Tuners and Warranty

Merlin82 · 03-07-2017, 08:09 AM

Well since I picked up my 2011 X3, I have been looking at different things I can do to it. The challenge is that when I bought it, I purchased an extended powertrain warranty through the dealer I got it from (Non BMW). Its from a company called SAL group up here in Canada, and when I got it they mentioned modifying it and if the modification caused the failure it wouldn't be covered. So I was curious about something like the JB Stage 1 tuner. If I got this tuner and something happened, can it just be uninstalled and warrantied? Or do the ECU's track things like this and pop up a red flag if it goes into the dealer. Curious what/if anything I can do to this thing before warranty runs out.

335iAP · 03-07-2017, 09:31 AM

I think the best answer is they might not catch it, but they will if they look for it. It's up to you to decide on the risk. What I decided to do was install a racechip tune that I can remove when I come in for service. Theoretically they can still catch it, but seems to me like it'd throw up fewer flags than an ECU remap.

335iAP · 03-07-2017, 09:32 AM

I think the best answer is they might not catch it, but they will if they look for it. It's up to you to decide on the risk. What I decided to do was install a racechip tune that I can remove when I come in for service. Theoretically they can still catch it, but seems to me like it'd throw up fewer flags than an ECU remap.

Merlin82 · 03-07-2017, 10:35 AM

I guess that's what I'm curious about. The JB Stage 1 seems like it would be pretty easy to just remove if it had to go in for service. And they even say on their site that it quickly removes without a trace. I guess I'm just curious HOW without a trace that is.

335iAP · 03-07-2017, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlin82

I guess that's what I'm curious about. The JB Stage 1 seems like it would be pretty easy to just remove if it had to go in for service. And they even say on their site that it quickly removes without a trace. I guess I'm just curious HOW without a trace that is.

I think, unless there's good reason to think that's what happened (you come in with a blown charge pipe on an obviously modified car) you'll be fine. They have better things to do than check the ECU history or whatever when you're coming in for something else.

BOSSBMW · 03-07-2017, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlin82

I guess that's what I'm curious about. The JB Stage 1 seems like it would be pretty easy to just remove if it had to go in for service. And they even say on their site that it quickly removes without a trace. I guess I'm just curious HOW without a trace that is.

I have racechip and removed mine prior to dealer visits for several issues and was never detected. Hope that helps.

If you're looking to buy a racechip I have racechip ultimate, and am about to post mine up for sale soon. Let me know if interested. It will net you much better gains than JB.

Merlin82 · 03-07-2017, 12:54 PM

I definitely may be interested. Likely would just depend on price, especially since the US/CDN exchange rate isn't so good currently.

CalCarNut · 03-07-2017, 01:29 PM

Dealers CAN check the DME if they choose too, but from what I gather, they don't. The OBDII port has a counter that is the quickest red flag raised if that number changes, but piggybacks are more under the radar unless you have a catastrophic failure and the dealer is told by BMWNA to review/send the DME for inspection.

The Dinan sport tuner is the most appealing to me currently as it's the least expensive and offers a decent product.

Which engine do you have? My wife's X3 has the N52-non turbo..so a tune would do nothing......

Merlin82 · 03-07-2017, 01:41 PM

I have the N55, which I have to say I'm already pretty happy with even in stock trim.

335iAP · 03-07-2017, 02:29 PM

I have the N20 and Racechip Ultimate and highly recommend it.

pookguy · 03-07-2017, 07:10 PM

I have N55 + AFE Scorcher + BMS intake. Kind of a pain to take it all off for service, but better than if they decide to void anything.

smytw · 03-10-2017, 01:16 PM

I have the expensive Dinantronics on my '15 X3.
BMW Dealer installed, no warranty void.
Been at dealer for routine free maintenance since install.

MichiganMike · 03-10-2017, 02:11 PM

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1142408

The above thread may be of interest on this topic.

FranzX3M · 03-11-2017, 10:06 AM

How is the drivability with the racechip ultimate? Some saying the Burger hurts drivability or smoothness.

335iAP · 03-11-2017, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FranzX3M

How is the drivability with the racechip ultimate? Some saying the Burger hurts drivability or smoothness.

About the same. A little more turbo lag but a stranger driving it wouldn't think anything was off.

03-07-2017, 08:09 AM	#1
Merlin82 Private First Class 44 Rep 191 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X3 Xdrive35i Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Edmonton, Alberta iTrader: (0)	Tuners and Warranty Well since I picked up my 2011 X3, I have been looking at different things I can do to it. The challenge is that when I bought it, I purchased an extended powertrain warranty through the dealer I got it from (Non BMW). Its from a company called SAL group up here in Canada, and when I got it they mentioned modifying it and if the modification caused the failure it wouldn't be covered. So I was curious about something like the JB Stage 1 tuner. If I got this tuner and something happened, can it just be uninstalled and warrantied? Or do the ECU's track things like this and pop up a red flag if it goes into the dealer. Curious what/if anything I can do to this thing before warranty runs out.
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03-07-2017, 09:31 AM	#2
335iAP Captain 149 Rep 921 Posts Drives: AW E92 & F26 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I think the best answer is they might not catch it, but they will if they look for it. It's up to you to decide on the risk. What I decided to do was install a racechip tune that I can remove when I come in for service. Theoretically they can still catch it, but seems to me like it'd throw up fewer flags than an ECU remap.
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03-07-2017, 09:32 AM	#3
335iAP Captain 149 Rep 921 Posts Drives: AW E92 & F26 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I think the best answer is they might not catch it, but they will if they look for it. It's up to you to decide on the risk. What I decided to do was install a racechip tune that I can remove when I come in for service. Theoretically they can still catch it, but seems to me like it'd throw up fewer flags than an ECU remap.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-07-2017, 10:35 AM	#4
Merlin82 Private First Class 44 Rep 191 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X3 Xdrive35i Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Edmonton, Alberta iTrader: (0)	I guess that's what I'm curious about. The JB Stage 1 seems like it would be pretty easy to just remove if it had to go in for service. And they even say on their site that it quickly removes without a trace. I guess I'm just curious HOW without a trace that is.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-07-2017, 12:54 PM	#7
Merlin82 Private First Class 44 Rep 191 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X3 Xdrive35i Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Edmonton, Alberta iTrader: (0)	I definitely may be interested. Likely would just depend on price, especially since the US/CDN exchange rate isn't so good currently.
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03-07-2017, 01:29 PM	#8
CalCarNut Brigadier General 1061 Rep 3,258 Posts Drives: 2015 F36 Jet Black Sport Line Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Blue Skies iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW X3 [0.00] 2015 BMW 428i Gran ... [10.00] 1996 Chevrolet Impa ... [8.00]	Dealers CAN check the DME if they choose too, but from what I gather, they don't. The OBDII port has a counter that is the quickest red flag raised if that number changes, but piggybacks are more under the radar unless you have a catastrophic failure and the dealer is told by BMWNA to review/send the DME for inspection. The Dinan sport tuner is the most appealing to me currently as it's the least expensive and offers a decent product. Which engine do you have? My wife's X3 has the N52-non turbo..so a tune would do nothing...... __________________ 2015 BMW F36 428i JetBlack. Sport Line Edition 25% 3M Tint\|
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03-07-2017, 01:41 PM	#9
Merlin82 Private First Class 44 Rep 191 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X3 Xdrive35i Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Edmonton, Alberta iTrader: (0)	I have the N55, which I have to say I'm already pretty happy with even in stock trim.
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03-07-2017, 02:29 PM	#10
335iAP Captain 149 Rep 921 Posts Drives: AW E92 & F26 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I have the N20 and Racechip Ultimate and highly recommend it.
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03-07-2017, 07:10 PM	#11
pookguy Private 26 Rep 94 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (1)	I have N55 + AFE Scorcher + BMS intake. Kind of a pain to take it all off for service, but better than if they decide to void anything.
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03-10-2017, 01:16 PM	#12
smytw Private 2 Rep 83 Posts Drives: Used to have '15 X35i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	I have the expensive Dinantronics on my '15 X3. BMW Dealer installed, no warranty void. Been at dealer for routine free maintenance since install.
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03-10-2017, 02:11 PM	#13
MichiganMike First Lieutenant 132 Rep 362 Posts Drives: 2016 X3 xDrive 35i Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 X3 M40i [0.00] 2016 BMW X3 35i [0.00]	http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1142408 The above thread may be of interest on this topic.
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03-11-2017, 10:06 AM	#14
FranzX3M Private 17 Rep 80 Posts Drives: '13 X3M Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	How is the drivability with the racechip ultimate? Some saying the Burger hurts drivability or smoothness.
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