[blackdragon12]

So I have a 2012 e92 335i n55 engine and am looking to tune it this spring (once I get those summer tires back on!).

I have looked around at my options, and have come to the conclusion that JB4 is the best bet. I wanted COBB initially, but they don't support my car

Anyways, I am on the full factory warranty with maintenance until April 2016 and then CPO after that until April 2018. My biggest concern is the risk of voiding my warranty.

If I go ahead with the JB4 install and then my car goes into limp mode and breaks down a month later on the highway, what can I do at that point? Would my only option me to open the hood and remove the JB4 then and there?

Same question goes for an intake I am considering (BMS intake for n55). If something goes wrong, can the dealership see the JB4 and/or the intake and void my warranty?

I live in the Toronto, Canada area (GTA) so anyone in this area could chime in if you can!


Thanks!

[timothy2001]

Here is a link to just one of many threads about this very topic:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...oid%2BWarranty


Depending on the Dealer and generally speaking it's a good idea to remove the tune before you go in for repairs or maintenance. I can't imagine a Dealer 'voiding the warranty' because of a custom intake, FMIC or other non invasive mod. But who wants the fight if they do?

I believe there is a law on the books that prevents a Dealer from voiding a manufacturers warranty unless the defect was a result of the modification.

It's a calculated risk, you MAY want to go in and talk to the Service Manager of the dealership or to be on the safe side get the BMW PPK Tune.

I am sure others will weigh in with direct experience.

[jonluc88]

In my experience, I sent my car in for warranty work 4 times even when FBO (full bolt on) and dealership didnt say anything. They wanted to change my intake filter and saw my aftermarket intake and looked away.

So in summary, it all depends on the dealership.

PS: I have CPO warranty until 2017

[Johnny Boost]

Yes an intake and tune can void your warranty. But it does depend a lot on the dealership. Join a local BMW club or post in the regional section and find a mod-friendly dealership. My car is CPO as well and I have no issues bringing it in with mods. Worst case, just remove all the mods before service/repairs. The intake would take 10 minutes for a beginner to remove and the JB4 would probably take 30+ minutes. If you're not comfortable with going under the hood to install/uninstall the JB4 then contact Cobb and see if your DME is compatible.

[mike@x-ph.com]

I have never heard of an intake voiding the warranty so you should be good with that.
As for the JB4, by law the dealership is not allowed to void your warranty unless they can prove that the aftermarket part had a direct cause in damaging one or more car components.
But why take the risk, just remove the JB4 before your dealership visit.
It takes 10 - 20 minutes.

[CantCatchMe]

Originally Posted by blackdragon12

So I have a 2012 e92 335i n55 engine and am looking to tune it this spring (once I get those summer tires back on!).

I have looked around at my options, and have come to the conclusion that JB4 is the best bet. I wanted COBB initially, but they don't support my car

Anyways, I am on the full factory warranty with maintenance until April 2016 and then CPO after that until April 2018. My biggest concern is the risk of voiding my warranty.

If I go ahead with the JB4 install and then my car goes into limp mode and breaks down a month later on the highway, what can I do at that point? Would my only option me to open the hood and remove the JB4 then and there?

Same question goes for an intake I am considering (BMS intake for n55). If something goes wrong, can the dealership see the JB4 and/or the intake and void my warranty?

I live in the Toronto, Canada area (GTA) so anyone in this area could chime in if you can!


Thanks!

Send Cobb your vin. They said my '12 E92 n55 was compatible.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I have never heard of an intake voiding the warranty so you should be good with that.
As for the JB4, by law the dealership is not allowed to void your warranty unless they can prove that the aftermarket part had a direct cause in damaging one or more car components.
But why take the risk, just remove the JB4 before your dealership visit.
It takes 10 - 20 minutes.

Yep. Google Magnuson Moss Act

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by blackdragon12

So I have a 2012 e92 335i n55 engine and am looking to tune it this spring (once I get those summer tires back on!).

I have looked around at my options, and have come to the conclusion that JB4 is the best bet. I wanted COBB initially, but they don't support my car

Anyways, I am on the full factory warranty with maintenance until April 2016 and then CPO after that until April 2018. My biggest concern is the risk of voiding my warranty.

If I go ahead with the JB4 install and then my car goes into limp mode and breaks down a month later on the highway, what can I do at that point? Would my only option me to open the hood and remove the JB4 then and there?

Same question goes for an intake I am considering (BMS intake for n55). If something goes wrong, can the dealership see the JB4 and/or the intake and void my warranty?

I live in the Toronto, Canada area (GTA) so anyone in this area could chime in if you can!


Thanks!

Whether the dealer chooses to void your company after finding a non-BMW part on your car is entirely at the dealer's discretion. Someone posted on this forum that they were denied warranty service after the dealer found an aftermarket intake, even though BMW themselves sells an aftermarket intake. Adding an intake is going to get you much so I would skip the intake and just get the JB4. After doing it a few times, installing and installing the JB4 can be done fairly quickly, 45-60 minutes to install and 30 minutes to remove.

Before you go JB4, I suggest you check with Pro Tuning Freaks, also in the GTA. They can confirm whether Cobb supports your car and get a custom tune.

[DevonD]

Originally Posted by snaimpally

Adding an intake is going to get you much so I would skip the intake and just get the JB4. After doing it a few times, installing and installing the JB4 can be done fairly quickly, 45-60 minutes to install and 30 minutes to remove.

45-60 mins for a JB4 install? Nope. 15-25 mins for install, at most.

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by DevonD

45-60 mins for a JB4 install? Nope. 15-25 mins for install, at most.

Speak for yourself! Took me 50 minutes first time. Re-installing it still takes me around 30 mins. YMMV

[blackdragon12]

So I have contacted COBB with my VIN and my car is not compatible. Pretty much my only option now is JB4... unless there is some other ECU tune that exists? I am still hesitant on the idea of having to remove all of the JB4 stuff if I break down on the side of the road

[LSx]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

Yep. Google Magnuson Moss Act

Mag moss does not cover anything which affects the way an engine's control systems operate.

It is to allow consumers to use filters and oil that is not made by the OEM manufacturer.

Dealerships from most manufacturers can, will, and have voided warranties because of tunes and they have every right to do so.

[timothy2001]

Originally Posted by LSx

Mag moss does not cover anything which affects the way an engine's control systems operate.

It is to allow consumers to use filters and oil that is not made by the OEM manufacturer.

Dealerships from most manufacturers can, will, and have voided warranties because of tunes and they have every right to do so.

This guy sounds like an attorney but essentially he is correct. On the other hand, it's going to be tough for a Dealer to argue that an intake caused the rod bearing to fail. A wheel bearing, O2 sensor or other failed part that could be a result of power generated from non-factory equipment is a different story.