[jimmybell]

Are there any stipulations to prevent this, do you just lose your warantee on related components?

I'd be looking at some simple mods, probably limited to:

JB4
MPE
Eibach springs (if they work with the factory adaptive dampers)
Front strut

And if power is too mental - maybe an LSD?

Keen to hear anyones experiences, even if modding with PCP car is just a total no-no?

 

[marco_polo]

Lease - no. PCP - no issues.

Yes, you'll nuke the warranty on any related components, if BMW are feeling grumpy.

Eibachs work beautifully with Adaptive, and the BMWP Drexler LSD / MPE are obviously warranty friendly.

What 'front strut' are you referring to??

 

[InfernalBadger]

I think you technically don't own the car when bought via PCP until you have paid the final amount.

There was a story on the seat cupra forum about somebody who had modded their car and SEAT demanded they pay the full cost of the car when it was found (during warranty claim). I think it quite extensive modding. Not entirely sure how it all ended though.

 

[Kerr]

I highly doubt the finance company would allow you to, it's their car and there's usually clauses in the T&Cs.

There has been people pulled up about it before.

I guess it's if your dealer shops you or not. There is a lot of people doing it.

 

[Tooks]

I read that whole Seat thread a few weeks back, and In my view the poor attitude of the owner and trying a warranty claim on a modified part and getting upset when it was refused was key to the dealer getting involved and shopping the owner to the finance company.

I think he ended up borrowing some cash from the bank to pay the finance off after they demanded payment in full. I believe he traded it thereafter.

The car was extensively modded though, not just a few bits and pieces.

That's an extreme example, I don't think it usually ends like that!!

I believe technically it isn't allowed to modify a car without the finance companies permission whilst it's subject to finance, but if you don't materially alter the value of the car and/or it's reversible you should be ok.

 

[marco_polo]

That Leon was a Lease though, wasn't it?

 

[Tooks]

That Leon was a Lease though, wasn't it?

I can't remember in all honesty? I thought finance/PCP as he financed a settlement?

Edit: Found the post where he explains Seat cancelled the warranty and demanded either the car back as standard or the finance paid off within 28 days.

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2133732&postcount=50

 

[br0wny]

Mines on pcp and been back to bmw with mods on nowt said and warranty work carried out.

 

[Tooks]

That Seat thread was from 2008, and the financial climate was different back then.

I'd imagine as long as BMW are getting the payments and you don't try a warranty claim for something you've modded, then the dealer won't give a monkeys.

If you try and hand it back at the end of the PCP, there might be issues with heavy mods, but if you're planning to keep it and pay for it, then I can't see a problem.

 

[Rocket88]

M Performance parts are totally fine.

Other than that I would stick to reversible mods so you can return the car to stock if needs be should you decide to return the car to BMW.

 

[roshambo]

Lease - no. PCP - no issues.

I'm naughty and made mods on my lease. Lease company are well aware though and want car back to stock upon return so no problem . Oh, they are MP parts.

Matt

 

[sarren]

I installed a JB on the leased M135i and took it off before I handed it back early.

On the M235i, which is on a PCP, I had all the M performance parts fitted when I bought the car without any issues

 

[DurhamLad1973]

I highly doubt the finance company would allow you to, it's their car and there's usually clauses in the T&Cs.

There has been people pulled up about it before.

I guess it's if your dealer shops you or not. There is a lot of people doing it.

It's the finance companies car when purchasing through HP too, lots of people mod their cars, just need to be savvy when you do it.

My two previous cars have both been modified, Focus ST quite heaviy - bought through HP. Golf R just a remap - bought through PCP.

 

[Kerr]

I highly doubt the finance company would allow you to, it's their car and there's usually clauses in the T&Cs.

There has been people pulled up about it before.

I guess it's if your dealer shops you or not. There is a lot of people doing it.

It's the finance companies car when purchasing through HP too, lots of people mod their cars, just need to be savvy when you do it.

My two previous cars have both been modified, Focus ST quite heaviy - bought through HP. Golf R just a remap - bought through PCP.

Yup, pretty much all finance is secured on the car making it the car the finance companies' property.

There will come a time when dealers are forced to check for remaps and the like, it's actually quite fair too.

Quite a lot of people are going to buy these cars at 3 years old, extend the warranty, then get knocked back later on as there is codes triggered for remapping, even after removed.

There's also going to people on finance/lease deals going to have a big mechanical failure(I've seen and read about quite a few Rs going bang, a few M135/235i too) and get refused their claim. They'll be left with huge bills that they will likely not be able to afford.

There was a guy who started a thread on PH after VW knocked back his warranty claim after his engine went bang. He gave the story he hadn't remapped it, although VW said it had been and then removed, so he was saying if it had been remapped, it must have been without his knowledge. The car had 40 miles on the clock when he picked it up and that was his argument.

Then someone kindly linked videos on his Youtube channel racing down the quarter mile at Crail stating the car's tune. They also linked the times that were consistent with a remapped car and pointed out his relationship with one of the big VAG tuners.

The tuner had claimed maps could be removed without detection.

His Youtube videos were deleted, his times disappeared from Crail's website and he never posted again. It would have been good to have heard the outcome, but he was clearly caught out badly.

I really struggle with the theory of buying a brand new car on finance, paying all the premium for warranties and cover, then instantly risking the warranty and putting the finance at risk with tuning.

Surely if you want to head down the modifying route with extensive changes, buying something used would be wiser?

 

[Gops]

When I bought my m135i on pcp, I told the dealer I wanted to map it. He clearly said "as long as we don't know about it, it's fine. If you return the car back to us, or you trade it in for something else, just put it back to stock"

All I want is an MPE and a map. That's all this car needs imo.

 

[Kerr]

When I bought my m135i on pcp, I told the dealer I wanted to map it. He clearly said "as long as we don't know about it, it's fine. If you return the car back to us, or you trade it in for something else, just put it back to stock"

All I want is an MPE and a map. That's all this car needs imo.

Once the dealer sells you the car, it's the finance company that are the owners.

The dealer doesn't care less as they've got a sale.

Any issues are between you and the finance company.

 

[Gops]

When I bought my m135i on pcp, I told the dealer I wanted to map it. He clearly said "as long as we don't know about it, it's fine. If you return the car back to us, or you trade it in for something else, just put it back to stock"

All I want is an MPE and a map. That's all this car needs imo.

Once the dealer sells you the car, it's the finance company that are the owners.

The dealer doesn't care less as they've got a sale.

Any issues are between you and the finance company.

The Dealer would be the ones instigating the problem as it would be them flagging up the issue?

Could you refuse BMW to update the software on the car? im sure i've read on here we're within our rights to? The dealers are pretty sound where I am, I did ask if they would know about any software updates before the car goes in for a service and they would let me know if they had to fettle with the software but im not sure how true this would be. I know Audi Coventry turn a blind eye to mapping aslong as you tell them before hand. Half of the workshop team have mapped cars!

 

[DurhamLad1973]

I highly doubt the finance company would allow you to, it's their car and there's usually clauses in the T&Cs.

There has been people pulled up about it before.

I guess it's if your dealer shops you or not. There is a lot of people doing it.

It's the finance companies car when purchasing through HP too, lots of people mod their cars, just need to be savvy when you do it.

My two previous cars have both been modified, Focus ST quite heaviy - bought through HP. Golf R just a remap - bought through PCP.

Yup, pretty much all finance is secured on the car making it the car the finance companies' property.

There will come a time when dealers are forced to check for remaps and the like, it's actually quite fair too.

Quite a lot of people are going to buy these cars at 3 years old, extend the warranty, then get knocked back later on as there is codes triggered for remapping, even after removed.

There's also going to people on finance/lease deals going to have a big mechanical failure(I've seen and read about quite a few Rs going bang, a few M135/235i too) and get refused their claim. They'll be left with huge bills that they will likely not be able to afford.

There was a guy who started a thread on PH after VW knocked back his warranty claim after his engine went bang. He gave the story he hadn't remapped it, although VW said it had been and then removed, so he was saying if it had been remapped, it must have been without his knowledge. The car had 40 miles on the clock when he picked it up and that was his argument.

Then someone kindly linked videos on his Youtube channel racing down the quarter mile at Crail stating the car's tune. They also linked the times that were consistent with a remapped car and pointed out his relationship with one of the big VAG tuners.

The tuner had claimed maps could be removed without detection.

His Youtube videos were deleted, his times disappeared from Crail's website and he never posted again. It would have been good to have heard the outcome, but he was clearly caught out badly.

I really struggle with the theory of buying a brand new car on finance, paying all the premium for warranties and cover, then instantly risking the warranty and putting the finance at risk with tuning.

Surely if you want to head down the modifying route with extensive changes, buying something used would be wiser?

My ST was used about 18 months old, my Golf R was about a year old - both modded. The M135i was new - no intention of modding it to enhance the performance, 320 bhp going through the rear wheels is enough for me.

 

[br0wny]

Just be ready to pay some bills if summet does go tits up

 

[Kerr]

Just be ready to pay some bills if summet does go tits up

I'd bet the vast majority of people don't have £7000 for a new gearbox or £10,000 for a new engine sitting in the bank.

Then there's the risk that the finance company would want the £30,000+ for the car too.

If you're flush and the risk won't cause you harm, fair enough. However reading a lot of the finance threads on here, a lot of people appear to be cutting their finances tight putting small deposits down etc.