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[bimmerlex]

When you take your car to the dealership for service, and let's say your break pads are worn out after a year and need to be changed (as a part of that free maintenance program). Can the dealership refuse to replace them for free if you have custom wheels, claiming those wheels caused premature break pad wear?

[stooken]

that's REALLY pushing it. i doubt they would do that.

[HyperM3]

No, really? Lay off the medical THC and think about this question logically.

How can wheels affect brake pads AT ALL?

[K335i]

Theoretically, they can - more rotational mass means more energy is required to stop. In fact, that is one of the dangers of putting massive spinners on SUVs that have pathetic braking performance to begin with. In practice, though, there are so many other variables involved that I doubt a dealer would try to pull a claim like that off.

[HyperM3]

Originally Posted by K335i

Theoretically, they can - more rotational mass means more energy is required to stop. In fact, that is one of the dangers of putting massive spinners on SUVs that have pathetic braking performance to begin with. In practice, though, there are so many other variables involved that I doubt a dealer would try to pull a claim like that off.

How is there more rotational mass when most after market wheels people install are A: typically the same diameter as what they are replacing, and B: typically LIGHTER than what they are replacing?

Most people who put new wheels on their SUV's put on wheels that weigh almost double than what they are replacing. Completely the wrong analogy for this situation.

[ssigur]

Originally Posted by HyperM3

How is there more rotational mass when most after market wheels people install are A: typically the same diameter as what they are replacing, and B: typically LIGHTER than what they are replacing?

Most people who put new wheels on their SUV's put on wheels that weigh almost double than what they are replacing. Completely the wrong analogy for this situation.

Thats only if the find the FLUX GENRATOR

[HRC]

The only time I have experienced any problems with my dealer and my rims was when I asked them to road-force balance my rims they said they "didn't have the proper tools to balance my aftermarket rims."

I ended up taking my car to Big-O and they had no problems. Other than that, my dealer has not given me grief over any of my other mods, but I have never taken it in for a "suspension problem" or a "lighting issue" as those are the only other non-factory mods I have.

Danny

[K335i]

Originally Posted by HyperM3

How is there more rotational mass when most after market wheels people install are A: typically the same diameter as what they are replacing, and B: typically LIGHTER than what they are replacing?

Most people who put new wheels on their SUV's put on wheels that weigh almost double than what they are replacing. Completely the wrong analogy for this situation.

There is nothing wrong with the analogy. Your statement was that there was no relationship between brake pad wear and aftermarket wheels. I simply pointed out an example where there is. And the OP's question wouldn't make sense if he were only referring to lighter weight aftermarket wheels.

Many people on this forum are aware of the effects of high unsprung weight, and decide to go with lighter aftermarket wheels as a result. I completely agree with you on that point. But there are a lot of people (like the SUV crowd) who put on new wheels simply for cosmetic reasons, and these wheels are often much heavier than OEM wheels.

[VMRWheels]

I know it's obvious, but you may want to switch out your wheels to your OEM ones, bring it in for the job, and maybe ask your SA their stance on aftermarket wheels and what not.

[bimmerlex]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I have a better picture now...

[JOSG328I]

Originally Posted by ssigur

Thats only if the find the FLUX GENRATOR

Sorry I had to "FLUX CAPACITOR" , Sorry couldn't let Back to the Future quotes go down like that!

[1WickedE90]

Originally Posted by bimmerlex

When you take your car to the dealership for service, and let's say your brake pads are worn out after a year and need to be changed (as a part of that free maintenance program). Can the dealership refuse to replace them for free if you have custom wheels, claiming those wheels caused premature break pad wear?

Absolutely not, unless they can prove beyond reasonable doubt that the custom wheels caused the brake pad wear. Here is an explanation of the law in full text below:

Magnuson-Moss Act
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/.../warranty.shtm

Here is another explanation from an online parts store:

"New Vehicle Warranties And Your Rights

No aftermarket part or accessory that is properly installed on your vehicle will entirely void your original vehicle manufacturers warranty. According to the provisions in the Magnuson-Moss Warranty - Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act, It is the dealership's responsibility to prove that your modification directly caused or affected the failure you are trying to resolve. With that said, some dealerships are more performance-oriented than others and are more willing to work with customers.

Warranty-related materials, published by the new vehicle manufacturers, state that the installation of aftermarket parts have no effect on the warranty unless such equipment causes the problem that leads to the warranty claim. Nonetheless, some dealers have improperly denied warranty claims even though the claim had nothing to do with aftermarket parts. I.E., just because you install an exhaust system, your suspension failure warranty claim cannot be denied. If you experience a problem with an uncooperative dealership, point out the provisions of the this "FEDERAL ACT". For more information call your vehicle manufacturer or click on the link above to go directly to the Federal Trade Commission's website to find out more about this law.

Is there even more information available to me?

Yes, SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, has extensive information about this issue. Check out their information in the following categories:

(1) Warranty Denied?
(2) Unfair Warranty Denial?

SEMA also keeps track of illegal / unethical practices by dealers regarding this area. If you should have to go to court or to arbitration to settle your warranty complaint, contact SEMA with the details."

[tinka]

it would'nt surprise me if a dealer did try to refuse to do it though,they will try anything.

[bimmerlex]

Thank you, 1WickedE90 for the explanation. Also, thanks for correcting my grammar . English is my third language.

[sandyeggo325i]

Originally Posted by tinka

it would'nt surprise me if a dealer did try to refuse to do it though,they will try anything.

except that dealers get paid for performing warranty work......no?

[1WickedE90]

Originally Posted by sandyeggo325i

except that dealers get paid for performing warranty work......no?

Only up to a certain extent. If they perform a 30min warranty repair and it takes them 1.5hrs to do it, the dealer eats the extra hour.

[montreal_bimmer]

my steering wheel was making a squeeky noise, i brought it in and they said it was because i changed my suspension.... although this is a common problem, they lubed it up, and so far so good, just hope it doesnt happen again and then i have to argue with them to change my steering column.


so basicaly, they dealership can say whatever they want(if they want to be biatches)