MINI2

Todd! · Nov 26th, 2004, 04:44 AM

Fellow Aussies:

I have spoken to my dealer about installing springs (Eibach progressive rate) to my car...

They have informed me that any modification to the car that is not a BMW official part will void my warranty...

I have heard of other dealers fitting Eibachs as they believe they are a quality product, but my dealer serviceman told me my Pipercross will void my warranty on the entire car....

What are your thoughts?

Mod heads?

Racers?

General punks?

I'm loathed to do anything with my car if in the dealers eyes - it will void the warranty... theoretically the OSRAM diadium globes would void the warrrany

Todd

gazah · Nov 26th, 2004, 05:02 AM

hmmm...

http://www.mini2.com/forum/1215260-post.html

MickyD · Nov 26th, 2004, 05:04 AM

they can only deny warranty claims that are directly caused by the modification, and the onus is on them to prove that the modification caused the problem.

edit: so (in theory) from fitting the springs they could deny warranty claims for rattles, faulty suspension, body cracks etc etc.....

edit 2: [insert standard disclaimer here]

Todd! · Nov 26th, 2004, 05:09 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by gazah

hmmm...

http://www.mini2.com/forum/1215260-post.html

Nah, Im serious GAZ

I just wanted to hear peoples experience, so I can quote cases when I get in shyte

How can an afteramarket CAI damage a motor - it breathes better, more efficient etc.??

Spose I will be holding onto my runflats too, that'll void it too

Todd

KGB · Nov 26th, 2004, 05:11 AM

MickyD "they can only deny warranty claims that are directly caused by the modification, and the onus is on them to prove that the modification caused the problem."

Yes, and you need lots and lots of time, and another vehichle to drive, and lots and lots of money for your legal costs, 'casue if they dig their heals in you gotta prove they're digging their heals in.....better to use a sympathetic service department. I visit one the first Sunday of the month....

I'm useless today.

gazah · Nov 26th, 2004, 05:11 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by MickyD

the onus is on them to prove that the modification caused the problem

not so sure this is the case in australia micky... but even if it was, they could still 'cause a whole lotta fuss!

i've got a non-mod-friendly dealer & wouldn't expect an easy run if i had issues... i mean it'd take you a lot of work to 'prove' a CAI didn't cause an issue related to increased power output or something!?

OZChris · Nov 26th, 2004, 05:22 AM

Wtf????

KGB · Nov 26th, 2004, 05:26 AM

Todd,

Big brother might suggest you're outside of warranty anywho after some of your
shinanigans.....did someone say 'track'.....

Todd! · Nov 26th, 2004, 05:28 AM

I've never been on a track...

I just shread them on the road.

Todd

KGB · Nov 26th, 2004, 05:31 AM

Yeah, like EVERYONE else, seen the photos.

Todd! · Nov 26th, 2004, 05:32 AM

What I am interested in is the 'BLANKET' warranty coverage of the car...

I pretty sure I have heard that Robbo was taking maddie in and Trelo was too when they both had mods done... just dont want to get the rough end of the stick.

Its also hard for me to travel to a Melbourne dealer everytime I have to put my car in for work, so it is the worst case senario... the local one is just down the road from me.

Todd

7nut · Nov 26th, 2004, 05:42 AM

Quote:

"they can only deny warranty claims that are directly caused by the modification, and the onus is on them to prove that the modification caused the problem."

With my experiences with this, only the first part of the above statement is true.

With aftermarket springs they'd stop warranty on suspension and drive shafts, CV's etc. if they wanted to get narky

I'd be giving both BMW and consumer affairs a call to clarify if it worries you.

Todd! · Nov 26th, 2004, 05:55 AM

I will wait for the serviceman to get back to me before I do anything.

I was just interested to hear peoples experiences in the situation with the particular interest to Australia.

The interesting thing with the Eibachs is that they are progressive rate, so basically they are softer than factory in the first part of travel, but firm up as load increase, this would take the edge out of the harshness that the stock ones have and would most likely reduce the rattles.... (maybe

)

Todd

bkwalker · Nov 26th, 2004, 06:22 AM

hey, ive got an Alta CAI and the dealer said nothing and ive had repair work carried out whilst the CAI was on...

Also.. when i first got the car they had brochures at the dealer for pipercross intakes!! they had a pipercross intake on one of the demo coopers also!!

erichui · Nov 26th, 2004, 06:50 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by bkwalker

hey, ive got an Alta CAI and the dealer said nothing and ive had repair work carried out whilst the CAI was on...

Also.. when i first got the car they had brochures at the dealer for pipercross intakes!! they had a pipercross intake on one of the demo coopers also!!

hey which dealer are u bkwalker?

i'm probably going to get an Alta CAI as well.

bkwalker · Nov 26th, 2004, 08:13 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by erichui

hey which dealer are u bkwalker?

i'm probably going to get an Alta CAI as well.

Col Crawford Brookvale on the northernn beaches..

excellent dealership.. even though ive had to drop the car off there a few times; the service has been excellent, i'd recommend them to anyone

robbo mcs · Nov 26th, 2004, 08:41 AM

Hi,

Warranty is a grey area

I know several people who have had major problems on BMW's once they are out of warranty, but they have been fixed, no questions asked. However, these were loyal customers, whose cars had been serviced by the book, and the failures were obviously component failure, rather than abuse. I also know of several stories from the BMW club, where people have had seemingly legitimate warranty claims denied, because of modifications.

As far as I am aware, the warranty can only be denied if the modification is directly responsible. This is a grey area unfortunatley. For instance if you put on ultra-stiff springs, and your radio fails, is it because of a component failure or is it due to excessive vibration? A friendly dealer will just fix it, and tough one will give you a hard time

My advice would be to develop a good relationship with your service manager. Also, if in doubt, don't modify the car. If you are worried about losing you warranty, then dont do it. Wait until the 2 years is up and then do it

Also, allways be completely upfront with your dealer. If something breaks or goes wrong on the car, don't lie about any relevant mods. If they find out you have misled them, they will reasonably assume that you have lied about other things, including mods, and the circumstances of the component failure etc.

Also, as far as I am aware there are no problems with tracking your car on driver training days, club days etc with warranty. I have had a few problems fixed on my car after turning up at the dealership on track tyres and my helmet under my arm

However, if you race the car, then it is all voided.

Cheers

Robbo

Todd! · Nov 26th, 2004, 09:39 AM

Well I asked the serviceman how much it would cost me to have the Eibachs installed, so I obviously wasnt trying to hide anything... I have no plans of doing any mod that wouldn't stand out like dogs balls to the average mechanic, so I'm not trying to hide anything.

I just wanted to add the springs, then maybe put a swaybar and a reduction pulley down the track... Tim has proved that the car can more than perform with as little as the above...

...but they have taken a bit of a hardline on it all.

Todd

IML337 · Nov 29th, 2004, 08:24 AM

I haven't proved a thing? My car is standard!

What Robbo has said is entirely accurate IMO.

2bob · Nov 29th, 2004, 11:25 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by bkwalker

Col Crawford Brookvale on the northernn beaches..

excellent dealership.. even though ive had to drop the car off there a few times; the service has been excellent, i'd recommend them to anyone

I agree! I have bought 3 MINIS from them and they always are professional in our dealings and the Service Department fix our problems -however sometimes taking a couple of goesto solve the probllem.

Nov 26th, 2004, 04:44 AM	#1
Todd! Boy who made the wolf cry Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Geelong, Vic, Aus Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 10,450 Offline	Warranty voided FULL STOP??? Fellow Aussies: I have spoken to my dealer about installing springs (Eibach progressive rate) to my car... They have informed me that any modification to the car that is not a BMW official part will void my warranty... I have heard of other dealers fitting Eibachs as they believe they are a quality product, but my dealer serviceman told me my Pipercross will void my warranty on the entire car.... What are your thoughts? Mod heads? Racers? General punks? I'm loathed to do anything with my car if in the dealers eyes - it will void the warranty... theoretically the OSRAM diadium globes would void the warrrany Todd PROJECT POLARIS - Die Wiedergeburt eines kultautos

Nov 26th, 2004, 05:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
gazah M2 Procrastinator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: sydney, OZ! Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 1,856 Offline	hmmm... http://www.mini2.com/forum/1215260-post.html come MOTOR with clubMINI

Nov 26th, 2004, 05:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
Todd! Boy who made the wolf cry Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Geelong, Vic, Aus Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 10,450 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by gazah hmmm... http://www.mini2.com/forum/1215260-post.html Nah, Im serious GAZ I just wanted to hear peoples experience, so I can quote cases when I get in shyte How can an afteramarket CAI damage a motor - it breathes better, more efficient etc.?? Spose I will be holding onto my runflats too, that'll void it too Todd PROJECT POLARIS - Die Wiedergeburt eines kultautos

Nov 26th, 2004, 05:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
gazah M2 Procrastinator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: sydney, OZ! Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 1,856 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by MickyD the onus is on them to prove that the modification caused the problem not so sure this is the case in australia micky... but even if it was, they could still 'cause a whole lotta fuss! i've got a non-mod-friendly dealer & wouldn't expect an easy run if i had issues... i mean it'd take you a lot of work to 'prove' a CAI didn't cause an issue related to increased power output or something!? come MOTOR with clubMINI

Nov 26th, 2004, 05:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
Todd! Boy who made the wolf cry Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Geelong, Vic, Aus Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 10,450 Offline	I've never been on a track... I just shread them on the road. Todd PROJECT POLARIS - Die Wiedergeburt eines kultautos

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Nov 26th, 2004, 05:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
MickyD MINI2 Master Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 07:30 AM Posts: 3,628 Offline	they can only deny warranty claims that are directly caused by the modification, and the onus is on them to prove that the modification caused the problem. edit: so (in theory) from fitting the springs they could deny warranty claims for rattles, faulty suspension, body cracks etc etc..... edit 2: [insert standard disclaimer here]

Nov 26th, 2004, 05:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
KGB MINI2 Senior Join Date: May 2003 Location: Melbourne Inner Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 801 Offline	MickyD "they can only deny warranty claims that are directly caused by the modification, and the onus is on them to prove that the modification caused the problem." Yes, and you need lots and lots of time, and another vehichle to drive, and lots and lots of money for your legal costs, 'casue if they dig their heals in you gotta prove they're digging their heals in.....better to use a sympathetic service department. I visit one the first Sunday of the month.... I'm useless today.

Nov 26th, 2004, 05:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
OZChris MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 07:30 AM Posts: 2,507 Offline	Wtf????

Nov 26th, 2004, 05:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
KGB MINI2 Senior Join Date: May 2003 Location: Melbourne Inner Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 801 Offline	Todd, Big brother might suggest you're outside of warranty anywho after some of your shinanigans.....did someone say 'track'.....

Nov 26th, 2004, 05:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
KGB MINI2 Senior Join Date: May 2003 Location: Melbourne Inner Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 801 Offline	Yeah, like EVERYONE else, seen the photos.

Nov 26th, 2004, 05:32 AM	#11 (permalink)
Todd! Boy who made the wolf cry Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Geelong, Vic, Aus Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 10,450 Offline	What I am interested in is the 'BLANKET' warranty coverage of the car... I pretty sure I have heard that Robbo was taking maddie in and Trelo was too when they both had mods done... just dont want to get the rough end of the stick. Its also hard for me to travel to a Melbourne dealer everytime I have to put my car in for work, so it is the worst case senario... the local one is just down the road from me. Todd PROJECT POLARIS - Die Wiedergeburt eines kultautos

Nov 26th, 2004, 05:42 AM	#12 (permalink)
7nut MINI2 Regular Join Date: Sep 2004 Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 69 Offline	Quote: "they can only deny warranty claims that are directly caused by the modification, and the onus is on them to prove that the modification caused the problem." With my experiences with this, only the first part of the above statement is true. With aftermarket springs they'd stop warranty on suspension and drive shafts, CV's etc. if they wanted to get narky I'd be giving both BMW and consumer affairs a call to clarify if it worries you.

Nov 26th, 2004, 05:55 AM	#13 (permalink)
Todd! Boy who made the wolf cry Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Geelong, Vic, Aus Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 10,450 Offline	I will wait for the serviceman to get back to me before I do anything. I was just interested to hear peoples experiences in the situation with the particular interest to Australia. The interesting thing with the Eibachs is that they are progressive rate, so basically they are softer than factory in the first part of travel, but firm up as load increase, this would take the edge out of the harshness that the stock ones have and would most likely reduce the rattles.... (maybe) Todd PROJECT POLARIS - Die Wiedergeburt eines kultautos

Nov 26th, 2004, 06:22 AM	#14 (permalink)
bkwalker The Silverado Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 804 Offline	hey, ive got an Alta CAI and the dealer said nothing and ive had repair work carried out whilst the CAI was on... Also.. when i first got the car they had brochures at the dealer for pipercross intakes!! they had a pipercross intake on one of the demo coopers also!! benno

Nov 26th, 2004, 06:50 AM	#15 (permalink)
erichui MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sydney Local Time: 07:30 AM Posts: 631 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by bkwalker hey, ive got an Alta CAI and the dealer said nothing and ive had repair work carried out whilst the CAI was on... Also.. when i first got the car they had brochures at the dealer for pipercross intakes!! they had a pipercross intake on one of the demo coopers also!! hey which dealer are u bkwalker? i'm probably going to get an Alta CAI as well. 05 PW/B chilli. finally here.

Nov 26th, 2004, 08:13 AM	#16 (permalink)
bkwalker The Silverado Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 804 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by erichui hey which dealer are u bkwalker? i'm probably going to get an Alta CAI as well. Col Crawford Brookvale on the northernn beaches.. excellent dealership.. even though ive had to drop the car off there a few times; the service has been excellent, i'd recommend them to anyone benno

Nov 26th, 2004, 08:41 AM	#17 (permalink)
robbo mcs Track Addict Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sydney Local Time: 07:30 AM Posts: 2,620 Offline	Hi, Warranty is a grey area I know several people who have had major problems on BMW's once they are out of warranty, but they have been fixed, no questions asked. However, these were loyal customers, whose cars had been serviced by the book, and the failures were obviously component failure, rather than abuse. I also know of several stories from the BMW club, where people have had seemingly legitimate warranty claims denied, because of modifications. As far as I am aware, the warranty can only be denied if the modification is directly responsible. This is a grey area unfortunatley. For instance if you put on ultra-stiff springs, and your radio fails, is it because of a component failure or is it due to excessive vibration? A friendly dealer will just fix it, and tough one will give you a hard time My advice would be to develop a good relationship with your service manager. Also, if in doubt, don't modify the car. If you are worried about losing you warranty, then dont do it. Wait until the 2 years is up and then do it Also, allways be completely upfront with your dealer. If something breaks or goes wrong on the car, don't lie about any relevant mods. If they find out you have misled them, they will reasonably assume that you have lied about other things, including mods, and the circumstances of the component failure etc. Also, as far as I am aware there are no problems with tracking your car on driver training days, club days etc with warranty. I have had a few problems fixed on my car after turning up at the dealership on track tyres and my helmet under my arm However, if you race the car, then it is all voided. Cheers Robbo Mods: GO MADDIE and SPARKY!

Nov 26th, 2004, 09:39 AM	#18 (permalink)
Todd! Boy who made the wolf cry Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Geelong, Vic, Aus Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 10,450 Offline	Well I asked the serviceman how much it would cost me to have the Eibachs installed, so I obviously wasnt trying to hide anything... I have no plans of doing any mod that wouldn't stand out like dogs balls to the average mechanic, so I'm not trying to hide anything. I just wanted to add the springs, then maybe put a swaybar and a reduction pulley down the track... Tim has proved that the car can more than perform with as little as the above... ...but they have taken a bit of a hardline on it all. Todd PROJECT POLARIS - Die Wiedergeburt eines kultautos

Nov 29th, 2004, 08:24 AM	#19 (permalink)
IML337 saving the world Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Singapore Local Time: 06:30 AM Posts: 2,931 Offline	I haven't proved a thing? My car is standard! What Robbo has said is entirely accurate IMO.

Nov 29th, 2004, 11:25 AM	#20 (permalink)
2bob MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: bilgola plateau nsw Local Time: 07:30 AM Posts: 1,013 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by bkwalker Col Crawford Brookvale on the northernn beaches.. excellent dealership.. even though ive had to drop the car off there a few times; the service has been excellent, i'd recommend them to anyone I agree! I have bought 3 MINIS from them and they always are professional in our dealings and the Service Department fix our problems -however sometimes taking a couple of goesto solve the probllem.

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