[spence88mph]

Hi guys, not sure if it's ok for me to hang with you as I only have an e89, I know I know but I like the car. Anyway car is a Z4 35IS that needs more power, I want to order AR downpipes, JB4, DCI and get a wedge tune. Car still has 4 years warranty though as I took out extended warranty. Will these mods void everything? Anyone have experience with mods and warranties, I read on another forum someone had their dealer install DPs and warranty was fine. BTW I'm in Melbourne.

[Socket]

Originally Posted by spence88mph

Hi guys, not sure if it's ok for me to hang with you as I only have an e89, I know I know but I like the car. Anyway car is a Z4 35IS that needs more power, I want to order AR downpipes, JB4, DCI and get a wedge tune. Car still has 4 years warranty though as I took out extended warranty. Will these mods void everything? Anyone have experience with mods and warranties, I read on another forum someone had their dealer install DPs and warranty was fine. BTW I'm in Melbourne.

Welcome aboard Spence
Mods should only void your warranty (or insurance) if they actually cause a part to fail such as your car bursting into flames because the meth tank caught alight
In the case of your insurance company, opinions are divided on if you should declare them or not to your insurer, best check your policy terms and conditions but most people don't seem to have problems with warranty work, claims or servicing

Best tip I can give is never get your car serviced at a dealership (aka stealership) they overcharge. Find a good indy workshop, there are a couple of good ones here in Melb depending on where you are located.
There's a thread here in the Aussie forum that lists good workshops

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1062013

[Scotty89]

I believe the above only applies to the States Socket.

I would bet my money that anything modified will void warranty here in Australia, as just about every mod is illegal in one way or another.

Insurance won't payout on an unroadworthy car - so why would BMW honour warranty for a car that's been deliberately tampered with?

Edit: Spence, the AR downpipes are illegal because they remove the primary catalytic converters which are required to meet design regulations for emissions purposes (big fine if you get caught without them!).

The JB4 is illegal as it is a modified ECU which is accessible and modifiable - which is again contrary to the design rules.

The DCI is illegal because the air filters cannot be exposed - they must be in a closed compartment, there are some other rules that vary state to state on these, but basically if you just unbolt the factory box and bolt on the cone filter, it's illegal.

These are rather invasive modifications in terms of warranty - you're basically overriding everything that BMW designed the engine to do, and cranking it up to do far beyond what they've specified... so yes, I'd bet they'll argue to hell and back if you try to claim something under warranty.

All they need to say is your car is unroadworthy - then what will you do? Go to court and fight them to fix something on your unroadworthy car?

[Socket]

You raise some really good points Scotty
Does that mean we are all screwed in the case of an accident claim or a major mechanical failure on extended warranty?
What do people in the mod community do??

[Scotty89]

Originally Posted by Socket

You raise some really good points Scotty
Does that mean we are all screwed in the case of an accident claim or a major mechanical failure on extended warranty?
What do people in the mod community do??

Yes, we are. If you wrecked your car tomorrow and it got towed away for inspection and they found modifications that were illegal, they would argue that you did not specify this in your insurance contract with them, therefore voiding your contract.

Since no business in Australia is silly enough to insure drivers for illegal modifications on road driven cars... we are indeed screwed.

I have heard of cases where insurance payouts have been denied from oversize wheels (getting wheels that are too large from original fitment) and hub spacers (which I believe are also illegal in Aus).

I believe in the US they have some legislation that stops warranty claims from being denied unless the manufacturer can prove the modifications caused the malfunction to occur.

Nonetheless, most of them seem to unbolt all of their modifications before contacting the dealer and showing up for warranty items.

In Australia we have nothing of the sort when the car owner is doing the illegal, we really don't have an argument to stand behind.

[Scotty89]

But hey... YOLO, right?

...so let's crank some more boost eh?

[AUSf22]

I think just-car insurance, insures cars with modifications as long as you let them know.

[Socket]

Originally Posted by Scotty89

But hey... YOLO, right?

...so let's crank some more boost eh?

So i'm better off pocketing the monthly insurance premium, driving around uninsured and spending the cash on some down pipes

Sweet

[spence88mph]

Thanks for the warm welcome and info Socket and all the info Scotty. I didn't think non dealers could make warranty claims. Interesting workshop thread, I didn't know of Worx and they're close by, the Lemonpark user goes there and his car sounds interesting... I'm insured with Shannon's and have declared mods on other cars, they're good dudes, I recommend them. Do you Melbourne guys ever do gtgs?

[AUSf22]

Post some pics of the Z spence! Yeah I'm pretty sure Socket will organise a cruise for the boys at Melb. Sydney is better tho

[spence88mph]

Thanks Ause92, will post some pics, just on my mobile right now and I wouldn't imagine many would want to see a Z! Totally agree, Sydney's car scene puts Melbourne's to shame.

[lemonpark]

Me and alot of friends have had modded cars that have been in accidents or totaled and insurance didn't really say anything or deny us payment or cover. I think it depends on the company and how lucky you get I guess, I think the "minor" mods, insurance companies really don't mind/care.

Never taken my 335 to a dealer for service or warranty, but my Lexus had exhaust, intake and a few other things and they never ever said anything except that it sounds good hahaha

just do DP's, dci and JB4. Turn off JB4 when you take it in to BMW and if you really can be fucked, put the stock intake back in before taking it in for warranty work. DP's just hope they see the AR ones and be mirin' them hahaha
then after that you can think of other ways to hide the next mods you do haha

[PR3CI5N]

For now start with the JB4 and DCI. Enjoy the added power and remove both before every dealer visit. Just be sure to clear any codes right before you remove the JB4

[Scotty89]

Originally Posted by AUSe92

I think just-car insurance, insures cars with modifications as long as you let them know.

Yea, that's a con. They insure all legal mods for road registered cars. Mods like +1 or +2 sized wheels that are legal, or window tinting that is legal, or body kits that are legal or exhausts that are legal.

...And so does every other insurer, bar a few.

Ring Just Car and ask them (anonymously) "I want to put some turbo downpipes on my car, but they're illegal. Will you still insure me?"

[BMJ]

Originally Posted by spence88mph

Hi guys, not sure if it's ok for me to hang with you as I only have an e89, I know I know but I like the car. Anyway car is a Z4 35IS that needs more power, I want to order AR downpipes, JB4, DCI and get a wedge tune. Car still has 4 years warranty though as I took out extended warranty. Will these mods void everything? Anyone have experience with mods and warranties, I read on another forum someone had their dealer install DPs and warranty was fine. BTW I'm in Melbourne.

I would say maybe we're not cool enough to hang with you... Z435IS is a SICK Bimmer love them!

Regards to mods and dealers I thought it was a nono, but i might be wrong. Spence I have a COBB with IC think the + IC maps are great.

Please post some pics...

[7smurfs]

Welcome and post some pics of the Z!

I always wanted the z435i, kinda wish I was more patient with the market when buying...

[naynay]

Originally Posted by Scotty89

Yes, we are. If you wrecked your car tomorrow and it got towed away for inspection and they found modifications that were illegal, they would argue that you did not specify this in your insurance contract with them, therefore voiding your contract.

Since no business in Australia is silly enough to insure drivers for illegal modifications on road driven cars... we are indeed screwed.

I have heard of cases where insurance payouts have been denied from oversize wheels (getting wheels that are too large from original fitment) and hub spacers (which I believe are also illegal in Aus).

I believe in the US they have some legislation that stops warranty claims from being denied unless the manufacturer can prove the modifications caused the malfunction to occur.

Nonetheless, most of them seem to unbolt all of their modifications before contacting the dealer and showing up for warranty items.

In Australia we have nothing of the sort when the car owner is doing the illegal, we really don't have an argument to stand behind.

with the exception of aami.

"Accessories and modifications we cover

Peace of mind
AAMI Car Insurance automatically includes cover for accessories and modifications that have been fitted to your car up to the amount covered, with the exception of the accessories and modifications listed below.

Custom or Specialised Paint (after market)
Nitro or Hydrogen Fuel
Petrol Turbo or Supercharger (fitted after market)
Roll Bar / Roll Cage / Racing Harness"

[AUSf22]

Originally Posted by Scotty89

Yea, that's a con. They insure all legal mods for road registered cars. Mods like +1 or +2 sized wheels that are legal, or window tinting that is legal, or body kits that are legal or exhausts that are legal.

...And so does every other insurer, bar a few.

Ring Just Car and ask them (anonymously) "I want to put some turbo downpipes on my car, but they're illegal. Will you still insure me?"

Hmm fair enough, I'm not too sure about the insurance policies. Though I did find a thread where BMW themselves installed some cat-less downpipes on a z435is with warranty still covered. ( In Syd Australia ) Maybe our state is a bit more relaxed than Melb in terms of car mods but I could be wrong.

http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=844879

[naynay]

dealerships are franchises, vary from dealer to dealer. but if something fucks up and u take it back to them, i wouldnt be surprised if they void ur warranty

[spence88mph]

Originally Posted by BMJ

I would say maybe we're not cool enough to hang with you... Z435IS is a SICK Bimmer love them!

Regards to mods and dealers I thought it was a nono, but i might be wrong. Spence I have a COBB with IC think the + IC maps are great.

Please post some pics...

Haha, thanks mate! I’m still getting my head around the COBB and JB4, one is a piggyback and one is an access port flash loader thingy right? It seems people use cobb maps with jb4s? There is so many combinations of flashes and stuff, I’ll get there eventually, reading your posts helps a lot!

So after a year of ownership I only have a couple of crappy pics, I haven’t really been that into the car to be honest, it’s great and I like it more and more. If it had another 100ish hp I think it would be awesome.

I have attached a couple of pics, one a friend put on his instagram and the other with the bike in the background, I will take some better ones.

Originally Posted by 7smurfs

Welcome and post some pics of the Z!

I always wanted the z435i, kinda wish I was more patient with the market when buying...

I bet your 135 is awesome, the z4 is nice but it has a lot of rattles with the roof, I need to get to the stealer to have fixed. Also being a strict 2 seater it’s not very versatile and my girlfriend can’t recline all the way back and sleep so there’s more whining on a long trips, hahaha.

One more thing, it has 'active suspension' which must just mean no suspension, when that’s on in Sport + mode, the thing crashes over anything on the road, it’s insanely shit!

Originally Posted by PR3CI5N

For now start with the JB4 and DCI. Enjoy the added power and remove both before every dealer visit. Just be sure to clear any codes right before you remove the JB4

OK cool, I read that some say the JB4 won’t make it much more powerful straight away cause it already has overboost. I haven’t even bothered to check how the whole overcast thing works but I know your shopping list would be a good start, I’ll order it this week. Thanks man

Originally Posted by lemonpark

Me and alot of friends have had modded cars that have been in accidents or totaled and insurance didn't really say anything or deny us payment or cover. I think it depends on the company and how lucky you get I guess, I think the "minor" mods, insurance companies really don't ….

Thanks for the info Lemonpark, I was wondering if you go in with downpipes they put a mark next to your name and say no warranty claims for this guy, probably not...

[AUSf22]

^ Looking sweet! I've always liked silver cars. Maybe some gloss black kidney grilles to start before the big mod bugs bite !

[Scotty89]

Originally Posted by spence88mph

OK cool, I read that some say the JB4 won’t make it much more powerful straight away cause it already has overboost. I haven’t even bothered to check how the whole overcast thing works but I know your shopping list would be a good start, I’ll order it this week. Thanks man

Thanks for the info Lemonpark, I was wondering if you go in with downpipes they put a mark next to your name and say no warranty claims for this guy, probably not...

I read that Z4 JB4 does create a big difference even with sport+ overboost.

And they do keep track of what is performed on your car at the dealership - they track VIN numbers to keep a history of what is performed for recalls and updates.

I would expect they'd have the ability to add comments in that system - especially over disputes about warranty items and testing/diagnostics already performed.