Tune/Turbos on a Leased Car

[LBBF87]

Hey Guys,

Hoping someone can chime in on a topic I am clueless on as I have never leased a car.

Many people on this and other forums seem to lease their cars and continue to tune them, upgrades turbos, intakes, etc.

Ultimately these mods would void the warranty for the various components they affect (I do understand they have the burden of proof for simplicity let's assume they instantly void the warranty).

Since technically the car is still owned my BMW (right?) what would happen if a car was tuned and let's say the DCT clutch failed. Would you be responsible for the damages because the tune you installed added too much HP, or is it BMWs problem because ultimately they own the car? Or is it like a scratch that occurred during the lease and you are responsible?

It's really been bugging me so I'm hoping someone can clarify and elaborate for me.

[ibimmer954]

Think of it this way. At the end of the lease BMWFS wants a car that has normal wear and tear. Anything they notice and have to fix to get it to that point will be charged to you. And if they do it after you turn the car in, they will charge you crazy high rates. It is in your interest to get the car right before you turn it in. Otherwise you will be overcharged.

[///M4ster Yoda]

You are IMMEDIATELY voiding your lease agreement and can/will be on the hook for any and all repairs/damages to the vehicle from said modification. Period

Will it happen? Chances are no. Are you fucked if you spin a crank hub etc etc. Yes

I didn't think it was worth it so I kept this car stock. The car can barely put the power down as it is.

[scott13]

Originally Posted by ///M4ster Yoda

You are IMMEDIATELY voiding your lease agreement and can/will be on the hook for any and all repairs/damages to the vehicle from said modification. Period.

^^This.

For me, "light" modding of a leased car was worth the risk. But, my advice would be to make sure you go into it mentally and financially prepared for potentially ugly legal battles and/or steep bills.

[M5Rlz]

Originally Posted by scott13

^^This.

For me, "light" modding of a leased car was worth the risk. But, my advice would be to make sure you go into it mentally and financially prepared for potentially ugly legal battles and/or steep bills.

Agree you start strapping on turbos upping the whp by 50%+ unless you're going to do the work yourself or don't care about labor rates.

It would be a b* to do if you had an issue and needed to put it back to stock to roll it into the dealership and try to shrug your shoulders that you don't know anything

I'm also not one to act as if mods like tune, exhaust, intake mean the sky is falling in a lease/4yr warranty window

[f80er]

Just because you lease doesn't mean shit, hell you can trade a leased car in or sell it to Carmax or a private party rather than turn it in. Drive it off a cliff if that suits your fancy. BMW doesn't have to be involved at all if and when you decide to move on from it. My point is just because you leased it doesn't mean you pledged a blood oath to BMW.

Life is short, do you what you want and not what others tell you should or shouldn't do.

[LBBF87]

Well, I feel as though you all have reinforced all of the reason I buy my cars rather than lease them...not that I've ever even considered doing something as extreme as Pures.

[NoMoreAudi]

BMW sells M cars to enthusiasts, not soccer moms looking for high MPG and safety ratings. Them telling you how you should "not" modify your car when there are a plethora of aftermarket parts sold at the same dealership you bought the car is... a conflict of interest, to say the least.

I have always leased high performance vehicles for my business and have modded all of them.

[EricSMG]

Originally Posted by LBBF87

Well, I feel as though you all have reinforced all of the reason I buy my cars rather than lease them...not that I've ever even considered doing something as extreme as Pures.

Not sure that's relevant when talking about warranties. If the motor blows you're fucked either way, no?

[NoMoreAudi]

Originally Posted by EricSMG

Not sure that's relevant when talking about warranties. If the motor blows you're fucked either way, no?

Depends the type relationship with your service adviser, what you need replacing exactly and the dealer's relationship with BMW NA. Not a comprehensive list.

[ctgeorge]

Originally Posted by EricSMG

Not sure that's relevant when talking about warranties. If the motor blows you're fucked either way, no?

Take it from someone who has personal experience with an engine failure while tuned. Financed or Leased be ready to pay 30k for a new engine or around 15-20k used. If you're really lucky you may get away with a simple retiming at around 6k if you spin your crank hub lightly.

Your Dealer can be the coolest / mod friendly in the country, but it won't prevent them from hiding tunes, aftermarket hardware etc from BMW Corp.

[NickyC]

^OMG

[LBBF87]

Holy shit.

The only difference is that I would feel more comfortable handling a situation when I actually own the car. Maybe that's weird, just a comfort thing.

[m_michael]

Wow. That bill is nuts. I’m shopping for as used 2015 lease return and am super paranoid about purchasing a car that’s been moded and un-moded prior to return. Not to hijack the thread, but any advice on what I should look for to avoid moded cars.

[ceedawg]

Originally Posted by m_michael

Wow. That bill is nuts. I’m shopping for as used 2015 lease return and am super paranoid about purchasing a car that’s been moded and un-moded prior to return. Not to hijack the thread, but any advice on what I should look for to avoid moded cars.

You would be better off buying or leasing a used CPO 2015 M3 from a BMW dealer of course in that case. BMW would be on the hook. Folks are saying they can find out if a car is tuned regardless of the Software vendor saying they can’t .That is the only way I can think of to avoid buying a modded car but I could be wrong but I’d take that gamble on the BMW dealer any day. Because the modded beat to death turned in leased cars are definitely out there. And have been beat to death with no visual evidence.

[m_michael]

Originally Posted by ceedawg

You would be better off buying or leasing a used CPO 2015 M3 from a BMW dealer of course in that case. BMW would be on the hook. Folks are saying they can find out if a car is tuned regardless of the Software vendor saying they can’t .That is the only way I can think of to avoid buying a modded car but I could be wrong but I’d take that gamble on the BMW dealer any day. Because the modded beat to death turned in leased cars are definitely out there. And have been beat to death with no visual evidence.

I wonder if an independent BMW mechanic has the ECU scanning tidbits to detect a modded ECU. I’m guessing not likely. Better to play it safe and get a CPO car.

[kyleb350]

Originally Posted by ctgeorge

Take it from someone who has personal experience with an engine failure while tuned. Financed or Leased be ready to pay 30k for a new engine or around 15-20k used. If you're really lucky you may get away with a simple retiming at around 6k if you spin your crank hub lightly.

Your Dealer can be the coolest / mod friendly in the country, but it won't prevent them from hiding tunes, aftermarket hardware etc from BMW Corp.

I hope your service adviser offered you a seat before giving you that estimate.

[NickyC]

If looking into buying an M4/M3, one thing I'd keep an eye out for are brake calipers which have turned this nasty yellow/goldish hue (not speaking about CCBs of course). It's a sure sign that the car has been to the track and pounded on due to the paint color of the calipers changing (if I'm incorrect on this somebody please let me know).

I went to test drive a used M4 at local BMW dealer here a couple years ago (wasn't CPO), and noticed the funky hue on the calipers so declined even considering the car.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by NickyC

If looking into buying an M4/M3, one thing I'd keep an eye out for are brake calipers which have turned this nasty yellow/goldish hue (not speaking about CCBs of course). It's a sure sign that the car has been to the track and pounded on due to the paint color of the calipers changing (if I'm incorrect on this somebody please let me know).

I went to test drive a used M4 at local BMW dealer here a couple years ago (wasn't CPO), and noticed the funky hue on the calipers so declined even considering the car.

You're correct. Here's a comparison of a heavily tracked caliper:

[NickyC]

^ Thanks Tom! That's exactly what they looked like on the car I was interested in.