Owning a luxury car is often seen as a ‘status stunt’. It is also a commitment to quality and an investment in automotive excellence. Whether it is a stylish sedan, a high-performance luxury SUV, or any other precision machine of your choice, maintaining it requires diligence, effort, and, we hate to say it, but money.
Maintaining a luxury car is entirely different from maintaining a standard road car. That’s where first-time owners of luxury cars go through a steep curve of surprise. They begin to understand that maintaining their dream luxury car means taking good care of it as the kilometers increase.
If you are about to buy a luxury car, or struggling to maintain one that is already in your fleet? Either way, here we are with a crisp and concise guide on how to maintain a luxury car and the expenses that one can expect!
The Luxury Difference: Why Maintenance Matters
Luxury cars are built with meticulous attention to detail. Premium materials, high-performance components, advanced electronics, and complex drivetrain systems all contribute to their elevated status.
But this also means:
- Tighter tolerances and more sophisticated systems require specialized service.
- Replacement parts are often imported, brand-specific, and costly.
- Skipping maintenance can result in quicker depreciation and expensive repairs.
Luxury vehicles require consistent care tailored to their unique engineering standards. That’s why following the manufacturer’s service schedule is not just recommended, it’s essential.
Routine Maintenance: What You’ll Need to Budget For
Let’s take a closer look at what goes into the routine upkeep of a luxury car.
Scheduled Servicing
Most luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and more follow a detailed periodic service schedule.
These are generally split into:
- Minor Service (Every 10,000–15,000 km): Includes oil and filter changes, basic fluid top-ups, and a multi-point inspection.
- Major Service (Every 30,000–40,000 km): Involves spark plugs, air filters, brake pads and rotors, transmission fluid.
Typical costs:
- Minor service: ₹15,000 – ₹30,000
- Major service: ₹45,000 – ₹1,00,000+
Furthermore, each brand and model has unique requirements. For example, a Porsche Cayenne’s service costs will be significantly higher than those of an X5.
Brake System Maintenance
Luxury cars often come with high-performance brakes, ventilated discs, carbon ceramic rotors, or adaptive brake systems, which wear out faster due to the vehicle’s weight and speed potential.
- Pads and rotors need frequent inspection and timely replacement.
- Cost Estimate: ₹45,000 – ₹1,50,000 for brake pads replacement, depending on the model and brake material (Cost can touch the higher limit and even exceed it if it includes replacing brake rotors)
Tyre and Wheel Care
Performance tires used on luxury cars are softer and wear out faster than regular ones. Larger alloy wheels (18” and above) and staggered setups are common, making replacements expensive.
- Tyre replacement interval: 25,000 – 40,000 km
- Cost per tyre: ₹25,000 – ₹85,000 (performance tires cost more)
- Wheel alignment and balancing: Required every 10,000 km – 15,000 km
Taking Care of Battery and Electricals
Luxury vehicles rely heavily on electronics — from infotainment systems and adaptive suspensions to driver assistance features. This makes battery health and electrical diagnostics a top priority.
- AGM or Lithium-Ion batteries used in these cars are expensive.
- Replacement cost: ₹20,000 – ₹3,50,000
- Brands like Audi, BMW, etc. may require software resets after battery replacement.
Fluids and Filters
Don’t underestimate the importance of high-grade fluids:
- Engine oil: Fully synthetic, often brand-recommended
- Transmission fluid: Especially critical in dual-clutch or ZF 8-speed systems
- Coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid: Must be replaced as per schedule
Filter types:
- Cabin air filters (pollen filters)
- Engine air filters
- Fuel filters (particularly in diesel models)
Annual cost for fluids and filters, upkeep, and replacement: ₹15,000 – ₹50,000
Long-Term Considerations: The Real Cost of Luxury Ownership
Extended Warranty & Service Packages
Most manufacturers offer extended warranty plans and prepaid service packages, which may appear costly upfront but offer long-term savings.
- BMW Service Inclusive, Mercedes-Benz Star Ease, Audi Comprehensive Plan, and others cover everything from wear-and-tear items to engine repairs.
- Extended warranty and service packages are available for a duration of 1 year to 5 years. Many brands offer packages above 5 years as well.
- Typically priced at ₹3.0 – ₹9.5 lakh for 5 years, depending on vehicle category.
Depreciation & Resale Impact
Luxury cars depreciate rapidly, especially if their maintenance records are not properly maintained. A full-service history from an authorized service centre can:
- Boost resale value by 10–20%
- Provide peace of mind to buyers
- Ensure warranty claims are honored
Hidden Costs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Beyond routine maintenance, here are other expenses you may encounter:
- Software updates for infotainment and driving systems
- Interior care: Leather treatment, headliner cleaning, sunroof lubrication
- Ceramic coating or PPF for exterior paint protection
- Suspension repairs: Air suspension systems like those in Range Rovers or S-Class cars can cost over ₹2 lakh to fix
- Fuel requirements: High-octane fuel or premium diesel might be mandatory in performance variants
Pro Tips for Smart Luxury Car Maintenance
Want to extend the life of your luxury car while keeping maintenance costs manageable?
Follow these expert tips:
- Stick to authorized service centers for genuine parts and trained technicians.
- Avoid unnecessary modifications that may void warranties.
- Drive regularly a long parking durations can affect electronics and seals.
- Invest in a trickle charger if your car is often left idle.
- Use OEM-approved fluids even during top-ups or emergency replacements.
- Detail your car quarterly to maintain its showroom appeal.
Conclusion: Luxury is a Responsibility, Not Just a Reward
Driving a high-performance and super-comfortable luxury car is an experience. In fact, for those who love a nice ride, there’s nothing much that can match the thrill and satisfaction of being at the wheel of an Audi or a BMW.
But that unmatched experience comes with its fair share of responsibilities, too. And the onus is on the owner of the luxury car to ensure that it continues to feel as good as it felt on the first drive. And guess what? Meticulous and planned maintenance and upkeep will make sure you’re able to do that without any hassle whatsoever.
We hope this guide has given you a better idea of how to take care of your dream car! And we hope you enjoy driving your luxury machine for a long time.