"BMW is not above the industry norm. The cheesy 80s are over and nobody is going to feel better saying "I drive a bimmer!" these days. Quality is everything. "
This comment would lead me to jump to the assumption that you should get a Hyundai. The warranty with a Hyundai is fabulous, and Im sure its online.
If you are considering a BMW, you need to drive one, your comments show that you havent. BMW is far above the "industry norm", people buy BMWs because they are a drivers car, I would dare say that for most, the warranty is just an added benefit to driving one of the best production cars out there. Your right, this isnt the eighties, but I think you are still stuck there with this mentality. Sorry... I still say I drive a bimmer, its not a status thing, its a driver thing. IMHO, the quality you will get in a BMW is far superior in all aspects to most other cars out there, however, if your measure of quality is a warranty, then, like I said above, BUY THE HYUNDAI!!!