Hey guys
I wanted to ask whether anyone knows about how tuning your car can affect warranty, especially the qualification for taking out an extended warranty.
I have heard that if you remap your ECU then Porsche may not let you take out the extended warranty. Is this correct, and if so does it apply to other areas such as sports-exhaust/air-filters/plenums?
There is also a rumour that Porsche then black-list your car once it has been chipped. So if you have any engine problems they make you pay all repair bills up front, then debate later whether the warranty covers it.
I saw the following on the TubiStyle website about fitting an exhaust:
I wanted to ask whether anyone knows about how tuning your car can affect warranty, especially the qualification for taking out an extended warranty.
I have heard that if you remap your ECU then Porsche may not let you take out the extended warranty. Is this correct, and if so does it apply to other areas such as sports-exhaust/air-filters/plenums?
There is also a rumour that Porsche then black-list your car once it has been chipped. So if you have any engine problems they make you pay all repair bills up front, then debate later whether the warranty covers it.
I saw the following on the TubiStyle website about fitting an exhaust:
Will fitting a Tubi Exhaust invalidate my manufacturer's warranty? We often get asked the question "if I fit a Tubi Style exhaust to my car, will it invalidate my manufacturer's warranty?". According to the law the answer is an emphatic NO. However, many people, including vehicle suppliers themselves, do not know this and supply the wrong information. Here are the facts:
The Law In October 2003, European Union legislation affecting the motor trade came into force. Its full title is 'Block Exemption Regulations 1400/2002' (in short 'BER'). This legislation changes the way cars may be serviced and repaired, and gives motorists a lot more freedom in their decision about who should look after their cars.
The BER covers areas such as who can service vehicles other than agents appointed by manufacturers and, more specifically to customers who are considering a Tubi Style sports exhaust, parts that can be fitted to a vehicle. Below we draw upon in particular the issues that concern fitting replacement parts to a vehicle that are not the manufacturer's original equipment. The BER introduces certain definitions of importance to the independent aftermarket. There is a new definition of 'original spare parts' and 'matching quality parts' that is based on the quality of the component. Vehicle warranties cannot be invalidated if these conditions are met: Where parts used are of matching quality as the component used for the assembly of a motor vehicle. (A Tubi Style exhaust is manufactured from a higher quality material than OEM exhausts: 304-grade stainless steel, and are manufactured using internationally-certified practices. Spare parts of "matching quality" identifies parts in the following way: spare parts made by any undertaking which can certify at any moment that the parts in question match the quality of the components which are or were used for the assembly of the motor vehicles in question.)Where parts used are of the same specifications and production standards as those used by the Vehicle Assemblers. (A Tubi Style exhaust is designed to fit to OE mounting parts and components such as catalysts without any modifications (including cutting, welding and bending of any OE parts). Its fitting is a simple bolt-on bolt-off process which can be reversed or replaced at any time without causing damage to the vehicle or OE components.)Where parts manufacturers/suppliers are able to issue a quality certificate. (Tubi Style exhausts are certified compliant by the strict guidelines set out by the EU-recognised TÃœV and internationally-recognised ISO 9001. Very few aftermarket exhaust manufacturers have such certifications.) An interesting point is that if the vehicle manufacturer itself offers spare parts of differing quality (e.g. an "economy" or "premium line"), he cannot prohibit its contractual partners (i.e. dealers and authorised repairers) from buying spare parts of the same quality from the independent market.
The BER also covers service and maintenance during the warranty period and prohibits vehicle manufacturers' warranties from including conditions requiring that all parts used must be the VA's "original spare parts".
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION DECLARED THAT SUCH CLAUSES IN A WARRANTY DOCUMENT WOULD REPRESENT 'AN UNJUSTIFIED RESTRICTION FOR THE CONSUMER.
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