Remapping + Manufacturer's warranty

Adz · 13 May 2007 at 18:11

After yesterday's RR day, I now have a thirst for power. Under the terms of the finance, I'm stuck with my car for 2 years so I might as well have some fun with it

.

What I'm worried about, however, is the effect on the manufacturer's warranty, specifically with regard to the gearbox, clutch and turbo.

Google offers plenty of insight on subject, all of it conflicting!

Does anyone have a real world experience or inside knowledge as to whether manufacturers (or specifically Audi) will honour warranties on remapped cars? Is it even something which is checked by the dealers?

NickXX · 13 May 2007 at 18:33

BMW will void your warranty if they find evidence of a remap on your car. I won't quote it, but there is a BMW bulletin which states pretty much exactly this. DMS will offer you an additional warranty to pick up the bill for anything the manufacturer won't repair IIRC.

That said though, it's unlikely that the manufacturer will ever check if the car had been remapped unless they suspected it after a part had broken... and even so, you can just have the old map put back on before the manufacturer sees it again.

Nazbit · 13 May 2007 at 18:44

I dont know a great deal about remaps, but I do know a couple of people who have had them done.

I was told that most places take a backup of the original settings to put back on at a later date if necessary?

Im thinking if it was something major you could always get the original map restored before you went to the dealer?

(I may be totally wrong)

NickXX · 13 May 2007 at 19:01

Nazbit said:
I was told that most places take a backup of the original settings to put back on at a later date if necessary?

Im thinking if it was something major you could always get the original map restored before you went to the dealer?

(I may be totally wrong)

Yup, this is true.

Adz · 13 May 2007 at 19:22

Ah so the best bet is to backup and restore if things go wrong and hope Audi are none the wiser.

Of course I'm only going to be taking the car to 20-25k miles so hopefully I won't have it long enough for any premature wear to affect me

Thanks guys

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triggerthat · 13 May 2007 at 19:30

There's a lot of discussion about this.

Some manufactures are able to detect an ECU change using the checksum.

If you have it remapped properly (not draining every last BHP out of it) you should be fine. Some cars are undetectable and some are. When you go to these tuning companies, they'll obviously tell you its undetectable so they can just sell you the product.

Companies do keep an original map but the checksum will determine if it has been changed (even the original is loaded).

Typical things that go wrong are clutches and the thrust bearings. My Punto JTD was remapped and even after some discussion (to ensure the clutch won't slip) it turned out it did (this was with a brand new clutch). I got my money back however.

You could also try the tuning box route. A decent one (the digital ones) is very expensive however.

Adz · 13 May 2007 at 19:34

I'm hoping that the 170 model (mine is the 140... or 152 as I can now boast

) uses the same gearbox/clutch arrangement therefore I shouldn't, fingers crossed, have any problems. It's just the turbo I have to worry about.

I know the various tuning companies are all going to lie to me to gain the business as I'd imagine £300 or so for a remap is quite lucrative, hence asking here if anyone had concrete information.

Randell Floyd · 13 May 2007 at 19:37

Skoda's view with mine was anything not directly affected by the remap would be replaced under warranty, but then again some Skoda dealers did have a 220bhp remap that didn't void any warranty as they offered it at time of selling

Hilly · 13 May 2007 at 19:43

skoda them selves sent mine off to be re-mapped for me.

broona · 13 May 2007 at 19:54

hilly said:
skoda them selves sent mine off to be re-mapped for me.

Was just about to say the same, BMW may arrange to have it done for you with an authorised company, thus keeping your warranty intact, I know some 4X4 makers offer this service.

triggerthat · 13 May 2007 at 20:03

Adz said:
I'm hoping that the 170 model (mine is the 140... or 152 as I can now boast ) uses the same gearbox/clutch arrangement therefore I shouldn't, fingers crossed, have any problems. It's just the turbo I have to worry about.

I know the various tuning companies are all going to lie to me to gain the business as I'd imagine £300 or so for a remap is quite lucrative, hence asking here if anyone had concrete information.

What car do you have?

Best off going to a club forum to find out info

Ev0 · 13 May 2007 at 20:09

Also I' dhave thought the wranty would only be void if the fault is directly related to the remap, so an engine frying itself because of it. If you get it remapped and the suspension fails I don't think they can argue

Vertigo · 13 May 2007 at 22:26

This is akin to the old "insurance valid on the ring?" question. Unless you have it in writing from the manufacturer that your warranty will be unaffected then assume the worst.

You'll find plenty of people online who will waffle on about how they won't care or won't find out but how the hell do they know? Yes, the manufacturer may not care if you've had a remap or may never find out but just how sure are you about that?

As for these maps which claim to be able to replace the original map with no trace whatsoever, I'd bet the manufacturer/dealer could tell that a map has been uploaded at some point in the past if they'd cared to look.

To summarise, yes the chances they'd ever find out are remote but do you really want to take the chance? If you're prepared to risk it then go for it but please don't lull yourself into a false sense of security.

Vertigo · 13 May 2007 at 22:43

Adz said:
I'm hoping that the 170 model (mine is the 140... or 152 as I can now boast ) uses the same gearbox/clutch arrangement therefore I shouldn't, fingers crossed, have any problems. It's just the turbo I have to worry about.

Well the 2.0TDI 170 isn't available in the A6 but, given that the 2.7 and 3.0 are and that the latter produces 233PS, I'd imagine they're using the same gearbox and major mechanicals for all the diesel engines so you should be safe.

As for whether the turbo differs between the 140 and 170 engines, I don't know. Never found a definitive answer on that one.