Extended warranty for 2018 X5 xDrive 3.5i

[Alleygator2142]

Its a noob Q so apologies in advance

Just bought a 2018 X5 xDrive 3.5i with 33K miles from a dealer. They are pushing a 3 years 36K mile extended warranty but I am in two minds.

- Mileage is very low for the car and it appears to be in good shape
- It is still a 2018 vehicle so age is a factor

Also, this is a weekend/fun drive vehicle so I do not expect to run it over 5K miles a year.

To warranty or not to warranty, that is the question!

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by Alleygator2142

Its a noob Q so apologies in advance

Just bought a 2018 X5 xDrive 3.5i with 33K miles from a dealer. They are pushing a 3 years 36K mile extended warranty but I am in two minds.

- Mileage is very low for the car and it appears to be in good shape
- It is still a 2018 vehicle so age is a factor

Also, this is a weekend/fun drive vehicle so I do not expect to run it over 5K miles a year.

To warranty or not to warranty, that is the question!

Welcome to the forum!

BTW, it's a 35i w/ a 3.0 liter motor - true story!

Anyhow your question gets asked a lot here, and the first & most obvious question is usually this - what kind of warranty is it?

We need more details. Is it an inclusionary or exclusionary warranty? Not all vehicle warranties are the same - the word 'warranty' does not automatically mean all repairs are covered. A lot of buyers are offered a warranty and they sign up believing they are covered for most/all repairs, but may soon be told by their service advisor/mechanic that a needed repair is not covered, as spelled out in the contract details. I'd read the fine print, or if you have, tell us more about it. Also, what are they charging for 3 years/36K miles?

[Alleygator2142]

Thank you for the response. I do need to get the finer details, but from the initial discussions the exclusions were all consumables including brake pads and there is a $250 deductible. Cost is approx $4K.

I will be meeting with them tomorrow so wanted to prep myself prior to any hard sell.

The question in my mind is, what affects the well-being of the car more, the mileage or the age? From the driving history it appears to be driven in a similar fashion to my intended usage, weekend/fun driving for about 5K miles a year.

Not sure this answers everything, but its all I have at this time.

[tlow98]

Depends. Was it stored outside or inside?

If outside, exposed to the elements, that’s worse.

I wouldn’t do it, but I DIY. That $4k will cover a valve cover gasket, a battery, and maybe a random DMTL pump.

It’s prolly worth it if you don’t intend to ever touch the car yourself.

IF it covers everything.

[jiggz]

Given the info you've provided, I would skip the warranty and pay as you go, I think you'll come out ahead assuming the car is current on maintenance.

I don't see a 2018 35i requiring $4000 in repairs between 36K & 51K miles (assuming you drive it only 5K miles a year, as stated above, for 3 years of warranty coverage).

[Alleygator2142]

Thanks to both you gents for your thoughtful answers.

Of course, I have no way of knowing whether or not the car was garaged, but given the condition of the car, I would bet it was.

I'm defi not a DIYer though I am trying to learn. Not very mechanically inclined as well, so will have to use a mechanic for most things.

Appreciate your help, good to be in a community that shares.

Cheers.

[ErikV55]

Originally Posted by jiggz

Given the info you've provided, I would skip the warranty and pay as you go, I think you'll come out ahead assuming the car is current on maintenance.

I don't see a 2018 35i requiring $4000 in repairs between 36K & 51K miles (assuming you drive it only 5K miles a year, as stated above, for 3 years of warranty coverage).

Agreed, every car is different, but I had this same thought on my 2017 OP. Haven't had a single issue outside of regular maint.

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by jiggz

I don't see a 2018 35i requiring $4000 in repairs between 36K & 51K miles (assuming you drive it only 5K miles a year, as stated above, for 3 years of warranty coverage).

what about a 2016 50i? hahahhaha

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by Alleygator2142

Its a noob Q so apologies in advance

Just bought a 2018 X5 xDrive 3.5i with 33K miles from a dealer. They are pushing a 3 years 36K mile extended warranty but I am in two minds.

- Mileage is very low for the car and it appears to be in good shape
- It is still a 2018 vehicle so age is a factor

Also, this is a weekend/fun drive vehicle so I do not expect to run it over 5K miles a year.

To warranty or not to warranty, that is the question!

Is the service history available from the dealer?

The mileage is indeed low enough to make the need for the extended warranty a debatable item (subject to learning what's included or excluded).

While every car has its own repairs past and future, two items to consider:

- If installed, the rear air springs can fail early; as early as 35K - 40K miles; suggest to buy aftermarket units made by Arnott; about $190 each from FCPEuro.com


- AC Evaporator can also fail early; it's an expensive repair due to labor costs as the entire dashboard has to be removed; approx. $4K - $4.5K

[Alleygator2142]

So some feedback just to update anyone who faces the same sort of dilemma.

- The coverage would not be by BMW-NA as the car was out of warranty already
- Coverage offered was by Fidelity Warranty Services. Apparently the only one they use. I read their online reviews, they SUCK
- I refused the 36/36 option as it barely got me to 60K miles and didnt suit my driving. They offered me 48/48 for about $5K
- Importantly it was the Gold package and is component based

Easy decision at that point, especially with the information some of y'alls so kindly shared.

Walked away and will be squirrelling away a little every month as a warranty/repair fund.

Thanks again to all those who took the time out to respond.

[Alleygator2142]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

what about a 2016 50i? hahahhaha

I had a 50i once. Loved the car. Scared the daylights out of me in terms of maintainnance. Sold it one month before warranty expired, and never regretted it.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Alleygator2142

Walked away and will be squirrelling away a little every month as a warranty/repair fund.

Thanks again to all those who took the time out to respond.

Going the self insured route. If you do set up an emergency fund (either the 4K up front, or weekly/monthly payments to a side fund)…you’ll probably come out at the end with a nice slush fund for preventative maintenance in a few years.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Alleygator2142

So some feedback just to update anyone who faces the same sort of dilemma.

- The coverage would not be by BMW-NA as the car was out of warranty already
- Coverage offered was by Fidelity Warranty Services. Apparently the only one they use. I read their online reviews, they SUCK
- I refused the 36/36 option as it barely got me to 60K miles and didnt suit my driving. They offered me 48/48 for about $5K
- Importantly it was the Gold package and is component based

Easy decision at that point, especially with the information some of y'alls so kindly shared.

Walked away and will be squirrelling away a little every month as a warranty/repair fund.

Thanks again to all those who took the time out to respond.

Yeah I get it. How much did they want for a car of that vintage these days?

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Alleygator2142

So some feedback just to update anyone who faces the same sort of dilemma.

- The coverage would not be by BMW-NA as the car was out of warranty already
- Coverage offered was by Fidelity Warranty Services. Apparently the only one they use. I read their online reviews, they SUCK
- I refused the 36/36 option as it barely got me to 60K miles and didnt suit my driving. They offered me 48/48 for about $5K
- Importantly it was the Gold package and is component based

Easy decision at that point, especially with the information some of y'alls so kindly shared.

Walked away and will be squirrelling away a little every month as a warranty/repair fund.

Thanks again to all those who took the time out to respond.

Yeah I get it. How much did they want for a car of that vintage these days?

[e90Jeet]

Good thread. I might use this for my own dilemma of "To warranty or not to warranty".

I picked up 2018 x5 50i M-Sports (Dynamic handling Package & Adaptive M Suspension). It has 42k miles.

Similar to OP, this car is a weekend car so won't be driving much, 5/6k miles per year. At-least that's the plan - who knows what future brings.

I am planning to keep this car for at-least 5 years as long as it doesn't give me repair stress. What do you guys suggest, should I get warranty or let it go?

It's Fidelity exclusionary warranty - I think it's a good idea to get it (to sleep better) but I am debating whether I should get 3Years/36k or 5Years/60K.

Appreciate your response.

[CARBONBLKM3]

Originally Posted by e90Jeet

Good thread. I might use this for my own dilemma of "To warranty or not to warranty".

I picked up 2018 x5 50i M-Sports (Dynamic handling Package & Adaptive M Suspension). It has 42k miles.

Similar to OP, this car is a weekend car so won't be driving much, 5/6k miles per year. At-least that's the plan - who knows what future brings.

I am planning to keep this car for at-least 5 years as long as it doesn't give me repair stress. What do you guys suggest, should I get warranty or let it go?

It's Fidelity exclusionary warranty - I think it's a good idea to get it (to sleep better) but I am debating whether I should get 3Years/36k or 5Years/60K.

Appreciate your response.

I have a 2018 50i with just over 30K, purchased it in Aug 2020 with just over 300 miles on the odometer. A friend of mine who was a service manager at BMW talked me out of getting the extended warranty from Fidelity. He said just keep up with my maintenance intervals, oil change etc. I put less then 9K annually the past few years of making it my daily. I took his advice but at times feels somewhat concerned as the SUV ages.