[zilizix]

Hi,

I am just about to purchase a 2006 325i with 82K miles, I know I can not purchase an extended warranty from BMW anymore, do you guys recommend me buying one from outside or is it all a big waste of money and I should just take my chances with the car?

Thanks,
Zilizix

[WWONG]

Kinda off topic on this thread, but how much did you pay for your car? I hope you didn't pay an excess of $16k

[nogard13]

It's a 2006 325i with ZPP in Virginia. I would assume it would cost no more than $16K from a private party.

I can't tell if it has any other options on it, tho, but I know it has ZPP because of the rear-view mirror.

As for the extended warranty, I would first try to find out how the car has performed. If I were you, I'd ask an SA at a BMW dealership to pull up the maintenance records for the car. At least everything done in the first 50K miles will show up there (since it was free). If there is nothing there to scare you, it might not be worth getting an extended warranty for 18K miles (as most expire at 100K).

BTW, if you tell the SA that you will be servicing the car at his dealership if you purchase it, he'll be happy to help you.

[Chriztofor]

If you don't DIY then you should buy an extended warranty. The problem is that since you don't DIY you will not be able to tell what was omitted from coverage ie: when reading it they don't mention that the thermostat is not covered. Just do your homework, research the company, do a bbb search, search this forum and similar forums and good luck.

[742]

Extended warranties are a form of insurance. And like most insurance questions there is no single answer that fits everyone.

First, realize that the company offering the plan has to cover its overhead and make a profit. So the average customer will spend more for the policy than they would have spent on repairs. The average person will come out far ahead over their lifetime if they never buy extended warranties of any form.

But you have to ask yourself how bad it would be for you if the car had a rare but expensive failure. Obviously you are not going to like it, but would it be a financial disaster? The answer to that question gives you your answer to the question in your original post.

[Php]

Depends how much you paid for the car and how much that extended will cost. I personally would get it due to the high mileage already on your car...if that warranty is at a reasonable price...I say it should be less than $2k.

[John 070]

I don't know from experience (my car still has 5 1/2 mos. left on the warranty), but I have seen on the forum where someone is happy go lucky one day, and the next day the dealership told them they need some repair north of $1500. People on another thread were rejoicing that N54 turbos are now $800 ea remanuf. It would only be a few thousand, maybe 3 1/2 to replace. This is the type of thinking at BMW. An Asian car is never going to take $1500 here, $3500 there, to fix, in its entire life. So there's a reason why a beautiful 58k car is for sale for 26k 4 years later.

I would never, ever, ever, buy an extended warranty on anything......except a BMW....

[742]

Originally Posted by John 070

I don't know from experience (my car still has 5 1/2 mos. left on the warranty), but I have seen on the forum where someone is happy go lucky one day, and the next day the dealership told them they need some repair north of $1500. People on another thread were rejoicing that N54 turbos are now $800 ea remanuf. It would only be a few thousand, maybe 3 1/2 to replace. This is the type of thinking at BMW. An Asian car is never going to take $1500 here, $3500 there, to fix, in its entire life. So there's a reason why a beautiful 58k car is for sale for 26k 4 years later.

I would never, ever, ever, buy an extended warranty on anything......except a BMW....

My neighbor who just paid for his second Honda transmission, in the same car, would not agree. Or for that matter just get an estimate for an ABS repair on a Toyota. Here is a quick Google: [Control module, avalon, w/traction control 03-04 $2,105.60].

Repairs accross all brands are becoming less common but more expensive.

[Arustik1]

I have an 06 325i for sale with Premium Package/Xenons/Cold Weather Package for $13,800 FIRM and the car is mint.

-D