BMW reliability

[hammo]

Its time too think of extending my bike warranty , she,s due an MOT , i normally take advantage of BMW monthly warranty , thinking of the pennies these days and the cost of changing the bike should i rely on the machine behaving after all it is a BMW !!!!!!!

[Casbar]

I'm going through the same thought process, my warranty runs out in April. I currently do not have breakdown with my insurance, so will factor that in. But as for things breaking, the only known issue is the exhaust flap and I have already had a set of headers, but the flap is not covered by by the insured warranty. Apart from that over 3 years the only other issue I had was the sos button and fuel cap refusing to open, so hopefully those are behind me now. Guess its like all insurance, a risk based approach is needed, my dog insurance is more than the insured warranty for the bike

[David.]

Due an MOT.

Yarm MOT & Service Centre £20.

[David.]

I've just run a quote for a BMW Motorrad Insured Warranty inc. Roadside Assistance with £100 excess, it's £35 per month. As I use my bike seasonally for 7 months, that's £245 per year.

I agree that the bikes are fairly reliable but what worries me is, if something goes wrong, I could be paying BMW £130 per hour to fix it and the parts are expensive.

For the cost, I'll be taking out a warranty to start on 1st April, I like the comfort factor.

[Casbar]

Think the LCs are more expensive unless BMW have had a price cut, haven't looked yet. The cost on my 1200 3 years ago was well over £450 a year for recovery and warranty.

[David.]

Perhaps the TC's are more reliable than the LC's!

The annual payment for recovery and warranty for my TC is £410 with £50 Excess or £380 with £100 Excess.

[Casbar]

Perhaps the TC's are more reliable than the LC's!

The annual payment for recovery and warranty for my TC is £410 with £50 Excess or £380 with £100 Excess.

Like all vintage equipment, cheaper to repair  8)

[Sullivj]

David, How much have you spent on your warranty in the last 4 years?  I'm not convinced it's worth it.


As you know I don't have one, thankfully haven't needed one and our bikes are very similar (albeit yours has ACF in places I don't even know about!). 


My switches still work fine, as does my exhaust flap. I'm guessing I've saved quite a few £s in not having one, but I appreciate I've been lucky.  If I did have an issue, I have a great Independent specialist that would fix it for me and I've got enough £s to cover that.

[Stu]

David, How much have you spent on your warranty in the last 4 years?  I'm not convinced it's worth it.


As you know I don't have one, thankfully haven't needed one and our bikes are very similar (albeit yours has ACF in places I don't even know about!). 


My switches still work fine, as does my exhaust flap. I'm guessing I've saved quite a few £s in not having one, but I appreciate I've been lucky.  If I did have an issue, I have a great Independent specialist that would fix it for me and I've got enough £s to cover that.

This is my predicament


Once my warranty runs out do my own servicing and foot the bill myself if anything goes wrong


Or take out a warranty and have to also pay someone to service it to prove that its been done "correctly" just in case I have a problem

[David.]

I've spent as good as £1,000 over the last 4 years. £245 is less the £5 per week, I don't smoke or booze, how much is a packet of fags or a pint of beer.

I've had both front brake calipers & pads replaced under warranty. Don't ask why but I'm pleased I didn't have to pay for them. Both handlebar combination switches have been replaced, the LHS (cruise control) twice. BMW have also kindly paid for a hotel for one night in Germany.

Over the years, I've probably about broke even on what I've paid out in premiums vs what has been claimed.

Having a good independent specialist certainly has a bearing on the matter. There is one near me who charges £60 per hour. Some BMW dealers offer a reduced hourly rate for bikes 5+ years old. I could also pay for any repairs but it would irk me to do so.

When it comes to servicing, I have a minimum bespoke service done by a BMW dealer to hopefully meet the T&C's of the warranty, it's worked so far. I don't pay £130 per hour either but can't say any more.

[simbo]

In the five years of ownership of my RT I've replaced one rear brake light bulb. I do all my own servicing and if anything failed on the bike I'd repair it myself.  Kerching..... It's worth having them serviced at a dealer whilst they're under warranty though.

[David.]

Servicing at a VAT registered independent is acceptable to meet the T&C's of a warranty.

Pay BMW £130 per hour or an independent ~ £60 per hour, the choice is yours.

[Stu]

or £0 labour charge if you service it yourself and bank the £60 an hour plus the warranty payment per year

[Sullivj]

Thanks David. Good to know I’ve saved circa £1,000.


It’s in the bank, ready for when I need repairs - maybe I won’t and then I’m quids in.

[simbo]

Servicing at a VAT registered independent is acceptable to meet the T&C's of a warranty.

Pay BMW £130 per hour or an independent ~ £60 per hour, the choice is yours.

It's worth paying £130 per hour for a 'decent' bike which is still under manufacturers warranty.. I'd begrudge paying £60 per hour labour rates for an old shitter of an RT which I could easily service myself for £0 though. The choice is yours.