Lowered car without voiding warranty

[jonf49]

Just wondering what some users have done to lower their F82 and not had to worry about warranty? I think I really needs a little less wheel gap on my M4 with Competition package.

Please share

[jonf49]

I should mention, this is a daily driver so I’m not looking for a super bumpy ride.

[XnogarD]

Never heard of lowering spring causing voided warranty, but who knows. If anything go for the M Performance sleeve kit that's directly from BMW to be safe.

[Theruleslawyer]

I think the MP HAS is the only option if you are really worried about warranty. Fwiw I understand all the spring only options will kill the stock dampers in short order. The lower you go the worse it is.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

youll likely get push back if you break wear and tear suspension parts. everything else is not voided.

I've been on EMD springs for the past 4 years and had no problems. So you'll likely outlive the warranty

[JLS_397K]

I don’t think lowering the car would be an issue unless you do something that would cause an Insurance investigator to determine lower ride height has affected vehicles driving capabilities and leave you liable for damages… Like having a restraining order, if the parties don’t care and still see each other, its only when law enforcement, court, or someone snitches that it matters… lowering ride height is between you and the car really. Now if your service technician or independent dealer, warranty service center is a snitch. Maybe its not a good idea.

Yet, if you can find someone to reverse the car settings and parts when you believe a lowered car setting is an issue or will be the cause of damage that you want covered, that’s another route.

Ultimately it is determine by the binding contract you signing TERMS & CONDITIONS you sign for the warranty. Hence the saying, “Always read the fine print”

It wont matter what we say… Sorry. Live life at your own risk.

[2k1s]

It shouldn't be a problem. The only thing you can break is the diff from the angle if you're super low.

[jonf49]

Will the m performance suspension be able to lower the car a significant amount? Just want to be sure I can get the results I’m looking for from it.

[pikkagtr]

Shocks blow ......warranty denied due to lowering aftermarket springs
Sunroof motor goes out and rear hatch leaks ...... warranty approved since said aftermarket springs have nothing to do with sunroof or rear hatch
I would not expect the MFG to replace a blown shock if I decided to put on springs not designed for those shocks of my own accord

[krudmunk]

I think I heard while ago, if I remember correctly, around 4-5 years ago, that even if you use M Performance coilover or HAS kits and it was installed by someone that is not the dealership, then they, somehow, can prove that install or part installed by other party caused the part to fail or something then BMW USA can also void the use of warranty claim if the install is done differently. Anyways, the lesson to learn is, if you're going to mod, then you should know the risk. Warranty is only voided if that aftermarket part can be a direct cause or have influence.

[JLS_397K]

Originally Posted by krudmunk

I think I heard while ago, if I remember correctly, around 4-5 years ago, that even if you use M Performance coilover or HAS kits and it was installed by someone that is not the dealership, then they, somehow, can prove that install or part installed by other party caused the part to fail or something then BMW USA can also void the use of warranty claim if the install is done differently. Anyways, the lesson to learn is, if you're going to mod, then you should know the risk. Warranty is only voided if that aftermarket part can be a direct cause or have influence.

Generally, If you have service or buy a product from BMW, then you get 2 year/ unlimited mile warranty for that part right. Most shops that I have dealt with tend to do their own 1 year warranty on the product and cover labor for said replacement. But nothing additional after that.

But lowering the car, the grinding the oil pan is not normal wear. Then even if you raised the car after scraping oil pan, They may try to look at surrounding areas and see if that was an isolated damage or is there a story told.

Secondly, MP Performnace and HAS lowering springs may fill in the gap by lowering… Sometimes a simple 12mm spacer help with the illusions of filling in the gap. Retain ride height overall. And probably still bottom out with rubbing fenders. Maybe…

[jonf49]

Originally Posted by JLS_397K

Generally, If you have service or buy a product from BMW, then you get 2 year/ unlimited mile warranty for that part right. Most shops that I have dealt with tend to do their own 1 year warranty on the product and cover labor for said replacement. But nothing additional after that.

But lowering the car, the grinding the oil pan is not normal wear. Then even if you raised the car after scraping oil pan, They may try to look at surrounding areas and see if that was an isolated damage or is there a story told.

Secondly, MP Performnace and HAS lowering springs may fill in the gap by lowering… Sometimes a simple 12mm spacer help with the illusions of filling in the gap. Retain ride height overall. And probably still bottom out with rubbing fenders. Maybe…

So it sounds like the M Performance suspension may be the way to go. I just want to be sure it will lower the car enough… anyone know how low they can make the car? Really just want to get rid of the tire gap and have the suspension remain reasonably comfortable for daily driving. It wouldn’t be a bad thing if there were some performance gains too

[Schultz28]

Just get a quality set of coilovers.

Nothing is going to happen to your suspension parts within the warranty period anyways.

Lowering springs are the worst for ride quality and performance. Makes the car so floaty / bouncy.

[Theruleslawyer]

Originally Posted by jonf49

So it sounds like the M Performance suspension may be the way to go. I just want to be sure it will lower the car enough… anyone know how low they can make the car? Really just want to get rid of the tire gap and have the suspension remain reasonably comfortable for daily driving. It wouldn’t be a bad thing if there were some performance gains too

Do you have the adaptive suspension? EDC? If you don't have EDC or don't care about retaining it, a much better coilover set isn't much more than the MP HAS anyways.

[jonf49]

I do have the adaptive suspension and would like to maintain it. I looked at Ohlins… without install including alignment… they’re just over 3k for the suspension. I would not be installing myself, so I have to figure labor too. I’m waiting on a quote from BMW dealership, and I think it’s going to be just under 4k installed for the mps.
I’m currently just on the completion package suspension.

I still have a 7 yr extended warranty but at some point may do JB4 tuning because you can easily remove that if needed. Suspension doesn’t seem as simple.

[TractionControlDelete]

Originally Posted by jonf49

I do have the adaptive suspension and would like to maintain it. I looked at Ohlins… without install including alignment… they’re just over 3k for the suspension. I would not be installing myself, so I have to figure labor too. I’m waiting on a quote from BMW dealership, and I think it’s going to be just under 4k installed for the mps.
I’m currently just on the completion package suspension.

I still have a 7 yr extended warranty but at some point may do JB4 tuning because you can easily remove that if needed. Suspension doesn’t seem as simple.

Just so you know the dealership can detect JB4. Do what you see fit obviously, but just don't do it under the false impression that it's undetectable.

[jonf49]

Originally Posted by TractionControlDelete

Just so you know the dealership can detect JB4. Do what you see fit obviously, but just don't do it under the false impression that it's undetectable.

From the way it is advertised, if you take the unit off, it’s back to stock and undetectable

Did you have a bad experience?

[TractionControlDelete]

Originally Posted by jonf49

From the way it is advertised, if you take the unit off, it's back to stock and undetectable

Did you have a bad experience?

The DME tracks everything. In particular, it can see if the maximum boost threshold has been exceeded. JB4 manipulates the DME to make the car believe it's not creating optimal boost and the car responds by providing more. The DME, which is far more advanced than an airplane's black box*, logs all of this information. Naturally, BMW software can access** that info if they choose to.

Here is some important context:

*The moment the car is connected ISTA it runs a test to detect engine tuning or other unusual data values. If noted, it will display a message indicating the irregularity. The data is automatically logged with BMW. The franchise dealer is then required to submit the report and relevant identifying information to BMW per their franchisor/franchisee agreement. This is how a car get "marked" or "flagged" so they can relate it back to the modification if there are current/future pertinent issues with the drivetrain.

**Most, as in more than 90%, of the airplane components only run on R486 processors. Our cars DME's are tantamount to alien technology when compared to a black box.