Anyone get caught by dealership with tune?

NYGMen · 10-26-2011, 08:24 AM

I am looking into getting a tune, still deciding which one. I would like to know if anyone here has gotten caught with an aftermarket tune and what the results were.

If you bring the car in for routine maintenance (i.e. oil change) and they see the JB4 pnp (no codes or anything wrong, just see it), do they flag your car for future warranty refusals if there is an issue?

do they enter your car's vin into some sort of BMWNA system so you cant go to another dealer if the first one refuses to warranty an item?

can you simply remove the pnp tune with a code wipe and then go back to the dealership for a warranty fix?

Basically, if you get caught, are you screwed for the long term or are there ways around it? do you tell the technician or SA manager ahead of time to see if there is an issue before denying you coverage, etc.

Thanks!!!!!

Q4P · 10-26-2011, 08:26 AM

Well you don't want to get caught in the first place. It is always advised to fully pull out the tune before visiting the dealership. You clear the codes associated with the tune and then pull it out. It's a guaranteed win-win situation.

ejazbmw · 10-26-2011, 11:44 AM

you can always put it in map0

eyim1988 · 10-26-2011, 11:56 AM

go to the right dealers and know the right SA's and your good.

D.B.S · 10-26-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyim1988

go to the right dealers and know the right SA's and your good.

Only problem with that statement is 'if' and this is a big 'if' a BMWNA Engineer visits that dealership and decides to inspect your car, your F*cked, and no SA or tech will be able to save your warranty.

Best recommendation, Remove the tune, it only takes 10-20 minutes to save yourself 3-4 years of warranty...

NYGMen · 10-26-2011, 12:43 PM

thanks for all the replies guys. Please chime in if you disagree, but after PMing the guys from **********s, it looks like the best route to go is JB4, stage 2, easy install, and uninstall, the codes are auto detected and deleted, i just set to map0 then uninstall. good power gains, not expensive, overall fairly safe for killing turbos, BOV, charge pipe, etc. you guys are awesome, thanks for all the feedback.

1 last noob question, I have never posted a pic of my car on the forum, how do I have the pic show up and not have it link to another place? my car has about 1400 miles so far, loving every second. 2011 335i convert, Metal Blk Sap, blk interior, NAV, cold, premium, HK, Ipod, M sport (18 inch with 193M wheels) and paddle shifters. ill post some pics when i learn how LOL.

Bubba Ho-Tep · 10-26-2011, 12:54 PM

There's no way I'm going to go through the trouble of removing the wires and/or downpipe. If it has non-engine or electrical realted work to be done I'll take it to the dealership AS IS. For anything the tune or DP could interfere with I'll take it to my local BMW Performance shop for service and pay out of pocket.

You have to pay to play gentleman, plus I'm not for condoning deceitful behavior.

Transport3r · 10-26-2011, 01:12 PM

I'd get a COBB AP if you're worried about taking it out frequently. Easiest install of all tunes, no contest.

eyim1988 · 10-26-2011, 01:16 PM

wish there was a cobb for the n55. Not for another year or so probably.

NYGMen · 10-26-2011, 01:18 PM

Is COBB available for the N55? I heard it wasn't. the car was finished being built and shipped in early Sept 2011.

eyim1988 · 10-26-2011, 01:21 PM

get the jb4 its awesome.. the steering wheel controls is def worth it.

Wild Squid · 10-26-2011, 02:37 PM

The JB4 installs steering wheel controls? How do they work and what do they do?

mrj25 · 10-26-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Squid

The JB4 installs steering wheel controls? How do they work and what do they do?

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13189

theriz · 10-26-2011, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army335xi

Only problem with that statement is 'if' and this is a big 'if' a BMWNA Engineer visits that dealership and decides to inspect your car, your F*cked, and no SA or tech will be able to save your warranty.

Best recommendation, Remove the tune, it only takes 10-20 minutes to save yourself 3-4 years of warranty...

+1 i wouldnt lose my job over someone i dont know.

theriz · 10-26-2011, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyim1988

get the jb4 its awesome.. the steering wheel controls is def worth it.

i love the Jb4, but what would steering controls have to do with finding a tune?

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 10-26-2011, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Squid

The JB4 installs steering wheel controls? How do they work and what do they do?

The steering wheel controls are a way of changing maps, settings, etc. Its pretty cool as you have full control of the tune from the drivers seat, plus it give you an awesome bump in power

Mike

Juiced46 · 10-26-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army335xi

Only problem with that statement is 'if' and this is a big 'if' a BMWNA Engineer visits that dealership and decides to inspect your car, your F*cked, and no SA or tech will be able to save your warranty.

Best recommendation, Remove the tune, it only takes 10-20 minutes to save yourself 3-4 years of warranty...

Im sorry and not to be a dick, this is 100% not true. The BMW Engineers do not randomly come out and inspect random cars. The only reason a BMW engineer is at the dealer is for a problem car that he was called upon to come and look at or authorize something etc. If your car is in the shop @ the same time, they arent going to look at it, flag it etc. If you are getting an oil change and you have mods people do not go and run over and punch in a magic # and flag your car as having mods.

However if the mods have something to do with a failure that you are there for then people may ask questions. Easiest thing to do if you are really that worried, remove everything.

NYGmen, you said in a PM you are from my area right? Just bring the car to my dealer and I will take care of it. PM me and if you want swing down to my shop if you want to BS and need any help on mod recommendations.

ModBargains IV · 10-26-2011, 06:10 PM

You should check out the COBB AP. It's a true plug & play system which installs in minutes and it's completely undetectable by the dealership.

-Frank

Shogun1122 · 10-26-2011, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by **********s IV

You should check out the COBB AP. It's a true plug & play system which installs in minutes and it's completely undetectable by the dealership.

-Frank

Pretty sure that COBB AP is not out for the N55. If it was I would have been all over it a long time ago.

Bubba Ho-Tep · 10-26-2011, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by **********s IV

You should check out the COBB AP. It's a true plug & play system which installs in minutes and it's completely undetectable by the dealership.

-Frank

Frank, the Cobb AP currently only supports N54. Unfortunately Cobb is historically very slow at brining new non-Subaru products to the market. I'm not a Cobb hater either- I loved my Stage2 STi.

ejazbmw · 10-26-2011, 08:22 PM

+1 for Cobb really can't wait till they come out with something for the N55...

N55 · 10-27-2011, 02:19 AM

When in doubt pull it out!

the 20 min of taking it off is no biggie compared to the potential cost of out-of-pocket repairs.

for those that say you have to pay to play, I agree to a point but, why wouldn't you want to keep your warranty as long as you can so you can spend that extra $$$ on other things? Even some of the richest people nickel and dime....

oh and bubba ho tep, last time I spoke to my SA they tried updating the DME on a tuned car and it crashed the DME box. The unfortunate customer had to shell out $4500 including labor.

10-26-2011, 08:24 AM	#1
NYGMen Enlisted Member 2 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Anyone get caught by dealership with tune? I am looking into getting a tune, still deciding which one. I would like to know if anyone here has gotten caught with an aftermarket tune and what the results were. If you bring the car in for routine maintenance (i.e. oil change) and they see the JB4 pnp (no codes or anything wrong, just see it), do they flag your car for future warranty refusals if there is an issue? do they enter your car's vin into some sort of BMWNA system so you cant go to another dealer if the first one refuses to warranty an item? can you simply remove the pnp tune with a code wipe and then go back to the dealership for a warranty fix? Basically, if you get caught, are you screwed for the long term or are there ways around it? do you tell the technician or SA manager ahead of time to see if there is an issue before denying you coverage, etc. Thanks!!!!!
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10-26-2011, 08:26 AM	#2
Q4P Colonel 83 Rep 2,291 Posts Drives: Too Much Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: World iTrader: (0)	Well you don't want to get caught in the first place. It is always advised to fully pull out the tune before visiting the dealership. You clear the codes associated with the tune and then pull it out. It's a guaranteed win-win situation. __________________ 2jZ + RB26 + 4G63 + LS9 + N54 =
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10-26-2011, 11:44 AM	#3
ejazbmw blahhh 302 Rep 6,355 Posts Drives: 2014 M235I Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NJ/NY iTrader: (7)	you can always put it in map0
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10-26-2011, 11:56 AM	#4
eyim1988 Lieutenant Colonel 98 Rep 1,647 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW M4 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (5) Garage List 2022 M4 [0.00]	go to the right dealers and know the right SA's and your good. __________________ Current: 2021 X3MC Past: 2013 bmw 335i, 2011 bmw 335i coupe, 2016 bmw m3
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10-26-2011, 12:43 PM	#6
NYGMen Enlisted Member 2 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	thanks for all the replies guys. Please chime in if you disagree, but after PMing the guys from **********s, it looks like the best route to go is JB4, stage 2, easy install, and uninstall, the codes are auto detected and deleted, i just set to map0 then uninstall. good power gains, not expensive, overall fairly safe for killing turbos, BOV, charge pipe, etc. you guys are awesome, thanks for all the feedback. 1 last noob question, I have never posted a pic of my car on the forum, how do I have the pic show up and not have it link to another place? my car has about 1400 miles so far, loving every second. 2011 335i convert, Metal Blk Sap, blk interior, NAV, cold, premium, HK, Ipod, M sport (18 inch with 193M wheels) and paddle shifters. ill post some pics when i learn how LOL.
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10-26-2011, 12:54 PM	#7
Bubba Ho-Tep Private First Class 18 Rep 125 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 335i xDrive Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: South Jersey iTrader: (0)	There's no way I'm going to go through the trouble of removing the wires and/or downpipe. If it has non-engine or electrical realted work to be done I'll take it to the dealership AS IS. For anything the tune or DP could interfere with I'll take it to my local BMW Performance shop for service and pay out of pocket. You have to pay to play gentleman, plus I'm not for condoning deceitful behavior.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-26-2011, 01:12 PM	#8
Transport3r Major 86 Rep 1,262 Posts Drives: 2011 N55 E90 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne, FL iTrader: (4)	I'd get a COBB AP if you're worried about taking it out frequently. Easiest install of all tunes, no contest. __________________ Josh-
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10-26-2011, 01:16 PM	#9
eyim1988 Lieutenant Colonel 98 Rep 1,647 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW M4 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (5) Garage List 2022 M4 [0.00]	wish there was a cobb for the n55. Not for another year or so probably. __________________ Current: 2021 X3MC Past: 2013 bmw 335i, 2011 bmw 335i coupe, 2016 bmw m3
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10-26-2011, 01:18 PM	#10
NYGMen Enlisted Member 2 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Is COBB available for the N55? I heard it wasn't. the car was finished being built and shipped in early Sept 2011.
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10-26-2011, 01:21 PM	#11
eyim1988 Lieutenant Colonel 98 Rep 1,647 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW M4 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (5) Garage List 2022 M4 [0.00]	get the jb4 its awesome.. the steering wheel controls is def worth it. __________________ Current: 2021 X3MC Past: 2013 bmw 335i, 2011 bmw 335i coupe, 2016 bmw m3
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10-26-2011, 02:37 PM	#12
Wild Squid Banned 21 Rep 626 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i coupe Msport AW Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Nor Cal iTrader: (0)	The JB4 installs steering wheel controls? How do they work and what do they do?
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10-26-2011, 06:10 PM	#18
ModBargains IV Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 213 Posts Drives: e92 335i, 135i, E46 M3, 540i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: 1721 E. Lambert Rd. Unit C, La Habra, CA 90631 iTrader: (1)	You should check out the COBB AP. It's a true plug & play system which installs in minutes and it's completely undetectable by the dealership. -Frank
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10-26-2011, 08:22 PM	#21
ejazbmw blahhh 302 Rep 6,355 Posts Drives: 2014 M235I Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NJ/NY iTrader: (7)	+1 for Cobb really can't wait till they come out with something for the N55...
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10-27-2011, 02:19 AM	#22
N55 ⒸⒺⓇⓉⓘⒻⒾⒺⒹ✬ⓃⒾⓃⒿⒶ 137 Rep 1,475 Posts Drives: 🚀 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (3) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2012 BMW 335IS (SOLD) [6.84] 2011 BMW 335XI (SOLD) [4.66] 2008 BMW 335xi (SOLD) [10.00]	When in doubt pull it out! the 20 min of taking it off is no biggie compared to the potential cost of out-of-pocket repairs. for those that say you have to pay to play, I agree to a point but, why wouldn't you want to keep your warranty as long as you can so you can spend that extra $$$ on other things? Even some of the richest people nickel and dime.... oh and bubba ho tep, last time I spoke to my SA they tried updating the DME on a tuned car and it crashed the DME box. The unfortunate customer had to shell out $4500 including labor.
	Appreciate 0 Quote