This is a great write-up, thanks!
I contacted BMW Canada about the warranty, as I may be relocating to Canada and I want to know about the warranty situation if I bring up a BMW. They claim that the warranty will be void if I don't go through the BMW Canada dealers to have the instrument cluster and DRL changed out! Altogether that would cost CDN $2,500!!! Isn't that ridiculous?!
http://www.bmw.ca/ca/en/general/import/content.html
The BMW Canada webpage above actually did not specifically say that the warranty will be void but then the e-mail response I got from BMW Canada stated that:
1. The New Car Limited Warranty of 4 years, 80 000kms is honoured in Canada as long as you follow the BMW Import Process which can be found at
www.BMW.ca/import .
2. The modifications for your vehicle can be obtained through one of our BMW Retailers in Canada if you speak to the Service Department
3. You will need a Recall Clearance Letter which can also be obtained through one of our BMW Retailers in Canada.