Okay...my MCSa is only a month old and already has an Alta CAI and a Milltek installed. Next is the s/c/pulley...but I am concerned. My dealers Service Manager at Global Mini in Atlanta, has advised me that if I install an overdrive pulley on the s/c, the engine, in it's entirety, and maybe even the trans, will be considered out of warranty in the event of a component failure, no matter how remotely connected to the pulley. I mentioned the Magnuson-Moss Act but that was fluffed off with a "try to enforce it" response. Has anyone else run into this kind of blanket statement from a dealer before regarding their pulley install? The last thing I want to do is void my entire drivetrain warranty, or get into a legal fight down the road for a repair which may or may be a warranty covered claim. Thanks all!

Rich B.

 

.. your dealer is a jackass. Get a new dealer.
My dealer, as most out there, have no issue with bolt on mods.

 

Rich, go to AtlantaMINIS.net. There are plenty there that have lots of experience in dealing with Global on this very issue. No one has been turned down for warranty work to the best of my knowledge. Sometimes it takes some correct wording to convince them that they have to uphold their warranty and other times we take our MINIs in without a problem regarding the pulley. Global's reputation continues to decline. It seems like they just don't care and want your money. Hank Aaron is on the other side of town however they have been supporting the warranty without any issues in regard to a simple thing like a pulley change. Their reputation is improving daily and it was already pretty good to start with.

 

Amen to that. Based on Gr8Force's post, it would seem that you should take your car to Hank Aaron MINI going forward. Even if you did not install a s/c reduction pulley, having a jackass for a dealer would seem to be a plan for continuing frustration - do you really want that kind of attitude servicing your car?

 

Have your dealer read the owner's manuel. The aftermarket acc. has to have a direct cause of failer for the parts in question. (I work at a dealer) Let them **** everyone off, and all of you in the south east will go somewhere else for your business

 

x2!!!!

That dealer, or at least service manager, is dumb...

 

Hey Guys,

Thanks for your responses. You have given me some peace in knowing that Global may be unique when it comes to doing, or not doing, warranty work on these cars when they have been modded. I have owned Harley Davidson motorcycles for many years, some heavily modded right out the door with cams, pipes, induction and such, and have never had a dealer refuse to do engine warranty work for me. I guess this has spoiled me over the years.
Unfortunately, Mini dealers are not always right around the corner for us to pick and choose. I will indeed get some feedback from members on AtlantaMinis.net, and it sounds like good advice to take the extra drive time and have the folks at Hank Aaron do my service work.

Thanks all!

Rich B.

 

Not sure Hank Aaron MINI is the solution either. I have herd even worse things about HA than Global.
l am in Chattanooga so I have tried Global, HA and Nashville MINI. Nashville is by far the best for mods. It may be a little drive for you but it is worth it.
I put in the engine damper and a couple of days later had a problem that require service. The front passenger was making noise so I asked them to check it while in there. The tech response was "after market stuff making the noise". No problem about my 15% pully or CAI much less the damper.
Just ask for Ryan, he will take care of you.

 

Hey Rich,

*******(PM for dealer name) is also Mod friendly. Of course you guys know that a edict came down from MINIUSA about 2 to 3 years ago for the tech's to indicate on the service records which cars have mods and what type they are. The techs I know have blown this off, but you never know.

I edited my post to remove the dealer name..... don't want them to take any heat from Corp or Area Warranty Reps about this.

For what it's worth - I've been running a 15% pulley for about 2 years now and with 110,000 miles the 15% has been there for over half of it with no problems!

 

I am a MINI service advisor in NY. A dealer has the right to turn down any type of service if they feel its CAUSED by an aftermarket part. You have to remember, these are privately owned companies which can do whatever they want. MM act doesnt allow them to blame an item if it has NOTHING to do with the other part failing, but they have the right to not work on the car and make you go somewhere else which is there right.

I get modified cars in my shop all day long and dont turn anyone away unless there problem is electrical and i see wiring everywhere from stuff they installed.

If you have a pulley on your car and your crying about a belt squeal....Your outta luck if you think your getting them to look at it under warranty.

 

Nice customer service.
We understand these are businesses, but you make it sound like they are only there to meet their own needs. They sell a product and should stand behind it. Your point of view makes me glad I don't need service in NY.

 

Ok....You need to learn how to read better before you try being an *** to someone, guy.

I SAID,

I get modified cars in my shop all day long and dont turn anyone away unless there problem is electrical and i see wiring everywhere from stuff they installed.

I also said,

"A" dealer has the right to turn someone away with aftermaket upgrades if they feel its the cause of the warranty issue there coming in for.

BMW/MINI doesnt pay a dealership to figure out a rattle noise from the engine compartment to only find out the customer didnt install his aftermarket intake correctly and its hitting the back wall or trans everytime he/she shifted.

Where in all this is that bad customer service. Your warranty if for DEFECTIVE parts, not stupidity.

 

Good point 1FSTMINI

Some bozo installs a bunch of wires all over the place and ballox's up the ECU or something else could be very time consuming to diagnose. Often requiring the removal of all of the extra wires and repairing any damage done to the wiring harness. Wouldn't want to go there, TYVM.

 

Ditto. My dealer is also a JCW/Dinan/Alta dealer and the dealership installs reduction s/c pulleys of these various brands and honors engine warranty claims regardless of whose pulley is on the car.

 

Again, nice attitude.
I agree, it is not a dealer's responability to fix my mess, but no need to be a jerk either. The dealer simply said it was not a factory issue. I did not ask them to fix it or even address it more. Fine situation in my view.

Also, I don't think I need to try to make you look like an ***, you seem to be good at it without my help.

 

Why don't you re-read his post(s)? I seriously think you misinterpreted what he said.

 

TY....You seem alil bitter cause your dealer didnt say what you wanted them to say or do. If you dont like what they say, try another dealer.

And i said your being an ***....not I.

 

For Sale - Two sets of boxing gloves, slightly used...any takers?

 

Let's clarify some things.

It's a manufacturer's warranty, not a dealer warranty. The manufacturer may deny a warranty for any number of reasons...mods being a big one.

I wasn't there, so I don't know what was said. But, perhaps the service manager said it may void the warranty trying to advise you not to make the mod if warranty is a concern of yours.

Let's say you come in with a complaint of a noise, and the tech looks at the car and notices several mods on the car. He will likely stop working on that car until a manager or someone of higher authority looks at the car and says continue with a warranty repair.

Dealers are businesses that need to be paid. If they think the manufacturer will not pay them to work on your car, they won't. It's not about being difficult, or looking to deny a claim. They would love to work on your car, but not if they think the manufacturer won't pay them for the effort.

 

Of course they will try to fluff you off...if you cannot get satisfaction from the dealer
suggest you first try miniusa, then another dealer and as a last resort if you are sure of yourself...file a complaint under the with the commission...do a google search to find out how. If I remember, the manufacturer (not the dealer) has to PROVE the aftermarket part caused the problem!

When you threaten...you will rarely be taken seriously...when they get a complaint, they have to answer.

Had a dealer tell me replacement of a battery with a non oem brand BATTERY would void the electrical system warranty...used the same type etc...

They stuck it out and forced me to file a complaint.....he backed off when I he received the complaint. The dealer/manufacturer is correct though if your mod CAUSED the problem and it is then your problem!

That was Blatent REMEMBER THEY WANT TO ESCAPE THE REPAIRS IF THEY CAN (MOST DEALERS OF MOST AUTOS THAT IS!)

 

Every time I read one of these threads I feel so lucky to live within driving distance of Moritz MINI in Arlington, Texas. The techs, Service Advisors and management there are reasonable, intelligent people who always try to do right by the customer. They don't let the dealership get screwed, of course, but they don't spew blanket statements about 15% pulleys voiding the entire drivetrain warranty either. And I've yet to hear about them being unreasonable when it comes to warranty service on a modified car.

We're also blessed to have several excellent independent shops in DFW that are MINI savvy and good at installing aftermarket equipment.

There is another dealership in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that is (in my experience) extremely mod-hostile. Example: their service advisors told me that putting non-OEM brand brake pads on the car would void the warranty on the entire brake and suspension systems. I and many other local MINI enthusiasts refuse to frequent them as a result of this attitude and regularly make a point of recommending Moritz MINI to anyone who asks. My understanding is that Moritz sells about 50% more cars than the other dealership each year. No wonder as to why.

All I can offer to the original poster and anyone else who has mods and encounters this attitude is to find a better dealer. If that's not practical then find a competent independent shop, and if that's not possible then learn to do it yourself or remove your mods.

 

You got lucky. If the dealer had punted to MINI/BMW, you would be in M-M litigation hell. The bad thing about M-M is that even if you are right and MINI/BMW denied a repair when they were at fault, you have to litigate (and bear your costs of litigation) until MINI/BMW get tired of the litigation. Are you prepared to put down $10,000? $20,000? How about $160,000 to $200,000? If MINI/BMW take a hard line, the $200 large number is what it could cost to take it through appeal. And MINI/BMW have a law firm that absolutely lives to litigate, so every step of the way, you are going to have a fight on your hands.

 

Bottom line is....A dealer can deny any work they feel is caused by an aftermarket part. They can also turn you away if you come in with a problem that MIGHT be caused by the aftermarket item you had installed. These are private companies that can pick and choice the work they want to do. I dont agree with it, but what can you do other than try another dealer whos more open about added items on your vehicle that arent OEM.

And in no way is your warranty voided for adding ANYTHING to your car so dont let them BS you ther, your just not covered by the warranty if they find it to be caused by the part in which is not OEM.

 

Thank you all for your insight and valued responses to my original posting.

So that everyone here can get a better picture as to the nature of my conversation with the dealership service manager regarding the blanket statement of: pulley install = no engine or drivetrain warranty, let me say that this statement was clairified so that I would understand it. It was explained to me that the pulley install, and the affects of same, will cause the engine and drivetrain to operate at a performance level not intended by the manufacturer, thereby causing components, not normally stressed, to become such. This includes all the internal engine components and block, all the transmission internal components and case, bearings, seals and axles. I was also warned that the pulley install will affect the engine emissions system making my engine non-compliant with current law. Basically, they will and can blame any engine, transmission or driveline component failure on the pulley. Along with this, diagnostic time spent on the engine or drivetrain could also become my expense.

I replied with "what about the JCW package?". I was told that that vehicle was built using a package of engineered components designed for these added stress factors.

So, you see we are not talking sense here. 1FSTMINI suggested that there had to be a direct relationship between the failed component and the aftermarket accessory for warranty service to be denied. In my case, since the manager is stating that the pulley affects all drivetrain components...everything is warranty void. This is a little more than complaining about a belt squeel because I may not have adjusted the s/c belt correctly after the install.

For now the 15% pulley is on the shelf. Too much at stake here and too few dealers to work with.

Much thanks to all.

 

I respect your decision, but...

Wouldn't the dealer be able to make a similar argument about your Alta intake (your sig), maybe trying to argue that the filter element is not as restrictive as the OEM, therefore letting in dirtier air than what was intended and making your engine suffer more stress, blah, blah, blah, etc.

I know an intake and a pulley are different but, at the end of the day if they can argue that the engine was under any additional stress, then they would also be able to void your warranty under the same argument, no?

I'm just saying if you installed the CAI under the same worries, then the pulley is just the next step...(after the CAI and the exhaust aftermarket mods you already installed)