BMW Maintenance Cost

The Gist:

• RepairPal ranks BMW 30th out of 32 car brands in its reliability ratings.
• A major repair can set BMW owners back between $1,000 to $3,000.
• You can mitigate the high repair costs with an extended auto warranty and adhering to the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual.

BMWs deliver excellent performance with refined styling. But maintaining your stylish ride comes at a cost–you could pay between $150 and $400 for maintenance every 10,000 miles. 

If you’re concerned about BMW’s high repair costs, you can always get an extended auto warranty. Some of the best providers offer plans that pay for your vehicle’s most expensive repairs. In the meantime, our guide breaks down repair costs, how to reduce repair expenses, BMW’s extended warranty plan, and the top third-party warranty providers.

How Much Does BMW Maintenance Cost?

BMW maintenance costs approximately $150 to $400 every 10,000 miles. Our table below can help you estimate how much you’ll spend on repair costs annually with different BMW models:

Keep in mind the industry average is $652 in annual repairs, so all BMW models fall well above that. When compared to other luxury brands in annual repair costs, BMW continues to be one of the most expensive to repair:

• Acura: $501 per year
• Lexus: $551 per year
• Mercedes-Benz: $908 per year 
• Audi: $987 per year
• Land Rover: $1,174 per year

---

BMW Common Repairs

Here’s a look at the most common BMW maintenance items and how much they cost:

Common Issues By Model

One of the best ways to prepare for repair expenses is to know the common repairs associated with a particular model:

BMW’s Maintenance Program

When you buy a new BMW vehicle, it comes with a factory warranty that includes:

• New vehicle limited warranty of 4 years or 50,000 miles–whichever comes first
• Powertrain warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles
• Federal emissions warranty of 8 years/80,000 miles
• Corrosion/rust warranty of 12 years/unlimited miles

When your manufacturer warranty comes close to expiring, you’ll have the chance to extend coverage for another four years, with a 30 percent discount on plan cost.  

When you buy a new BMW, you’ll also receive access to BMW’s Ultimate Care, which provides free maintenance for the first 3 years/36,000 miles. It includes the services below:

• Engine oil changes
• Air filter replacement (cabin, engine)
• Spark plugs
• Inspections
• Remote control and key battery
• Fuel filter for diesel engines

You can extend this coverage further to cover all of your maintenance items, like your oil changes, tire rotations, brake pad and brake rotor replacements, and much more. 

If you have a used car, you could qualify for BMW’s Ultimate Care Oil Services. This plan is for vehicles six years or older with at least 60,000 miles. With it, you can prepay for three years of oil changes upfront. Since many of the common repairs of BMW models deal with oil leaks, using this maintenance plan can save money, as well as help mechanics spot small issues before they become larger ones. 

Taking advantage of these perks as well as doing regular maintenance items outlined in your owner’s manual can help you reduce the likelihood of incurring high repair bills in the future.

---

How To Reduce BMW Maintenance Costs

The best way to reduce BMW maintenance costs is to do scheduled services on their recommended intervals. BMW has its maintenance services on 10,000-mile intervals, so it’s easy to remember when to bring it in for service.

Also, with all maintenance items covered for the first three years of ownership for new cars, it means no out-of-pocket costs to you. Just keep in mind you’ll need to bring your vehicle to a BMW-authorized dealer for all services, or else it could void your service agreement. 

Once your factory warranty comes close to expiring, you can extend your maintenance coverage for another four years. After that, you might consider buying an extended auto warranty to cover any surprise repair bills that might arise.

1. BMW Extended Warranty

BMW has three extended warranty plans to choose from, which extend your protection for most repairs for 7 years/100,000 miles. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing that when you take your vehicle to a BMW repair facility, they’ll use 100-percent factory-certified parts. Here’s a look at what each plan covers: 

3. BMW Certified Pre-Owned Warranty

If you plan to buy a used BMW, consider certified pre-owned models. When you buy one, BMW extends your factory warranty coverage for another year with unlimited miles. You’ll also feel confident that your vehicle is ready for the rigors of the road, thanks to BMW’s comprehensive inspections and genuine parts for repairs. 

4. Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

Another option for both new and used vehicles is mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI). Its coverage works similarly to extended auto warranties in that it covers mechanical breakdowns to your vehicle’s engine, transmission, and other covered components.

The difference is it’s a supplemental insurance policy you buy through your provider. From there, the carrier rolls the costs of the policy into your monthly payments, so you don’t have to contend with financing or a higher down payment.

---

BMW Maintenance Cost And Extended Warranties: Our Take

BMWs are luxury cars for a reason–they combine style and performance. That said, the luxury of a BMW comes at a cost. They aren’t the most reliable, and their parts are expensive to repair and replace, meaning maintenance costs are higher than those for other car brands.

BMW offers a good factory warranty, as well as extended warranty options for further protection and save on costs. You can also purchase an extended warranty from a third-party provider, which has advantages of its own. It’s important to compare costs and coverage between providers in order to suit your needs.

Top Recommendations For Extended Warranties

When you shop for warranty companies, here are two of the best to consider:

Endurance: Best Plan Offerings

We awarded Endurance the Best Plan Offerings in 2024 for extended auto warranty providers. You’ll have your choice of up to six plans and flexible payment terms. You also gain access to emergency roadside assistance, rental car benefits, and much more. The provider also earned strong marks in customer service. If you want to keep your BMW vehicle much longer than the factory warranty, Endurance is a wise option to consider.

Read more in our Endurance warranty review.

CarShield: Month-To-Month Contracts

CarShield offers six different vehicle service contracts, with monthly prices ranging from $100 to $140. It also offers roadside assistance and trip interruption coverage with every plan. CarShield has a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you a risk-free way of sampling its services. Overall, CarShield’s value, reputation, and plan choices give them an edge over other warranty companies.

Read more in our CarShield warranty review, or check out our comparison of CarShield to Endurance.

---

BMW Maintenance Cost: FAQ

Below are frequently asked questions about BMW maintenance costs:

---

How We Rate Warranty Providers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of extended auto warranty providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a warranty company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

• Reputation: It’s important that an extended car warranty company is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a long history of reliable service score well in this category. We also evaluate the availability and transparency of each company’s contracts, as well as whether each provider offers a money-back guarantee.
• Coverage: Our team of experts looks at the number of extended warranty plans available, as well as term limits, exclusions, and added benefits like roadside assistance. Ratings also take into account the availability of maintenance coverage.
• Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact vehicle service contract pricing. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and plans and consider available deductibles.
• Customer Experience: We listen to real customer sales calls and comb through reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Warranty companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the availability of mobile apps and chat features.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

---