[shivaswrath]

This makes it a tough sell now....

[SakhirM4]

Great reading on this subject

http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/ar...-worth-it.html

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

The fact is when prices are adjusted for inflation BMW has been remarkably good at holding the line on pricing since at least the introduction of the E46. In fact, even with all the additional safety equipment and in-car technology there are times when equivalent prices today are lower than they were in the E46 era.

True for me. My 1997 540 was $54k base + $6k in extras, plus there was zero free maintenance. My 2014 328 m-sport loaded to the gills was only $52k in 2014 dollars. The 328i is better in every way; faster, quicker, handles better, gets almost double the gas mileage, and has a boatload of additional technology. I'm comparing the old 5 with the new three because from a size and weight standpoint, they are almost the same. Todays BMWs are way more value than the old days, especially when adjusting for inflation. BMW continues to deliver a great product at a fair price. Nobody is making anybody buy them, yet they sell in record numbers. They in a free market. They are adjusting pricing and terms based on the competitive landscape. As a customer, I'm a bit annoyed and i'll get over it. As a business person, I know they are doing their job by adjusting to market dynamics.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Great reading on this subject

http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/ar...-worth-it.html

That's how I always looked at it. BMW's 4 year/50,000 miles was only a bonus, never a significant factor. If I purchased and not leased and if I removed that maintenance program, what am I looking at and how does it compare to the competition? Eventually the 4 years/50,000 miles is going to run out, when it does, what am I looking to deal with?

If you look at maintenance being done, at first glance you think "oh free maintenance!" but when you actually go do it you realize, it's one oil change and maybe other fluids per year and if you're lucky, you might be able to take advantage of belts, brakes, wipers. For me, I realized that I just went in for oil changes and fluids (the other stuff was not applicable in Canada, or so I was told - no biggie) and I didn't even mind if I had to do it myself if I didn't have to drive to a dealer and spend 2+ hours waiting for a simple fluid change.

But that's just me. Everybody may look at it differently but this has absolutely no effect on whether I look at BMWs in the future. If I feel BMW has a product I feel is better than the competition, I'll buy it whether or not it comes with free maintenance. I don't get emotionally tied up with how BMW is running their business. If I buy their product, I know what and how to handle anything that happens post transaction. If their product sucks, on to the next one.

[n54fanatic]

Originally Posted by rjc32000

Is anyone else surprised how many forum members claim to have chosen BMW over every other brand solely for the free maintenance?

Here I was thinking that driving dynamics, racing pedigree, top-rated engines, exquisite styling and innovative technologies drove people to the ultimate driving machine. Apparently all those factors were distant background noise compared with those free wiper blades.

Look, I understand that people are unhappy BMW is changing their policies. But the reactions here are so over the top and incredible that they almost defy belief.

My reaction may be a bit over the top but it's true 4yr/50k not having to worry about xxxx amour of dollars on maintaining the car is a peace of mind I like to have (helps me spend the money I would've spent on maintenance on mods) it's not the wiper blades I'm complaining about mainly the brakes, clutch and the reduction of time/miles

So I think global sales will decrease because of this most likely not

Will they have lost me a customer? definitely after having 3 straights BMWs I'm done after my current car

[supershaft]

Jesus christ the amount of salt here is amazing. Just goes to show how many nouveau riche types there are here that hate having to spend money for brakes/rotors like every other luxury car maker mandates.

If you don't like what BMW is doing then go vote with your wallet and buy a Cadillac.

[BMW sales]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

I was upset for about 30 seconds, then I realized it's not that big of a deal.

I'll probably buy another BMW.

There you go!

[Arcades]

Or when people actually use their brains and see this is maintenance change and not Warranty change.

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Great reading on this subject

http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/ar...-worth-it.html

Dude, you know people don't read...

[24601]

Originally Posted by SanMarino_F82

The 3 series was pulled from c&d 10 best for the BMW M235i, which is a well built machine. They don't make too many like that these days.

I agree the M235i is wonderful. The 3 and 4er on the other hand is another story.

[WyattHerb]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned but BMW is doing this to make room for the ///M version of their maintenance program that obviously comes at an additional cost but is worth it due to its legendary pedigree.

[JunkStory]

Screw BMW. From their recent bland designs, annual price hikes, and now this, my next car will NOT be a BMW. I only found this thread because of a colleague.

Hello Jaguar, Audi, or Benz.

[phantom701]

Originally Posted by JunkStory

Screw BMW. From their recent bland designs, annual price hikes, and now this, my next car will NOT be a BMW. I only found this thread because of a colleague.

Hello Jaguar, Audi, or Benz.

And Tesla here we come.

BMW is slowly becoming a dinosaur with their continuous negative campaigns against their customers.

[AlexLou1222]

Maintainance is one thing when I keep leasing BMWs, but it's not a deal breaker. But this doesn't means I'm ok with this move. I think BMW just lost another selling point for their products.
Won't affect me anyway, all my previous leases are turned in early and way under mileage, the most I used were up to two oil changes.
What will affect my decision next time will solely depends on their product, as of now, the S550 coupe does look better than the M6...

[Efthreeoh]

Okay, read up to about page 8....

Let's deal in reality here. First off for us old farts no car company ever offered "free" maintenance ever, until BMW started in 1996. BMW started the "free" maintenance plan because it started leasing so many cars, secondary sales were being hampered by the issues that the dealers had no idea how the cars were being maintained. Starting a "free" maintenance plan now allowed dealers to point to the maintenance records of the leased cars. And by "free", it just means you pay for the maintenance cost upfront at the point of purchase, so it's not free.

What I really find funny is almost everyone here at E90 thinks the original free maintenance plan was bullshit on BMW's part just to cut the cost of the maintenance for BMW by lowering (extending) the maintenance requirements for oil changes, "lifetime" drivetrain fluids, etc. So what is everyone bitching about, one less prepaid oil service that they already double up on and pay out of pocket? $80? LOL.

[PKumarM3]

As a Porsche salesman, this is interesting news. Maintenance has always been on the client in my brand, but we do offer pre-paid Maintenance plans on most models (the exceptions being the performance models). As with BMW, the savings really occur if you own the car vs. lease, which is why BMW is doing this.

Most BMW sales are leases vs. purchases. Even then, 24/27 months are much stronger than 36/39 month leases. This makes a lot of sense. In addition to the annual increase in sales, this HAS to happen.

The big question is, since maintenance is built into the pricing of cars, will the MSRP on all MY17 BMW vehicles decrease? Most likely not, but its wishful thinking!

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by WyattHerb

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned but BMW is doing this to make room for the ///M version of their maintenance program that obviously comes at an additional cost but is worth it due to its legendary pedigree.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by flyga3

Well must me an M thing. Of the 7 BMW's in the last 17 years, I have never pulled them prior to 75K. Gotta love the straight 6.
Did you do the work yourself or did you just trust what they said and you paid? ;-)

I do love the straight 6...my 525i sang with a joy that I have never heard before. It was fantastic in every way!!
The V-10 is a completely different animal!

I have a long term relationship with the dealership and have free run of the shop. I've never gotten a, 'wall-job' with them. It would also be glaringly obvious on the V-10 because when the plugs start to go, it is easily discernible.

Cheers-mk

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

It helps me understand that I don't get your logic.

Are you trying to say that you will buy a dull as dishwater Lexus SUV over an X5 because BMW reduced its free maintenance from 4 to 3 years while Lexus does not have a 4 year free maintenance program? Really? Given your self-proclaimed passion for great car purchases, I call BS. You are not likely to leave BMW over this move. I can hear you now at your next social party in your neighborhood; "I showed those idiots at BMW who dared to reduce their free maintenance coverage. I went and bought a brand new dull as dishwater Lexus SUV." Your audience asks, "oh, is the Lexus maintenance program better?". You say, "No, actually its worse but that's not the point. I've decided to drive dull as dishwater appliance to show BMW that they can't mess with me and take away free stuff." I just don't see this conversation happening. In the end of the day, you will buy what you want. That may be a Lexus, but your logic for making the switch has to be more than a year of free maintenance. Time will tell. Let us know when you actually vote with your feet. Good luck.

Ok. I will break it down to one sentence.

It is a major factor in my decision making process.

[Glassjaw047]

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

Your statement is true, but really isn't the point. If you want brand loyalty the wipers are something BMW shouldn't sweat over. Or brake pads for that matter. It's like taking the bagels/donuts away from your employee lounge at work that been there every morning for the last 2 decades then you decide, you employees, you can afford your own morning pastry. Little things like that have an enormous psychological effect and destroys loyalty. Not worth it in my opinion. Studies show you will probably lose money in the long run having to recruit, retrain and loss of efficiency as a result. With BMW, there is no doubt in my mind they WILL lose customers as a result.

100000% agree with you and true! Little things count!

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

True for me. My 1997 540 was $54k base + $6k in extras, plus there was zero free maintenance. My 2014 328 m-sport loaded to the gills was only $52k in 2014 dollars. The 328i is better in every way; faster, quicker, handles better, gets almost double the gas mileage, and has a boatload of additional technology. I'm comparing the old 5 with the new three because from a size and weight standpoint, they are almost the same. 1. Todays BMWs are way more value than the old days, especially when adjusting for inflation. BMW continues to deliver a great product at a fair price. 2. Nobody is making anybody buy them, yet they sell in record numbers. They in a free market. They are adjusting pricing and terms based on the competitive landscape. As a customer, I'm a bit annoyed and i'll get over it. As a business person, I know they are doing their job by adjusting to market dynamics.

1. This is true of all of the premium euro brands.

2. Part of the reason they sell in record numbers is because of the real and perceived value that the maintenance plan offers. When a first time owner faces that first brake job that cost over $1,500 they will run back to their Accord. This is not how you keep the new customer that just dipped their toe into the premium market. Everyone doesn't make $300K per year.

Cheers-mk

[PARTSFROMERIK]

Originally Posted by pimp4cheddar

Of all the things to focus on with my statement...you speak to the joke I made on $60 wipers instead of the $1,500 bill for rotors, pads and sensors??

You've missed the point by miles...............................



And to those thinking that people can't afford the cost of service and are complaining - it's a stupid point to attempt to make.

Never confuse the concept of someone being smart - with someone being cheap or broke. The allure of burning money unnecessary isn't impressive...nor does it make you an "enthusiast" over anyone else...

I know what you meant, I mean I see the bills that come out of our dealer. And if you cannot afford a BMW why would you buy one? You don't walk into a Ferrari dealer asking if free maint. is included? If you can't afford to pay for the 2000$ brake service than stay clear buy your civic or corolla? It's an investment your making. If you can't afford to throw out 3500-4300$ a year on maint I suggest not buying.