Okay, does anyone know what modifications are allowed that will NOT void warranty? I was really excited about the JCW tuning kit upgrade but a couple people I know from MINI said its not worth the money spent. The exhaust sounds good but no real performance gain. So... I'm looking for performance elsewhere. I don't know how I feel about the tuning chips. What about cold air intakes? Thanks!

 

Cold air/High flow intakes will gain you nothing on the F56, so unless you like the extra turbo noise, I would say save your money.

The way I understand US auto warranty law is that modding your car won't void your warranty UNLESS what you modded causes something to break. I believe the onus is still on the dealer to prove what broke was caused by your mod. It does not mean that any mod will blanket void your warranty altogether.

For example, I have the NM Eng tuning module. If my dynamic dampers crap out, it would still be covered by warranty. But if something happens with my engine and MINI can prove it was the module that caused it, I'm on the hook for repairs.

 

Any mod can potentially raise the ire of your dealer. But I believe in general intake and exhaust mods are warranty friendly. Some suspension mods should be as well. Tuning mods, no. Although neither the Burger nor ECS Tuning devices are warranty friendly, neither are detectable if they're removed before visiting the dealer.

That said, I am 99% certain that the JCW Kit is warranty safe and is an authentic BMW/Mini part. Probably one reason why it is so expensive. My dealer told me twice that the JCW Kit is fine and doesn't affect your warranty. The downside of the JCW Kit is the price and the fact that the performance gain amounts to at best 15hp.

 

Wow. Nice to know guys. I thought the intake would boost performance? Do you know why it won't? Sirius have you had good results with NM? Does it really make a difference?

 

Intakes don't do much on the F56 - out of the 4-5 I've seen, the gains at most are 1-2 HP. You do get more pronounced turbo sounds if that's worth it to you. I asked a MINI master tech about this and he says the way the intake comes tuned from the factory there just isn't any room for performance gains on the intake.

I've been using the NM module on my '15 F55 for a couple weeks now on the HIGH setting using 92 octane fuel. The gains are VERY noticeable and I find myself forcing myself to exercise restraint so I don't get in trouble. FWIW, NM Eng has told me the current tuning module is made for the '14 B48 motors, not the B46 motors found on US 2015+ models. I haven't had any issues yet though.

 

In principle, you're right. However, if a dealer voids your warranty you're going to have the expense (and time) to fight it in most cases. I know people who have been successful, but more who have not been successful fighting the dealer (Mustangs). IMO the bottom line is you must accept the risks of modding your car. Most will probably elect to try to resist as many warranty non-friendly mods as possible. But if performance is more important than a warranty and 4 years is too long to wait, it probably doesn't matter all that much if the owner makes the decision to go with a tune, or more, while the car is under warranty. They're willing to run the risk.

 

Just ask your dealer.. Ours is mod friendly..some are, dome are not...The tunes completely change the car. I run the Burger + NM springs/sway + muffler delete. Night and day change in handling and performance.

 

What about catch cans?

 

I'd like to see more exhaust options become available.

 

Perfect exhaust Sounds better than the 2k JCW and cost almost nothing. No drone,barely audible at idle or at highway speeds but nice and aggressive under hard throttle.

 

I like being able to close the valve to go silent.

 

We all have our things..rather by a nice watch with the 2k

 

I find it hard to believe your delete is silent at highway speeds. Mine is quite noticeable with the valve open.

Considering this is a warranty thread, I'm curious what your dealer thinks of your piggyback.

 

Its not silent but its not loud either, if I am doing say 65-70 its barely audible. Under hard throttle its fairly loud bit not obnoxious. Dealer does not care but some might, helps to work there possibly but we see a lot of highly nodded cars out our store.

 

The F56 seems to throw codes foe every little thing....even if the light bulb is different. Dealer will give you trouble resetting any codes due to a mod made to the car. Also, once the code is thrown, you're hosed to go to the dealer for a reset...even if you put the car back to original. When I traded my first MINI in, dealer did not want to even look at it until I removed all the mods and ut it back together. They would not warrenty the car to a re-sale with any mods on.....Soooooo.........beware what you do if having a warrenty in tact is important.

 

Mods regarding trade in is true if they are going to offer it as a certified car. If your car is under 4yrs old, I under 50k miles with no accidents and has been serviced at the dealer they will usually try and certify it, no mods allowed. As far as servicing a nodded car under warranty that's a store by store thing.

 

Why not reset the codes yourself? http://www.mycarly.com/product/bmw-app/

 

Read up on the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and have a chat with your dealership's service writers. It varies from dealership to dealership, but I haven't had any issues over the years.

Remember that warranties are really all about fixing manufacturing defects; if one car has a particular defect, it's likely that others have as well and it won't be the first time one has landed in their shop with the issue. Your mods won't matter because it's "just another case of [insert part here] failing prematurely." If you have a really exotic problem and modifications, it may be more of a hassle.

 

my dealer is cool with my bms stage1 they actually recommended it.

 

i traded in a modded 2011 sentra ser spec v and a highly modded 2012 silverado rcsb 5.3 6speed auto with 3200 stall and 4.10 gears. i think they knew my 2015 mcs wasnt going to stay stock for long. they just put some sticky tires on the front for me and love it.

 

Crazy. I'll have to ask mine, then. Who, specifically, did you ask or talk to about the bms and warranty?

 

I guess I'm lucky? Valencia Mini is a NM Engineering seller and installer. So if it's dealer installed, even after market parts, how would that effect the warranty?

 

I wanted to find the thread talking about the stage 1 BMS tune and taking your car into the dealer but I couldn't find it so I guess this thread will have to do. I know some of you remove the Stage 1 before going to the dealership for service, do you totally remove the entire system from the engine bay or do you just unplug it? Is there a map setting that just turns it "off"? I'm installing mine in a couple of days and would like some advice on this

 

This is very true. Dealer/Service Manager will give you the straight talk on what they think of modifications. Be specific about the mods you are talking about.

Our dealer indicated he didn't have an issue with the Berger Tuners (especially if the car was a automatic), as tuner isn't likely to cause any permanent damage to the engine w/ the automatic regulating RPM's and shifting.

Now if the install of a tuner causes check engine lights to adorn you gauge cluster, cause engine knock or puts your car into "limp" mode, do not expect the Service Department to trouble shoot that problem as a warranty claim.

From what I gather the NM Mod run on the low setting w/ 91-93 octane provides noticeable improvement in performance across the power band and has not caused any CEL's or engine knock issues.

Again, talk to your Service department Manager about specific mods you are considering and how they will handle any warranty issues you have with your car after the mods are installed. Also keep in mind that the Service Manager you are talking to today may not be the same one working there a year from now.

 

I just picked up a new 2016 MCS yesterday and they said they install NM Modules. I bought one from them and had them install it. I would think that wold cover me in case of warranty issues.