hello.
today i asked my dealer about what would happen if i swapped out my stock for an aftermarket radio. he said it would void the entire warranty on the car.

can anybody confirm this? i've emailed bmw, but they haven't responded yet.

btw..i'm thinking of an alpine multimedia system w/gps. because i didn't get the stock gps attached....


thanks.

 

I changed the head unit in my MINI. I think as long as you dont cut any of the factory wires the warranty is not voided.The only wire you need to cut is the antenna wire.My dealer has seen my radio and hasnt told me anything about voiding my warranty.

 

thanks.

i called my original dealer, and they said it would be ok. except it might void some warranty on the electrical. should something happen...


strange though...i called the niello mini, and they told me it would void all warranty..go fig..

btw..bmw emailed me...they said the same too.

 

I EMAILED THE BMW AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS UP TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID IN MOST CASES IT VOIDS EVERYTHING INCLUDING POWERTRAIN... THEY ALSO SAID THAT IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO THE CAR (BREAKS DOWN) THEY WILL BLAME THE PROBLEM ON ANYTHING YOU HAVE ADDED. IF KNOW THIS IS TRUE WITH CHEVY. MY FATHER CHANGED HIS DECK IN HIS SILVERADO 2001. HAD A PROBLEM, HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO THE TRUCK UNTILL THE DECK WAS REMOVED, AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT EVEN ELECTRICAL!!!

_________________
JASON SMITH

 

SPYDERMAZE,
Personally I think they are blowing smoke.
There is a law that prohibits them from voiding a warranty due to aftermarket equipment.
The law states that they must Prove (not just say) that the malfunction was caused by the aftermarket part in order to void the warranty. Therefore if you add an exhaust system to your car and your AC goes out, They have no right (by law) to deny warranty work. I will try to dig up the law and post it here in a bit.
SW

 

Hi,
I found the info on the warranty laws.... I've submitted it as a news article. This should be posted on the main page within the next day or two.
Happy Motoring.
SW

 

THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED... NO LIE.

 

SPYDERMAZE,
I trust you....
Just don't trust dealers and auto companies that tell me My "Total" Warranty is voided because I added a cup holder. (or wheels, or whatever.)
SW

 

>>I EMAILED THE BMW AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS UP TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID IN MOST CASES IT VOIDS EVERYTHING INCLUDING POWERTRAIN... THEY ALSO SAID THAT IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO THE CAR (BREAKS DOWN) THEY WILL BLAME THE PROBLEM ON ANYTHING YOU HAVE ADDED. IF KNOW THIS IS TRUE WITH CHEVY. MY FATHER CHANGED HIS DECK IN HIS SILVERADO 2001. HAD A PROBLEM, HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO THE TRUCK UNTILL THE DECK WAS REMOVED, AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT EVEN ELECTRICAL!!!
>>
>>_________________
>>JASON SMITH

Does that mean that even if you change the antenna, it will void the warranty!?!

 

Don't worry about it Tollag.
Odds are they will try to deny warranty work but if you fight it.... you should win.
Besides... an antenna is just a quick swap. If you ever have a prob. with your radio just switch back to the original antenna.
SW

 

I Sfiveten YOU MUST WORK FOR A DEALERSHIP. READ THE ACT AGIAN. THE KEY WORD IS LIMITED AND EVERY WARRENTY WILL STATE SOMETHING SIMILER TO THAT IF IT DID NOT COME OFF THE FACTORY FLOOR THAT WAY IT IS NOT UNDER WARRENTY. ANYWAY I REPLIED TO YOU NEWS ARTICLE . TAKE A LOOK.

 

SPYDERMAZE,
My intent is not to steer people in the wrong direction. Only to inform people that they do have rights.
You stated "GM STATED IT BEST UNDER WHAT IS NOT COVERED "ALTERATION OR MODIFICATION TO THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE BODY, CHASSIS, OR COMPONETS AFTER FINAL ASSEMBLY BY GM."
The key words here are.... "What is not covered" Yes you are correct. When you change the radio out and something goes wrong with it then yes you are liable.
This does not mean that the entire Warranty is voided. Only that they will not warranty that part.
As for someone trying to win a case against a dealer or automotive company..... the act in question was the result of just that.
SW

 

Sooooo, if I follow the logic correctly, a MINI USA tactic to stall implementation of the HK sound system, would result in frustrated MINI fans, and inevitable cancellation of the HK feature in order to take delivery sooner, thinking that they will replace the stock radio with superior aftermarket replacement, not realizing of course, that the entire new car warranty would be voided ........

Hmmmmm. This smells like the work of 'Dr. Evil' (Austin Powers' nemesis).

A C-O-N-spiracy ! Somebody contact Fox Mulder !

(I think if MINI tried to pull this one, there would be a rash of dealership vandalizations !)

 

I never trust anyone who yells all the time....

Rocketboy_X

 

All this B*ll Sh*t is starting to get under my skin. I would like to see my dealer try to void my warranty due to my having to upgrade my sound system. I do believe that I would have to remind her that the only reason I had to upgrade in the first place is due to the fact that MINI cannot get their Sh*t together and offer a premium sound system in the first place!! Jeez every cr*ppy FORD I've ever owned had a premium sound option, decent amp, never had to be upgraded, head unit upgraded after about 4 years and speakers after 5, mainly because I got a good deal them. BMW/MINI should be embarassed at this whole premium sound fiasco, and I find it pretty hard to believe BMW/MINI would draw evewn more attention to it by voiding a warranty if someone does a little basic sound system upgrading!