Check around a lot for this over the last few days and can't find a direct answer anywhere.

I know that if you mod your ECU your warranty is automatically voided. My issue is that I have a warranty on my car until 2014. I feel like I have to get my ECU tuned if I want to put aftermarket parts on my MCS.

So here are my questions, if I get my ECU tuned is there a way set it back to the original tune if I need to take it to service? If there is, is there a simple way to get it back to the modded maps?

If I just plan on putting on a CAI and exhaust is there any real reason to get an ECU tune or is it a waste of money for something so simple?

I know these are dumb questions and I apologize.

 

You might want to check out this thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...lash-tool.html

The purpose of buying the flashtool with a tune from Jan at RMW is that you can replace the old settings anytime that you need to...like for service...and then switch back again to the tuned settings...

 

What he ^ said. You might want to post these same questions in the thread as you will probably get the answer you are looking for. Also, If you dont like going through 51 pages of a thread, you can check out RMW's website http://www.revolutionmini.com/ for the pricing of the tune and the flash tool.

 

Yep, swapping tunes takes less than 3 minutes to do also!

 

I mean you don't need an ecu tune. Its just nice to have a nice bump in power.

 

Oh nice, that looks clutch, seems like its the answer to my problems.

According to the thread it says it doesn't reset codes, wouldn't that be an issue for me?

 

Only if you have an aftermarket DP that causes CELs

 

So basically you are asking if you can lie? No, it still voids your warranty even if you set it back to stock.

Yes, there are options out there like RMW but if you are going to mod, setup and be prepared to pay if it goes wrong.

 

Do you have some personal experiences with that happening?

 

honestly it depends on how leniant your service department is. the service people at my location are cool with me so usually they dont car about if my car is tuned or not. i go to service with a cel on all the time cause of my dp and they dont ask about it. im about to go to serivce again to get my head gasket replaced and see if they can replace my wastegate, hopefully all covered under warranty

 

orangecrush had his drivetrain warranty voided because they detected his ECU tune, but he was able to have his melted hoodscoop still covered: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...anty-back.html

As an engineer I can tell you that it is relatively easy for BMW to implement a hardware/software sytem that records ECU updates and cannot be bypassed. If you tune your ECU, assume that the dealer has the ability to detect it even if you restore it back to stock. However they probably won't check unless an issue comes up with the drivetrain. If you bring in a car with problems and have aftermarket parts hanging on the engine, that would make them more likely to check the ECU tune as well . Think of it like the IRS -- some things are more likely to trigger a tax audit.

 

Yeah there are certainly better service departments than others.

Side note: what happened that you are needing your head gasket replaced?

 

Nope, because when I modded my MINI I knew that I was responsible for it.

As mentioned I do know people that have had their warranty voided because of mods. That is just the way it is. I just felt that a bit of reality needed to be injected into this thread as the OP clearly was looking to lie if something goes wrong. Nothing wrong with modding but you need to own it if it goes wrong. If you can't do that and want to keep your warranty then you need to wait until it is up. MINI should not be responsible for your mod mistakes.

 

It is not a question of IF Mini has it , they do and they CAN detect if there has been a manipulation of the ECU even if it has been returned to stock. As was mentioned by RKW the big question is IF they will bother to do a deep check to pull out this info. That will depend on many factors and you are taking you chances . If you are not prepared to pay you really should not play.

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

that's just not true, they assumed he had a tune
since BMW reads the boards I'm not going to go into how Dimsport get's past that part but it's done

 

I think you are taking the appropriately prudent approach and doing good research. Take your time, contact the local MINI Club to see how friendly the local dealer(s) are and ask if they have a "friendly" service writer or tech.

Also, certain mods are FAR less likely to create any issues. While mods will certainly have MORE power with ECU calibration changes, most don't require it. Cat-Back Exhaust, Intake System, Intercooler, and Hot Side boost tubes all will work with out ECU tuning. (Again MORE HP with a tune.)

So you can pace yourself and do things at your leisure and comfort level.

Best of luck to you and your decision! No matter what you choose, you will enjoy the MINI that much more! If I can help in anyway, please let me know!

 

I'll admit that I was only going by comments I'd seen. Detectability can be evaded if the protection wasn't secure enough.

 

Even if there was 0 chance of them seeing the ECU had been touched...if something were to happen, a fault code would be stored in the DME. Attached to this fault code is exact information about the operating conditions when the fault occured....such as exact mileage at occurance, intake air temp, and boost pressure.

The increased boost pressure is a giveaway. My car went into limp mode once for extreme overboost once...and after they checked for correct operation of the wastegate (which came out to be fine)...they explained to me what had happened and said "just turn down the boost a little bit please!!!"

 

no problem, but that's how these "internet myths" get started

 

There is information stored along with the fault, but I have never seen boost pressure recorded with engine DTCs. You are correct that it would be an obvious telltale. There is also a tamper code which does not illuminate the check engine light. If the tuning software doesn't recognize and erase it, it would be captured by a factory scan for trouble codes. I think most flash-to-eprom softwares clear this code. From what I've seen piggybacks don't.

 

I want to dig a bit further into this. Certain manufacturers have very little tracing at all. When the ECU is cleared its CLEARED. The only trace in those situations may be a "write count" to the ECU. Obviously a client with a popped motor and a 100+ write count is going to be more suspect vs. one with a write count of ten.

Again, I will post up some info on this as soon as I have it to share (not hiding anything, just want to have real to my life data.)

But again, if ANYONE is worried, then don't mod the ECU and work with the bolt on items instead.

 

Let's be totally honest
if you are worried,, don't mod your car period

 

well said.

 

I think stinkytofu and I go to the same dealership because last week I dropped my Mini off for a trunk rattle and a couple other things to be fixed and they said nothing to me nor asked any questions. This has been the case every time I have been to that dealer. I think I have a don't ask don't tell policy with them . In all honesty though, when you mod your Mini under warranty it's like playing a game of chance. Sometimes you come out ahead and sometimes you don't, but I always try to come out ahead .

 

Its funny I have two dealerships that I can go to, both are far away. One is a total jerk, I went there for one oil change and afterwards they pulled me aside and said, your car has an intake on it, and made a HUGE deal about it and how bad it is and my warranty is no longer any good for anything.

So after adding all my other parts, exhaust, downpipe, water inj, I went to the other dealer and they have never said a word, and have done many warranty repairs that had nothing to do with anything I did.

it can matter more where you take it, than what is on it.