What modifications will void a warranty?

[g-black]

I'm looking at finally getting out of the estate. I have spied a lovely fresh 2.0 110 TDI highline. The question is, what can I do to the car without voiding warranty? I plan to put lowering springs in, my bentley alloys and my stereo system.
O yes and of coarse my HIDs and LED lights.
Thanks in advance.

[james_tiger_woo]

Officially pretty much anything that isn't standard or OEM will void the warranty as it could, potentially, upset the car. That's the official line anyway.

Ultimately it'll depend on the fault that occurs and how pedantic the dealership wants to be.

In your case, I think the alloys and springs would do it - the stereo won't.

[g-black]

So if a talk nicely to the dealer when I buy it I might get away with as much as I can? So long as it's nothing that will effect the engine I'm not overly worried.

But with wheels and suspension, they might say it's effecting the gear box clutch and the rest of the suspension components.

[SammoVWT]

Its definately worth talking to the dealer about, I doubt they would support any aftermarket parts under warranty.

Perhaps if the dealer fits the parts you may get something with a special relationship but I wouldnt hold out much hope.

I really doubt the dealership will support any lowering kits etc, usually if its not OEM it voids warranty.

Thats why most new cars have very few (virtually 0 modifications on them).

It also depends on your servicing too, a dealer service will qualify for warranty, but im not sure how it holds up getting it serviced by an independant.

My guess is the stance would be they cant gaurantee the work performed out of non-VW service centres, despite the fact they may well be performed equally well or better than a dealer.

But then again, if manufacturers didnt put these controls on their products they could be liable for claims from everywhere. Not good for their profit margins.

Everything sold with a warranty will have the typical warranty cost built into the price at the time of sale. It all hits margins you see.

[logiclee]

If you go wheels and springs then it's pretty much nailed on that any problems you have suspension/bush/steering related is going to be not covered.
Engine and gearbox drivetrain cover should be OK as long as your wheels have the same rolling radius, if they don't and effect the overall gearing of the car then the dealer could be difficult if they wanted to be.

Aftermarket HID's shouldn't affect much unless you get an electrical issue and destroy a light related canbus module.

Remap is out obviously unless you get something like Shark Performance STS module and put the standard map back in before taking it to the dealers. But if you plan to go down that route the cost of mapping and insurance increase may be that high that you are better off finding a 140 or 170 now than mapping a 110 later.

Cheers
Lee

[g-black]

Not to bothered about a remap, although here is a place not to far away that do remaps, and what ever way they do it, the dealer can't find it! It worked for a couple of friends cars an they've been back to the dealer a couple of times.

I will see if I can negotiate the springs in to the equation. I'll go along the lines of "VW usually use eibach for there own line lowering springs so if I use them will that cover me if you fit them??" I don't think I could stretch to bentley are made by VW so there almost like OEM wheels?!? Haha

[lc25]

Sorry to go off topic but its related and i can't see the point in starting a new thread, i have a 1 year warranty with my car but i'm about to fit a RNS510 and a new CAN bus controller as my car is a 06 plate so you get battery drain. Whats the chances of that voiding my warranty ? seeing as its a later canbus than originally fitted to the car ?

[g-black]

Shouldn't void it cause they'll never really know about the canbus replacement and your using a genuine stereo unit. I asked about changing my stereo to an aftermarket unit and that said it shouldn't effect anything.

I know have another question though. I'm looking at a set of genuine lowering springs which should lower the car 25-30mm. If there genuine and fitted by a dealer, should they still be able to keep the warranty in tact?