BMW will cut no-cost maintenance program to 3yr/36k for MY2017, and exclude items

[rjc32000]

Originally Posted by -c-

The company will always do what's best for itself even if it means alienating its customers.

The company will always do what's best for its *shareholders* even if it means alienating its customers. That's what I see here.

[mblaucoupe135]

This is really disappointing. The awesome warranty is one of the reasons my wife and I both have bimmers. I guess no more track days for me since they are pretty hard on the brakes!

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by mblaucoupe135

This is really disappointing. The awesome warranty is one of the reasons my wife and I both have bimmers. I guess no more track days for me since they are pretty hard on the brakes!

People are confusing warranty and free maintenance. This change is to the free maintenance - not warranty.

[mblaucoupe135]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

People are confusing warranty and free maintenance. This change is to the free maintenance - not warranty.

sorry you're right, I should have said "awesome free maintenence."

[georgere]

Sux
They will take a huge hit in sales for this in terms of long term buyers. Leaders will probably stay

[rjc32000]

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

Well you claim to own shares in the company, so your reaction will be different. Not as many people here are trading on the German stock market like you Mr. Bigshot. lmao

Sorry, I didn't mean to come off like some high-flying corporate investor; I'm not!

And anyone with an international stock index in their portfolio likely owns BMW shares; I'm willing to bet that applies to many forum members here.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by fazman

While I love my CPO'ed 335, the main allure was the extended warranty and the service available. Now that it's gone, the price/value of a BMW is going to come down in MY2017 and again in 2020 when it's up for CPO sales. If it's not... then time for me to go back to Japanese since they are easier to maintain (I will never consider a domestic brand).

The warranty is not changing. The maintenance is. And for MY2015 and later, maintenance is not transferrable so this has already started and nothing new. The only thing new is that it's now 3-years/36,000 miles.

[BGR]

I was just at my BMW dealer and they had posters plastered everywhere the maintenance savings of owing a BMW over Audi and Merc because everything through 50k miles is free. It was a savings of a couple grand on some models.

[flyga3]

Bummer. Wonder what will happen to lease residual values now that those things will need to be replaced by the user. Also what happens if leasing 3yr and 15K miles per year (45K total)?? What will be the minimal pad thickness prior to lease end? Looks like a beefed up revenue stream for dealers.

Oh and strike spark plugs off the list. They aren't going out before 36K. I have yet to have a BMW before 75K need new plugs.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by flyga3

Oh and strike spark plugs off the list. They aren't going out before 36K. I have yet to have a BMW before 75K need new plugs.

Agreed. I swapped mine out around 115,000km and they didn't look bad at all, in fact it looked pretty clean for the mileage on it.

[SanMarino_F82]

In addition, many of the higher end models now have vehicle 12v batteries on a maintenance interval (at second oil change). Don't see that on the list? $500-600 added to your oil change at 20k...ouch!

[stressdoc]

Originally Posted by 08njSTEP

Hyundai can give 50k and those cars are refrigerator with wheels. BMW doesn't have shareholders. Its privately owned. If the cost is only wiper blades and 1 oil change then this is a REALLY stupid move. The ill will is certainly not worth the savings.

I agree. Some buyers confuse 'maintenance coverage' with warranty, and so there will be a significant negative effect on public perception of BMW quality and reliability.

I am guessing that this is another case where short-sighted dealers pressured BMWNA to give them opportunity for $ making maintenance 'packages'.

[SanMarino_F82]

Originally Posted by flyga3

Bummer. Wonder what will happen to lease residual values now that those things will need to be replaced by the user. Also what happens if leasing 3yr and 15K miles per year (45K total)?? What will be the minimal pad thickness prior to lease end? Looks like a beefed up revenue stream for dealers.

Oh and strike spark plugs off the list. They aren't going out before 36K. I have yet to have a BMW before 75K need new plugs.

The four cylinder engines are on the shortest interval for spark plugs, fourth oil change.

[SanMarino_F82]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

The warranty is not changing. The maintenance is. And for MY2015 and later, maintenance is not transferrable so this has already started and nothing new. The only thing new is that it's now 3-years/36,000 miles.

100% the 4 year/50k warranty remains unchanged.

Only losing the 1yr/14k miles, brakes, wipers, clutch, battery.

[s0ul]

Last thing on my mind when I bought my BMWs and my upcoming M car was the maintenance / warranty. Yes, those are nice but if you can afford these cars, you should be able to afford the maintenance yourself.

[SanMarino_F82]

Originally Posted by 24601

Not surprised... Many manufactures are offering free maintenance, some even have extended their terms. Granted this does not affect me since I only keep a car for 2-3 years.

However, BMW used to pride itself with their comprehensive warranty plan. I account this poor decision to the recent low build quality therefore costing the company more money to provide the original service plan.

Just as an example, the F30 didn't make it on C&D 10 best list. And it has held that title for 23 consecutive years. I agree with them, I had an F30 as a loaner and it was complete crap, my E92 in the shop was more solid and luxurious than the F30.

Yes, BMW has had a record number of sales, surpassing MB, Audi, and Lexus. But somehow this brought the decline of reliability and build quality.

My next car will not be a BMW.

The 3 series was pulled from c&d 10 best for the BMW M235i, which is a well built machine. They don't make too many like that these days.

[SanMarino_F82]

Originally Posted by rjc32000

Is anyone else surprised how many forum members claim to have chosen BMW over every other brand solely for the free maintenance?

Here I was thinking that driving dynamics, racing pedigree, top-rated engines, exquisite styling and innovative technologies drove people to the ultimate driving machine. Apparently all those factors were distant background noise compared with those free wiper blades.

Look, I understand that people are unhappy BMW is changing their policies. But the reactions here are so over the top and incredible that they almost defy belief.

Similar to when MB pulled their maintenance, you will see a small exodus from the brand for about 1.5 years and it will come back. BMW has gone this way before and pulled it back in 2003.

[SanMarino_F82]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

+1,000,000

Your are right but there are few enthusiasts left in the brand, specifically in the Northeast markets. You have white collar business men and soccer moms driving 650/750/550/X5 that drive for the brand name and FREE maintenance. Then you have the barely affording the lease payment consumer who can't afford the same 320i and pay for maintenance. Many enthusiasts purchase their cars and focus on the M brand. The NY markets are around 85% to some 90% lease penetration for sales.

[MKParris]

They will probably increase the MSRP while they are at it. Can you say "margin expansion"?

For me, this is a moot point anyway as I was looking to get a GT350.

[SanMarino_F82]

Originally Posted by s0ul

Last thing on my mind when I bought my BMWs and my upcoming M car was the maintenance / warranty. Yes, those are nice but if you can afford these cars, you should be able to afford the maintenance yourself.

The problem is that the biggest consumer segment for BMW, the 3 series, doesn't have the money for the maintenance in addition to the lease payment. People live above their means and they lean on the free maintenance with BMW. This is the segment that BMW will lose from jump.

[spmd11]

Originally Posted by Arcades

lol and you'll keep a Tesla for 8 years?

Please save your sarcasm for someone who cares. If you have to worry about a major change regardless if its under warranty or not doesn't make it a good long term solution. People who lease won't be effected by this change, the few of us who purchase are effected.

Ask yourself, do you plan on keeping a Tesla? How much do you have to worry for a car that is described to have "chronic reliability" problems?

Stop being so melodramatic. My cousin literally works for Tesla and if he recommends one, I will get one. He hasn't yet and owns BMWs. What does that say?

Edit: Not to mention, us forum users are way in the minority, not everyone would care in the mainstream.

melodramatic? seriously..?

you don't even make any sense. you say that Tesla's will have high out of warranty costs. Well, if there are very few moving parts since it is not an ICE, and the battery and electric motor is warrantied for 8 years, there is very little exposure to a person leasing or buying a Tesla as most people don't keep their cars for 8 years.

You display your ignorance in your remarks.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by flyga3

Bummer. Wonder what will happen to lease residual values now that those things will need to be replaced by the user. Also what happens if leasing 3yr and 15K miles per year (45K total)?? What will be the minimal pad thickness prior to lease end? Looks like a beefed up revenue stream for dealers.

Oh and strike spark plugs off the list. They aren't going out before 36K. I have yet to have a BMW before 75K need new plugs.

Brake pad thickness isn't measured at lease turn-in. Unless the CBS is showing a brake service due when you turn in the car the lessee is not responsible for it.