairs at any BMW dealership?
Covered repairs can be performed at any participating authorized BMW dealership in the US or Canada.
Does it cover modifications or upgrades?
No, BMW Ultimate Care only covers repairing covered components to their original factory specifications. Upgrades or modifications like audio, wheels, or tuning are not covered.
Are oil changes and inspections included?
Yes, scheduled maintenance services specified in the BMW Maintenance Program such as oil, filters, fluid changes, and check-ups are included based on time/mileage requirements.
Does it cover accidental damage?
No, BMW Ultimate Care does not cover repairs needed due to accidents, misuse, racing, or damage from environmental causes like floods. Only mechanical breakdowns from defects are covered.
Conclusion
BMW Ultimate Care provides comprehensive extended protection to give you peace of mind and limit out-of-pocket repair expenses. While added costs are involved, the investment can pay off by avoiding expensive repairs down the road.
Carefully weigh the costs against your planned mileage, budget, and risk tolerance. Be sure to get personalized quotes from your dealer with different coverage tiers and terms. While BMW Ultimate Care has some limitations, for most owners the security of extended repair coverage is worthwhile.
Use this definitive guide to understand everything included in BMW Ultimate Care coverage. Follow the tips to choose the right plan duration and tier of coverage for your needs and budget. With BMW Ultimate Care, you can relax and focus on the Ultimate Driving experience knowing your BMW is protected from unexpected service costs.
