Will changing to a more aggressive pulley kit on the supercharger in the MINI S affect the warranty? If so, what modifications to increase the overall power of the engine can be accomplished within the warranty?

 

Yes.

Buy a JCW TC

 

What's a warranty?

 

Hi Griff,

The short answers are yes and none.

The long answer is it depends on the dealer. Some dealers don't complain a bit, others will go so far as to Void your complete engine warranty for a Mod as simple and common as a 15% pulley.

I don't know if dealers have actually voided a car's *complete* warranty for mods, but it is pretty clear that MINIUSA believes they have the legal right to do so if they want to. This also applies to tracking your car (which may also be a concern for your insurance company).

Most commonly people reasonably expect that the warranty for the subsystem that they are modifying will be voided. Some common examples are that a CAI is a part of the intake subsystem, a 15% pulley is part of the supercharger subsystem, a 1-ball is part of the exhaust subsystem. An assumption that the warranty on that subsystem is voided is a pretty safe one, although again, it depends on the dealer.

MINIUSA takes a hard stand on this. Dealers are where the rubber meets the road, they have to deal with their service budget, with customer satisfaction and with PR. It is worth it to check with the dealer, there are some that are exceptional and will even install and cover aftermarket mods, however their labor costs are probably going to be pretty high.

In general if you are seriously concerned about warranty, don't have any mods done on your car other than what a dealership will install and cover under warranty. Usually this means the more expensive approach like JCW or Dinan and in some cases MiniMadness. And don't even consider tracking.

If you are seriously interested in other aftermarket mods and/or in tracking despite still being within your warranty period, don't even consider getting extended agreements for warranty or service, save that money instead for the mods you want and/or for track time.

Good luck with this!

 

MINI will not warrant a Dinan nor MiniMadness nor MiniMania nor any other aftermarket part other than JCW.

All those offer their own "warranty" (e.g., Dinan will cover their parts).

 

You mean these cars come with warranties? If I had only known

 

Too bad warranty doesn't mean if you feel the performance isn't what you expected, they would mod it for you

 

Locally some dealers will cover their labor to install Dinan warrantied parts if it was originally installed at that dealer... One dealer also does the same with MiniMadness.

But your right, the waters get very muddy.

 

That's different than preserving you Manufacturer's Warranty. Only the JCW preserves that.

If the original poster has concerns about warranty issues with mods - don't mod. Tolerant dealers who don't report mods back to the mothership are the exception to the rule.

 

There are no muddy waters ... sorry

Dinan warrants Dinan. Your dealer installs MiniMania, then your dealer may warrant. NOT MINIUSA.

I am sorry if this is coming across the wrong way but the answer to the original question is VERY simple

NO and
JCW

 

Actually they will (mod it for you) - with a JCW kit.

 

Griff,

Any change in pulley size will void the supercharger warranty in the strict sense as far as MINIUSA goes. If your dealer agrees to do the install with a reduction pulley that you can buy through them then some dealers will honor a warranty from that dealership- don't expect other dealers to uphold that warranty. So any upgrade to the pulley is a serious step. 15% pullies are pretty bullet proof.

Increasing power and keeping your warranty-
Anything that decreases weight will help power to weight ratio and give you the same feeling as increasing power- a great example is to get lightweight rims and non runflat tires.

Most times adding a simple cold air intake or cat back exhaust helps power and although they will void the stock intake and exhaust warranties, these mods are reliable and most dealers won't cancel your general MINI warranty due to these simple mods.

For those that must have a warranty intact with more power- the JCW upgrades are expensive but pretty solid on warranty all throughout the country at MINI service centers.

 

I thought that if the JCW kit was installed by a MINI dealer, it received factory warranty coverage for the balance of the warranty period. Am I mistaken? If my understanding is correct, then the JCW parts should be serviced with no issues by all MINI dealers. Up to and including referrals to the regional PUMA team.

 

JCW is fully covered under warrantly. The parts were carefully desgined and tested specifically for the application of a high performance MINI. As long as the parts or kit are installed at a MINI dealer by their mechanics it is covered by warranty. The parts and kit come with a hefty price tag, but remember you are also paying for warranty coverage to continue and not be voided. Parts + warranty = price you pay.

Thanks,
BEATNUT

 

Yes, correct.

Two points-
1- The JCW parts or kit is installed by the MINI dealer or factory not yourself or your own mechanic.
2- Your warranty is not with all BMW dealers/service centers it is with authorized MINI service centers.

 

Yes, I failed to touch on the point where only MINI dealers/service centers will cover the warranty and not BMW. Good catch minihune.

BEATNUT