Coding affects your future electrical warranty claims

[banff]

SA's are idiots for the most part. they will hire anyone that can sell.

[Almaretto]

I am still not sure I understand the full picture, but appreciate the reporting so others are aware it is possible.

It varies dealership by dealership. I have read a few secondhand accounts of a dealership in San Diego that also reports. Though, many more not caring or even having any knowledge of coding; yet, things are fluid and could change.

Dealerships do not even take the time to reprogram vehicles to update maps, firmware, or delete user profiles before re-selling. In fact, I have re-coded some "new" owners vehicle who ended up losing features after their first service visit.

I think the biggest concern is when FA changes are written to VCM and compared against record when scanned by ISTA+. That or coding that goes beyond enabling features available in later releases or in other countries.

Personally, I always pre-scan my vehicles before taking them into service so there are no surprises.

[evolmotorsprt]

Sounds like I need ista+ rheingold. If anyone could help me out finding with a rheingold download I'd really appreciate it. Please PM me.

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by evolmotorsprt

Sounds like I need ista+ rheingold. If anyone could help me out finding with a rheingold download I'd really appreciate it. Please PM me.

Three places:

• Bimmerpost
• Bimmerfest
• Cartechnology

[///F80M3]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

I am still not sure I understand the full picture, but appreciate the reporting so others are aware it is possible.

It varies dealership by dealership. I have read a few secondhand accounts of a dealership in San Diego that also reports. Though, many more not caring or even having any knowledge of coding; yet, things are fluid and could change.

Dealerships do not even take the time to reprogram vehicles to update maps, firmware, or delete user profiles before re-selling. In fact, I have re-coded some "new" owners vehicle who ended up losing features after their first service visit.

I think the biggest concern is when FA changes are written to VCM and compared against record when scanned by ISTA+. That or coding that goes beyond enabling features available in later releases or in other countries.

Personally, I always pre-scan my vehicles before taking them into service so there are no surprises.

I had a similar issue with this. I had coded 3AG to FA for my backup camera and when I took my car to dealer they couldn't update software since I messed with car. They said if they connect to bmw they will flag ur car. I went home removed 3AG and everything went smooth from there. I was getting camera error code also in Rheingold until I removed 3AG from FA.

Always revert back to factory FA for diagnostic.

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by ///F80M3

I had a similar issue with this. I had coded 3AG to FA for my backup camera and when I took my car to dealer they couldn't update software since I messed with car. They said if they connect to bmw they will flag ur car. I went home removed 3AG and everything went smooth from there. I was getting camera error code also in Rheingold until I removed 3AG from FA.

Always revert back to factory FA for diagnostic.

I just do not write FA changes to vehicle and load modified FA for VO coding.

[evolmotorsprt]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

Three places:

• Bimmerpost
• Bimmerfest
• Cartechnology

Thank you

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by evolmotorsprt

Thank you

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Never said you are making stuff up, but it's all possible SAs don't know squat[...]
Now, on what premise does your SA say a JB4 is no problem, but your car was flagged because of coding, but not because of a piggy device that adds hp and alters engine behaviour... this baffles my mind, and in no way it's disputing what you are saying. Maybe now coding is another reason to be flagged aside from having engine mods.
[...]FYI, BMW only knows about stuff when FASTA data is transmitted by the dealer, and it is not done necessarily all the time, I know of one instance for PUMA cases, or expensive engine related warranty claims, ...

Originally Posted by Almaretto

Dealerships do not even take the time to reprogram vehicles to update maps, firmware, or delete user profiles before re-selling. In fact, I have re-coded some "new" owners vehicle who ended up losing features after their first service visit.

Exactly!
It takes time and money for a dealer tech to check software version, never mind upload the config via FASTA. Unless BMW NA is reimbursing them for that time, and the techs in turn are paid for doing this, they will never work for free to satisfy BMW's curiosity.

New independent data point - I took my F80 for 2-year service this week, fully coded, including FA changes.
Got the car back with zero complains or issues.

It may well be that one guy got flagged for any combination of reasons (leaving JB4 plugged in is certainly the most obvious one).

But it is false and misleading to claim that all dealers have been instructed, and are compensated by BMW, to check for coding changes, or that coding has direct impact on warranty coverage!

a

[Zerp]

Originally Posted by DaBean

...So, while I'm no lawyer nor should this count as formal advice, it adheres to my understanding of the legal system when it relates to warranty claims.
.

There’s the rub. Most people arent lawyers. And the big problem with that is that it means you must hire one to represent you. And lawyers aren’t cheap. BMW? They have lawyers on staff.

[RoundelM3]

I've coded all of my BMWs and never once had any of them "flagged". This sounds like pure BS to me.