[HappyG]

Here is a little bit more info/options (this was in mybmw app), tho not particularly helpful w/out the fine print that Magicrat is trying to track down.

 

[Flyingman]

I already exchanged emails with her. She said she put it in my little black folder with my registration, etc... I looked and it is just the same as what was in my larger document folder with copies of all that I signed. It is just an Information Schedule, not the actual contract. I told her this and she said she would send it to me on Monday. I get the feel this is a way to stall. I have 60 days and have had the car for about 15 days, so plenty of time to "pull the plug" on this BS. I'll now have to review what BMW actually provides, plus my own Auto Insurance in regards to Roadside Assistance, and then compare what is duplicated vs gaps, etc...and of course what is really covered or excluded. It certainly doesn't read like its specific to EVs which I suspect it isn't.

Assurant has a rather poor customer review when you google them.

Again, I really believed this was something BMW was behind but obviously they are not. So if/when you try to actually use this warranty, you go to the repair shop (assume BMW) and then determine what is wrong and have to then get "permission" from Assurant to do whatever work they will approve. There in lies the big "if".

Oh well, thanks for having a group like this to help the rest of us to "get smart".

 

[Klaus-rf]

So here is a general description of what it covers. It is a warranty offered by a 3rd party called Assurant. I'm still investigation but note they do not cover "batteries" but this doesn't appear to be specific to EVs anyway. I requested a copy of my contract. It was never provided. Wonder why?

However the Platinum Covers one replacement of Battery, so will they be surprised when they see how much my Battery costs!

I'm sure that "one battery replacement" is for the 12[.6] VDC electronics battery and NOT the traction battery.

 

[Klaus-rf]

Again, I really believed this was something BMW was behind but obviously they are not. So if/when you try to actually use this warranty, you go to the repair shop (assume BMW) and then determine what is wrong and have to then get "permission" from Assurant to do whatever work they will approve. There in lies the big "if".

And if they don't approve the repair, I suspect you're also out the diagnostic & other fees that you will have incurred. Of course you will never get learn what the coverage is like in the first 60 days where it's all under factory warranty.

 

[Flyingman]

So here is what BMW offers. Not sure why my dealer is selling a 3rd party product? Makes me wonder. Assume more profit margin?

 

[Flyingman]

I'm sure that "one battery replacement" is for the 12[.6] VDC electronics battery and NOT the traction battery.

Depends on how the contract is worded. Do our cars have a separate "car battery" like an ICE or is all of our power coming from the one massive bank of batteries? I can see the lawyers defining what constitutes the battery in an EV! Might be one cell? Reason I bought this warranty was to avoid all of these "what ifs".

 

[Magicrat]

Depends on how the contract is worded. Do our cars have a separate "car battery" like an ICE or is all of our power coming from the one massive bank of batteries? I can see the lawyers defining what constitutes the battery in an EV! Might be one cell? Reason I bought this warranty was to avoid all of these "what ifs".

Yes, there is a separate 12v battery in the i4. It runs all the electronics, the main 81kWh batter runs the drivetrain. So if the 12v batt goes out..........you ain't driving the car anywhere. All of the car makers do this and for the life of me I can't figure out why. They've got this huge battery but for 12v stuff they use this dinky 12v battery.

 

[ssh]

Yes, there is a separate 12v battery in the i4. It runs all the electronics, the main 81kWh batter runs the drivetrain. So if the 12v batt goes out..........you ain't driving the car anywhere. All of the car makers do this and for the life of me I can't figure out why. They've got this huge battery but for 12v stuff they use this dinky 12v battery.

Voltage: “We asked Hyundai's EV engineers why the 12-volt battery persists, and Ryan Miller, manager of electrified powertrain development, responded. "All the ECUs in the vehicle are powered from the low voltage, as well as the power relays that separate power from the high-voltage battery pack and the rest of the high-voltage network in the car," he said. "That separation allows us to safely disconnect the high voltage from the low voltage when the vehicle is not being driven or in the event of a crash." You don't want first responders to contend with door locks powered by Doc Brown's Mr. Fusion.”

From: Why Do Electric Cars Still Use 12-Volt Batteries?

 

[Klaus-rf]

I know for sure the i3 has a 12V battery, no idea on the i4 but I don't see - from an engineering perspective - it would not have one also. If it only used the traction battery and a voltage regulated circuit then almost any issue with the voltage regulator could fry every electronic device and possibly all wiring rather quickly. Would NOT be a good design, imho.

I agree you need the actual contract long wording and fine print. Keep in mind those contracts are written by lawyers with the specific intention to save the company $$ (or Euros, or ...). And most of them are written to specifically NOT cover anything that is currently covered by another warranty, such as the 8yr/100K miles (or whatever it is) traction battery warranty.

 

[ssh]

I know for sure the i3 has a 12V battery, no idea on the i4 but I don't see - from an engineering perspective - it would not have one also. If it only used the traction battery and a voltage regulated circuit then almost any issue with the voltage regulator could fry every electronic device and possibly all wiring rather quickly. Would NOT be a good design, imho.

I agree you need the actual contract long wording and fine print. Keep in mind those contracts are written by lawyers with the specific intention to save the company $$ (or Euros, or ...).

It does. Page 291:

Discharged high-voltage and vehicle battery

General information In addition to the high-voltage battery, the vehicle has a 12 volt vehicle battery, which is required for operation of the onboard electronics. With a discharged vehicle battery, no operation of the vehicle is possible.

 

[Ank]

IMHO......it comes down to comfort level! Just like auto or homeowners insurance. You pay and insure your property at your level of comfort. Nothing may happen, but if it does, then you have the protection you felt you needed. Warranty prices are important, but the cost and need for them should be viewed subjectively!

Sort of...i feel like each of these are quite different.

Homeowners insurance is often required by your mortgage company and prevents really catastrophic incidents. If a fire burns down your home or you get flooded, the cost of repairs would really be painful. Low likelihood events where your risk is random and that are very expensive is an ideal case for insurance. Health coverage similar.

Auto insurance is required by law so it's really whether you want collision. Even there, often required of you have a loan or lease. Part of value is in the insurance company negotiating the rates with repair companies. Even here, most use it to cover catastrophic incidents and pay for themselves for the little stuff

I find extended warranties to be a much worse deal. Check out the profit margins for auto or home insurance companies vs. Extended warranties. It's a highly unlikely event and it also usually not that expensive. You are buying from the dealership rather than price comparing. I don't know... guess I'm not a fan.

Value of peace of mind is subjective though for sure.

 

[Magicrat]

I pay for the extended warranty for the "piece of mind". Plus Murphy's Law says if you don't have it, you'll wish you did. Plus for me it's paid for so out of sight, out of mind................unless I need it.

 

[M3HNGRY]

This might be helpful.

Maintenance and Extended Service Plan Pricing

What is your pricing from BMWUSA (Garage)? Trying to get some estimates on getting but seems like others been getting it cheaper...

www.i4talk.com

 

[blaxsun]

$4,995 CAD for 7 years/120k. So that's an extra +3 years and +40k.

 

[Variable430]

Yes… BUT they are very likely to fail early if they are going to fail. Failure of these parts after the initial warranty expires I think is very low probability until you get past the likely length of the extended warranty.

Can’t we just sue for a self repair kit like with the iPhone?

 

[Variable430]

I still don’t understand the difference e tween the ultimate plan by bmw and the platinum, gold, etc ESP. Are they both bmw programs? Also what’s the recommended service schedule for the car? What do they even look at - washer fluid?

 

[ssh]

I still don’t understand the difference e tween the ultimate plan by bmw and the platinum, gold, etc ESP. Are they both bmw programs? Also what’s the recommended service schedule for the car? What do they even look at - washer fluid?

...and brakes....

There isn't much...

 

[BMWdav]

I just extended my i4 M50s warranty with another 2 years after the first 2 for the equivalent of $1000, seemed like a good price since there are a lot of expensive parts on the car (a single headlight module is almost $6k just for the part). It is BMW just extending the warranty the car came with so everything should be fully covered. Also got a 4 year service plan for $200, seems to be checking brake fluids and doing a vehicle check at the 2 year mark at least.

 

[dudenjen]

One question I have is what is the start and stop theses warranties? e.g. car comes with 3yr 36K mile warranty. so does the two year extension start at 36k and go to 5 yrs? I seen other warranties where they run concurrent, so you add mileage, but not years! Does the BMW warranty extend to 5yrs??
Apologies if this has already been answered.

 

[blaxsun]

I went with the Platinum 7 years/120,000km for our new i4. Was $4,500CAD.