BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
      12-29-2017, 07:34 AM   #1
F06msportmia
Major
F06msportmia's Avatar
United_States
233
Rep
1,491
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Miami

iTrader: (8)

Coding car will void warranty?!

Hello Fellas!

Took the car this morning for maintenance to get the SOS malfunction message fixed. So the SA jumps in the ride and notices that on the dash it reads m550i and asks if the car is coded. The SA knows me and just wanted me to know that if they hook up the car and BMW NA flags that the car has been coded all warranty is voided immediately. WTF!

He then explained the "WHY" which I still disagree. He mentioned a story of guy who recently had drive train malfunction, took the car to the dealer, as soon as they found out the car had coding, he had to front $5000 bill! Non negotiable!

Just know if you have coding and the car needs to be hooked up for diagnostic the warranty will be voided.
Appreciate 0
      12-29-2017, 09:10 AM   #2
Walt White Coupe
Captain
Walt White Coupe's Avatar
216
Rep
725
Posts

Drives: 2013 650ix Coupe, 23 C8 Vette
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Phila, PA

iTrader: (0)

And this is a surprise? It should just apply to the "power train" not the rest of the car.
Appreciate 0
      12-29-2017, 09:58 AM   #3
F06msportmia
Major
F06msportmia's Avatar
United_States
233
Rep
1,491
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Miami

iTrader: (8)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Walt White Coupe View Post
And this is a surprise? It should just apply to the "power train" not the rest of the car.
YES, it's a surprise! I have had other BMW's fully coded and never had this issue. The SA mentioned that BMW is focusing more and more on "aftermarket" coded cars and warranty is gone.

One thing shouldn't affect the other, voided warranty because I want my mirrors to fold up with the key fob? Or close the sunroof with the key fob?
Appreciate 0
      12-29-2017, 04:44 PM   #4
BMWM5NYC
Captain
BMWM5NYC's Avatar
496
Rep
812
Posts

Drives: 2013 F10 Monte Carlo Blue M5
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Actually it is NOT if the car is coded. Coding only turns FACTORY functions that the car ALREADY has On or Off. The thing they are flagging is if you have any "aftermarket tunes/ Engine Management software" like JB4 etc. THAT is what they flag the car for and void the warranties.
__________________
Formally known as BMWM3NYC
Appreciate 0
      12-29-2017, 05:28 PM   #5
Walt White Coupe
Captain
Walt White Coupe's Avatar
216
Rep
725
Posts

Drives: 2013 650ix Coupe, 23 C8 Vette
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Phila, PA

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for that information, you are 100% correct. I assumed that "coding" meant aftermarket tuning. The Corvette community has known for a long time that aftermarket tuning voids the power train warranty. And that system can not be fooled if you've had a "tune", it leaves fingerprints. So much so that even if you have the car tuned back to the original GM specifications, the diagnostics can detect that previous tune event.
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2017, 04:23 PM   #6
Flying Ace
Lieutenant General
Flying Ace's Avatar
4983
Rep
11,891
Posts

Drives: G05 45e, 997.1 & 991.1 GT3s
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: SF, CA

iTrader: (5)

Feature coding? Not likely...
__________________
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2017, 05:03 PM   #7
Walt White Coupe
Captain
Walt White Coupe's Avatar
216
Rep
725
Posts

Drives: 2013 650ix Coupe, 23 C8 Vette
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Phila, PA

iTrader: (0)

Zero chance.
Appreciate 0
      01-02-2018, 04:37 AM   #8
NINJA59
Second Lieutenant
63
Rep
222
Posts

Drives: 640D GC and MX5 NC PRHT
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

I agree with the above but chatting with a tech it can cause issues and complications and hence frustration for techs
Appreciate 0
      01-02-2018, 08:57 AM   #9
AmooManiak
Lieutenant Colonel
632
Rep
1,579
Posts

Drives: 21 X5 M50i -> M2C -> 21 M5C
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (0)

I don't see why it couldn't void at least the electronics warranty. By coding you are essentially overwriting the "software" that originally came from the factory. Every time you install something new, there is a chance (even though slight) of bricking the system. Yes, you are just "enabling" features that could already be there, but you also run the risk of causing issues that would not have been there if you didn't try to change the parameters. I've seen it happen first hand.
Appreciate 0
      01-02-2018, 12:05 PM   #10
BDO
Lieutenant
276
Rep
531
Posts

Drives: 2016 X6 40d M-sport
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Citizen of the World

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AmooManiak View Post
I don't see why it couldn't void at least the electronics warranty. By coding you are essentially overwriting the "software" that originally came from the factory. Every time you install something new, there is a chance (even though slight) of bricking the system. Yes, you are just "enabling" features that could already be there, but you also run the risk of causing issues that would not have been there if you didn't try to change the parameters. I've seen it happen first hand.
Yep, ditto. I coded my car to add some BT related stuff (changed VO), and then made the mistake of asking the dealership to upgrade my i-STEP (or whatever it's called, the i-Drive firmware). It bricked the head unit, luckily they were completely clueless and installed a new one as the car was under warranty.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:18 AM.




6post.com
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST