[cdn240cab]

I was considering purchasing a Dinantronics Elite for my 2017 m240i, however after speaking to my local BMW dealer in Calgary, Canada, they encouraged me to hold off buying the tuner because the Dinan BMW relationship was on the rocks due to warranty issues, mainly who pays if there is a problem. He told me the dealership could not sell several vehicles on their lot because they had Dinan parts installed, and BMW Canada killed the warranty on the entire vehicle. Has anyone else heard this, or for that matter, had any trouble getting warranty work covered because they have Dinan parts installed? I have not spoken to the other BMW dealership in Calgary, which is owned by the same company, and is a certified Dinan dealer yet, I will update ASAP.

[MSups6]

No clue but being in cunuckistan expect 10 time the BS you'd get in murica.

The dealerships quality and BS and consumer protection is utter shit here.

[JaffX]

Originally Posted by cdn240cab

I was considering purchasing a Dinantronics Elite for my 2017 m240i, however after speaking to my local BMW dealer in Calgary, Canada, they encouraged me to hold off buying the tuner because the Dinan BMW relationship was on the rocks due to warranty issues, mainly who pays if there is a problem. He told me the dealership could not sell several vehicles on their lot because they had Dinan parts installed, and BMW Canada killed the warranty on the entire vehicle. Has anyone else heard this, or for that matter, had any trouble getting warranty work covered because they have Dinan parts installed? I have not spoken to the other BMW dealership in Calgary, which is owned by the same company, and is a certified Dinan dealer yet, I will update ASAP.

I'm also from Calgary and I sent an email to the dealership in the south a few months ago trying to get quotes for some Dinan parts and I also got pretty much the same response as you did. It was very disappointing to hear that they're voiding all warranties.

[alex2364]

I'm not surprised. Get M Performance parts if you want to keep your warranty.

[wntrsnowg]

I thought it was always understood that Dinan takes over the warranty

[cdn240cab]

Originally Posted by wntrsnowg

I thought it was always understood that Dinan takes over the warranty

That was my assumption as well

[bobblehead]

Once BMW voided the warranty, Dinan is to assume the responsibility

[JaffX]

I guess I'll post what I received in the email I got from the person that I dealt with.

"We are not selling Dinan software to any cars that are still under the 4yr/80,000km warranty parameters any more. As being one of the top dealers in Canada for Dinan for over a decade, BMW AG (Germany) has now issued that any vehicle with ANY type of after market software FULL Powertrain Warranty is VOID. This has just come into play within the last couple months. Now for people that have done Dinan prior to this on a new vehicle is some what ok because Dinan covers the cost of repairs (within the 4yr/80,000km) if BMW refuses the vehicle. But after the 4yr/80,000km Dinan is NOT responsible after the factory warranty. And on top of that, after the 4yr/80,000 if you wanted to get extended warranty and have Dinan or any aftermarket software you will be denied 100% by BMW."

[Spa2k]

Originally Posted by JaffX

BMW AG (Germany) has now issued that any vehicle with ANY type of after market software FULL Powertrain Warranty is VOID.

Somebody should tell Dinan about this. There's no reference to this "new policy" in Canada (or the U.S.) on the Dinan website. It wouldn't fly in the U.S. anyway, because of the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act.

[cdn240cab]

Originally Posted by Spa2k

Somebody should tell Dinan about this. There's no reference to this "new policy" in Canada (or the U.S.) on the Dinan website. It wouldn't fly in the U.S. anyway, because of the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act.

Wow, I wonder how many people would still purchase Dinan tuners if they knew it voided their FULL powertrain warranty? Scary.

[TomHudson]

Nobody would but it anymore. It's too expensive to have that bullshit now.

It makes me wonder how much confidence BMW has in their product that it can't handle an aftermarket tune? It was never an issue in the past...

Dinan software has always been very good and thoroughly tested, so why now?

Since the E9x M, I haven't been too impressed with their lineup and what competitors are rolling out...

[Maynard]

I think you are kidding yourself that Magnussen-Moss would really be effective protection. As I understand it, it is to protect warranty for areas unless they can prove the aftermarket part had some influence upon the failure - and the pre-existing warranty situation seems like explicit verification that adding performance parts DOES alter reliability (really kind of a no-brainer too - try convincing anybody that juicing up a performance car won't affect it's reliability). Even if you are legally in the right, legal fees to go up against BMW will outweigh the cost of the repairs. MM might help if they want to deny engine warranty because you have an aftermarket stereo amp, but not for a tune or a downpipe that directly alters the system in question.

[dr.mba]

Dinan has alaways voided your BMW warranty inherently. That's why they say they will replace the manufacturer warranty if its a problem caused by their product and warranty is denied. Any issue that arises in a vehicle with Dinan product on it in the engine, transmission, differential or any part under load will not be covered by BMW period. NOT in the past and certainly not in the future. The whole reason Dinan is so expensive is the fact they are covering your warranty "supposedly". I personally have no knowledge of anyone with Dinan tune that had catastrophic failure or denied repair. But I refuse to get their product because I don't have enough faith they would replace my engine if it blows!

M

[TomHudson]

True, but in the past when BMW was doing warranty work on problems with the turbo engines in the 335i (N54?), my understanding was they would reject any such work if there was an aftermarket tune on the car, EXCEPT Dinan tuned cars.

[SCOTT26]

All Aftermarket tuners (with the exception of Alpina)
That perform non-manufacturer work on a car's power train are excluded from standard issue BMW Warranty. BMW are not the first to do so. Porsche do the same.

[MalibuBimmer]

Originally Posted by Maynard

I think you are kidding yourself that Magnussen-Moss would really be effective protection. As I understand it, it is to protect warranty for areas unless they can prove the aftermarket part had some influence upon the failure - and the pre-existing warranty situation seems like explicit verification that adding performance parts DOES alter reliability (really kind of a no-brainer too - try convincing anybody that juicing up a performance car won't affect it's reliability). Even if you are legally in the right, legal fees to go up against BMW will outweigh the cost of the repairs. MM might help if they want to deny engine warranty because you have an aftermarket stereo amp, but not for a tune or a downpipe that directly alters the system in question.

Agree with Maynard. As a lawyer who has actually read the MM Act I believe he is correct. This old wife's tale still has legs, however.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by cdn240cab

That was my assumption as well

Indeed, the whole "MM will protect you!" is utter and total BS floated by vendors (who have a financial stake in you buying their shit) or people who don't understand what they're talking about.

(1.) MM originated to prevent auto manufacturers from having a parts monopoly; so, for example, GM couldn't force you to only and always by GM parts and service. It WASN'T created to protect modders. Further, all the stuff already said: it'll take you 2-3 years to even get a court date to attempt a bogus MM defense during which time your car has to sit idle because it's evidence.

So, no, MM won't protect you.

(2.) There is NO Dinan engine / powertrain "warranty". doesn't exist.
Dinan warranties THEIR parts, and they provide insurance should BMW deny you warranty work; which they will if they know you've modded your engine with any tune, Dinan or otherwise. And, if that happens, BMW has now voided your engine warranty and you'll be dependent on Dinan for all future repairs.

(3.) And NO IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOUR DEALER SAYS or does or installs. YOUR DEALER IS NOT BMW.
When you buy a BMW in the US, BMWNA holds the warranty, dealers are independent businesses, not BMW, and they are free to install JATO tubes if they want, it doesn't mean BMW agrees with that.

[subzero05]

its also fairly common knowledge that BMW has been seeing an increased number of warranty related issues across all platforms. Im not surprised they are trying to tighten down the screws on anything they can and pull on any "lever" they can as well to deter people from doing this type of stuff. The fact is Dinan works with hundreds of dealerships around the country and obviously their warranty must be pretty solid for dealers to continue to do so , knowing their "customers" would be left holding the bag should something happen , BMW doesn't help which means if Dinan doesn't step up then the dealership looks really bad and that just doesn't fly in any business situation. If I recall I saw something like this from BMW way back in the day also, like maybe 8-9 years ago they pushed this same type of propaganda "oh don't modify your car" it voids your warranty blah blah.. The fact is BMW, MB, ford any car manufacturer simply cannot void your factory warranty on a new just due to the "presence" of aftermarket parts on the car. The vehicle manufacturer MUST prove those parts caused the "failure" of a covered component for the manufacture to deny warranty coverage. its really that simple. I personally don't read much into this other than BMW trying to control warranty costs that are obviously on the rise, that's no secret!

[wdb]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

dealers are independent businesses, not BMW, and they are free to install JATO tubes if they want

Am I the only person to have said "hmmm I wonder what that would be like" when reading that?

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by wdb

Am I the only person to have said "hmmm I wonder what that would be like" when reading that?

Got'cha covered bro

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by subzero05

The fact is BMW, MB, ford any car manufacturer simply cannot void your factory warranty on a new just due to the "presence" of aftermarket parts on the car. The vehicle manufacturer MUST prove those parts caused the "failure" of a covered component for the manufacture to deny warranty coverage. its really that simple.

no no no no no NO wrong wrong wrong WRONG.

The manufacturer can deny warranty work any time for any reason without proving shit. Period. It is that simple.

Guess why? BECAUSE IT'S THEIR DECISION. What's stopping them? Nothing, that's what.

As with any contract dispute, if you feel BMW has violated warranty terms, you can ask them to reverse their decision. If they refuse you can try to negotiate with them. If they won't negotiate you can take them to court. If you take them to court it will be very expensive and time consuming. About 2-3 years during which time your car has to sit idle because it's your evidence.

BMW can deny you warranty work at any time for any reason and your only remedy is to take them to court.

[alex2364]

Originally Posted by subzero05

The fact is BMW, MB, ford any car manufacturer simply cannot void your factory warranty on a new just due to the "presence" of aftermarket parts on the car. The vehicle manufacturer MUST prove those parts caused the "failure" of a covered component for the manufacture to deny warranty coverage. its really that simple. I personally don't read much into this other than BMW trying to control warranty costs that are obviously on the rise, that's no secret!

Car manufactures can deny warranty claim for any reason they can think of. They have to prove the aftermarket part caused the failure in a court of law. Are you going to spend thousands of dollars suing BMW against their army of lawyers?