Anybody caught by BMW with a JB4 or Cobb?

[UF135i]

Just like the title says... I'm wondering if anyone has been caught with one? Not left installed... I mean has the dealer picked up on any leftovers in the ECU memory and denied a warranty claim? I know these systems claim to be passive and undetectable, but I'm wondering if that is really 100% true.

[RaihaX]

You always run the risk of detection when modding, though I doubt the dealer would go through all that trouble to find it, unless you blew your engine and would like warranty to cover it (or any other significant damage).

[bogart]

My service rep actually loves my car. I leave everything on it when I bring it in. Everyone drools and takes pictures.

[John Dempsey]

Originally Posted by bogart

My service rep actually loves my car. I leave everything on it when I bring it in. Everyone drools and takes pictures.

Same here! It's nice. You just have to find some cool people.

[slim_e90]

Sorry to jack this a bit, but Ive been thinking of this question too.

It would help of this thread was ONLY answered by those that have a tune.

List in this format maybe:

Tune: Cobb
Caught (yes/no): No
Miles driven: 5k

[John Dempsey]

Mods:
Cobb
ER FMIC
Quaife LSD
Cobb AP
KW Coilovers
Macht Schnell DP's
Berk race exhaust.
And a bunch of other little stuff
Caught :
No.
Miles driven.
10k

[Tweeked SRT4]

I took my car in for an oil change last week Friday with JB4 installed and just switched it to Map 0 and they didn't same anything to me about it.

Mods: JB4 and soon to be BMS Intake
Caught : No but my Saleswoman knows I have a tune.
Miles driven: 500 miles since JB4 install but currently 13,300 miles on car.

[JK135i]

I'm FBO + meth and I leave everything in my car, granted I'm stationed in Germany and they think its amazing the amount of power that can come from this car and they know that I go to Nurburgring all the time so they don't care.

[1speedbike]

Originally Posted by slim_e90

Sorry to jack this a bit, but Ive been thinking of this question too.

It would help of this thread was ONLY answered by those that have a tune.

List in this format maybe:

Tune: Cobb
Caught (yes/no): No
Miles driven: 5k

^That's not a bad idea..

Tune: JB2, SSTT, JB+, now JB4
Caught: no
Miles: 55K

I know there were horror stories in the past, but people seem to have become a little smarter recently and I don't hear about terrible things happening as often any more.

Maybe we should also add if we usually keep the tune on when we bring the car in? I know this is almost universally no, but what about for a wheel swap or something where they wouldn't have any reason to know? I always take my JB4 (and JB+, JB2, etc) out, leave everything else on.

[bogart]

Tune: JB4 Stage 2, stays in for service
Caught: Technically no... does my service rep know I have a tune, yes
Miles: 22K

The only time I've heard of a warranty being pulled was when my friend brought the car in for service and the regional rep was there, saw the car and flagged it for an examination.

[moveswiftly]

Tune: Procede V5
Caught: Technically No. But many SA's have pointed out that my car is Modded
Miles: 46k, 35K with Tune.

[GaryS]

Even if your SA is totally cool, the tech who works on your car can still make trouble, or if a BMWNA rep is visiting the dealership, you can really get fucked. But I'm talking about physical mods, like piggybacks, DPs, meth, sometimes even intakes. I've never heard of anyone getting caught with a flash tune.

[John Dempsey]

Originally Posted by GaryS

Even if your SA is totally cool, the tech who works on your car can still make trouble, or if a BMWNA rep is visiting the dealership, you can really get fucked. But I'm talking about physical mods, like piggybacks, DPs, meth, sometimes even intakes. I've never heard of anyone getting caught with a flash tune.

You gotta get to know your tech. Luckily I was good friends with a tech at my dealership.

[L8*Apex]

Not sure why these threads keep coming up. What does it mean "get caught"? You have to pay to play. If you grenade your engine because you ran too much boost or messed up your timing with a piggy back then it's your fault.
Also, just because the SA doesn't say "hey buddy that jb4 is a no no you're warranty is voided sucka" doesn't mean they don't document it.
And finally, they won't void your entire warranty because you have wheel spacers. They won't void your tranny warranty because you have a DCI. Accept the fact that pushing these mechanical items past the factory designated limits may cause you to have to fix it on your own dime.
Thread jack over. Thanks for reading.

[ken1137]

Tune: Cobb stage II
Mods: too many
Caught: I revert back to stock when I go in so no. I also remove the Cobb during Winter b/c I don't need the extra HP and torque with snows on
Miles: 40K...I bought the car used but I work from home so I will only add about 7K per yr.

[Ash83]

Here is what my friend who works at a BMW dealer told me..

If you requested a major repair BMWNA will request ECU dump and they will check for codes to deny your warranty so as long as you keep deleting them you are OK..

Most dealers will not report any tune they see because they want to charge BMW back for the work.. I said MOST but you do not want to run the risk.. BMWNA sometime sends representiative so you do not want to be the guy who got caught at the wrong time.

Every time time I hear people say the SA is my best friend, I just laugh.. .. If you blew up your engine, would he cover this 15K+ repair by lieing to BMWNA??? if they asked for ECU dump, would he send a fake one????? he will never RISK HIS JOB for you..

Just be safe and clean the code and remove the tune before you go to service..

JB4, intake
Caught: NO .. remove and clear all codes before any dealer visit.
29K miles

[miro2296]

TUNE: JB3, now JB4
Caught: NO
Miles: 35K

[MrBimmer]

I suppose a better poll would be...

1. did you blow up your engine.
2. What mods
3. did you get bmw to pay

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by bogart

My service rep actually loves my car. I leave everything on it when I bring it in. Everyone drools and takes pictures.

Hey Joe, saw your 135i when my car was in for service last week. I like what you've done with your car, but that 215 stretch in the front looks a bit....

Everything else is awesome though man, would you mind sending me a pm sometime about the CF wrap you did for your interior? I'd love to do that if whoever did it is local. Thanks.

Also, what trunk do you have? I'm prolly going with the Slek hood and trunk soon, but was curious as to what kind you have. Thanks.

[dfv2]

I told my SA to look into my WG rattle but skip the software due to my AP tune. He told me to bring it back with the car flashed back to stock. I was later told a yard jockey started it up, revved the piss out of if for a few customers in the bay, and took it for a drive :/ - I think i'll flash to valet mode next time.

Luckily there aren't really any N54 hardware failures directly linked to a tune, so the culture isn't a mod/tune witch hunt like it is with subies and evos.

[hyper1]

Yes, it happen to me and it cost me $1700.00

[John Dempsey]

Originally Posted by hyper1

Yes, it happen to me and it cost me $1700.00

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