What will void warranty?

[Chandon]

I've heard from a friend that as long as parts are OEM, you cannot void warranty at all. What I wanted to know is if I install several cosmetic parts that are OEM, tail lights, diffuser etc, will it void the warranty? ANd is it true that if you replace parts in the engine compartment it will automatically void warranty?
Thanks

[JimD]

Google Magnuson Moss and you will get good information about how warranties work in the U. S.. I do not know how they work in Austrailia but I assume it is similar. If you modify your car and that modification causes damage, the repair is not covered under warranty. If you modify your car and have unrelated damage, it is still covered. You can modify your air filter, for example, and still have coverage for the engine unless the dealer can show that your modification caused the damage.

Jim

[cheshirecat79]

Ask your dealer. Warranties are only voided if the dealer does it themselves.

Some dealers are mod-friendly. Others are not. However, most cosmetic modifications will not void any warranty beyond the part itself which has been modified.

[Qunadry]

Will switching to non run-flat tires void the warranty?

[JimD]

Of course not. If you went to wheels with different offset and or much larger tires then maybe but not just putting on regular tires.

[-c-]

Originally Posted by Qunadry

Will switching to non run-flat tires void the warranty?

Lol I remember the dealer back in Michigan tried to void my warranty on my sunroof coming apart solely based on my low profile tires and the fact that I had 18" wheels vs stock 17" wheels. Their argument was that the extra harsh vibrations from having bigger wheels and low pro tires aided in the destruction of my sunroof on the mini..... MINI USA didn't see it that way and they gladly replaced my roof.

Funny thing, that service director didn't last long.... Had so many pissed off customers the dealer was loosing repeat business so he was hacked. Now the new service director is like if it brakes we fix it regardless of mods. People are happy dealer makes money ... All is at peace with the world.....

[rking117]

Originally Posted by cheshirecat79

Ask your dealer. Warranties are only voided if the dealer does it themselves.

Some dealers are mod-friendly. Others are not. However, most cosmetic modifications will not void any warranty beyond the part itself which has been modified.

And there are some so called after market mods that are covered by BMW such as DINAN. Their software, exhaust, turbos, even floor mats will not void your warranty. As a mater of fact once you get enough DINAN points they will send a badge to yur local dealer and the dealer can install it for you. ALL parts are covered either by DINAN or BMW.

[rking117]

Originally Posted by -c-

Lol I remember the dealer back in Michigan tried to void my warranty on my sunroof coming apart solely based on my low profile tires and the fact that I had 18" wheels vs stock 17" wheels. Their argument was that the extra harsh vibrations from having bigger wheels and low pro tires aided in the destruction of my sunroof on the mini..... MINI USA didn't see it that way and they gladly replaced my roof.

Funny thing, that service director didn't last long.... Had so many pissed off customers the dealer was loosing repeat business so he was hacked. Now the new service director is like if it brakes we fix it regardless of mods. People are happy dealer makes money ... All is at peace with the world.....

In my opinion, a 20 dollar part is worth me replacing (if i were a dealer) knowing that my customer will be happy and come back and buy more cars from me where i might get thousands in return. To me that is a no brainer but there are some dealers out there that pinch their butts everytime the spend a nickel. Sad but true.

[adevangel84]

Talk to your advisor and become friends with him/her. I know my SA bc we go to the same gym and talk ever so often. I have a decent amount of mods (at my sig) and the only thing he tells me to do before I bring it in for repairs is remove my tune.

[simianspeedster]

Just talking about mods on a public forum will void your warranty. Sorry, tough break, but your car is now out of warranty. On the plus side, now you can mod away with reckless abandon!

[Chandon]

So how about if I install a new intake system? WIll that automatically void?

[Bob Z.]

Originally Posted by Cheng_125i

So how about if I install a new intake system? WIll that automatically void?

Are you talking about just a cone air filter and different air box? If so, no.

[Chandon]

Originally Posted by Bob Z.

Are you talking about just a cone air filter and different air box? If so, no.

So say I just replace the stock intake with a cold air, it shouldn't void it should it?

[Bob Z.]

Originally Posted by Cheng_125i

So say I just replace the stock intake with a cold air, it shouldn't void it should it?

No, it should not. I put the BMS Single Cone Cold Air Intake on mine and the dealer tech told me it was fine.

[cheshirecat79]

Originally Posted by adevangel84

Talk to your advisor and become friends with him/her. I know my SA bc we go to the same gym and talk ever so often. I have a decent amount of mods (at my sig) and the only thing he tells me to do before I bring it in for repairs is remove my tune.

This is the best advice here. As was mentioned before, there is no definitive handbook that all dealers follow that states 100% "x mod will void warranty".

Some dealers are more comfortable with mods than others.

A friend of mine went in for a CPO warranty issue with intake, a full exhaust, coils, wheels, and a custom audio/video system. The dealer thought it was cool and repaired what he needed as well as addressed whatever recalls were applicable.

This, at another dealer, could very well get you blacklisted.

If you're worried about it, just go in there and *talk to them*. Talk to the service manager. Introduce yourself and let them know you're thinking about bringing in your car for whatever it may be. Tell them what you have done. See what they say. They aren't going to ask for your VIN so that they can blacklist you immediately.

They're just people. They're all different. Create a relationship with them. It's the best way to resolve any "will my mod void my warranty" question.

[boxxa]

Become friends with a tech. My dealer is pretty laid back and most I have heard don't care unless you do something stupid like running high boost and blow your engine or add some eBay stereo components and fry your head unit.