BMW warranty refused for modification? Hifi, coding? Anyone?

[TB404]

Hello there,
A new owner of a lovely F30 330e (DEC2017).

The car still has more 2 years warranty and I plan to extend it afterwards.
I'd like to install a proper sound system (with a decent installer) - however it requires tapping into the engine batter (duh) and very minor coding to the HU.

I'm worried about BMW then using it as an excuse to reject and warranty work especially around 'electrical' (its a hybrid car...).

I tried asking them but they are vague and just say that modification invalidate the warranty for those parts - yet I'm sure lots of people do coding/install aftermarket sound systems.

Do you have any experience with this? How best to go about it?

Thank you!

[tjlees]

My personal experience is it invalidates the warranty on the part that you have changed.

I've had several warranty no problem claims (adaptive suspension, alloys etc) - with a car that had an aftermarket exhaust, led lights, reversing camera and folding mirrors and therefore heavily changed coding.

I suspect if the aftermarket part has caused the problem directly or even indirectly, then the claim would be invalid. So for instance, if you put on non-approved tyres on a xdrive and the transmission goes wrong the dealership *may* refuse you claim (this has happened to several people) - similarly with engine tunes

[TB404]

Thanks mate,
That makes sense, (Tires - suspension) - what worries me is that 'electrical' is super wide ranging... and all it takes is one enthusiastic 'service adviser' to flag up the car as 'modified'....

I wonder if there was a process to get 'modifications' inspected by BMW and get a stamp of 'proper install' or something similar?

[Smuler]

When I got a dashcam hardwired to a permanent live fuse, I contacted BMW warranty company who confirmed (not verbatim) :-
They wouldn't cover dashcam or any problems caused by the dashcam but otherwise warranty unaffected.

In the end I only had a claim for injectors (passed no problems) but felt safe in the knowledge the dealer would have to firmly believe the dashcam caused the problem , to have any incentive to not simply get on with the job

I believe all that bothers dealers is not getting their 'money' back from BMW warranty so to ease the transaction I've usually either called out BMW recovery if there's been a problem which (and I define this broadly) renders the car unsuitable to drive or checked and got cover confirmed in writing with BMW warranty first.

[TB404]

Smuler said:

I believe all that bothers dealers is not getting their 'money' back from BMW warranty so to ease the transaction I've usually either called out BMW recovery if there's been a problem which (and I define this broadly) renders the car unsuitable to drive or checked and got cover confirmed in writing with BMW warranty first.

Thank you, can you please elaborate on this? For example, would you call them (BMW recovery? Warranty?) and say the car won't start (for example) and add 'BTW I have a Dashcam'? Can you please confirm this is covered?

What worries me is that 'electricals' is basically 50% of the car...

[Smuler]

TB404 said:

Thank you, can you please elaborate on this? For example, would you call them (BMW recovery? Warranty?) and say the car won't start (for example) and add 'BTW I have a Dashcam'? Can you please confirm this is covered?

What worries me is that 'electricals' is basically 50% of the car...

No, I'd see no need to mention the d/cam in any dealings with recovery or dealership. Email confirmation from BMW Warranty, of state of play, was there just in case during a warranty job a service advisor said I'd made a modification and was going to delay things whilst they checked out if this is anyway compromised the claim.

I'd simply say don't waste your time, show them the official response and unless they were evidencing the d/cam having caused the problem the job would progress.

I might be wrong, but wasn't of the view d/cam could have much of an impact; maybe they'd dispute a battery claim as d/cam, heavily used, could place a unreasonable strain on it? But that's not a given as they tried to sell me a d/cam of their own branding

The chap who installed the d/cam is an car audio expert and I've seen his facebook page filled with work he's done for Porsche / Bentley with high end audio systems. I'm optimistic that if you get a good installer , the new audio won't screw up your car.

[Wills2]

TB404 said:

Thanks mate,
That makes sense, (Tires - suspension) - what worries me is that 'electrical' is super wide ranging... and all it takes is one enthusiastic 'service adviser' to flag up the car as 'modified'....

I wonder if there was a process to get 'modifications' inspected by BMW and get a stamp of 'proper install' or something similar?

Who at BMW AG is going to inspect your after market hi fi set up? No one. If you want to modify your car then you have to be willing to stand on for the issues it may cause.

[ManOpener]

If you're using OEM speaker housings in OEM locations and haven't got a huge obvious amplifier or subs in the boot I'd be surprised if they even noticed.

A load of Focal or Eton components fitted inside the original (or HK) mounts and a slimline amp in the rear cubbyhole will basically appear identical to the HK system unless you start pulling things apart.

Edited by ManOpener on Sunday 9th September 10:50

[rayyan171]

TB404 said:

Thanks mate,
That makes sense, (Tires - suspension) - what worries me is that 'electrical' is super wide ranging... and all it takes is one enthusiastic 'service adviser' to flag up the car as 'modified'....

I wonder if there was a process to get 'modifications' inspected by BMW and get a stamp of 'proper install' or something similar?

First time we took our BMW to the dealer and they were able to find out it was modified. They could tell it was remapped. It would likely void the warranty for the parts mentioned, but shouldn't affect drivetrain, which is important on an eDrive model.

[xjay1337]

rayyan171 said:

First time we took our BMW to the dealer and they were able to find out it was modified. They could tell it was remapped. It would likely void the warranty for the parts mentioned, but shouldn't affect drivetrain, which is important on an eDrive model.

I'm sure if it was remapped everything drivetrain would be voided!!!!

[TB404]

Thanks people,
So it seems the best path is a stealth install of the Bimmertech/etc drop in audio upgrades - without any amps or subs in the boot

One question though, I understand the base audio system (that BMW doesn't even sell in the US! BTW) doesn't have an amp so the amp will need a caddy/bracket of sorts (to fit behind the HU?) - won't that be a tell tell sign?

Lastly, the coding for the high fi is very simple and nothing like a remap, however as far as BMW is concerned 'coding' can mean anything right...?

Thank you

[rayyan171]

xjay1337 said:

rayyan171 said:

First time we took our BMW to the dealer and they were able to find out it was modified. They could tell it was remapped. It would likely void the warranty for the parts mentioned, but shouldn't affect drivetrain, which is important on an eDrive model.

I'm sure if it was remapped everything drivetrain would be voided!!!!

Our car was never under BMW warranty in our ownership anyway!!!!

[Smuler]

TB404 said:

Thanks people,
So it seems the best path is a stealth install of the Bimmertech/etc drop in audio upgrades - without any amps or subs in the boot

One question though, I understand the base audio system (that BMW doesn't even sell in the US! BTW) doesn't have an amp so the amp will need a caddy/bracket of sorts (to fit behind the HU?) - won't that be a tell tell sign?

Lastly, the coding for the high fi is very simple and nothing like a remap, however as far as BMW is concerned 'coding' can mean anything right...?


Get the exact audio you want.
Get a good installer , who will warranty install.
Consider what I did , re: clarification with BMW warranty.
Chances are nothing will go wrong , be an optimist
Obvious if car is “dead” , but for any issue relating to drive , call recovery. In my experience that tends to push repairs forward without some of the warranty politics dealers can get into.
YOLO

Thank you

[aeropilot]

TB404 said:

Thanks people,
So it seems the best path is a stealth install of the Bimmertech/etc drop in audio upgrades - without any amps or subs in the boot

One question though, I understand the base audio system (that BMW doesn't even sell in the US! BTW) doesn't have an amp so the amp will need a caddy/bracket of sorts (to fit behind the HU?) - won't that be a tell tell sign?

Lastly, the coding for the high fi is very simple and nothing like a remap, however as far as BMW is concerned 'coding' can mean anything right...?

I'd be very wary of modifiy audio while in warranty, especially if its the base system in the car....that's a lot of work with re-wire IIRC.

That's why BM's with base audio are usually so 'cheap'....compared to a car specced with either of the factory audio upgrades!

I know of a X3 owner that had a towbar install done, and the installer didn't understand or fit the right kit, to integrate it with all the park sensors and other leccy stuff and he had all sorts of electrical issue after which BMW washed their hands of it in terms of warranty fix, so cost him double in the end of what the factory towbar would have had, which he thought was too expensive and that's why he didn't spec it when he ordered it!!!

It all depends on what risks you are prepared to take should something go pear shaped, but that equally might not happen at all.