Aftermarket warranty for RB and TA work?

[RacrX]

Question for those experienced with aftermarket warranties on these cars- have you used them to get the RB and TA work done under the warranty? Is it possible to do that if there hasn't been a failure? If you have specific intel on a CNA warranty, that's even better. Thanks.

[yahh]

Throttle actuators are easy and will be covered under any company that has coverage for Throttle bodies, however, they will only replace one side at a time as they only replace parts that have failed and usually require proof/fault codes. That brings me to the next point, I have never had a rod bearing replacement covered as they need to "fail" first and show symptoms (rod knock / noise.) At that point, the motor would be toast and most places have a maximum payout (usually ~$6500-7k) which would leave the rest of the motor replacement out of your pocket.

Source : GM at a BMW/Merc Indy

[Denny347]

Save the money used to buy a warranty and use it to replace the RB as preventative maintenance. The S65 is a pretty solid engine with typical BMW gasket weepage that many times isn't even covered.

[InnerBlueSkies]

Originally Posted by RacrX

Question for those experienced with aftermarket warranties on these cars- have you used them to get the RB and TA work done under the warranty? Is it possible to do that if there hasn't been a failure? If you have specific intel on a CNA warranty, that's even better. Thanks.

Warranty/ Service Contracts will only cover failures.

[RacrX]

Originally Posted by Denny347

Save the money used to buy a warranty and use it to replace the RB as preventative maintenance. The S65 is a pretty solid engine with typical BMW gasket weepage that many times isn't even covered.

Thanks everyone, I had a feeling it would be as easy as that to get them covered.

Question, so with the above in mind, would you go for a later year/higher mileage ('12/80k) M3 that had the RBs done over an older/lower mileage ('08/55k) one that didn't have the service but has a warranty? I'm thinking yes.

[InnerBlueSkies]

Originally Posted by RacrX

Thanks everyone, I had a feeling it would be as easy as that to get them covered.

Question, so with the above in mind, would you go for a later year/higher mileage ('12/80k) M3 that had the RBs done over an older/lower mileage ('08/55k) one that didn't have the service but has a warranty? I'm thinking yes.

I'd go with the 08 if you don't have a preference if you don't mind the difference in appearance and technology. I prefer the new year but I wouldn't give up 30000 miles to get there. I researched your warranty company and they seem solid, meaning no negative reviews. They are a 10 billion dollar insurance company.

[yahh]

I believe CNA underwrites the Carmax Maxcare policies.

[RacrX]

Originally Posted by InnerBlueSkies

I'd go with the 08 if you don't have a preference if you don't mind the difference in appearance and technology. I prefer the new year but I wouldn't give up 30000 miles to get there. I researched your warranty company and they seem solid, meaning no negative reviews. They are a 10 billion dollar insurance company.

Thanks...appearance doesn't seem to be that different, tech for sure.

[RacrX]

Originally Posted by InnerBlueSkies

I'd go with the 08 if you don't have a preference if you don't mind the difference in appearance and technology. I prefer the new year but I wouldn't give up 30000 miles to get there. I researched your warranty company and they seem solid, meaning no negative reviews. They are a 10 billion dollar insurance company.

UGH, such a tough call!

[wootloops]

I would go for the lower mileage 08 personally.

The tech is easy to upgrade from a newer car. I did my CIC Navigation upgrade for under $500 with bluetooth streaming (combox).

If you want the new style LCI tail lights those can be swapped as well.

With those two things, it will be nearly identical to the 2012 feature wise.

[InnerBlueSkies]

Originally Posted by RacrX

UGH, such a tough call!

I have an '08 and love it. I actually prefer the style of the rear. I like the benefit of being able to detect metals in the old bearings via oil analysis, and yes I know that isn't a fool proof or guaranteed approach to managing the rod bearing issue.

I do miss the CIC, not any particular features, it just has a more up-to-date look. As others have suggested, AVIN android or similar install took care of that issue. I'm still an AM/FM guy so it really doesn't matter.

I think the '08 with 55k and a warranty it the WTG. Good Luck.

[RacrX]

Also...08 is sunroof, all OEM...'12 is slick top, several go-fast/stop-fast mods. Now a $3,000 diff between the two. Any change of opinion with that?

[akkando]

Originally Posted by RacrX

Also...08 is sunroof, all OEM...'12 is slick top, several go-fast/stop-fast mods. Now a $3,000 diff between the two. Any change of opinion with that?

Which one is in better mechanical shape?

[RacrX]

Originally Posted by akkando

Which one is in better mechanical shape?

Both seem to be about the same. '08 has always been maintained at the dealership, '12 by an indie specialist, and it has a tune. RB work on the '12 isn't documented though...hm.

[PACarGuy]

Originally Posted by Denny347

Save the money used to buy a warranty and use it to replace the RB as preventative maintenance. The S65 is a pretty solid engine with typical BMW gasket weepage that many times isn't even covered.

My aftermarket warranty covered leaking valve cover gaskets, as well as mechatronic side cover weeping. Also covered a noisy diff (got a new one) and thermostat throwing a code. This all was $6k+ worth of repairs.

But I have never seen an aftermarket warranty cover RB replacement preemptively, so I agree it's worth spending the money on it as preventative maintenance.

[RacrX]

Originally Posted by PACarGuy

My aftermarket warranty covered leaking valve cover gaskets, as well as mechatronic side cover weeping. Also covered a noisy diff (got a new one) and thermostat throwing a code. This all was $6k+ worth of repairs.

But I have never seen an aftermarket warranty cover RB replacement preemptively, so I agree it's worth spending the money on it as preventative maintenance.

I've had one mechanic tell me that as long as you got the RBs and TAs done, any other repairs were all minor costs...but I've seen plenty of reports like this with several thousand dollars of repairs on the "minor stuff." Seems like even if I pay for the RB work, the warranty is very well worth it?

[DRLane]

Originally Posted by RacrX

I've had one mechanic tell me that as long as you got the RBs and TAs done, any other repairs were all minor costs...but I've seen plenty of reports like this with several thousand dollars of repairs on the "minor stuff." Seems like even if I pay for the RB work, the warranty is very well worth it?

If you can't do most of the work yourself, then these are expensive machines to fix and maintain. Doesn't matter if TAs or RBs are done.

On the bright side it's a relatively small investment (2 floor jacks, 4x high quality stands, basic metric socket sets, and a good quality impact driver). You can almost all the work on these with endless YouTube videos and forum DIYs as a reference.

If you don't have time, then yes a reputable warranty should pay dividends but you're likely waiting for shit to break vs preventative.

[RacrX]

I need to start a poll...'12/85k mi/RB done/Comp Pack/highly optioned vs. '08/55k mi/B2B warranty/few options !!!

[PACarGuy]

Originally Posted by RacrX

I've had one mechanic tell me that as long as you got the RBs and TAs done, any other repairs were all minor costs...but I've seen plenty of reports like this with several thousand dollars of repairs on the "minor stuff." Seems like even if I pay for the RB work, the warranty is very well worth it?

Some of these were inflated costs due to being done at the dealer, and could definitely be done cheaper at a good indy mechanic (valve cover gaskets, thermostat, etc.), but the mechatronics cover isn't an easy one to get to and has a decent amount of labor attached. The DCT wasn't having any issues, and the weeping was minor, but this was more of a proactive repair.

The diff probably could have been replaced with a good used one for less, but that's a pretty unlikely failure on these cars, and since it was covered by the warranty, I was happy to get a new one!

Besides TA's and RB's, these engines are pretty solid and reliable. TA's are not a difficult DIY. I did one of my own last Sept.

[Denny347]

Originally Posted by PACarGuy

My aftermarket warranty covered leaking valve cover gaskets, as well as mechatronic side cover weeping. Also covered a noisy diff (got a new one) and thermostat throwing a code. This all was $6k+ worth of repairs.

But I have never seen an aftermarket warranty cover RB replacement preemptively, so I agree it's worth spending the money on it as preventative maintenance.

I had one that wouldn't cover broken bolts!!!! I had them refund the premium and never looked back. That was in 2010 when I bought my 2006 330i. I have since learned to work on my own cars so I only spend pennies on the dollar in repair bills, except for the RB of course.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by RacrX

I've had one mechanic tell me that as long as you got the RBs and TAs done, any other repairs were all minor costs...but I've seen plenty of reports like this with several thousand dollars of repairs on the "minor stuff." Seems like even if I pay for the RB work, the warranty is very well worth it?

If you replace the bearings will it void the warranty? Something to consider.

[PACarGuy]

Originally Posted by Denny347

I had one that wouldn't cover broken bolts!!!! I had them refund the premium and never looked back. That was in 2010 when I bought my 2006 330i. I have since learned to work on my own cars so I only spend pennies on the dollar in repair bills, except for the RB of course.

Yikes. That sucks. I happened to have a good one through USAA, though it's expired at this point so I'm on my own from here on out.

I can do basic stuff and do as much as I can (TA's, fuel breather valve, fluids, basic maintenance, etc.), but there are certain repairs I don't have the desire, patience, guts, time or tools to tackle for fear of really screwing it up and stranding the car in the garage, or breaking something more expensive, LOL. The local indy gets those...