Page 1 of 3
BMW reliability
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 8:00 am
by 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 !!!!!!!
Re: BMW reliability
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 8:36 am
by 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
Re: BMW reliability
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:51 am
by David.
hammo wrote:Due an MOT.
Yarm MOT & Service Centre £20.
Re: BMW reliability
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:03 am
by 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.
Re: BMW reliability
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:39 am
by 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.
Re: BMW reliability
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:51 am
by 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.
Re: BMW reliability
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 11:22 am
by Casbar
David. wrote:
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)
Re: BMW reliability
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 5:16 pm
by 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.
Re: BMW reliability
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 5:41 pm
by Stu
Sullivj wrote:
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
Re: BMW reliability
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 5:58 pm
by 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.
Re: BMW reliability
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:04 pm
by 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.
Re: BMW reliability
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:13 pm
by 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.
Re: BMW reliability
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:50 pm
by Stu
or £0 labour charge if you service it yourself and bank the £60 an hour plus the warranty payment per year
Re: BMW reliability
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:54 pm
by 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.
Re: BMW reliability
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:56 pm
by simbo
David. wrote:
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.