R50/53 Will an exhaust mod void your warranty ?
Replacing any oem component with an aftermarket part will void that portion of the warranty. It's common sense really.
, wait I'm way past warranty 
It usually depends on the dealer, but I haven't heard on anyone have warranty issues because of an aftermarket exhaust.
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Lee's Summit, MO
It will void the warranty on your exhaust system, because obviously it has been altered compared to the way Mini made it. Other than that, you're ok, legally they can only not honor the warranty because of aftermarket parts if they can prove the part caused the failure you're trying to get repaired under warranty if all of that makes any sense
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,798
Likes: 11
From: CT
Doesnt mean they might not do it anyway, to actually follow through with MM act is a huge ordeal should push come to shove. FWIW my dealer "voids" (which apparently means they just deny the claim) on the entire drive train for something like an exhaust or CAI. I beleive the part that most people look at in the MM act is the clause about tie in products
That was copied directly from the FTC website, interpret it how you will, but realize that enforcing it against a huge company like BMW could be a problem. The second half is the part that you need to look at to realize that if BMW wants to they can void your warranty for an exhaust by deeming it "incorrectly performed repair or maintenance" (my interpretation) at which point you will have to enter into litigation (i would imagine) if you want your warranty back.
Generally, tie-in sales provisions are not allowed. Such a provision would require a purchaser of the warranted product to buy an item or service from a particular company to use with the warranted product in order to be eligible to receive a remedy under the warranty. The following are examples of prohibited tie-in sales provisions.
---In order to keep your new Plenum Brand Vacuum Cleaner warranty in effect, you must use genuine Plenum Brand Filter Bags. Failure to have scheduled maintenance performed, at your expense, by the Great American Maintenance Company, Inc., voids this warranty.
While you cannot use a tie-in sales provision, your warranty need not cover use of replacement parts, repairs, or maintenance that is inappropriate for your product. The following is an example of a permissible provision that excludes coverage of such things.
---While necessary maintenance or repairs on your AudioMundo Stereo System can be performed by any company, we recommend that you use only authorized AudioMundo dealers. Improper or incorrectly performed maintenance or repair voids this warranty.
Although tie-in sales provisions generally are not allowed, you can include such a provision in your warranty if you can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FTC that your product will not work properly without a specified item or service. If you believe that this is the case, you should contact the warranty staff of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection for information on how to apply for a waiver of the tie-in sales prohibition.
---In order to keep your new Plenum Brand Vacuum Cleaner warranty in effect, you must use genuine Plenum Brand Filter Bags. Failure to have scheduled maintenance performed, at your expense, by the Great American Maintenance Company, Inc., voids this warranty.
---While necessary maintenance or repairs on your AudioMundo Stereo System can be performed by any company, we recommend that you use only authorized AudioMundo dealers. Improper or incorrectly performed maintenance or repair voids this warranty.
Last edited by Some Guy; Apr 2, 2008 at 08:34 PM.
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One option is always to ask your SA what the dealer's policy is on mod X -- what component failures would not be covered by doing X to your car?
I've found my dealer to be very reasonable and forthcoming when asked. (in my case, I asked about a reduction pulley)
I've found my dealer to be very reasonable and forthcoming when asked. (in my case, I asked about a reduction pulley)
as said previously, they cant void your entire car's warranty because you install exhaust. They can void repair or replacement on anything that can be attributed to the aftermarket exhaust. So if you burn up your cat, they could try to blame it on the exhaust. They cant refuse repair to a windshield wiper motor just because you have exhaust. I just got my car back from warranty work at Cincinnati MINI. I have CAI, air diverter, and a supercharger pulley. My car is 1 month form warranty expiration, and I didn't even purchase my car there. Regardless, they replaced my entire clutch, flywheel, powersteering pump, and slave cylinder.(over $2,000 worth of work) My mods were not even mentioned. In fact, they have a display case full of ALTA products.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,293
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Depends by what you mean by "exhaust mod". If you remove the CAT you are in violation of several laws concerning vehicle emissions, among other things. If you merely replace the exhaust system behind the CAT (CAT-back) the only thing that changes is that your after-market exhaust is not covered by the factory warranty. Headers , especially sans Oxygen Sensors are another matter. Most are for "off-road use only", and may affect emissions.
What mod did you have in mind?
What mod did you have in mind?
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, Kansas
They CAN and WILL void warranty for any part or repair they the dealer sees fit. As said earlier it is completely up to the dealers and as a general rule for alot of dealers is that they will refuse any big ticket ($1000+) repair if you have any mods at all, they wont argue about small repairs much. Ignore any BS about the MM (Magnasson-Moss)...the burden of proving that the mod is responsible is done in the courtroom not the showroom....so if you want your car fixed ...either way, you still have to pay for the repair first, then fight the legal battle later....a battle that is seldom won.
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