XSeries-forum

No I am grateful for everyones input - that's why I joined really, to do the research first and make an informed purchase as best as possible and having read nearly every thread on the 17 pages of the E53 area I am getting an idea of where I am at.

In relation to the turbo and mileage comment, all my research has been done on here so I have to assume I read it on somebodys post?? I checked the national database of used BMW's last night and if I wanted to stretch I could buy a 3.0D Sport in black with black, comms pack and a couple of other extras for £14,995 - assuming that brings with it a BMW warranty??

How would you know if a turbo had been replaced?? Granted there should be an invoice/worksheet detailing what's been done but not everyone is meticulous as us with taking care of their cars and paperwork?

In relation to things going wrong - this is inherent with any used car of any manufacturer, mileage, spec, I am currently tooling round in an '04 Vectra SRi with 3.0 V6 diesel engine. It's probably worth no more than 2-2.5k but they have well documented problems with fuel pumps - if it gives up a bill of £900 is winging my way. A friend recently bought a low mileage SEAT Toledo diesel with a DSG gearbox - a beRing has dried up in the gearbox, not a serviceable part so now facing bill of £2k + for a new gearbox! Expensive faults and repairs are not restricted to more expensive prestige cars, I accept that they perhaps get more complex to fix but if I buy a £12k X5 diesel and the turbo gives up and I have to pay £1500 for a new/reconditioned one, I see that as better 'value for money' than replacing a £900 fuel lump on a £2k Vauxhall Vectra do you see what I mean?!?

Thanks for all info so far, my quest continues!!

Si

Also just done a BMW Warranty quote on an X5 I have been looking at, it an '05 and done 87k, I selected their Driveline Product which clims to cover most things including turbo and gearbox and it came out at £62.05 a month - surely that's the perfect solution and ultimate peace of mind for me??

Si

You say you checked the used database list........If you mean the BMW Approved Used Car database then any car you buy from a BMW dealer comes with a 12 month & brand new BMW AUC warranty. After month 12 you can extend your warranty to effectively make it a driveline policy. You will not have to make any additional purchase for cover at time of buying an AUC as it comes with the car. The balance of any cover (initially that came with car or if extended), is transferable to the next owner ( & renewable by same), as long as it has not been allowed to lapse. Whether new or used any warranty associated with the car should not affect your consumer rights under the Sale of Goods Act.

It is hard to argue against the peace of mind & potential safeguarding to future repiar bills that buying a BMW AUC warrantied vehicle can bring. You will no doubt, however, be mindful that this can come at a significant initial cost relative to other cars of similar age & mileage offered for sale outside of the scheme......This is not a criticism of the AUC scheme but an observation. Conversely I have known of some AUC deals which provide excellent value when compared to non AUC cars advertised elsewhere. The right AUC car, sourced correctly at a desired or acceptable final sale price can often prove to be a valued purchase. Obviously there are margins on used cars & used screen prices can usually be negotiated. The flexibility in the final deal will be dependant on a number of factors, not least any p/x deal, type of financing to source, time car purchased has been in stock, tie of the deal & the specific dealers current stance on doing the right deal. Sale prices of similar cars can vary widely between certain dealers or groups of dealers..... Anyway I digress somewhat - Back to the subject of warranty provision.....

Driveline & other BMW insured warranties do NOT cover cars where mileage exceeds 100k at time of warranty inception or extension.

To explain a little further, all new BMW's come with a transferable factory warranty of covering unlimited mileage for 3 years. All approved used cars ,(AUC),sold by BMW dealers come with 12 months BMW AUC Warranty unless 12 months or more remain from date first sold as new. Once either a new or AUC warranty expire, you can take out a BMW Insured Warranty. Similar policies used to be managed by BMW UK &, (for many years), some drivers, (including those who claimed more than others), enjoyed repair costs being covered & which often far exceeded the policy cost(s). These policies have since been transferred to mondial who run the scheme(s). Driveline is one of 3 warranty BMW insured warranty options options.

I believe Driveline & other BMW insured warranty policies can be purchased by.....

a) Owners who own when no more than 36 months have expired since first newly bought & registered.
b) Owners who own an approved used car when no more than 12 months have expired since same bought from supplying dealer.
c) Owners who own a car with BMW new warranty, AUC warranty or insured warranty & who then extend their cover prior to relevant anniversary/anniversaries.

There was an upheld legal case against all manufacturers that allows customers to not void there factory warranty on a new car if choosing to have their car serviced anywhere other than a main dealer so long as it is to manufacturers guidelines. I believe, however, that extended warranties, (including driveline),require that any car coverd by such a policy must be serviced at a BMW main dealer. Any BMW insured warranty must have been extended on back of a new or AUC policy.

Some who dont have BMW factory or BMW insured cover,(& who still seek warranty cover), use independent companies. Some 3rd party warranty providers have significant wear & tear exemptions to claims &/or have significant mandatory excesses &/or betterment contribution conditions. These excesses &/or contributions can increase depending on the age/mileage of the vehicle. Maybe worth doing a forum search under the term warranty on this board for more information as lot's of discussion re warranties & in particular the often favoured provider Warranty Direct.

I am not a warranty expert & there may be inaccuracies to my above interpretation(s) &/or explanation(s). I have not bought either of my BMW's from main dealers, & have never had any form of BMW or associated warranty. I am happy to be corrected & accordingly I welcome input from others &/or you doing further research.


Re your query re what has been done re turbo & perhaps other work........

If you call BMW customer services info line, (details in E53 buyers guide), they will give dates & mileages of dealer visits & dealers details.You can then call dealers to try to find what has been done. Do bear in mind that often they can be reluctant to give specific info as they do not want to get drawn into arguments between customers.....( e.g. to avoid a later keeper retrospectively challenging an earlier keeper who sold a car described as very if it is later learned that the car may have had several dealer visit for a recurrent problem). Checking old invoices & speaking to last keeper is a sensible approach though you must expect some prior owners may be reluctant to speak to you & especially if they typically p/x'd in order to avoid tyre kickers & used car chat with subsequent later owners of the car. You can get prior keepers details from the V5/C registration document, old invoices & any other paperwork. You can then either correspond with prior owner(s) or call them (if you have or are able to legitimately obtain a number). This can be time consuming & the timescale involved are often not relative to the short time you may have in order to make a swift purchasing decision.

HTH

Ok perhaps I misunderstood then I thought perhaps you could take out one of their warranties on any BMW, when I went onto the website it just asked for the reg number and mileage and provided a quote on that basis. Perhaps then the used example is worth the extra money in order to get the 12 months warranty with an option to extend when it runs out??

Certainly a few companies out there offering warranties which seem to cover the problem aspects of the X5 although I am so sceptical of the third party ones - perhaps I shouldn't be as it's not based on a previous experience.

Any I look at I will definitely review the history VERY carefully and if it looks like I might buy it will make sure imtrack it back as much as possible.

Si

I have edited my last post to make it a bit clearer, so maybe have another skim read.

I appreciate my more informative posts are not short but they can include a lot of content but I am keen to include info & avoid misleading inaccuracies.

By all means call to see if Mondial cover any BMW but this was not my understanding. If this were the case many would buy poor condition cars & incept a Mondial policy to effectively fix them free at dealership. I must emphasise I have not checked the situation with BMW or Mondial & this is solely my understanding as are other associated comments made by me........In any doubt do check with BMW &/or Mondial. Of course there are definitely other policies that will provide cover for cars sourced that at time of purchase do not have existing warranty cover.

Incidentally I have just managed to access a PDF copy of what appears to be a mondial insured warranty policy booklet it specifically says.....

"Applicable to all levels of component cover Wear and tear exclusions As the insured vehicle’s age and mileage increases, more components will reach the end of their serviceable life due to normal wear and tear. These components will require replacement at your cost and will not be reimbursed under this policy"


"When servicing your BMW, failure to comply with the service schedule recommended by BMW may invalidate this warranty. All service and warranty work must be carried out by an Authorised BMW Dealer or BMW Service Authorised Workshop using only Genuine BMW Parts.Your BMW Service Booklet should be stamped, dated and detailed with the correct mileage at the time of service by the servicing dealer"

"Your BMW Insured Warranty may also be invalidated if you continue to drive when a fault becomes apparent".

"For annual policies only and provided that a refund has not been claimed, any balance of your BMW Insured Warranty remaining may be transferred to another private owner who buys your vehicle from you but not to a buyer engaged in the business of purchasing, selling or servicing motor vehicles".


I may have interpreted the above paragraph above incorrectly but I take this to mean that if a car is sold to an independent trader then resold by them then any prior existing balance of mondial cover is void. Worth bearing this in mind in the rare event a trader tries to seel a car under a verbal assurance it has a remainder of the relevant policy.

I should add that I do not know the date of this policy document &/or the it's source or accuracy.