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

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

No doubt it's disappointing, but in reality it doesn't affect very much that actually needs service in the current 4 yr/50k miles coverage.

The majority of modern cars don't need brake work before 50k miles. Belts last well beyond 4 years and 50k miles. As do clutches.

The main things lost are one oil change and some wiper blade replacements.

The brake work before 50 k statement is not true. Especially in major cities like ny for instance. It's very common to need brakes at 20 to 30 k ish. The intense stop and go is very hard on brakes

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by auf Deutsch

Yep, that other brand from Stuttgart is looking even more appealing.

Mercedes maintenance plan is better ?
Mercedes has been selling maintenance and warranty extensions since about 2012 ?

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by 12 Handicap

Just hit 42,000 front brakes and wipers replaced. They know.

Of course they know. They have great engineers and everything is calculated to the nth degree.

Some engineer moseyed over to accounting and said, 'Hey, the vast majority of maintenance concerns take place in the time/mileage window of the 4th year and last 12000 miles. For schitz and giggles, lets create and run a 5 year financial model eliminating this maintenance window and see how much money it saves.'

Fast forward to this intel and...

Cheers-mk

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by DriveHard

The brake work before 50 k statement is not true. Especially in major cities like ny for instance. It's very common to need brakes at 20 to 30 k ish. The intense stop and go is very hard on brakes

Agreed. Add the heavier vehicles to this as well. My 2012 X5 3.5i has had 2 brake jobs at 54K miles and a smattering of other issues as well. Having the maintenance plan is a very big deal.

Cheers-mk

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

I get that people are pissed at this change. I mean, after all, who wants a take away. But, moving away from BMW because of this change is pretty dramatic.

This change adds up to maybe one oil change and some wiper blades. From a dollar and cents perspective, not reason enough to switch brands. If its the principle of the thing that is driving the negative comments, then I get that. When a company does something I don't like, I've been known to vote with my feet.

I have to wonder though, are the people hating on BMW about this change business people too? BMW is a business. They have an obligation to their shareholders to maximize profits. They offered free maintenance a few years ago and it has been a huge success. As someone mentioned, they are selling cars in record numbers. Someone at BMW took the time to look at the free service programs offered by BMW competition and realized they don't have to offer 4 years anymore. From a pure business perspective, any company that isn't comparing to the competition and adjusting their pricing and terms accordingly is not paying attention, period.

So, go ahead and be pissed. But before you vote with your feet, please note that very few cars come with a free maintenance program longer than 3 years. If you pick one that does, then you get to choose between certain Cadillac, Hyundai and Kia models. BMW is betting on the fact that you won't do that. I'll go out on a limb and bet you won't either. For those that do leave, BMW knows there are 10 more coming on board. They also know you will be back.

Not on ///M Cars.

My E63 M6 had about $6k-8K in maintenance done in the first 50K miles including a new clutch, spark plugs (2x), air filters, oil cooler (defect), diff fluid changes, 4 ignition coils, etc. The largest single expense, the clutch occurred at 47K miles. Mind you that today's M engines are a bit more pedestrian than the S85/S65, but this is still a major concern.

Not just wipers.

Cheers-mk

P.S. I purchased the additional year of warranty on my M6 for $3,500 in September of 2013 and had the engine replaced 2 months later. The best $3,500 I've ever spent, hands down. At that point the engine replacements were going for about $28,000-$32000 when subsidized by BMW.

[secretsquirrel]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Why is that? This change will have virtually no effect on 3 yr/36k mile leases.

It has an effect on cars coming off lease because the 2nd owner won't have a year of maint. This will affect demand, which will end up lowering the residual, which will raise the price of leases.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by secretsquirrel

It has an effect on cars coming off lease because the 2nd owner won't have a year of maint. This will affect demand, which will end up lowering the residual, which will raise the price of leases.

But the existing 4yr/50k mile maintenance plan already became non-transferable (except to a household family member) in July of 2014.

Even before that, I'm wondering if that year (or however much is left by the time the car finds a new owner) of maintenance would have transferred to a CPO anyway? I suppose there's no reason it shouldn't, but I never really thought about it before. As I say, that's water under the bridge as of mid 2014 anyway, though.

[Ric in RVA]

My '11 528 had a brake pulsation at 48K.....New everything all the way around. Woo Hoo! And I had just bought it and maintenance transferred over. The dealer did a ton of little stuff too. Way beyond my expectations.

My guess is that the dealerships milked that cash cow to death.....

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

But the existing 4yr/50k mile maintenance plan already became non-transferable (except to a household family member) in July of 2014.

Even before that, I'm wondering if that year (or however much is left by the time the car finds a new owner) of maintenance would have transferred to a CPO anyway? I suppose there's no reason it shouldn't, but I never really thought about it before. As I say, that's water under the bridge as of mid 2014 anyway, though.

I purchased my E63 M6 with 28K miles and 2.5 years left on the original warranty. I realize that M-cars are atypical as they only comprise 3 or so percent of BMWs manufactured and have different maintenance requirements. I love driving and I drive all of my cars hard which tends to expose weaknesses and/or accelerate maintenance cycles.

With the exception of the M6, all of my BMWs were purchased/leased new. I would really have to think long and hard about another purchase/lease based on this because there is real value, from my experience, in the final 12 months/14K miles.

As an aside, when the X5 approached 50K miles, I purchased the additional maintenance and warranty plans, which have already nearly paid for themselves.

Cheers-mk

[David70]

Originally Posted by 08njSTEP

Maybe they found out that their cars start accumulating serious repair costs after 36mi and instead of building a better car they can just unload the cost onto the purchaser.

Reducing included maintenance should have no bearing on warranty items which I believe are staying the same

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 don't believe any Hyundai has as good of maintenance program as BMW's new reduced program.

Looks like BMW's is the second best offered (after Cadillac) - http://static.ed.edmunds-media.com/u...le.maint.5.pdf


Then -
http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/ar...-worth-it.html

Basic Packages
Audi, Land Rover and Lexus have programs that mostly focus on the first few service visits that the car requires. These should be looked at simply as a bonus for purchasing the vehicle. Audi and Land Rover, for example, throw in the first scheduled maintenance for free. Lexus provides two scheduled maintenance visits. Among these brands, the average savings ranges from $72-$411 — hardly enough to make you choose one brand over another.

Unlike its rival BMW, Mercedes-Benz offers very limited free vehicle maintenance. Customers get a free diagnostic check, with technicians answering any questions owners may have about their vehicles, and they'll get a free tire rotation before 6,500 miles. Most dealerships include a free tire rotation in any scheduled service that's more than just an oil change, so we did not include the value of Mercedes' free tire shuffle in our chart.

Instead of free vehicle maintenance, Audi and Mercedes offer prepaid car maintenance plans that bundle a number of services and are sold at a discounted rate. Keep in mind that, like the car itself, the prices on the maintenance plans are negotiable.

Intermediate Coverage
Most automakers fall in this category. Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Jaguar, Kia, Lincoln, Scion, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo offer more services than the basic coverage, but don't include items that wear out, such as wiper-blade inserts, brake pads and brake rotors. Volvo's free maintenance program covers the maintenance visits at 10,000, 20,000 and 30,000 miles in all of its models.

General Motors brands (Buick, Chevrolet and GMC) offered free maintenance for two years or 24,000 miles on 2014-2015 vehicles. The coverage included up to four oil changes, tire rotation and 27-point inspection as dictated by the owner's manual and oil life monitoring system.

In March 2015, General Motors reduced its free maintenance program on 2016 and newer Buick, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles. The coverage drops to one year and only covers two service visits.

Cadillac gets GM's best coverage. The Premium Care Maintenance program debuted on the Cadillac CTS Coupe and is now standard on all new models. This program covers the car for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Cadillac doesn't specify how many services will be covered, but a safe assumption would be that owners will get at least one scheduled maintenance per year.

Jaguar, like many other automakers, has altered its coverage over the past few years. It once offered five years of comprehensive coverage and then reduced it to one free service. For the 2016 model year, Jaguar vehicles will have five years or up to 60,000 miles of intermediate coverage. Jaguar says its service indicators come on at 16,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first. This means that a Jaguar owner would be covered for about five service visits.

Kia's free vehicle maintenance only applies to its luxury-oriented Kia Cadenza and K900 sedans. Kia coverage lasts for 36 months or 37,500 miles. This adds up to five free service visits.

Lincoln and Toyota both have free maintenance programs that started out as promotional incentives, but were subsequently extended. Lincoln's Complimentary Maintenance program offers two years or 25,000 miles of coverage.

Toyota and Scion's coverage, two years or 25,000 miles, is notable because it includes roadside assistance. That's something Toyota had not previously offered, even though it typically comes standard with many automakers' new-car warranties.

Volvo's coverage has seen the most fluctuation since 2008 when it offered one free service, at 7,500 miles. In 2010, the comprehensive coverage went as high as five years or 60,000 miles, until 2013, when Volvo reduced the coverage to three years and did not include coverage of wearable items.

"The complimentary offer was used as an incentive to customers," says Jawanza Keita, a Volvo spokesperson. "As with all new vehicle incentives, Volvo continuously monitors customer response and adjusts our offers accordingly."

Looks like Cadillac's program is now the best.

Amazes me that anyone would need brakes or a clutch at less than 50k miles.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by David70

Reducing included maintenance should have no bearing on warranty items which I believe are staying the same



I don't believe any Hyundai has as good of maintenance program as BMW's new reduced program.

Looks like BMW's is the second best offered (after Cadillac) - http://static.ed.edmunds-media.com/u...le.maint.5.pdf


Then -
http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/ar...-worth-it.html



Looks like Cadillac's program is now the best.

Amazes me that anyone would need brakes or a clutch at less than 50k miles.

Because ///M-Car!!

[David70]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

Because ///M-Car!!

True, I guess it amazes me even more that BMW ever covered the brakes or clutch on any cars. I don't believe anyone else's ever did.

[elitex]

BMW's maintenance program had some weight since it included brakes and clutch. This new plan is just pure BS.

[spuntyb]

Fcking weak. Hope this comes with a drop in MSRP too.

[BoosTonian]

Disappointed. This was one thing that helped BMW sell and differentiate it's cars from competitors. Now with a cut in this and Mercedes coming out with killer interiors, Audi having nice designs, caddy coming out with nice performance models, BMW losing the performance edge since competition is catching up, what's going to happen? Hope they thought this through...

Seems like they are gearing everything towards the first owner though. Since a lot of people lease (3 years ~30-36k miles)..and the non transferable maintenance that they changed in 2015.

[Downeaster1]

As a dealership technician, I know for a fact people abuse the hell out of the system. We have people who have cages in their M3/M4's who clearly track their car, and then bring it in for brake vibration. I've manipulated my own CBS data to reflect due oil changes and I think I'm on my 8th or 9th warranty oil change (because I don't agree for a second about their 15k mile oil services). If you own a manual transmission vehicle, I HIGHLY suggest getting them to throw a clutch in there before you can't anymore. Just be warned, it's impossible to get a flywheel covered.

[iamdabest1]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

No doubt it's disappointing, but in reality it doesn't affect very much that actually needs service in the current 4 yr/50k miles coverage.

The majority of modern cars don't need brake work before 50k miles. Belts last well beyond 4 years and 50k miles. As do clutches.

The main things lost are one oil change and some wiper blade replacements.

I need brakes changed at about 20k miles . On a car like an m4,m5,m6 brakes will def be gone by 20k miles that means they want people paying ???

[Eagle1oh7]

But they keep reporting increased sales every quarter an every year. Must be passing that dough onto executives. If you can't turn your own wrench, be wary of buying. They set the standard with the maintenance plan, now they're taking a step backwards.

[Kief]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Now will they the lower the current vehicle base prices to account for the decreased value of the maintenance plan? Not a chance, I say.

Oh, and for the record I always buy my BMWs since I put a lot of miles on them. So this does affect me and will certainly be under consideration during the decision process the next time it comes time to buy a car.

+1.
I always lease mine, but we buy the wife's Bimmers.
I understand why they are reducing the plan, but it does leave a sour taste.

BTW, that Jaguar is looking better and better
http://www.jaguarusa.com/quality-sec...uar/index.html

[stvding]

Originally Posted by mrmoua2u

Wow... I wonder how much its going to affect people on buying BMW now? I mean for the hardcore bimmer owner, they probably wont care and will still buy it but for me, the 4 years or 50k service maintenance did play a major part of my purchase of a 14 F30.


Not to steal the tread but would anyone know if BMW will honor "all" of the no cost service maintenance before my 4th year with mileage way below 50k, even though some parts or service is not needed yet??

Well, these things were not covered in Canada anyway.....

[BwoodBMW]

Wow this is a very meaningful change for me (I typically purchase my cars). The current program is a big reason I felt comfortable buying an M car.... Maybe they just want everybody to lease?

Given the fact the competition just gets better and better and I know how many of my BMW driving friends LOVE the peace of mind of the current program I could see this one actually having a negative impact. It will certainly change how seriously I look elsewhere.

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by G8rGrl

BMW keeps pushing me away. The maintenance was a great "plus" compared to the other luxury brands.

+1, I always figured it was built into the price of the car but it was a selling point no doubt. Now, the prices of their cars haven't gotten any less expensive, in fact they just announced increases like they do almost every year AND cut back on the service included. No wipers? How cheap.