CAI, TBE and warranty?

[S.]

hi...got my s3 for a week now and i'm thinking about some spacer, CAI, and Milltek TBE. Will the CAI and Milltek TBE affect on warranty? (my car has a 4 year warranty so I don't want to lose it).
Also what spacer to go for? 10mm front and 15mm back, or 10mm all around?
thanks for help and advices

 

[heyadamhey]

Hey man,
I'm open to correction here, but I'm sure putting an aftermarket exhaust will have an effect on the warranty on engine components. You don't want audi giving you excuses why they won't fix a blown turbo, for instance.

likewise, spacers would probably effect warranty on wheel bearings as they do cause them to wear more than normal. Anyone know exactly how much? is it a considerable amount? Wouldn't mind some spacers on mine

 

[Spin140]

Not the case apparently. There have been some cases on here where warranty was used for various items on some major modded cars, it is the responsibility of Audi UK to prove the parts you have added actually caused any failure you may encounter not vice versa.

I have the same parts fitted to mine and would happily admit to this to the dealer but would choose to keep quiet about the remap.

 

[AuldReekie]

Interesting question with no definitive answer so far. It very much depends on your dealership in the UK as to how they feel about it (probably on that day). It's no skin off their nose doing warranty repairs as Audi UK pay them irrespective, so I can only assume that the warranty work must be audited and perhaps justifications made. Clearly the fewer warranty repairs they [dealers] have to do. the better they are favoured.

I know of one dealership that refused a warranty claim as the vehicle had been remapped; this appears to be at odds with other branches of the VAG group as I understand you can have your car REVOd at the dealership in Germany, similarly SEAT in Spain.

Are you not in the Balkans somewhere? If so you would need to make enquiries there as it appears there is no standard European policy. I think it boils down to the chances you are prepared to stomach, some on here have had no problems with mods, some not so lucky either. It is ****** frustrating though!

Oh, as for spacers: one of the companies on here recommend 10 and 12 mm.

 

[S.]

yap, to be precise Croatia. I just wanted to hear about others experience with it. actually intake and tbe shouldn't do any harm to engine. as for remap...it's too bad that there isn't any revo dealer near. i would really like to get stage 2 and select plus so i can turn it back when its time for service, or anything other goes wrong.

 

[AuldReekie]

Croatia - nice. Have you spoken to Audi Croatia to see what their policy is? You may be lucky and they have approved mapping, or have different warranty policy.

Real shame about REVO, but I think that most tuners offer the ability to switch back to the original map for this very reason (REVO have the select switch and GIAC have an equivalent). You could always go down the Superchips Bluefin route (or similar), which I believe they can just post out to you.

I really don't see much of an issue with the TBE, chances are they wouldn't even notice.

 

[S.]

local dealer told me that they have ABT and Steinbouer (wich has a switch) and those two don't affect on warranty. but i'm not after a remap atm, and probably wouldn't go for them.
would like to get intake and exhaust done first, and after a while would go for a remap.

 

[AuldReekie]

local dealer told me that they have ABT and Steinbouer (wich has a switch) and those two don't affect on warranty. but i'm not after a remap atm, and probably wouldn't go for them.
would like to get intake and exhaust done first, and after a while would go for a remap.

So annoying that Audi UK don't have the same vision with remapping ; it would seem that you are in a better position than us in UK. Maybe just go for it then, if you have any probs just switch the CAI before taking it in?

 

[PaulAr]

So annoying that Audi UK don't have the same vision with remapping ; it would seem that you are in a better position than us in UK. Maybe just go for it then, if you have any probs just switch the CAI before taking it in?

Most agents for Hirsch are in fact SAAB Dealers themselves!
Then you have the SUBARU/Prodrive arrangement.

How can SAAB and SUBARU manage to offer an approved tuning solution that doesnt affect warranty yet the mighty VAG cant?

Maybe its because VAG they are still making DMFs out of MDF.....

 

[AuldReekie]

Most agents for Hirsch are in fact SAAB Dealers themselves!
Then you have the SUBARU/Prodrive arrangement.

How can SAAB and SUBARU manage to offer an approved tuning solution that doesnt affect warranty yet the mighty VAG cant?

Maybe its because VAG they are still making DMFs out of MDF.....

Amen.

Not forgetting - Ford/Mountune, BMW/Alpina, etc...

+1 on the DMF, you know I know lol.

 

[S3Alex]

Judging by the answers that people here have had from dealers re CAI/DV/exhausts etc,there is no dealer consensus over parts,and my local one keeps insisting that ANY mods at all will result in the warranty covering that part of the car will be invalidated.

I think that the ruling that the manufacturer must prove the parts fitted were the causative factor in any failure is the best protection.

In any case,mine now has some instantly recognizable pipes under the bonnet and a few other bits,so I'll find out soon enough.

 

[Staz]

On my service last week it was pointed out that I had uneven tyre wear and it needed 4 wheel alignment. This is going to be covered by the warranty and is booked in already. No mention of my wheel spacers which could easily be the cause!

 

[AuldReekie]

In all seriousness: do you think that they noticed them? If so, I would like to know which one it was.

 

[Staz]

Maybe, maybe not, but at least they don't have an accusing attitude :icon_thumright:

 

[AuldReekie]

True. Be sure to let me know which one it is sometime.

 

[Staz]

It's Bedford mate, bit out of range for you lol