Advice on How to Broach the Subject of Mods with my Dealer

VetteDocterO6 · 05-29-2017, 10:59 AM

Hi all, new to this forum and owning a new BMW. I have heavily modified other vehicle brands and never had a problem before but after reading posts on these boards I'm a little nervous going up against BMW NA.
The question is does anyone have advice on how to broach the subject of "tolerated" mods with my local dealer?
I'm in Ohio on the westside of Cleveland if anyone has a preferred dealer over here.

Thanks in advance!
Pete

3rdcoast228i · 05-30-2017, 02:36 AM

If you are asking about warranty related repairs...

Your dealer my tolerate some mods, but if something fairly major happens BMW NA will send out a rep before they approve the work. And BMW isn't going to eat the cost if they don't have too.

It's like going to the casino and expecting to win. Don't play unless you can afford to lose.

c1pher · 05-30-2017, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3rdcoast228i

If you are asking about warranty related repairs...

Your dealer my tolerate some mods, but if something fairly major happens BMW NA will send out a rep before they approve the work. And BMW isn't going to eat the cost if they don't have too.

It's like going to the casino and expecting to win. Don't play unless you can afford to lose.

I agree. You kind of have to shop around. I had a Fiat Abarth. The dealer I bought from was anti-mod and another dealer actually installed piggyback ecus, down pipes, intakes etc and even stocked the parts at the dealer. Some VW dealers are now APR tuners while others aren't and will give you a TD1 flag quicker than your head will spin.

I would maybe find a Dinan authorized BMW dealer and they may be more open minded to your "upgrades" but no guarantees.

VetteDocterO6 · 05-30-2017, 09:04 AM

Alright, I'll look for a Dinan dealer first and then try to discuss jb4 dp with the service guy. I just didn't want to go to the service manager and start talking to them about their tolerance towards mods and then they "flag" my car as in be on the look out for mods with this guy.

Thanks guys, I appreciate your input

SanchoDivine · 05-30-2017, 02:49 PM

There are M performance mods like the exhaust and suspension that you won't have warranty issues with. Also, as others have mentioned, Dinan is usually a safe bet and some BMW dealerships are sell and install Dinan.

A BMW genius I talk to has told me that a lot of discussion has been taking place regarding the demand for BMW power bumps (tuning) becoming available to sell. However, this has been discussed in the forums for a long time with nothing shown as this actually ever going to happen.

David70 · 05-31-2017, 08:42 AM

Depends on the mods and what goes wrong. Replace the wheels/tires (especially with similar sizes), add a body kit, replace much of the interior, cat back exhaust, none of this is likely to have bearing on any warranty repair regardless of the dealer.

Add a tune or do other engine work and have the turbo fail and regardless of what the dealer tells you now it is likely you will be stuck with the repair.

Dinan comes with a warranty but then you pay a lot of extra money for the parts so there is a trade off there also. Then I think warranty repairs related to their parts require you to go to a Dinan authorized dealer?

Msmall143 · 05-31-2017, 12:10 PM

what mods did you have in mind that are causing you concern?

VetteDocterO6 · 05-31-2017, 12:20 PM

Looking at JB4 and some downpipes

R3dliner · 05-31-2017, 01:02 PM

I would revert back to stock and take it in. JB4 will be a red flag imo.
I've heard they are cracking down on tunes.

NickyC · 05-31-2017, 02:08 PM

Outside of wheels, suspension, interior, etc., I wouldn't hope for too much. If I bought something expensive like an M4 under warranty, I wouldn't even bother with minor boltons such as an intake or cat back. I think they'd used any excuse possible not to warranty the work. Older cars certainly have the advantage here, they've taken the depreciation hit from the ridiculously high new prices, and you can modify them anyway you'd like. I'd never recommend doing any serious engine mods to a car unless you can afford to pay for issues which might arise. In fact, I'd even go so far as to discourage anybody from big mods unless they own the car outright. Thousands upon thousands of dollars in repair costs suck when you still have a car payment.

05-29-2017, 10:59 AM	#1
VetteDocterO6 New Member 7 Rep 9 Posts Drives: MY17 F80 AY 6MT ZCP Join Date: May 2017 Location: Westlake, Ohio iTrader: (0)	Advice on How to Broach the Subject of Mods with my Dealer Hi all, new to this forum and owning a new BMW. I have heavily modified other vehicle brands and never had a problem before but after reading posts on these boards I'm a little nervous going up against BMW NA. The question is does anyone have advice on how to broach the subject of "tolerated" mods with my local dealer? I'm in Ohio on the westside of Cleveland if anyone has a preferred dealer over here. Thanks in advance! Pete __________________ 2017 F80 AY 6MT ZCP ZDB ZEC ZLP
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05-30-2017, 02:36 AM	#2
3rdcoast228i Captain 225 Rep 610 Posts Drives: 2016 228i Msport Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	If you are asking about warranty related repairs... Your dealer my tolerate some mods, but if something fairly major happens BMW NA will send out a rep before they approve the work. And BMW isn't going to eat the cost if they don't have too. It's like going to the casino and expecting to win. Don't play unless you can afford to lose.
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05-30-2017, 09:04 AM	#4
VetteDocterO6 New Member 7 Rep 9 Posts Drives: MY17 F80 AY 6MT ZCP Join Date: May 2017 Location: Westlake, Ohio iTrader: (0)	Alright, I'll look for a Dinan dealer first and then try to discuss jb4 dp with the service guy. I just didn't want to go to the service manager and start talking to them about their tolerance towards mods and then they "flag" my car as in be on the look out for mods with this guy. Thanks guys, I appreciate your input __________________ 2017 F80 AY 6MT ZCP ZDB ZEC ZLP
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05-30-2017, 02:49 PM	#5
SanchoDivine Captain 560 Rep 910 Posts Drives: 2017 F80 M3 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (0)	There are M performance mods like the exhaust and suspension that you won't have warranty issues with. Also, as others have mentioned, Dinan is usually a safe bet and some BMW dealerships are sell and install Dinan. A BMW genius I talk to has told me that a lot of discussion has been taking place regarding the demand for BMW power bumps (tuning) becoming available to sell. However, this has been discussed in the forums for a long time with nothing shown as this actually ever going to happen. __________________ '17 Alpine White M3, Club 6MT instagram.com/sancho_divine
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05-31-2017, 08:42 AM	#6
David70 Colonel 1755 Rep 2,835 Posts Drives: 20 AM Vantage -13 Cadillac ATS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (1)	Depends on the mods and what goes wrong. Replace the wheels/tires (especially with similar sizes), add a body kit, replace much of the interior, cat back exhaust, none of this is likely to have bearing on any warranty repair regardless of the dealer. Add a tune or do other engine work and have the turbo fail and regardless of what the dealer tells you now it is likely you will be stuck with the repair. Dinan comes with a warranty but then you pay a lot of extra money for the parts so there is a trade off there also. Then I think warranty repairs related to their parts require you to go to a Dinan authorized dealer? __________________ 2006 Z4M Coupe - ZHP knob, stubby antenna, clutch delay delete
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05-31-2017, 12:10 PM	#7
Msmall143 Lieutenant 270 Rep 485 Posts Drives: BMW M4, BMW S1000RR Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Loudon VA iTrader: (0)	what mods did you have in mind that are causing you concern?
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05-31-2017, 12:20 PM	#8
VetteDocterO6 New Member 7 Rep 9 Posts Drives: MY17 F80 AY 6MT ZCP Join Date: May 2017 Location: Westlake, Ohio iTrader: (0)	Looking at JB4 and some downpipes __________________ 2017 F80 AY 6MT ZCP ZDB ZEC ZLP
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05-31-2017, 01:02 PM	#9
R3dliner Lieutenant Colonel 940 Rep 1,929 Posts Drives: 18 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: NYC iTrader: (5)	I would revert back to stock and take it in. JB4 will be a red flag imo. I've heard they are cracking down on tunes.
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05-31-2017, 02:08 PM	#10
NickyC Lieutenant General 19301 Rep 11,211 Posts Drives: M4 CS. Former G82, x2 F82, F80 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Jacked out of my mind iTrader: (23)	Outside of wheels, suspension, interior, etc., I wouldn't hope for too much. If I bought something expensive like an M4 under warranty, I wouldn't even bother with minor boltons such as an intake or cat back. I think they'd used any excuse possible not to warranty the work. Older cars certainly have the advantage here, they've taken the depreciation hit from the ridiculously high new prices, and you can modify them anyway you'd like. I'd never recommend doing any serious engine mods to a car unless you can afford to pay for issues which might arise. In fact, I'd even go so far as to discourage anybody from big mods unless they own the car outright. Thousands upon thousands of dollars in repair costs suck when you still have a car payment.
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