E90Post
 


The Tire Rack
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > General E90 Sedan / E91 Wagon / E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio > Mods and Warranty



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-17-2009, 03:39 PM   #67
S65V8
*_*
United_States
819
Rep
3,157
Posts

Drives: ...
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA

iTrader: (10)

Thanks for posting this for sure, everyone will now know the details. You really are taking a risk with engine mods, a lot can go wrong in every specific situation. However, the gratification when showing up a CLS 55 or Porsches w/ bad drivers (ha) is pretty awesome. Question is what kind of driver are you, one who uses the power regularly or just likes the idea. If the latter don't mod, not worth money or risk. Give and take.
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2009, 05:41 PM   #68
ddigangi
'Murica
United_States
48
Rep
596
Posts

Drives: 2006 E90 330i
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2006 E90 330i  [0.00]
thanks!
Appreciate 0
      10-04-2009, 09:16 AM   #69
Saintor
Banned
Saintor's Avatar
89
Rep
2,446
Posts

Drives: E90
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MTL, Canada

iTrader: (1)

If my car is lowered with aftermarket but not extremely (similar to sport pack) and realigned at dealer, could a wheel bearing repair on warranty be denied?
Appreciate 0
      10-05-2009, 11:58 PM   #70
Quisp
Does not play well with others
United_States
83
Rep
1,787
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Arizona

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Saintor View Post
If my car is lowered with aftermarket but not extremely (similar to sport pack) and realigned at dealer, could a wheel bearing repair on warranty be denied?
That is what I took my car in for when they did it to me.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      01-28-2010, 07:38 PM   #71
2M
Colonel
2M's Avatar
United_States
508
Rep
2,200
Posts

Drives: Mineral Grey M2
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: New York

iTrader: (2)

Hey guys i lifted my car last week and saw that the transmission was covered in oil...there is no light on the dashboard for low oil or nothing but ive noticed its also leeking cause my spot where my car sits has an oil leak...i have a juicebox for the n/a engine...should i disengage it or completely remove it before service?
__________________
E9X Picture Game: 8 points: (High visibility jacket; Strip Club; Pizzeria; Sobriety Test; E9x dressed for Halloween, Billiards, Oil Change, Orange Cone)
Appreciate 0
      03-06-2010, 11:34 PM   #72
E90 87ss
Captain
E90 87ss's Avatar
41
Rep
608
Posts

Drives: !
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: NJ/Philly

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alpine3 View Post
Hey guys i lifted my car last week and saw that the transmission was covered in oil...there is no light on the dashboard for low oil or nothing but ive noticed its also leeking cause my spot where my car sits has an oil leak...i have a juicebox for the n/a engine...should i disengage it or completely remove it before service?
I would remove completely unless it's for minor stuff like oil or brakes... I could swear that someone just got caught on map 0...
Appreciate 0
      04-27-2010, 10:16 PM   #73
mgonz3
New Member
mgonz3's Avatar
United_States
4
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: E92 Alpine White
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Central, NJ

iTrader: (1)

great post!
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2010, 10:26 PM   #74
manbart
New Member
3
Rep
12
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW 330xi 6 speed manual
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Holden Massachusetts

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 330xi  [0.00]
Maybe the key is to get some idea of how frequently people who've moded their cars have had a warranty voided or something not covered due to the mod. From my experience it happens but seems to be quite infrequent.

Tilf
Appreciate 0
      06-03-2010, 05:30 AM   #75
hjernazian
Lieutenant
36
Rep
458
Posts

Drives: 2009 E92 M3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Glendale, CA

iTrader: (0)

friend of mine takes his 335 in for service with his intake and JB2 installed. He's had now FOUR hpfp's replaced, numerous oil changes, and other standard maintenance and they have never said anything about the mods. However, I did not take the same risk. I removed both the intake, JB3, and replugged in the golf-tee mod wire in the back before taking it in earlier this week. It took me about an hour and although I probably didn't have to, just made me feel safer. You never know what kind of shady shit SA's will try to pull.
__________________
'07 E92 | Space Grey | Sport | Premium | JB3 | aFe DCI Stage 2
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2010, 11:36 AM   #76
hersh244
Registered
0
Rep
2
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW 328xi coupe
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: RI

iTrader: (0)

new to this all

Alright, so I am 21 and just got my first bimmer. 2008 328xi coupe is there any chips or any performance parts that will not void the warranty. Any suggestions on what would be a good thing to add first? Would dinan parts work if installed by an official BMW shop? I got CPO and a warranty and maintenance till 2014 so I really don't want that ruined. Thanks
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2010, 11:41 AM   #77
JoeyBananaz18
Brigadier General
JoeyBananaz18's Avatar
400
Rep
4,084
Posts

Drives: metrocard
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Whitestone, NY

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by hersh244 View Post
Alright, so I am 21 and just got my first bimmer. 2008 328xi coupe is there any chips or any performance parts that will not void the warranty. Any suggestions on what would be a good thing to add first? Would dinan parts work if installed by an official BMW shop? I got CPO and a warranty and maintenance till 2014 so I really don't want that ruined. Thanks
dinan, and BMW performance are the only products that will not void your warranty. the only problem is you will be paying alot more to keep that warranty.
as far as chips and tunes are concerned, you could run into a great deal of problems if you get caught with one. some are not detectable. unfortunately im not to familiar with ECU stuff.
__________________
7/18/09- I pick up my baby- 2009 E92 335i Xdrive, Space Gray over Coral Red. Premium Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg, M-Sport Pkg, 193Ms, Gloss Black grills, Custom Gloss Black Mirrors, Performance shift and E-brake boot, M3 spoiler, Euro fog switch, gloss black interior tim, Coco-Mats (red/black), H&R coilovers, 19'' Alufelgen SF-71s......
Appreciate 0
      07-22-2010, 04:11 PM   #78
Chicks-Love-Bimmers
Captain
Chicks-Love-Bimmers's Avatar
United_States
69
Rep
743
Posts

Drives: FBO 335i
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bellevue, Washington

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2007 E92 335i  [0.00]
Simple lighting mods like angel eyes, interior leds, back up lights or license plate lights can't void warranty can it?
Appreciate 0
      07-28-2010, 07:23 PM   #79
skifreek
New Member
skifreek's Avatar
United_States
0
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: 335
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: new england

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 335i vert  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by hjernazian View Post
However, I did not take the same risk. I removed both the intake, JB3, and replugged in the golf-tee mod wire in the back before taking it in earlier this week. It took me about an hour and although I probably didn't have to, just made me feel safer. You never know what kind of shady shit SA's will try to pull.

x 10

I have the jb3 removal, dci removal, and golf tee removal time to 15 minutes for all 3.

If 15 minutes isn't worth your time removing said mods, and clearing any shadow fault codes, then don't bother modding.
Appreciate 0
      07-29-2010, 08:36 PM   #80
cb1111
I ask the questions you're afraid to ask.
cb1111's Avatar
44
Rep
2,489
Posts

Drives: 335xi
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: DC

iTrader: (2)

Let me try to explain mods and warranties in logical layman's term. I'm sure that some will come up with all sorts of nebulous arguments but they are not real world.

1. The oft misquoted MM act has nothing to do with performance parts. It was enacted to keep manufacturers from requiring the use of a specific brand of replacement part in order to keep the warranty intact.

Accordingly, the use of a "substantially similar" replacement is OK and the manufacturer must show that the "substantially similar" part caused the failure if they refuse warranty service for that failure.

In practical terms, this means that you can substitute a Osram H7 bulb for the Bosch H7 that the car originally came with.

2. Let's look at performance parts for a moment. By definition, performance parts are not "substantially similar" as they are intended to alter the performance characteristics of a system. Based upon this, performance parts fall outside the scope of the MM act.

In order to refuse warranty service for a failure, the manufacturer (legally) merely needs to show that a part that is not "substantially similar" was used and that this part could have caused the failure. At this point, the burden of proof shifts to the consumer to prove that the part did not cause the failure.

Going back to out lightbulb example, if you have an electrical failure and you've replaced your 55w bulbs with 85w "hyperwhites" or LED's then the dealer is under an obligation to the manufacturer to refuse warranty service on the failure if they believe that the performance bulbs caused the failure.

Simple - right?

Now, let's talk warranty a moment.

3. The term "void the warranty" is often bandied about by both consumers and dealers alike.

Very few things will actually "void the warranty." This was alluded to by other posters but not fully explained. If a car is so badly abused, or modded to the point where virtually every system failure can be traced back to a mod, then the manufacturer can "void the warranty." A flood damaged car or one that was in a severe accident might also be candidates for the manufacturer to void the warranty on the entire car.

Mitsubishi voided the warranty on a bunch of cars that they saw were used at racetracks.

What is commonly referred to as "voiding the warranty" actually refers to a dealer refusing warranty service on a particular service.

Quite simply, if a dealer believes that a modification, chip, performance part, abuse or whatnot caused (or substantially contributed) to a failure, then he has an obligation to the manufacturer to refuse warranty service on that failure.

Accordingly, using our lighting example again, the dealer could refuse warranty service on any electrical failure. This could actually extend to ECUs or the entire electrical system.

Farfetched? Not really. A few years back a guy on VWVortex decided to paint his sidemarker bulbs silver on his brand new Jetta.

The bulb heated up, melted the paint and dripped into the housing. The housing melted and shorted out parts of the wiring loom. Since the Jetta uses a CAN-BUS, the whole thing needed replacement $2500 later the car was on the road again.

4. Why doesn't the dealer give the customer the benefit of the doubt? The manufacturer often asks for parts back to determine the cause of the failure. They are extremely vigilant for failures that often are seen on modded cars.

Fell free to argue until you're blue in the face - but - like it or not, the above is the way it is.

You can always find a lawyer who will argue a different viewpoint, but that doesn't mean it is right.

So, what is the bottom line?

ANY mod may cause warranty woes. Consider ALL the implications of any mod you are contemplating and be mentally and monetarily prepared to pay for the consequences.

Read your owner's manual carefully. It specifically warns against engine (ECU) and suspension mods as examples of mods that will cause problems.

Feel free to mod away, but remember that you might have to pay to play. The other posters who say "just do it" aren't the ones that will have to foot the bill.

As a clarification - there is some heated discussion about the manufacturer's burden of proof regarding the use of "performance parts" but the bottom line remains the same.

In addition, if the manufacturer allows a case to go to court then there is a good bet that he has sufficient evidence to back up their claim.

Last edited by cb1111; 07-30-2010 at 08:30 AM.. Reason: Add clarification
Appreciate 1
ceb28.00
      07-29-2010, 11:20 PM   #81
Quisp
Does not play well with others
United_States
83
Rep
1,787
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Arizona

iTrader: (4)

Good clarification of a confusing and somewhat grey area for dealers and owners alike.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      07-31-2010, 12:02 AM   #82
geneatals
Ninja
geneatals's Avatar
United_States
554
Rep
4,045
Posts

Drives: 2019 530e
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: So Cal (SFV)

iTrader: (3)

post #81= WIN

thank you for taking the time to post...
__________________
Current:2024 G60 550e
Retired: 2022 G30 530e, 2019 G30 530e, 2016 F80 M3, 2012 E90 M3 ZCP, 2008 535i
Appreciate 0
      08-01-2010, 12:32 PM   #83
BTM
Banned
United_States
499
Rep
10,309
Posts

Drives: A///MERICAN!!!
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: A///MERICA!!!

iTrader: (11)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by TrackRat View Post
The facts in post #81 has been known by many for some time but a lot of wishful people think that a car maker must warranty a product in a form they never sold it despite the new vehicle warranty exclusions which prohibit Mods to the vehicle engineered specifications.
The exception I take is the "X is connected to Y is connected to Z" game that dealers will try and use (not every dealer does this but some of the stories are pretty bad). Denying service on wheel bearings because of non-rfts or on turbos because of a cat-back exhaust are completely ridiculous. Wasn't there someone who's catalytic converter warranty was denied because they had the valve opening wire unplugged? When BMW themselves sell an exhaust that bypasses the valve?

In many cases I agree with you however. There is a guy on another forum that always bashes his old N54 as having been a piece of junk - which he had modded to the hilt and was getting about 430hp out of, I'm always like, you don't think that had anything to do with your crappy reliability?
Appreciate 0
      08-01-2010, 03:09 PM   #84
cb1111
I ask the questions you're afraid to ask.
cb1111's Avatar
44
Rep
2,489
Posts

Drives: 335xi
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: DC

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BTM View Post
The exception I take is the "X is connected to Y is connected to Z" game that dealers will try and use (not every dealer does this but some of the stories are pretty bad). Denying service on wheel bearings because of non-rfts or on turbos because of a cat-back exhaust are completely ridiculous. Wasn't there someone who's catalytic converter warranty was denied because they had the valve opening wire unplugged? When BMW themselves sell an exhaust that bypasses the valve?

In many cases I agree with you however. There is a guy on another forum that always bashes his old N54 as having been a piece of junk - which he had modded to the hilt and was getting about 430hp out of, I'm always like, you don't think that had anything to do with your crappy reliability?
Often, that is based on a previous bad experience, ignorance on the dealer's part or a crappy customer.

If a customer goes to the dealer with a car that is scraping the weeds, a catless exhaust and a bunch of bling then the dealer may well start looking for exclusions. If the customer comes in with an attitude as well then he can kiss warranty service goodbye.

A reasonable customer with a few reasonable mods probably won't have issues. It is the "bling mods" that draw attention to the mod and bring little in return - these are cold air intakes, catless exhausts and similar mods that scream "look at me" but bring very little in terms of performance.

Combine that with a service writer who doesn't understand the intricacies of mods and you're in trouble.
Appreciate 0
      08-03-2010, 06:46 PM   #85
Ben Richards
Private First Class
Ben Richards's Avatar
United_States
32
Rep
131
Posts

Drives: 2016 F10 550i xDrive
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: VA

iTrader: (0)

i am a noob...and i am reading. 'ppreciate the info.
Appreciate 0
      09-23-2010, 07:15 PM   #86
LSO
New Member
United_States
0
Rep
18
Posts

Drives: 07 335i
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Cincinnati

iTrader: (1)

Noob here too...great points on this topic and many things to consider in regard to modding the car.
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2010, 04:59 PM   #87
atlharry
Second Lieutenant
South Korea
2
Rep
251
Posts

Drives: 2011 335i Coupe
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: somewhere in the US...

iTrader: (0)

2nd post and I believe it's in the right thread. This pretty much tips my to-mod-or-not-to-mod seesaw all the way to not-to-mod.

Must... Wait... For... Dinan N55 Stage 2... sigh.
Appreciate 0
      10-01-2010, 09:19 PM   #88
LagMode335i
Private First Class
1
Rep
181
Posts

Drives: 2008 335i DS2 but M OTW
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: TN

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by atlharry View Post
2nd post and I believe it's in the right thread. This pretty much tips my to-mod-or-not-to-mod seesaw all the way to not-to-mod.

Must... Wait... For... Dinan N55 Stage 2... sigh.

Good luck with Dinan even if you wait..............
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:55 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST