[David70]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Cadillac's plan may now be longer, but it's not better. Its maintenance coverage is much more limited than BMW's.

I have an ATS and believe all of the maintenance is covered for 4 years and 50k miles. How is this new BMW Maintenance plan better?

[KGB_123_99]

Originally Posted by David70

Pretty sure the difference in a 328 with a 36k mile maintenance plan and a 50k mile maintenance plan is an oil change and an air filter.

X2. Then you are so upset you decide to buy from another manufacturer and realize none of them pay for brakes or wipers either.

Don't forget the spark plugs on the last service. The maintenance service also includes an inspection that BMW will charge you for just to look at the car and check for problems.

BMW can remove the service, fine. But then also reduce the price by whatever the service is worth, which is at least a few hundred dollars.

[08njSTEP]

I wonder how long until the announcement that BMW has a new environmentally responsible oil that gets changed every 36k mi.

[spmd11]

Tesla is looking more attractive

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by spmd11

Tesla is looking more attractive

Tessa's long term issues have already been showing. That car w/o maintenance will be an nightmare.

Tesla isn't much better.

[spmd11]

I have owned BMW for more than 15 years now, exclusively BMW. I used to drink the cool-aid. Not so much anymore. What bothers me is the downward de-valuing of the brand. First, there was a day when BMW was winning practically every comparison test.. now they are losing almost every test. Second, their cars are becoming less and less reliable. Case in point, our 2011 X5 5.0 which we bought new, has had $32,000+ in assorted repairs and break downs in the first 100k miles.

Somehow, they have been increasing USA sales.. I'm not sure how, but my observations see less value in the brand these last years

[spmd11]

Originally Posted by Arcades

Tessa's long term issues have already been showing. That car w/o maintenance will be an nightmare.

Tesla isn't much better.

Hmmm.... and the maintenance is....?? ... crickets? Uh.. oil changes? no.. uh.. there are no moving parts.. ha ha... educate yourself then report back.

They have an 8 year warranty on the drive train (electric motor(s) ) and the batteries.. that leaves perhaps the brakes as maintenance items?

[Bosozoku]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Why is that? This change will have virtually no effect on 3 yr/36k mile leases.

Exactly. Most BMWs are leased anyway.
And isn't BMW the most-frequently-leased brand in the US?

[24601]

Originally Posted by F82FTW

The fact that over 40% polled stated they 'definitely' will change brands over a little maintenance cost is what shocks me the most here.

Really??

Not surprised... Many manufactures are offering free maintenance, some even have extended their terms. Granted this does not affect me since I only keep a car for 2-3 years.

However, BMW used to pride itself with their comprehensive warranty plan. I account this poor decision to the recent low build quality therefore costing the company more money to provide the original service plan.

Just as an example, the F30 didn't make it on C&D 10 best list. And it has held that title for 23 consecutive years. I agree with them, I had an F30 as a loaner and it was complete crap, my E92 in the shop was more solid and luxurious than the F30.

Yes, BMW has had a record number of sales, surpassing MB, Audi, and Lexus. But somehow this brought the decline of reliability and build quality.

My next car will not be a BMW.

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by spmd11

Hmmm.... and the maintenance is....?? ... crickets? Uh.. oil changes? no.. uh.. there are no moving parts.. ha ha... educate yourself then report back.

They have an 8 year warranty on the drive train (electric motor(s) ) and the batteries.. that leaves perhaps the brakes as maintenance items?

lol and you'll keep a Tesla for 8 years?

Please save your sarcasm for someone who cares. If you have to worry about a major change regardless if its under warranty or not doesn't make it a good long term solution. People who lease won't be effected by this change, the few of us who purchase are effected.

Ask yourself, do you plan on keeping a Tesla? How much do you have to worry for a car that is described to have "chronic reliability" problems?

Stop being so melodramatic. My cousin literally works for Tesla and if he recommends one, I will get one. He hasn't yet and owns BMWs. What does that say?

Edit: Not to mention, us forum users are way in the minority, not everyone would care in the mainstream.

[rjc32000]

Originally Posted by 08njSTEP

Hyundai can give 50k and those cars are refrigerator with wheels. BMW doesn't have shareholders. Its privately owned. If the cost is only wiper blades and 1 oil change then this is a REALLY stupid move. The ill will is certainly not worth the savings.

BMW is not privately owned; anyone may buy shares of the company. I'm a shareholder and expect many others here are as well.

[ufgtrs2007]

Cost cutting despite being the most successful and profitable luxury brand.

I was at the 2-day M school this past weekend; they used to give you a helmet as part of the course, but that's been taken away as well.

[cncmastr]

So that means they're going to lower the purchase price of the car right? I mean after all we all know this was built into the purchase price of the car. If they're taking that away and not adjusting the price accordingly, I really don't see the value there.

[crawfordbay]

Very disappointing. Bad BMW. Baaad.

[08njSTEP]

I stand corrected. I worked at BMWNA in body shop in '08 and was told about the family, and I thought that meant private ownership. When I was there we had a M3 E46 that came in with the subframe issue. No questions asked other than what color would you like for the new one. BMW expected the ultimate driving machine would be driven HARD. Maintenance is a huge expense on the top models. Since '08 it seems that BMW is more concerned with sales quantity than sales quality. MB made the same mistake with the 190e. Not everyone should be courted. There was a difference in quality of purchaser. I think the quest for increased sales has changed the very thing that made BMW great. Enthusiasm for performance driving. As this pertains to maintenance, the idea that an enthusiastic driver won't see used brakes or clutch clearly show a loss of focus. This makes me sad.

[rjc32000]

Originally Posted by n54fanatic

Wow 100% switching only reason I stayed was for the "free maintenance" but I'm sure it's calculated into the total price of the car somehow...finally have a reason to go with AMG this time

Is anyone else surprised how many forum members claim to have chosen BMW over every other brand solely for the free maintenance?

Here I was thinking that driving dynamics, racing pedigree, top-rated engines, exquisite styling and innovative technologies drove people to the ultimate driving machine. Apparently all those factors were distant background noise compared with those free wiper blades.

Look, I understand that people are unhappy BMW is changing their policies. But the reactions here are so over the top and incredible that they almost defy belief.

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by ufgtrs2007

Cost cutting despite being the most successful and profitable luxury brand.

I was at the 2-day M school this past weekend; they used to give you a helmet as part of the course, but that's been taken away as well.

That's pretty shitty. I know they never gave out helmets for the 1day but for the 2day now? Those courses are expensive compared to other driving schools. Taking away the swag? Pretty cheap.

Originally Posted by rjc32000

Is anyone else surprised how many forum members claim to have chosen BMW over every other brand solely for the free maintenance?

Here I was thinking that driving dynamics, racing pedigree, top-rated engines, exquisite styling and innovative technologies drove people to the ultimate driving matching. Apparently all those factors were distant background noise compared with those free wiper blades.

Look, I understand that people are unhappy BMW is changing their policies. But the reactions here are so over the top and incredible that they almost defy belief.

Well you claim to own shares in the company, so your reaction will be different. Not as many people here are trading on the German stock market like you Mr. Bigshot. lmao

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by pimp4cheddar

70k miles (actually I was closer to 75k when I trade in two months ago). I drive hard

I went through brakes more than I went through wiper blades.

That's if you drive hard. I can imagine 90 percent of the people who lease/buy BMW's aren't going to have this issue. No judgement here but you going through that many sets in a short period of time is very uncommon. From what I'm reading from the posts is that people want to drive their car hard and wear out their brakes and when it comes to replace them, want BMW to replace them free of charge. You can see why BMW would see this as a problem.

I have almost 200,000km on the 3er. I've only changed the rotors once and pads twice and this was way past the original warranty/maintenance period. The MINI is approaching 80k and pads are about to be worn out for the first time with rotors able to hold up until the next time the pads go. I would think my experience with brakes reflect the majority of owners out there. So to me, these changes aren't really a big deal. The majority won't even be able to take advantage of the brake replacement and wipers are inexpensive. The new package gives you maybe one less oil change. Big deal.

[cncmastr]

Originally Posted by ufgtrs2007

Cost cutting despite being the most successful and profitable luxury brand.

I was at the 2-day M school this past weekend; they used to give you a helmet as part of the course, but that's been taken away as well.

You don't get helmets anymore?!

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

That's if you drive hard. I can imagine 90 percent of the people who lease/buy BMW's aren't going to have this issue. No judgement here but you going through that many sets in a short period of time is very uncommon. From what I'm reading from the posts is that people want to drive their car hard and wear out their brakes and when it comes to replace them, want BMW to replace them free of charge. You can see why BMW would see this as a problem.

I have almost 200,000km on the 3er. I've only changed the rotors once and pads twice and this was way past the original warranty/maintenance period. The MINI is approaching 80k and pads are about to be worn out for the first time with rotors able to hold up until the next time the pads go. I would think my experience with brakes reflect the majority of owners out there. So to me, these changes aren't really a big deal. The majority won't even be able to take advantage of the brake replacement and wipers are inexpensive. The new package gives you maybe one less oil change. Big deal.

+1

[rjc32000]

Originally Posted by Powaup

This^^ exactly what I was thinking, I had to get new rotors after 2 track days and about 11k miles

And we wonder why BMW is doing away with this program.

[rjc32000]

Originally Posted by fazman

While I love my CPO'ed 335, the main allure was the extended warranty and the service available. Now that it's gone, the price/value of a BMW is going to come down in MY2017 and again in 2020 when it's up for CPO sales. If it's not... then time for me to go back to Japanese since they are easier to maintain (I will never consider a domestic brand).

The main allure of a 335 was the warranty?

You're kidding, right?