Third party tuning, and warranty/TLC

[MarkW19]

Is there anyone that's tuned up their MCS from new (or nearly new), at GTT etc. (ie. not JCW)?

If so, could you comment on how your dealers have responded for warranty and servicing/TLC issues etc.? Has it caused problems?

My dealer has personally been ok with TLC with my K&N and exhaust (although they don't know about the ECU remap), but I'm thinking a major GTT tuning, inc. badges etc., will just cause problems with them?

[Jonesy]

I enquired with BMW a couple of months ago after considering a GTT mod, and they responded to say that modification would void the warrety on the parts that are altered and any parts that are in some way linked to any altered parts. So basically the entire engine bay and exhaust system! They also said that I would not be able to use my TLC from that point onwards. Decided in the end that I could not lose these so left it.

I know that air filter mods are often considered a non invasive mod and are generally ignored at the dealers.

[MarkW19]

I'm just gonna keep my eyes open for an '04 JCW S I think, seems to be the better bet in all ways...

[Jonesy]

Sounds like a plan! JCWs are coming right down in price at the mo so no doubt you'll bag yourself a good one for a reasonable price.

[Hyper Active]

Quote: Originally Posted by MarkW19

Is there anyone that's tuned up their MCS from new (or nearly new), at GTT etc. (ie. not JCW)?

If so, could you comment on how your dealers have responded for warranty and servicing/TLC issues etc.? Has it caused problems?

My dealer has personally been ok with TLC with my K&N and exhaust (although they don't know about the ECU remap), but I'm thinking a major GTT tuning, inc. badges etc., will just cause problems with them?

All the third party tuners will know of one or two dealers who are happy to do warranty and tlc work on mini's that they have tuned. So you will need to find a tuner much nearer to where you live than GTT.

[JG.26]

My dealer was OK with my cat back Eisenmann but said changing the air filter box would affect warranty etc so I never went any further with the tuning mods, currently saving to have the works kit fitted as it's not worth changing my 03 S for a newer Works S as mine has only done 5600 miles

Think your best off sticking with a works S in my opinion, do you really need an extra 20bhp or so if you went with the GTT tuning package? I reckon the Works is plenty fast enough for everyday use.

[MarkW19]

I've almost 100% decided that I'm going to keep my eyes open for an '04 facelift Astro Black JCW, surely one will be available There's a few I've seen that are fairly near the spec I want, so hopefully by the time I'm ready to buy (end of the year) there should be lots more.

[JG.26]

Quote: Originally Posted by MarkW19

I've almost 100% decided that I'm going to keep my eyes open for an '04 facelift Astro Black JCW, surely one will be available There's a few I've seen that are fairly near the spec I want, so hopefully by the time I'm ready to buy (end of the year) there should be lots more.

Good luck with the search,

[MarkW19]

Thanks

[MINIMANIAUK]

As was posted previously it is only the parts fitted and possible associated parts that are affected by the warranty. The dealers are pretty good about it in general,the TLC should not be effected ,but if you went the way of a highly tuned Mini you would want to increase the service schedule frequency anyway and would you want Bmw to service/inspect brakes/suspension etc that they are not familliar with? A lot of the techs in Bmw are car enthusiasts themselves and pretty fair when it comes to warranty,more so than the public at large who will try to claim under warranty for kerbing the wheels,stonechips,cigarette burns on roof,discolouration on the dash where a air freshener has leaked,damage obviously caused by themselves trying to fit something,trim damage caused by huge loads being jammed in ,poor stereo fitting,decals damaged by jetwashing,oil in water system,water in oil system,premature tyre wear whilst driving like Jenson button,likewise brake pads,nails in tyres,gearboxes slammed into reverse whilst still going forward,even a drip of oil and then wanting the whole of their drive retarmaced! --sometimes we dont help ourselves and try to live in a blame culture

[Shorty]

I had my previous S tuned by Hartge from new, complete with badges etc & had no
problems at all with my dealer. TLC was covered too.

As MINIMANIAUK points out BMW techs are in general, car enthusiasts too. I know
of a few who own S's complete with pulleys etc...

My new S has just had the GTT220 conversion carried out too, as is currently leaking oil from an engine mount. Roland pointed this out to me before he carried out any work.
My dealer is repairing this tomorrow under warranty, so I'd say go for it!

[MarkW19]

Shorty: what's your thoughts on the GTT220? Perhaps compared to the JCW?

[miniboyblue]

Mark

I have had the 220 GTT and other bits added by roland and his team and have nothing but good things to say about them, have covered 10,000 miles in the last year approx with no issues at all.
I was aware of the obvious warranty issues, but as other have said most BMW dealers seem to be pretty sensible about this area.

Compared to the JCW 210 on all the runs I attend the JCW drivers are very impressed with the extra performance.

If I was going along this route I would buy a 2.5 year old low mileage S and give it to Roland to do his magic !!!!

[MarkW19]

Cool...

How does the GTT220 compare to something like the Lohen package, which includes GRS intercooler, alta 15% pulley (isn't GTT's 17%?), Alta CAI, etc.?

[miniboyblue]

Mark

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