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

[SanMarino_F82]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

3YR/36K-----NO BRAKES, NO CLUTCH, NO WIPERS, NO BELTS

New 3-year or 36,000 mile, No Cost Scheduled Maintenance.

Beginning with MY 2017, all new BMW vehicles will come with 3-year, 36,000 mile, No Cost Scheduled Maintenance. As it is with the current program this coverage is non-transferable. In March 2016 we will offer an additional range of fully transferable dealer-sold MPU products that provide an opportunity to further enhance and extend coverage.

The table below illustrates the covered content in both the current 4-year or 50,000 mile program and the new 3-year, 36,000 mile, No Cost Scheduled program. The new program applies only to new car sales with model year 2017 and beyond.


Official Announcement:

[Z K]

Wow, the new warranty doesn't cover anything at all!

A few oil changes and filters. That's barely a couple of hundred in costs.

[HXS]

Is BMW losing money on that or something?

[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.

[E92inNC]

This is just gonna take away some the BMW's sales appeal. Hopefully it hurts their sales and it changes back

[G8rGrl]

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

[Law]

Bean counters win again...

[kent11202]

Originally Posted by G8rGrl

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

Pushing me away as well. This is such a blatant effort at cost cutting and, as mentioned, a likely reflection of increased repairs needed after only 36K miles. Oh, I don't know about other states but in CA, tire inspection and inflation are THE LAW so the dealer has no choice - why try to convince people it's something they do because "they care." Sorry, but I'm calling BS on this change - it's almost time to go shopping anyway......

[Efthreeoh]

So lets see...

Plugs are changed at 100,000 miles (industry standard for about 10 years now)
Engine Airfilter change at 45,000 miles (industry standard for over 10 years now)
One brake fluid flush

So basically they change the oil twice, which is what I got under the 4 year 50K service.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by HXS

Is BMW losing money on that or something?

More or less, yeah. Most BMWs are leased these days, so I can guess the logic here is - Why cover the cars longer? Once the lease is done the car gets CPO'd and the maintenance plan does not transfer to the next owner.

The only people using the 4th year are buyers, so now they'll move the cost of covering that year and beyond to just those people only by offering them a new range of extended maintenance plan options starting a year earlier than they do today.

Granted the mileage piece is less clear cut because with a 15k-mile/yr lease, you could easily go over. It'd be a real bummer to be paying for things like brakes or a clutch for a car you don't ever plan to own.

Now will they 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.

[auf Deutsch]

No more wiper blades?? BMW's butts are snare drum tight, it seems. Well working wipers are such a cheap, yet vital safety feature.

The company must be losing money setting non-stop sales records.

[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.

[auf Deutsch]

Originally Posted by G8rGrl

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

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

[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??

[catchm3ifyoucann]

Cost cutting. Bye bye to those high lease numbers BMW

[tturedraider]

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??

No. The plan clearly states the coverage applies based on the determination of need based on the car's Condition Based Service indicator. If the CBS doesn't say the service is needed it isn't covered.

[rjd598]

Wow. No joke will definitely consider other options next time around :/

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by catchm3ifyoucann

Cost cutting. Bye bye to those high lease numbers BMW

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

[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.

[RaslDasl]

They should at least cover 45,000 miles for the 15k/year leases.

[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.

[12 Handicap]

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