Extended Warranty (US BMW-Motorad)

[deilenberger]

During the RA Rally in WV - the new President of BMW-Motorad US fielded a 90 minute question/answer session. In general I was quite impressed with his honesty and forthrightness. He was also very approachable on the rally grounds (especially when he was wandering around looking for a ride suggestion, or a riding partner..)

I managed to get one question in - and that was about the availability of a BMW covered extended warranty for the bikes. I suggested this as a good marketing tool, just as the auto side of the company offers extended warranties to the original owner of the vehicle (it must be purchased before the original warranty runs out). The warranty is honored by all dealers and includes an extension of the assistance program.

He said "Yes, this will be available soon.." I stressed soon would be good since I only have 6,000 miles left of the original warranty. He indicated it would be "soon".. No indication on price/terms/coverage - but sounds like good news for anyone who likes the BMW warranty and doesn't want to take an off-brand one the dealers peddle.

[Bill Stevenson]

An extended warranty would be worthwhile for high mileage riders in particular. What I wish BMW Motorrad would offer is the same kind of service contract that is offered for their cars. My car was covered for all routine maintenance for the first 3 years or 50,000 miles and then they offered an extended one for up to 100,000 miles for $1500. I never broke even on the extended warranty, but the maintenance contract was a bargain and saved me a lot of money. It also kept me going back to the dealer for all maintenance, a habit I still follow even though the car is well outside the extensions now.

Good news though, and thanks for mentioning it.

Bill

[deilenberger]

An extended warranty would be worthwhile for high mileage riders in particular. What I wish BMW Motorrad would offer is the same kind of service contract that is offered for their cars. My car was covered for all routine maintenance for the first 3 years or 50,000 miles and then they offered an extended one for up to 100,000 miles for $1500. I never broke even on the extended warranty, but the maintenance contract was a bargain and saved me a lot of money. It also kept me going back to the dealer for all maintenance, a habit I still follow even though the car is well outside the extensions now.

Good news though, and thanks for mentioning it.

Bill

Bill, I also asked about the maintenance program - paralleling the cars. And his explaination on why not made sense. His feeling was - the cost HAS to be passed along to the buyer - and many buyers won't see much value in the additional cost since they don't put enough miles on the bike to even justify a once-a-year service. He didn't see this as a good marketing tool - but an extended warranty from BMW is, and since it would extend for both miles and time.

[ErikM]

Hi Don: I got quite a chuckle out of the grand prize drawing.. I knew you'd be pissed, the $500.00 GC was the best of the big prizes! I also got to speak with Herr Peter after the seminar and reinforced the desire for a BMW extended warrenty, I think we will see it soon. And yes I also agree, the Pilot Road 2 absolutly rock, pretty much rode them in the rain like it was dry, never a hint of a miss step.

[bobw]

This very good news. Thanks for the information.

Cheers

[LeonardoNYC]

Wondering if anyone has heard any more about the extended warranty and when it might be announced?

[deilenberger]

Not a word - I asked my friendly local dealer (who is going out of business..) and they haven't heard anything on it. I'm tempted now by the one offered by some company affiliated with the BMW-MOA.. for about $550 - unlimited miles, 4 years and most everything expensive is covered (usual $50/deductable.) Just have to find out if my new (old) friendly local dealer would accept it..

[RonR]

Here is the coverage provided by Western (as per my dealer, who emailed this to me), quoted at $677 for three additional years, no deductible, and fully transferrable. My dealer accepts Western claims "routinely" and has no knowledge of any BMW-based extended warranty product that may be forthcoming.

ENGINE - All internally lubricated parts and coolant pump. Cylinder and cylinder head only if damaged by a mechanical breakdown of an internally lubricated part.

TRANSMISSION – All internally lubricated parts contained within the transmission case, and case only if damaged by a mechanical breakdown of an integral part.

PRIMARY DRIVE UNIT - All internally lubricated parts contained within the primary case, except clutch assemblies. Primary case only if damaged by a mechanical breakdown of a an internally lubricated part

SEALS AND GASKETS – All seals and gaskets contained within the engine, primary, transmission, driveshaft and rear drive, due to leakage (FRONT FORK SEALS AND EXHAUST GASKETS ARE NOT COVERED).

BRAKES – Disc rotors, disc calipers, master cylinder, assembly, hydraulic lines and fittings. BRAKE PADS ARE NOT COVERED).

ELECTRICAL – Starter motor, wiring harness, switches, solenoids, coils, electronic ignition control modules, alternator, stator and rotors, AC/DC rectifiers, electronic fuel induction/injection control module and its sensors, fuel pumps and cooling fans. (RADIOS AND SOUND SYSTEMS ARE NOT COVERED).

STEERING – Upper and lower steering stem bearings and their races.

FRONT SUSPENSION - All internally lubricated parts contained within the front fork tubes, anti-dive mechanism and front wheel bearings. Front fork tubes and hub only if damaged by a mechanical breakdown of an internally lubricated part.

REAR SUSPENSION – Rear wheel bearings and swing arm bearing/bushings. Hub, if damaged by a mechanical breakdown of an internally lubricated part. (SHOCK ABSORBERS ARE NOT COVERED).

INSTRUMENTATION – All factory instrumentation (mechanical and electronic) and electronic sensors (LIGHT BULBS ARE NOT COCVERED).

CARBURETORS – Carburetor, intake manifold, fuel tank and linkage.

FRAME - Frame, subframe, frame attachment, brackets and radiator.

RENTAL REIMBURSEMENT & TOWING – (Limitations on contract.)

PICKUP AND DELIVERY – The dealer will reimburse you for reasonable pickup and delivery fees to a maximum of $50 per occurrence in the event of a mechanical breakdown caused by a part covered by this contract or the manufacturer’s warranty. No deductible shall apply.

Clearly, this is not a Beemer-specific list (carburetors?), but you get the idea. I bought my '07 R in January '08 but it was originally registered as a demo in '07. I am going to drop by the dealer tomorrow to get the exact expiration date on the original warranty and take a look at the full Western contract. I still have a few months to decide, so we'll see. $677 seems like a lot.