i've gotten a couple quotes for a warranty on my 2003 cooper- want to cover the CVT mainly really. one of the warranty companies will be sending out an inspector to look at it- for obvious reasons. the inspection however is $90 and non-refundable.

so when talking to the person on the phone i inquired about mods. sales rep mentioned the obvious- suspension, etc. and i then asked about my afe CAI. the rep (really nice older female- no offense) was unsure as to what a CAI even was but, was a real helpful person. she told me she would check with the inspection company here in socal, so if there was an issue i could pop my stock box back in before they came out and not waste the $90 fee. other than possible issue- my cooper should pass with flying colors.

has anyone been through this inspection process before? and if so what mods do/did you have installed. my cooper is pretty stock with the exception of the CAI, 22mm ireland rear sway and a cat-back megan exhaust (getting installed today). not worried about the exhaust as the exhaust other than the manifold is not a warranty item. should i be concerned with the rear sway as well? i assume to warranty a car they comb it over pretty well.

thanks and any input really appreciated.

 

I havent been through the process but I would see no reason why those mods would pose any problems. Shoot...those mods are so subtle that unless you TELL HIM about them...everything should be just fine. I would keep my mouth shut but that's just me...

 

I agree with UKSUV, however, should you ever need to use said warranty and the repair shop doing the work did say something about mods and the warranty company thinks or is told that said mod "may" have caused the problem get ready to fight. I have a warranty and the key to using it is finding a shop that understands the gray areas of the automotive world in dealing with warranty companies.

 

I also agree, those mods have nothing to do with the CVT. Most dealers will install an aftermarket intake and not bat an eye.

Mark

 

well, i'm purchasing the aftermarket warranty MAINLY to ease my mind and cover my CVT - engine too i guess. rest of the stuff is nice but those 2 biggies are my main concerns. it covers the entire vehicle though. the CAI is fairly obvious to a warranty company that is a stickler. but, again i'm probably being paranoid and don't want to waste $100 if all i need to is pop the stock airbox back in. it's been tough finding a warranty her in socal and i don't want to blow it due to the aFe. thanks for the info. i'm sure they will call me monday and tell me there is absolutely no problem with the CAI.

autoxcooper- the megan was installed today and all i can say is WOW!

 

The mods shouldn't be a problem, they will never know about the sway bar, as for the intake, wait to hear what they say.

 

well, to follow up- i was told by the company i spoke of in my original post today that they WILL NOT warranty me if i HAD EVER installed a C.A.I. on the MINI! regardless if it was on now or in the past.

no worries i was just being up front about it with them. but, this is a good thing to know. if you ever want to get warrantied and they require inspection (warranty direct, MBA direct, all the others that do) do not mention mods- remove them before they come out. and remove them if you ever have to make a warranty claim. which could be a major ordeal if you have tons of mods installed or maybe not worth it to you.

i did however get warrantied today from a govt. certified california company that does not require inspection. and if i ever have to make a claim- off the mods will go. hassle? yep. better than paying $7000 for a new cvt? oh yeah.