BMW introducing upgraded maintenance coverage... for a price
These days, all new BMW models sold in the United States are delivered with "BMW Ultimate Service." The package includes the BMW Maintenance Program, Roadside Assistance, and the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. In a nutshell, it means that fuel and tires are the only service costs owners of new BMW models pay for during the first 4 years/50,000 miles of ownership. In the past, BMW has allowed owners of certain models to "upgrade" and extend the term of the program, but not all vehicles were eligible.
As of today, the German automaker has announced that a "Maintenance Program Upgrade" will be offered for all BMW models (except the ALPINA B7). The program generously covers factory scheduled services and most wear items for up to 6 years/100,000 miles. However, it doesn't come cheap. The announced MSRP of the extension ranges from $1,395 to $2,995, depending on the model.
"BMW's Maintenance Program keeps vehicles well cared-for and more valuable in the pre-owned marketplace," says Alan Harris, Vice President of Aftersales for BMW of North America. "Our decision to make the six-year Maintenance Program Upgrade available to purchase for all BMW models makes it possible for more vehicles to remain under the care of an authorized BMW Center for a longer period of time." Reading between the lines, this an excellent way to guarantee consumers comply with the factory maintenance – keeping BMW's warranty repair costs low, and resale values high. Full press release after the jump.
[Source: BMW, Image: Michael Harley]
PRESS RELEASE:
BMW ULTIMATE SERVICE - Maintenance Program Upgrades Now On Sale for All BMW Models
04/16/2009
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - March 31, 2009... BMW of North America announced today that all BMW models are now eligible for purchase of a Maintenance Program Upgrade which extends BMW's standard Maintenance Program period to 6 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first (excludes ALPINA B7). Vehicle owners may purchase the two-year Maintenance Program extension from an authorized BMW Center during the first four years after the vehicle's in-service date or 50,000 total miles, whichever comes first. MSRP for the extension ranges from $1,395 to $2,995, depending on the model. For a small surcharge, the period to enroll a vehicle is extended through the fifth year of vehicle age or 60,000 total miles. Most recently BMW made the M3, M5, M6, and Advanced Diesel models eligible for Maintenance Program extensions.
"BMW is committed to helping North American owners maintain their vehicles properly," said Alan Harris, Vice President of Aftersales for BMW of North America. "BMW's Maintenance Program keeps vehicles well cared-for and more valuable in the pre-owned marketplace. Our decision to make the six-year Maintenance Program Upgrade available to purchase for all BMW models makes it possible for more vehicles to remain under the care of an authorized BMW Center for a longer period of time, and that's the best way to ensure longevity for each vehicle."
Purchasing a Maintenance Program Upgrade is simple: a BMW owner visits an Authorized BMW Center to enroll any BMW during the first five years or 60,000 miles of its service life. Starting in April, BMW shoppers can also visit BMWUSA.com and utilize the Build-Your-Own module to include the Maintenance Program extension as a vehicle accessory; once completed they can either send this information directly to a BMW Center or print it for their convenience. Once enrolled by the center, Maintenance Program coverage is extended on the vehicle through the sixth year of service or 100,000 total vehicle miles, whichever comes first. Maintenance Program coverage stays with the vehicle (rather than the buyer), so a BMW's second or even third owner may benefit from the coverage.
BMW Ultimate ServiceTM:
Providing owners with incredible value and peace of mind
All 2009 BMW passenger vehicles feature BMW Ultimate ServiceTM, a suite of services that includes the BMW Maintenance Program (formerly called Full Maintenance), Roadside Assistance and the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. BMW AssistTM with TeleService is part of the optional Premium Package or can be ordered separately as a stand-alone option.
BMW Ultimate ServiceTM includes:
The BMW Maintenance Program is the only no-cost maintenance program in the industry that covers wear and tear items like brake pads and rotors for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. BMW owners pay nothing for all scheduled inspections, oil changes, brake pads, wiper blade inserts and other wear-and-tear items.
BMW Roadside Assistance is one of the industry's most comprehensive plans available. Not only is it no-charge for the first four years, but there is no mileage limit. BMW drivers enjoy the assurance of on-the-road help 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. This includes everything from flat tire changes, emergency gasoline and lock-out assistance, to towing, alternative transportation and even trip-interruption benefits. This service also includes valuable trip routing advice.
BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty: All 2009 BMW passenger vehicles are covered by BMW's excellent Limited Warranty, which includes:
• New-vehicle warranty – four-year/50,000-mile coverage of the vehicle.
• Rust-perforation warranty – 12-year/unlimited-mileage coverage.
BMW AssistTM provides the driver with services that enhance on-the-road security and convenience, for added peace of mind. The BMW Assist and Bluetooth® System is included in the Premium Package or available as a stand-alone option. BMW includes the Safety Plan for 4 years at no additional cost. BMW is the only manufacturer that offers this duration of service as other manufacturers only include the first year of service. The BMW Assist Safety Plan is a subscription based service that is subject to certain limitations.
The in-vehicle equipment for BMW Assist includes GPS technology and hands-free communication functions to deliver emergency and other services, accessed via buttons in the overhead or center console. The BMW Assist system transmits the location and vehicle information to the BMW Assist Response Center. A response specialist speaks with the vehicle occupants to coordinate dispatch, notify emergency contacts on file, and link BMW Roadside Assistance or emergency services as needed and/or requested. A severe accident automatically activates the Automatic Collision Notification function. The BMW Assist Safety Plan also includes Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Recovery services, which can save the owner time and money. New to BMW Assist is MyInfo, which allows users to send business listings and street addresses with associated phone numbers from the internet, directly to their BMW.
TeleService automatically notifies the BMW center when a vehicle will need service. A service advisor then proactively calls the customer to set up a convenient appointment and have the needed parts ready.
BMW Assist subscribers can also enroll in the BMW Assist Convenience Plan (available at an additional cost of $199 per year) to avail themselves of many BMW Assist concierge services, from finding the lowest fuel price or the best French restaurant in the area to information on flight arrival gates or times, as well as receive directions, and traffic and weather information. On 2007 and later models, a selected destination and its phone number can be sent directly to the BMW Navigation system (if so equipped) and the customer's Bluetooth linked mobile phone, after a push of the Concierge menu option. New for 2009 is BMW Search, which allows those vehicles equipped with both the BMW Navigation and BMW Assist system to gain online access to the Google Maps database inside the vehicle to quickly find a desired business with just a key word. The Convenience Plan also includes Critical Calling, a service that can connect the driver to a requested party via a response specialist in case their mobile phone is not in the vehicle or its battery is discharged.
Lastly, the BMW Assist system includes Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity with phonebook access and speech recognition for dialing by name or number via the steering wheel controls. Use of this feature requires a customer-provided compatible Bluetooth mobile phone. To learn more about BMW Assist, please visit www.bmwassist.com.
Performance with a conscience
BMW strives to produce its motor vehicles and other products with the utmost attention to environmental compatibility and protection. Integrated into the design and development of BMW automobiles are such criteria as resource efficiency and emission control in production; environmentally responsible selection of materials; recyclability during production and within the vehicle; elimination of CFCs and hazardous materials in production; and continuing research into environmentally friendly automotive power sources. Tangible results of these efforts include the recycling of bumper cladding into other vehicle components; water-based paint color coats and powder clear coats; near-future availability of hydrogen-powered models; and various design and engineering elements that help make BMWs easier to dismantle at the end of their service life.
BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 83 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at:
www.bmwgroupna.com
www.bmwusa.com
www.bmwmotorcycles.com
www.miniusa.com
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
zamafir 6:14PM (4/16/2009)
makes sense, lord knows they could use that money up front right now.
Reply
aaron 8:10PM (4/16/2009)
Yeah, those residuals are killing them.
havoc 6:26PM (4/16/2009)
arrrgh!
all your tags are belong to us.
Reply
Michael Harley 6:40PM (4/16/2009)
Fixed.
- Mike
havoc 6:42PM (4/16/2009)
maybe i'm a little picky or lazy, but the jump isn't a link still.
mxzhonkey 6:37PM (4/16/2009)
ford has had maintence coverage that can be purchased for awhile now.
the plan that comes on the cars is just added to the price of the from the manufacturer anyhow
Reply
Polly Prissy Pants 6:40PM (4/16/2009)
Wow, $3000 for maintenance? I probably haven't paid that much in total for all the maintenance I've put into every car I've owned in the past 20 years.
Now if it was $3000 for an extended warranty I'd jump at that. After owning a 5 Series out of warranty (made it all the way to 60,000 miles before I gave up) I'll never make that mistake again. Man that car was a POS, even after all the free dealer maintenance was thrown in.
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Alex 11:38PM (4/16/2009)
You do realize that a brake job on a new BMW will run you $1000, easily.
Polly Prissy Pants 8:14AM (4/17/2009)
The dealer quoted me about $1200 an axle. I just ordered the parts from bavauto and did it myself for about $200.
Gardiner Westbound 6:47PM (4/16/2009)
Prepaid maintenance plans really scrimp on maintenance. I don't know about BMW, but Mercedes Benz E-Class oil change intervals are 13,000-miles. At 50,000-miles the oil has only been changed three times. I wouldn't touch a used one maintained in this fashion.
Reply
Seminole 10:01PM (4/16/2009)
4 times.
13,000 miles.
26,000 miles.
36,000 miles.
49,000 miles.
;-)
Smegley 10:08PM (4/16/2009)
3 times. 26k + 13k = 39k, not 36k. At 50k miles, you can still go 2k more.
;)
Chris 11:10PM (4/16/2009)
I agree with you. I wouldn't touch a car where the person only followed the manufacturer's covered maintenance routine. My 2007 BMW 335i didn't require an oil change until I hit 19k miles!!! Good thing I change my oil and filter every 5,000 miles (and did it at the first 1,000 mileage mark too.) Why? Because I bought the car and I just think these covered maintenance programs skimp big time. Also, how can a filter last 19k miles? Let alone the oil?
Seminole 11:38AM (4/17/2009)
I should probably go back and take second grade math huh?
trevor2k 6:49PM (4/16/2009)
Well, considering most 60k services (for german cars) are $800-1000 and 100-150 a pop for oil, plus brakes, that may not be too bad.
The main reason so many people drive BMW's is that they don't have to pay to keep them running. But once the warranty expires, their values drop like a homesick rock.
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simianspeedster 1:27AM (4/17/2009)
"The main reason so many people drive BMW's is that they don't have to pay to keep them running."
Sure, most people drive BMWs mainly so they can get free oil changes. Just keep telling yourself that. The ability of autobloggers to pull crap like this out of their ass never fails to astound me...
Autblogist! 6:55PM (4/16/2009)
"Doesn't come cheap" Autoblog must not know the cost of ownership for a German vehicle beyond 40K miles. I'd pay $3000 for a 1 series up to 100K. I've spent no less than $4k for the maintainence of 04 Audi A4 currently at 105K miles. This is a great deal.
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Michael Harley 7:15PM (4/16/2009)
I won't tell you how many owned German cars are in my garage... and two of them have 120,000+ miles on the clock. ;-)
- Mike
Craig 7:16PM (4/16/2009)
I've avoided even the free factory maintenance after visiting the local dealer once...worst service department I've ever encountered.Sometimes free is not worth it....
Reply
BMWdownshift 7:20PM (4/16/2009)
Yo dawg I heard yo like warranties
Reply