To those with springs

[1013mm]

Are you guys afraid that your shocks might blow out or anything? I want to go HR sport springs at least till the summer then switch to coils. There aren't too may potholes in socal so should I be fine for now?

[My135]

Other people may tell you to upgrade the shock at the same time you lowered your car, but based on my experience ... I had lower springs installed on my other car and the OEM shock still good with 62K miles.

[SV Concepts II]

You should be fine. it will accelerate wear on the shocks but that doesn't mean they'll blow overnight.

[SV Concepts III]

You will be fine if you are going to run them until summer. Your shocks will not just collapse or blow out, they will wear sooner so they will become less and less effective. Typical lifespan with aftermarket springs is about 50k miles- this is largely dependent on the current condition of your shocks, road conditions and how hard you drive. However, it will not be a problem to do it for the time being.

With that said, you are spending a lot on labor to have the springs installed and later coils...I would save up and just do the coils if that's what you plan on doing later on.

[randomquickness]

I am about to sell my H&R sport springs when my coilovers get here (hopefully next week). I used them for about 37k miles and my shocks still seem to be fine.

[1013mm]

Originally Posted by randomquickness

I am about to sell my H&R sport springs when my coilovers get here (hopefully next week). I used them for about 37k miles and my shocks still seem to be fine.

did you experience much change in ride quality with those springs compared to oem??

[randomquickness]

yeah, it is a little more harsh over bumps/potholes but other than that it's not bad at all.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by randomquickness

yeah, it is a little more harsh over bumps/potholes but other than that it's not bad at all.

Exact same experiences for me with same springs. So, +1

[moveswiftly]

yeah I had H&R Springs on my e90, ride was a little bouncy, might be due to my 75k mile shocks :P, and was a little harsh. Besides that handling was stiffer

[derekL]

if i were to get spring but i don't change to coils, and my shocks blow, it will void warranty right? and will all of my warranty be voided or will part of it be voided?

[SV Concepts III]

Changing any part of the suspension will void the suspension warranty. The rest of the warranty will remain.

[SlickShift]

I have Eibach springs with stock shocks and it's not too bad. I drive on the rough/potholed city street a lot and the ride can be a really harsh at times. But on smooth/moderately bumpy roads they're just fine. That being said, I'll eventually upgrade to coilovers. In hindsight I should've just waited and got coilovers. Live and learn.

[rsjean]

Originally Posted by derekL

if i were to get spring but i don't change to coils, and my shocks blow, it will void warranty right? and will all of my warranty be voided or will part of it be voided?

By law it can only void a result directly caused by the springs. And in this case direct also includes incidental.

[rsjean]

And I decided I don't owe income tax any more.LOL

The issue is not in the hands of a maunufacturer of goods or provider of services. It's a Federal Law. And the guidelines have not changed. No manufacturer can deny their warranty coverage because a consumer took and action unless that action can be proven to be the cause of the failure in question.

You're right in recommendeing anyone in this situation to consult an attorney. Try and get one with consumer protection law or warranty law - trade law specalization or experience.

Originally Posted by TrackRat

Not any more...

All major car companies have started adding warranty disclaimers for any alterations to suspension, powertrain and audio systems, because of the inappropriate mods that are common these days.

It no longer takes a "result directly caused by the alteration" to void the warranty. Altering the system voids the warranty because the auto maker never delivered the vehicle in the state it is after mods and thus can not be held responsible for the performance of said vehicle in said state.

I am not a lawyer and I don't give legal advice. Those in doubt can pay for a professional opinion on their new vehicle warranty. Unless a lawyer is working on 100% contingency, I'd take their legal advice with a large grain of salt if they tell you different than what is posted above.

[larryn]

Good conversation. I will say that the Magnusen-Moss Warranty Act still applies here, regardless of what automakers have added to their warranty text. The Magnusen-Moss Act is a consumer protection act that specifically prevents auto manufacturers from denying service under warranty (or voiding warranty), unless they can distinctly prove that the modifications were a direct result of the modification.

Of course, they can still deny, and you can site the Magnusen-Moss Act. In all likelihood, if you're trying to get struts replaced under warranty and have aftermarket springs installed, they'll just state, "Okay, have your engineers contact our engineers".

[rsjean]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

You can't force a manufacturer to warranty a product in a state they never sold it. In addition the new vehicle warranty has specific disclaimers for "alterations". These terms are part of the warranty contract and have been added specifically to address mods. Federal law does not force a manufacturer to warranty a product in a state they did not sell it. Unless the lawyer is going to work on a 100% contingency, red flags should go up all over the place.

Global manufacturers offer what's claed a global warranty the has country/region specific application and terminology. Also the warranty is between the manufacturer and the end consumer - regardless of state. Lastly the warranty must be uniform in it's application.

Again, once a Federal compliant warranty is put in place by a manufacturer, the implementation of thosed portions of the warranty under auspies of the Federal Government are not up to interpretation by the manufacturer.

[rsjean]

Originally Posted by larryn

Good conversation. I will say that the Magnusen-Moss Warranty Act still applies here, regardless of what automakers have added to their warranty text. The Magnusen-Moss Act is a consumer protection act that specifically prevents auto manufacturers from denying service under warranty (or voiding warranty), unless they can distinctly prove that the modifications were a direct result of the modification.

Of course, they can still deny, and you can site the Magnusen-Moss Act. In all likelihood, if you're trying to get struts replaced under warranty and have aftermarket springs installed, they'll just state, "Okay, have your engineers contact our engineers".

More like have your attorney and expert wittness contact our attorney and expert wittness. Luckily the courts that have jurisdiction have almost always taken a consumer perspective.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by rsjean

More like have your attorney and expert wittness contact our attorney and expert wittness. Luckily the courts that have jurisdiction have almost always taken a consumer perspective.

Correct, and if they're talking about some smaller warranty item, they'll likely bend and do the work under warranty, as it would cost a LOT more for their attorneys to build a case and successfully present it.

I wouldn't use this tactic if you were caught with a tune and downpipes, and have a couple bad cylinders though...

[rsjean]

Originally Posted by larryn

I wouldn't use this tactic if you were caught with a tune and downpipes, and have a couple bad cylinders though...

Yeah I think you're right about that. Big bucks to fix and strong incidental probability. Plus their expert opinion would have the advantage of a huge data knowledgebase.

[ohaywood]

You're fine.

[Mark M]

It is a very grey area.

Hypathetically the dealer could deny your warrenty claim for a rattle in the dash or door by citing that the new suspension springs / shocks are more firm that OE and thus caused the rattle.

Or the dealer could deny the replacement of the 3rd brake light lens by citing that the suspension was so firm it caused the lens to break.

See where I am going here.....I love to mod as much as the next guy...but it can get grey and sticky very fast!!!!!!!!

[trfortin69]

so if you install an aftermarket suspension it will void the whole warranty or just the suspension portion of the warranty? such as control arms sway bars etc.? anyone know for a fact?