While luxury car prices may drop over time, the cost of servicing them sure does not.
Suppose you’d like to replace the rear brake pads on a 2014 BMW 3 Series, it will cost anywhere from R800 to R1,700, according to estimates from mobile mechanics Michanic.
Meanwhile, the front brake pads on a 2013 BMW 1 Series will cost in the realm of R1,200 to R3,200, despite this particular model being older and cheaper than the aforementioned 3 Series.
Say you’re driving a petrol-powered 2012 BMW 3 Series which is due for a major service, you can expect to pay a minimum of R2,900 up to R4,500 to get it back in tip-top shape, depending on whether you go to a dealer or an independent third party.
How long a BMW lasts with proper care
BMWs are well-built vehicles and their mechanical underbellies can generally last for as many as 250,000km to 300,000km without any major issues, says BMW Seattle.
One 3 Series currently listed on South Africa’s used-car market shows that BMWs can even do upwards of 430,000km and still be good to sell.
If you drive an average of approximately 15,000km a year, this means your Bavarian machine has the potential to give you 16 to 28 years of loyal service, provided you take proper care of it.
The best way to look after your BMW is to take it for a check-up as soon as the service warning light pops up on the dash. While the automaker sells its cars with a standard 5-year/100,000km maintenance plan in South Africa, they do not have pre-determined service intervals.
Since 2002, all BMWs have offered condition-based services which are dependent on the actual status of critical components within each individual car, hence, the vehicle will notify its owner when it needs some TLC.
Regular maintenance isn’t just important for the longevity, performance, and efficiency of a car, but it will also help out when the time comes to say goodbye.
A car with a full service record is often more valuable than one without as it shows the overall condition of the vehicle, as well as who did the work and when the work was carried out.
It reveals whether the car has received any recalls or if any warranty or major repair jobs were required, too.
Also be wary of ignoring a warning light for too long. Missing out on a vital health check could void after-sales agreements that are still in place, such as warranties and service plans.
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