Is the BAIC B40 Plus expensive to maintain?
BAIC's B40 Plus is the vehicle that fills the gap for consumers looking for a budget-friendly 4x4 that has all the chunky American styling they love but won't break the bank. We find out what ownership costs are associated with these Chinese 4x4s.
Bumper to bumper
Originating as a supplier of military vehicles for the Chinese army, BAIC has a long history of automotive development. The BAIC B40 Plus may have the appearance of a Jeep Wrangler, but that is because the Chinese conglomerate bought the patents for the older spec models as well as some GM models, which were all merged to make the B40.
Related: BAIC B40 Plus vs Mahindra Scorpio-N vs Proton X70: Which one has the lowest running costs?
BAIC has yet to make a significant splash in our local market, but you will see some of them out and about. If you are considering one of these stylish vehicles, you may be wondering what kind of technical support you can expect and what costs you will bear if you own one.
Which is the best variant of BAIC B40 Plus?
Warranty and Service
BAIC South Africa provides 5 years and/or 150 000 km (whichever occurs first) for a new vehicle sold and delivered by an authorised BAIC dealership to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service. This warranty is subject to certain conditions and exclusions, which you will find in your owner's manual.
BAIC also warranties the vehicle's drivetrain for 7 years / 200 000km (whichever occurs first) but is also subject to the conditions and exclusions you will find in your owner's manual. BAIC SA also offers a 5-year/unlimited mileage road assistance service provided free of charge and is conducted by AA South Africa.
Customers must specify whether they want the optional 4-year / 60 000 km service plan, if they opt out they will responsible for the service costs out of pocket when the service interval comes.
Cost of Ownership
BAIC quotes between R4 000 and R4 500 for a minor service (approximately) and roughly R7 500 to R8 800 for the major services at 120 000 km. It will be worth checking with your local BAIC dealership, as the dealerships' franchise nature will result in slightly different pricing.
Another factor to consider is fuel costs. The second-generation B40 Plus has a fuel tank capacity of 75 litres and real-world consumption figures of 12.0 L/100km, and a cost of R21.05 a litre. You should return around 600km on a tank at the cost of R1 578.
Verdict
BAIC has committed to its presence in the country and claims a decent stock holding of critical parts. Service costs are on par with industry standards, but the current sparse nature of their outlets countrywide may make parts availability a little on the tough side, so take this into consideration along with the availability of aftermarket fitment.
