Thoughts on Ultimate Care & ESC

[sharpestjim]

When I bought my R1250RS two weeks ago, not surprisingly, the dealership tried to sell me a service plan and extended warranty. Over the years, I have always declined both when making large purchases. When I purchased my Ford F-150 in 2016, I broke down and bought both prepaid service and extended warranty. Both were rolled into the purchase price and, since I financed a good bit of it, it seemed to make sense. I've never regretted that decision.

When the bike dealership offered me similar packages, I declined. I was given the option to enroll as long as I do so prior to my 600 mile break-in service. I believe that I will roll the dice and go for the 7-year (total) warranty. It's unlimited mileage (that'll never be an issue for me). I figure that a failure of the electronics or other components could easily cost more than the $1320 enrollment fee. So money well-spent, IMO.

The prepaid service, however, I'm not so sure about. It's 3-years and 18,000 miles. I'll probably put 6000 miles per year on the bike. But it's not a given. The plan includes four (4) service visits (600, 6000, 12,000 & 18,000 miles). But, unlike my F-150, it is time-limited. You have to use them within three years. IMO, that's BS. Even though my F-150 warranty is soon to expire, I only have 52,000 miles on it. I still have two service visits remaining. I'm not going to "lose" them.

So my thinking is to just "pay as you go" with regard to service on my bike. If not for the time limitation, I'd jump all over it.

What say you experienced BMW aficionados?

 

[lee]

When the bike dealership offered me similar packages, I declined. I was given the option to enroll as long as I do so prior to my 600 mile break-in service. I believe that I will roll the dice and go for the 7-year (total) warranty. It's unlimited mileage (that'll never be an issue for me). I figure that a failure of the electronics or other components could easily cost more than the $1320 enrollment fee. So money well-spent, IMO.

The extended warranty from BMW USA ( not the service plan) can be purchased any time during your warranty period.

 

[Omega Man]

I would stay with something SPECIFICALLY from BMW…..backed, sold and administered.



Doncha know.

OM

 

[pauls1150]

The coverage that Jim was offered does Not sound like a "good deal", for the reasons he outlined.

On the other hand... Many years ago, I bought a used Ford Tempo from a local Ford dealer, and bought the "extra" warranty coverage for used Ford vehicles.
Good thing I did, too:
Besides being basically a true P.O.S., this car (I don't know if it was inherent in the model) repeatedly destroyed motor and transmission mounts! That dealer tried to screw me by saying "it's not covered", but a letter to Ford Inc. including my receipts and a copy of the dealer's "warranty" forced them to pay up.
That dealership no longer has a Ford franchise.

If I were to buy a new BMW, I would seriously consider an extended warranty package - considering they've had a few major issues recently enough, and their electronics seem somewhat questionable, it could (potentially...) save me quite a bit.

Just a couple of days ago, I stopped for a stranded F650 at a Chevron station just off the San Diego Freeway near me... His bike would run for a little bit, then just suddenly cut off; sounds like electronics. I wasn't able to do anything meaningful for him...

 

[sharpestjim]

I would stay with something SPECIFICALLY from BMW…..backed, sold and administered.

Doncha know.

OM

These both are. Thanks for weighing in.

 

[sharpestjim]

The coverage that Jim was offered does Not sound like a "good deal", for the reasons he outlined.

On the other hand... Many years ago, I bought a used Ford Tempo from a local Ford dealer, and bought the "extra" warranty coverage for used Ford vehicles.
Good thing I did, too:
Besides being basically a true P.O.S., this car (I don't know if it was inherent in the model) repeatedly destroyed motor and transmission mounts! That dealer tried to screw me by saying "it's not covered", but a letter to Ford Inc. including my receipts and a copy of the dealer's "warranty" forced them to pay up.
That dealership no longer has a Ford franchise.

If I were to buy a new BMW, I would seriously consider an extended warranty package - considering they've had a few major issues recently enough, and their electronics seem somewhat questionable, it could (potentially...) save me quite a bit.

Just a couple of days ago, I stopped for a stranded F650 at a Chevron station just off the San Diego Freeway near me... His bike would run for a little bit, then just suddenly cut off; sounds like electronics. I wasn't able to do anything meaningful for him...

Thanks, Paul! Yes. I have decided "YES" on the extended warranty and "NO" to the prepaid service.

Ford Tempo, huh? The 1980s was not Ford's best decade. The company that I worked for in 1986/87 gave me an Escort to drive. Quite possibly, the worst car ever made. And that's saying a lot. The same decade that gave us the Chevette.

 

[motodan]

Be sure to get the full contract to read before purchasing the ESC. It is not totally administered by BMW, there is a third party involved, I believe it’s Signature in most states. And the contract itself has limiting features/restrictions and there’s also a monetary cap on claim totals. And there still remains the definition of, “is any failure due to manufacturing/workmanship or did it just wear out”, because the just wearing out isn’t covered. Therefore years/miles down the road it is the manufacturer who determines that…that could be a problem. I originally purchased one for a discounted price of $999.00 (4 year’s additional coverage), but turned it in for a full refund after reading all the specifics. They allow a full refund if cancelled within 60 days or so. It is prorated after that. Not saying it couldn’t be a good buy however, it may not be as clear cut as the consensus on this forum has it.