A BMW can mean different things to different people – some see it as a status symbol while others see it as an ultimate driving machine due to its high revving engine. If you have a BMW, we know you love it for its high performance. But, when you are looking at having your BMW repaired, you may find that the parts add up to quite an expense.

You may assume the expense is justified because BMW is a luxury, high-performance vehicle. But, you may still wonder why the parts are so expensive and, as compared to other luxury vehicles, where does BMW stand in the cost of repair and maintenance? Here are some of the reasons why parts and repairs can be more costly than expected. When you want some guidance on repair and maintenance on your BMW, contact us at Triangle Imports. Our team of experts can give you important information when you are making decisions.

BMW Repair Costs Compared to Other European Automobiles

A few years ago, mobile car repair provider YourMechanic.com analyzed their own data to find out which car brands and models require the most maintenance over a 10-year period. According to their data, BMWs are the most expensive behind Mercedez-Benz, Cadillac, and Volvo for the top four. They determined that the BMW has a 10-year cost of $17,800. (Their study results were based on criteria such as grouping all years of all models by the brand to compute their average cost, the amount spent on every two oil changes, and age of the vehicle.)

Why BMW Maintenance is Expensive

Maintaining a BMW is expensive because it’s a German car with specialty parts and technology. BMW is engineered for driving enthusiasts – it’s not just a car to get people from point A to point B. BMW has sophisticated technology that requires specialized certification to properly repair. An experienced BMW mechanic will have the knowledge it takes for a complete and successful repair.

For example, a battery change can cost $400 because the mechanic needs to register the battery to the engine control module. If not, the car won’t “know” how to charge the battery and the battery could die prematurely.

The Difference in Parts

Not all parts are created equal. This applies not only to BMW but also for other cars as well. When looking at repairs for your BMW, it’s a good idea to know something about the type of part you are getting.

Genuine Parts

Genuine Parts will be the most expensive. Simply stated, these are parts that were originally installed during the production of the vehicle. There are several reasons you may want to install Genuine Parts like when you want to keep the car original or to know parts are guaranteed to be compatible.

OEM Parts

OEM Parts are less expensive than Genuine Parts. OEM parts are produced by a manufacturer that meets the high-quality standards and produces at least one part for a vehicle manufacturer. We recommend OEM replacement as one of the best options for quality and price. Typically all OEM manufacturers adhere to stringent quality control and are known to be exceptional quality.

Aftermarket Parts

Aftermarket Parts are the least expensive of all. These parts are created as an alternative to OEM or Genuine Parts. In some cases, such as clips, screws, fasteners, etc, the parts are virtually indistinguishable. There are aftermarket parts that are considered upgrades from their OEM & Genuine equivalents. At Triangle Imports, we use high-quality parts manufactured in the US by VRSF that we think are manufactured better than OEM parts. But, you should beware when having your BMW repaired because some aftermarket part quality can be lacking. By using aftermarket parts, you may end up getting what you pay for in a sub-par component. So the advice is to know what you are getting in a part.

Performance Tuning at Triangle Imports

At Triangle Imports, we make performance the number one goal in maintaining your BMW. So much so that we offer a BMW performance tuning service with the latest automotive technology, rivaling the BMW dealerships. Our experts are trained to work on the sophisticated systems in your automobile, and we take great care to make sure the work we do meets or exceeds the requirements by BMW manufacturers.

Common BMW Repairs at Triangle Imports

Our team has extensive experience working on both older and newer BMW models. The team regularly repairs commonly found problems such as:

  • Power Head and Gasket repair/replacement
  • Cooling system repair
    • Water pump
    • Radiator
    • Sensors
    • Fan replacement
  • Brake repair/upgrades
  • Transmission rebuilds
  • Electronics
    • Windows
    • Convertible top motor and vinyl replacement
  • A/C and Heating issues

Performance tuning unleashes the power already available within your BMW (usually, about 10-15% increase in horsepower/torque) through software/computer upgrades.

Some of the benefits of getting a performance tuning for your BMW are:

  • Increased power
  • Stronger torque
  • Smoother delivery of power
  • Sharper throttle response
  • Faster acceleration
  • Reduced number of gear changes
  • ECM is never removed or opened

See the Services page for a list of the services we provide for BMWs.

Call Triangle Imports For Your Next BMW Service

Triangle Imports would like to help you with your next BMW service. Our team of consultants and specialists are ready to help you decide the service you need. Contact us today by calling 919-948-3444 or by completing the contact form below!