There’s nothing like driving a new BMW off the lot. But if you want to keep that luxury feeling, it’s critical to stay on top of BMW maintenance. Not only does regular servicing increase the vehicle’s life and your experience driving it, it also helps you maintain its value if you choose to re-sell or trade-in.
Let’s walk through what you should expect in terms of new BMW maintenance, including cost, schedules, and plans.
The importance of maintaining your BMW
BMWs aren’t cheap. So it makes sense that you’d want to protect your investment for as long as possible. The good news for you is that BMWs are built to last. But you need to do your part to make sure yours does.
Typically, BMW maintenance should be completed every 7,000-10,000 miles. These regular service visits are designed to validate each component’s functionality and catch potential issues early—before they balloon into larger, more costly problems.
BMW maintenance includes the following activities:
- Checking brakes, horn, wipers, belts, hoses, etc.
- Oil life and efficiency, replacing the oil filter when necessary
- Fluid level checks (brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid, etc.)
- Checking for leaks
- Tire rotation and balance
- Spark plug checks and replacements
- Power steering system checks
The BMW is one of the most luxurious and high-performing vehicles on the market. But it will only stay that way if you take care of it. By staying on top of BMW maintenance, you could potentially save hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs down the line—not to mention increasing your fuel economy and safety while on the road.
What’s the maintenance cost for BMW?
BMW maintenance costs vary based on the state of your vehicle, its year, make, and model, how often you service it, and mileage. On average, however, this rounds out to about $968 annually (RepairPal).
Here’s a summary of what you can expect in terms of average BMW maintenance costs:
- 328i: $773 per year
- 528i: $825 per year
- X3: $1,034 per year
- M3: $1,161 per year
- X5: $1,166 per year
Yes, this can cost more than other makes and models. However, if we compare this to other luxury car maintenance costs, you’ll find the BMW is actually right in the middle of the pack:
- Lexus: $551 per year
- Mercedes-Benz: $908 per year
- BMW: $968 per year
- Audi: $987 per year
- Jaguar: $1,123 per year
- Land Rover: $1,173 per year
Before you purchase a BMW, make sure you consider not only your monthly payments (if you’re financing), but also ongoing service costs. Trust us, you’ll save far more than what you spend if you just stay on top of it.
BMW maintenance plans
One way to control costs and have a set schedule for servicing your BMW is to get a BMW maintenance plan. These can help you save upfront on basic services like oil changes and wipe blade replacements.
BMW offers a standard warranty on new vehicles covering any defects or failures for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. In addition, new vehicles come standard with BMW Ultimate Care, with the option to purchase BMW Ultimate Care+ and BMW Ultimate Care Oil Services once that initial plan expires.
BMW Ultimate Care
The standard BMW maintenance plan is called Ultimate Care, and applies to BMW vehicles 2017 and newer. It covers three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first, and covers:
- Engine oil and filter
- Brake fluid
- Engine air filter
- Cabin microfilter
- Spark plug replacement
- Fuel filter (Diesel engines)
- Remote control and key fob
- Vehicle check
BMW Ultimate Care+
Once your BMW Ultimate Care expires, you qualify for BMW Ultimate Care+, which covers seven years or 125,000 miles. However, you must apply for this coverage before your vehicle reaches five years or 60,000 miles.
The specifics of the BMW Ultimate Care+ plan vary by model, so you’ll need to reach out to your dealer to figure out what exactly this will look like and how much it will cost.
BMW Ultimate Care Oil Services
After your BMW reaches six years or 60,000 miles, you’re eligible for BMW Ultimate Oil Care Services. This plan includes three years of prepaid oil changes for a significantly lower amount than if you paid for them individually.
Is a BMW maintenance plan worth it?
Due to higher average maintenance costs, there’s a lot of value in getting a BMW maintenance plan. First, you’re essentially pre-paying for scheduled services, which means you don’t have to pay out of pocket for basic services. Plus, if service costs increase in the future, you’ll be locked into your current price.
But in addition to cost efficiency, BMW maintenance plans help give you peace of mind that no matter what comes up, you’re covered.
The importance of factory-trained BMW technicians
Lou Bachrodt BMW is proud to have an award-winning crew of factory-trained, specialist mechanics and technicians who can keep your vehicle in pristine working condition. If you’re ready for your next routine BMW maintenance visit, schedule an appointment with us. Trust us, your vehicle will be in good hands.
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