If dropped, kiss warranty goodbye? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Peterpoop · 03-03-2006, 12:47 AM

I was curious if I do the H&R sport drop, will my warranty go out the window?How long is the warranty for until I can drop it?

I was curious if I just did the H&R sport springs, besides getting the wheels realigned, would there be anything else that should be changed or done also?

Sorry, again.......I am a newb.

Peterpoop · 03-04-2006, 10:05 PM

tttt........anyone? please?

sdorn · 03-04-2006, 10:08 PM

There are tons of posts about warranty issues. If you search for warranty you will find them. Basically, regardless of what modification you do, if the modification causes a problem they won't fix the problem under warranty. Otherwise, your warranty is not affected by the modification.

Hunter399 · 03-05-2006, 01:49 AM

I just got Hartge lowering springs

I do not need a re alignment

ward · 03-05-2006, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunter399

I just got Hartge lowering springs

I do not need a re alignment

how on earth do you know that???

the struts need to be removed from the car to have new springs installed, when they get put back a good shop/dealer will insist on an alignment.

why are people so damn cheap?

larryn · 03-05-2006, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

how on earth do you know that???

the struts need to be removed from the car to have new springs installed, when they get put back a good shop/dealer will insist on an alignment.

why are people so damn cheap?

I'm wondering if he had them prefessionally installed, and they found that the car was in spec, once they completed the install. Certainly possible.

I still have to get my H&R's installed, am doing them myself, but plan to get the alignment checked/set afterwards.

BTW, OP, the warranty is not effected unless the BMW can prove that the springs caused the problem that you are trying to have fixed under warranty.

sdorn · 03-05-2006, 06:46 PM

Also, keep in mind you usually need to drive the car for a week or two before getting it aligned after installing new springs. It takes them a while to settle properly.

Hunter399 · 03-05-2006, 07:43 PM

Well i would know if it needs to be realigned or not..im driving it

It drives right in the middle and doesent bull to one side or the other

kekoa · 03-05-2006, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunter399

Well i would know if it needs to be realigned or not..im driving it

It drives right in the middle and doesent bull to one side or the other

Just because the car does not pull to one side or another does not mean you do not need an allignment. Whenever you change the height of the car, it changes many variables that only an allignment can fix. Its up to tho. Its your car.

Look at your tire wear in a few months and then post up what you see.

ward · 03-06-2006, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdorn

Also, keep in mind you usually need to drive the car for a week or two before getting it aligned after installing new springs. It takes them a while to settle properly.

good springs don't settle, the springrate when you install them should not change with time. If springs are installed properly you'll get an alignment right away, as already stated

check your tire wear in a few months and let us know......... you may be lucky and be OK, or your tires may start to wear very unevenly

only way to know for sure is to have an alignment

godzmod · 03-06-2006, 06:57 PM

how much for the alignment ?
oh come on you are driving the BMW and talking about couple bucks.
get the alignment let PRO to set everything up for you,
when i get my new ride i will bring it to the shop and tell them do everything for me change the rims tial light, spring . and maybe the front ACS kits

Ryan@Motorwerks · 03-06-2006, 09:16 PM

Hunter went to a very well respected shop that specializes in BMWs. They said that the realignment was not needed....I am quite confident in their judgement. They said that if he had installed a full coilover kit, then realignment would be needed, but otherwise not. Ward- I would be very careful when refering to Hunter as "cheap". He has spent a lot of money on his car and I am sure that if he thought even a slight realignment was needed, he would get it done without hesitation. Altough I have a great deal of trust in this shop, I guess only time will tell whether he really needed one or not as you have said.

Ryan@Motorwerks · 03-06-2006, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godzmod

how much for the alignment ?
oh come on you are driving the BMW and talking about couple bucks.
get the alignment let PRO to set everything up for you,
when i get my new ride i will bring it to the shop and tell them do everything for me change the rims tial light, spring . and maybe the front ACS kits

Please don't have a shop install the taillights. I have done them, and they are quite simple to do(it takes 10 min. max to do with simple handtools). If you have the shop do those other things, then I'm sure they would be more than willing to install them for free, otherwise you are just wasting money IMHO.

Ethirtynine · 03-06-2006, 10:02 PM

Does an alignment correct any camber problems?

ward · 03-07-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ethirtynine

Does an alignment correct any camber problems?

if it's like older BMW's the only adjustment you can make is to the front toe, you can't adjust caster or camber and the rear doesn't have any adjustment at all (I think, I never had my E36 aligned)

toe is important for turn in characteristics and tire wear

e90sexion · 10-03-2006, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ethirtynine

Does an alignment correct any camber problems?

don't you need aftermarket camber kits to adjust the angle?????
but it seems like people here dont change the camber kits...
maybe not for bmw

NaTuReB0Y · 10-03-2006, 01:43 AM

good idea to get an alignment....... i did........$80

my tires are running close to 25k........and they still have like 90% treadlife.......

hahaha!

Boondoggler · 10-03-2006, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peterpoop

I was curious if I do the H&R sport drop, will my warranty go out the window?How long is the warranty for until I can drop it?

I was curious if I just did the H&R sport springs, besides getting the wheels realigned, would there be anything else that should be changed or done also?

Sorry, again.......I am a newb.

If you install the H&R sport springs and leave the stock shocks in, that is probably the one area of exposure you'll have from a warranty perspective. The shocks will wear more, and if they wear out while still under warranty dealers most likely will not cover it under warranty due to the spring change.

shragon · 10-05-2006, 05:10 PM

you don't need a camber kit for the h&r sport springs. just make sure you get an alignment done after the install.

the shop told me the alignment wasn't too off, but it was still off.

alignment should cost no more than $100.

obLu · 10-05-2006, 05:24 PM

Doesn't the new e90 rear suspension have camber adjustment? I thought I read somewhere that it did ....

Keep in mind, suspension components aren't really warrantied anyway. Go in with a bent sway bar link, bad bushing etc and they'll just claim you hit a pothole.

Also, front control arm bushings in german cars have been going bad around 50-60k since the beginning of time; every now and then they've admitted to the design problem and fixed it under warranty. But it's rare, and if you've got aftermarket suspension, you can forget about that. Chances are you'd be paying for new control arms yourself anyway.

Driv3r · 10-05-2006, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

if it's like older BMW's the only adjustment you can make is to the front toe, you can't adjust caster or camber and the rear doesn't have any adjustment at all (I think, I never had my E36 aligned)

toe is important for turn in characteristics and tire wear

hmm i am almost certain that you can adjust caster, and camber of the wheels... while at sears he said my camber was off and i specifically asked him to put the wheels camber a little farther out , for better steering response, but with a slight uneven wear... o well, its worth it as it feels a little nicer..

SD330i · 10-05-2006, 10:12 PM

Not that this thread was hijacked or anything, but I want to make a few points to the original issue and one to the those that came after.

I specifically asked the question of warranty to a BMW specialist and they stated the specific law (cant remember) that does not allow any dealership to void warranty if you modiify your car. If however the modification can be directly linked to the failure then you are out of luck.
I asked about blacklines and they said they could get them for me, but they would not install them. They said the process is so easy that it would be like stealing money from me as they have to charge a specific rate regardless if it takes them 5 minutes to do it.
Anyone changing out shocks/struts is required to do an alignment, this would be the first I heard of doing "requiring" it with springs.
I trust Hunter even though he has hook ups he certainly has spent a lot of time and money on his car and he not going to let $80 stand between him and optimal proformance.

03-03-2006, 12:47 AM	#1
Peterpoop Member Drives: Toyota Tacoma Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 11 iTrader: (0)	If dropped, kiss warranty goodbye? I was curious if I do the H&R sport drop, will my warranty go out the window?How long is the warranty for until I can drop it? I was curious if I just did the H&R sport springs, besides getting the wheels realigned, would there be anything else that should be changed or done also? Sorry, again.......I am a newb. Last edited by Peterpoop; 03-04-2006 at 10:04 PM.
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03-04-2006, 10:08 PM	#3
sdorn Captain Drives: 2006 Jet Black 325i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 503 iTrader: (0)	There are tons of posts about warranty issues. If you search for warranty you will find them. Basically, regardless of what modification you do, if the modification causes a problem they won't fix the problem under warranty. Otherwise, your warranty is not affected by the modification. __________________ 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo 2006 Jet Black 325i (ZPP, Steptronic, Comfort Access, Satellite Radio) SOLD 2001 Bullitt Mustang (450rwhp, 12.216 @ 116.73mph) SOLD 1996 Ford F-150

03-05-2006, 06:46 PM	#7
sdorn Captain Drives: 2006 Jet Black 325i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 503 iTrader: (0)	Also, keep in mind you usually need to drive the car for a week or two before getting it aligned after installing new springs. It takes them a while to settle properly. __________________ 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo 2006 Jet Black 325i (ZPP, Steptronic, Comfort Access, Satellite Radio) SOLD 2001 Bullitt Mustang (450rwhp, 12.216 @ 116.73mph) SOLD 1996 Ford F-150

03-06-2006, 06:57 PM	#11
godzmod Private First Class Drives: 330ci 2004 SMG Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Nyc-cTown Posts: 62 iTrader: (0)	how much for the alignment ? oh come on you are driving the BMW and talking about couple bucks. get the alignment let PRO to set everything up for you, when i get my new ride i will bring it to the shop and tell them do everything for me change the rims tial light, spring . and maybe the front ACS kits __________________ ---------------------- 330i AW-FullyLoad oH boy -DonTbNV- ----------------------

10-03-2006, 01:43 AM	#17
NaTuReB0Y Powered By 36DD Drives: 2006 E90 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Inland Empire Posts: 7,403 iTrader: (12)	good idea to get an alignment....... i did........$80 my tires are running close to 25k........and they still have like 90% treadlife....... hahaha! __________________ 2006 E90 330i Jet Black \| 20" WORK VS-XX \| FK452 \| H&R Sport on Koni Yellow \| REMUS QUAD

03-04-2006, 10:05 PM	#2
Peterpoop Member Drives: Toyota Tacoma Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 11 iTrader: (0)	tttt........anyone? please?

03-05-2006, 01:49 AM	#4
Hunter399 Major General Drives: 11' E90 m3 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 7,723 iTrader: (29)	I just got Hartge lowering springs I do not need a re alignment

03-05-2006, 07:43 PM	#8
Hunter399 Major General Drives: 11' E90 m3 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 7,723 iTrader: (29)	Well i would know if it needs to be realigned or not..im driving it It drives right in the middle and doesent bull to one side or the other

03-06-2006, 09:16 PM	#12
Ryan@Motorwerks Captain Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 944 iTrader: (0)	Hunter went to a very well respected shop that specializes in BMWs. They said that the realignment was not needed....I am quite confident in their judgement. They said that if he had installed a full coilover kit, then realignment would be needed, but otherwise not. Ward- I would be very careful when refering to Hunter as "cheap". He has spent a lot of money on his car and I am sure that if he thought even a slight realignment was needed, he would get it done without hesitation. Altough I have a great deal of trust in this shop, I guess only time will tell whether he really needed one or not as you have said.

03-06-2006, 10:02 PM	#14
Ethirtynine Lieutenant Drives: 2004 Honda S2000 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 595 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Does an alignment correct any camber problems?

10-05-2006, 05:10 PM	#19
shragon Moderator Drives: 2006 325i SG Sedan Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 28,383 iTrader: (6)	you don't need a camber kit for the h&r sport springs. just make sure you get an alignment done after the install. the shop told me the alignment wasn't too off, but it was still off. alignment should cost no more than $100. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/shragon

10-05-2006, 05:24 PM	#20
obLu Major Drives: 330i 6MT ZSP Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kirkland, WA, USA Posts: 1,160 iTrader: (1)	Doesn't the new e90 rear suspension have camber adjustment? I thought I read somewhere that it did .... Keep in mind, suspension components aren't really warrantied anyway. Go in with a bent sway bar link, bad bushing etc and they'll just claim you hit a pothole. Also, front control arm bushings in german cars have been going bad around 50-60k since the beginning of time; every now and then they've admitted to the design problem and fixed it under warranty. But it's rare, and if you've got aftermarket suspension, you can forget about that. Chances are you'd be paying for new control arms yourself anyway.

10-05-2006, 10:12 PM	#22
SD330i Private First Class Drives: Silver 330i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 153 iTrader: (0)	Not that this thread was hijacked or anything, but I want to make a few points to the original issue and one to the those that came after. I specifically asked the question of warranty to a BMW specialist and they stated the specific law (cant remember) that does not allow any dealership to void warranty if you modiify your car. If however the modification can be directly linked to the failure then you are out of luck. I asked about blacklines and they said they could get them for me, but they would not install them. They said the process is so easy that it would be like stealing money from me as they have to charge a specific rate regardless if it takes them 5 minutes to do it. Anyone changing out shocks/struts is required to do an alignment, this would be the first I heard of doing "requiring" it with springs. I trust Hunter even though he has hook ups he certainly has spent a lot of time and money on his car and he not going to let $80 stand between him and optimal proformance. __________________ 06 330i // Silver // Step // Prem // Sport // IDrive // OEM rear lip // LLumar Tint 35%(f), 20%(r) // HRE 448R-silver // 19x8.5(f) & 19x9.5(r) // Goodyear F1s, 235(f) & 265(R)