Can an aftermarket exhaust really void my warranty?

[JohnnyF80]

I just bought the Remus axle back exhaust and was going to wait to until the warranty is up in April before having it installed. But can the dealer really blame an issue that would normally be covered by the warranty on an aftermarket exhaust?

I have seen the threads discussing how modifying the car will void the warranty. But has anyone with just an aftermarket exhaust had warranty work denied because of it?

[delta]

As others who will be adding their thoughts here will likely attest, there are dealers out there (not just BMW) who will refuse warranty work for any number of reasons; being modded is right up at the top of the list.

One could write reams on this topic, including owner and implied warranty rights under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which are aimed at preventing manufacturers from voiding a warranty or denying coverage simply because one used an aftermarket or recycled part. But, I'll have to leave those legal arguments in the good hands of those attorneys on this forum.

In short, and more to your Remus exhaust concern, while any dealer could argue otherwise, I highly doubt most dealers would refuse a warranty repair as a result of one’s adding a mass-produced after-market exhaust. These exhaust systems have been around for a bajillion years, for most every performance ride out there. I suppose if the installation was sloppy (pretty hard to do on an axle-back exhaust bolt-on) and caused some upstream exhaust leak/rattle/etc., the repair under warranty could be refused, but that would be the rare exception.

[gatorfast]

No

[GOLFFRR]

talk to your service advisor, let them know what your trying to do and see what they tell you and go from there.

[hellokitty]

No issues for me thus far. The only thing I warrantied was the cracking M emblems in the seat. I am not tuned.

Edit: Oops also iDrive was crashing so they performed a istep upgrade. I was coded as well.

[JohnnyF80]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

talk to your service advisor, let them know what your trying to do and see what they tell you and go from there.

That was my next step. I missed Thompson BMW on Saturday as I wasn't expecting to buy it this weekend the deal just fell in my lap. I will call a few local dealerships around me tomorrow to see what their stance is. I will probably call Thompson, Main Line and West German if anyone has experiences with them particularly.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

talk to your service advisor, let them know what your trying to do and see what they tell you and go from there.

+1

Make friends with your SA and search the forums to get opinions on who to support.

It’s with a drive to work with the right SA and techs

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

+1

Make friends with your SA and search the forums to get opinions on who to support.

It's with a drive to work with the right SA and techs

Your SA can only do so much, apart from jotting down the service your vehicle needs.

The service/claims manager or master technician has the final word on if they're willing to repair a vehicle under the warranty coverage.

Trust me on this; my SA is a former high school classmate and we're tight but after she hands off my vehicle to a porter, her superpowers ends there.

[2SNAILS]

Originally Posted by JohnnyF80

That was my next step. I missed Thompson BMW on Saturday as I wasn't expecting to buy it this weekend the deal just fell in my lap. I will call a few local dealerships around me tomorrow to see what their stance is. I will probably call Thompson, Main Line and West German if anyone has experiences with them particularly.

Thompson is a "Mod" friendly dealership, u should have no issues

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by JohnnyF80

That was my next step. I missed Thompson BMW on Saturday as I wasn't expecting to buy it this weekend the deal just fell in my lap. I will call a few local dealerships around me tomorrow to see what their stance is. I will probably call Thompson, Main Line and West German if anyone has experiences with them particularly.

thats the best way to go about it. They will be able to direct you on what path you should take.

[RoundelM3]

Once again - an aftermarket part will not void your entire warranty, but it could cause a denial of a warranty claim for anything that part could have specifically affected. So if you install a non-BMW exhaust, it won't cause a denial of warranty for a radiator problem, etc.

[mike@x-ph.com]

I have never heard of an exhaust voiding the warranty.

[JohnnyF80]

Originally Posted by RoundelM3

Once again - an aftermarket part will not void your entire warranty, but it could cause a denial of a warranty claim for anything that part could have specifically affected. So if you install a non-BMW exhaust, it won't cause a denial of warranty for a radiator problem, etc.

True, but what happens if something goes wrong with the motor. Would they blame the exhaust then?

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by JohnnyF80

True, but what happens if something goes wrong with the motor. Would they blame the exhaust then?

I highly doubt it.

How many people have blown their engine from an exhaust? Chances are, you are more likely to have an ancillary part on the engine fail (e.g., water pump, valvetronic motor, etc.) or spun crank hub. Pretty minor stuff but I am used to dealing with stuff out of warranty with my N54 so nothing really phases me anymore lol

[chewbakam4]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I have never heard of an exhaust voiding the warranty.

+100

[rocklobsta1109]

I post this everytime a topic like this comes up. Specifically the 'Will using 'aftermarket' or recycled parts void my warranty?' section

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/article...ne-maintenance

[Porsha]

Just adding a +1 to "No". I just got my car serviced for the first time at the local dealer who are pretty stingy and just installed the AWE Track Exhaust which is loud. No issues.

[rocklobsta1109]

All anecdotal evidence aside, FTC regulations and Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act make this a legal violation if a dealer voids a warranty solely due to installed aftermarket parts. Know your rights as a consumer.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Porsha

Just adding a +1 to "No". I just got my car serviced for the first time at the local dealer who are pretty stingy and just installed the AWE Track Exhaust which is loud. No issues.

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by JohnnyF80

True, but what happens if something goes wrong with the motor. Would they blame the exhaust then?

Simple answer - no. It's not a mechanical part and it won't cause a warranty claim denial.

[JohnnyF80]

Thank You All! This is what I got back from Thompson BMW's performance team -

Good Morning,
This is Alex the adviser for the performance team. There should be no reason that the active autowerks mid pipe or Remus axle back causes warranty issues. If you decide to go catless that is when you can run into issues if they link a defective part due to being catless or if you cant pass emissions. Thank you in advance.

--
Alex McKenzie
Thompson Performance Group

I guess the next question is how are you guys with catless down and mid pipes passing emissions tests?

[4everkidd]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

No

Originally Posted by JohnnyF80

True, but what happens if something goes wrong with the motor. Would they blame the exhaust then?

Originally Posted by hellokitty

I highly doubt it.

How many people have blown their engine from an exhaust? Chances are, you are more likely to have an ancillary part on the engine fail (e.g., water pump, valvetronic motor, etc.) or spun crank hub. Pretty minor stuff but I am used to dealing with stuff out of warranty with my N54 so nothing really phases me anymore lol

Originally Posted by chewbakam4

+100

Gallery BMW in Calgary AB; warranty void due to aftermarket exhaust and cold air intake. Ask me how I know.