Tune and warranty.

[WVUDrJay]

This is my first M car, M4, and I love it I've read a lot about the tunes namely ESS and JB4. I'm curious about warranty issues etc. I would be terrified if my engine blew for any reason but my warranty on a 70k auto were voided.

Curious to know members thoughts or experiences.

[///M Villain]

Originally Posted by WVUDrJay

This is my first M car, M4, and I love it I've read a lot about the tunes namely ESS and JB4. I'm curious about warranty issues etc. I would be terrified if my engine blew for any reason but my warranty on a 70k auto were voided.

Curious to know members thoughts or experiences.

Go with Dinan if you are worried about the warranty. It cost more for the tune, but if the engine did blow up from a Dinan tune they will replace the engine. Some may say go with the other tunes because they are cheaper or have better stats and you can just remove it before going to bmw for whatever service needs. I say better safe than sorry, and if you aren't an engine monkey, just don't try it. I'm no engine tech or anything like that, so I've myself decided to stay away from tunes. Plus the car is powerful enough stock.

[Roadkiller]

Originally Posted by ///M Villain

Go with Dinan if you are worried about the warranty. It cost more for the tune, but if the engine did blow up from a Dinan tune they will replace the engine. Some may say go with the other tunes because they are cheaper or have better stats and you can just remove it before going to bmw for whatever service needs. I say better safe than sorry, and if you aren't an engine monkey, just don't try it. I'm no engine tech or anything like that, so I've myself decided to stay away from tunes. Plus the car is powerful enough stock.

+1

Not saying they're the best out there. But if you are worried, go Dinan. Hell, I had my Dinan installed at the BMW dealership. So if I have any problems, I'll let them discuss the warranty amongst themselves.

[EuroKar]

Originally Posted by WVUDrJay

This is my first M car, M4, and I love it I've read a lot about the tunes namely ESS and JB4. I'm curious about warranty issues etc. I would be terrified if my engine blew for any reason but my warranty on a 70k auto were voided.

Curious to know members thoughts or experiences.

Dinan !
Not only do they have awesome customer service and Dinan dealers through out the country, you will have coverage if a warranty issue ever arises.
No-one backs up their customers like Dinan does.

[tom @ eas]

Mod conservatively if warranty is a concern. Most dealerships are forgiving with simple bolt-ons.

[Vigilant]

If this is your first M car, why don't you drive the car stock and see if it is adequate in its original form before adding a tune. The reported hp and torque numbers on the F8x are definitively underrated by BMW. Even if you have historically tracked your vehicles, the 2015 model is a different animal.

As far as the warranty coverage, I would read the fine print as it relates to Dinan. It is true that Dinan will provide warranty coverage in the event BMW declines, it is not, however, equivalent to your new car factory warranty from BMWNA.

[335iFFM]

There are a few things that changed with the S55 - at least for the cars in Germany - I'm not sure regarding the US Market. This also includes tuning protection:

a) every engine damage will be inspected by an engineer from M
b) every (crucial) error code will instantly be send to BMW
c) BWM FASTA Protocol saves every data point, every second you drive the car. They even bought new internal tools to read this data

That's what I know from a good friend of mine from the M GmbH.

Solution:
Change Combox to one that is deactivated (SIM card disabled by BMW) from crashed vehicles. Problem is that you will loose BMW Online features.


Best

[3er]

Originally Posted by Roadkiller

+1

Not saying they're the best out there. But if you are worried, go Dinan. Hell, I had my Dinan installed at the BMW dealership. So if I have any problems, I'll let them discuss the warranty amongst themselves.

+1 (or +2? lol)

As many have stated, Dinan is the way to go if you want to ensure your car remains warrantied. Hopefully you have a Dinan certified BMW dealership close by for worry free tuning.

[///M ARMY]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Mod conservatively if warranty is a concern. Most dealerships are forgiving with simple bolt-ons.

I agree. Over the years, (correct me if I'm wrong) haven't heard of a warranty issue with a jb4 on a bwm. When also looking at the product to get, look at the support from the manufacture. Jb4 has a huge support not only on this platform but on others. I see the OP concern but there is also a few threads about choosing with tuner to go with.

[WVUDrJay]

I appreciate the input and many good points were made. I've read all of the threads on tuners here. Very few touch on any bad history or warranty issues and are generally "I love my tune and I chose brand X because......."

[335iFFM]

Seems like many ppl here come from 35i's (like I do). That's a whole different animal regarding detection of tunes. Never heard of anyone who got busted. As far as I know things have changed now, but only time will tell

[shortseller]

Originally Posted by 335iFFM

There are a few things that changed with the S55 - at least for the cars in Germany - I'm not sure regarding the US Market. This also includes tuning protection:

a) every engine damage will be inspected by an engineer from M
b) every (crucial) error code will instantly be send to BMW
c) BWM FASTA Protocol saves every data point, every second you drive the car. They even bought new internal tools to read this data

That's what I know from a good friend of mine from the M GmbH.

Solution:
Change Combox to one that is deactivated (SIM card disabled by BMW) from crashed vehicles. Problem is that you will loose BMW Online features.


Best

Thank you for that information. Looks like BMW has really cracked down and taking very seriously the hacking of their ECUs. In my opinion the car is super fast as is, even to points of uncontrollability with all TC turned off, with that said why would "most" need more? Warranty and worry free, 4 years or 50K miles, makes sense to me.

As for tunes that do offer matching warranties, the gains and costs do not seem to be worth it at this point in time.

Thanks again for your post.

[bdoooh]

Originally Posted by shortseller

Thank you for that information. Looks like BMW has really cracked down and taking very seriously the hacking of their ECUs. In my opinion the car is super fast as is, even to points of uncontrollability with all TC turned off, with that said why would "most" need more? Warranty and worry free, 4 years or 50K miles, makes sense to me.

As for tunes that do offer matching warranties, the gains and costs do not seem to be worth it at this point in time.

Thanks again for your post.

I completely agree. I've tuned every single car I've ever gotten. This is the first one I've had any urge to tune, literally can't get the power down as is stock.

For the first time that leaves me money then to spend on cosmetic mods instead of go-fast mods.

[Mr.MichaelM3]

So BMW will fully cover warranty on a Dinan tune? I thought BMW did not cover Dinan parts anymore? Or is warranty through Dinan

[Mandi90TT]

Originally Posted by Mr.MichaelM3

So BMW will fully cover warranty on a Dinan tune? I thought BMW did not cover Dinan parts anymore? Or is warranty through Dinan

It's like you didn't even read the thread...

[Mr.MichaelM3]

Originally Posted by Dave 90TT

It's like you didn't even read the thread...

Oh thanks for the quick and very helful response? They claim that BMW will cover the warranty end if you blow your motor from a Dinan tune but if I recall correctly BMW stopped warranty on dinan products a few years ago no? And is the warranty through dinan? I love how instead of giving an intelligent response you shun people since I forgot you work for BMW or Dinan........

[Mandi90TT]

I'll make it simple for you, since apparently, you need it simple. Read post 6 in the thread.

*Not a Dinan or BMW employee, just someone with at least 6th grade reading and comprehension skills.

[04RC51]

Originally Posted by Dave 90TT

I'll make it simple for you, since apparently, you need it simple. Read post 6 in the thread.

You can lead a person to water and they STILL will die of dehydration. It's shocking!

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by Vigilant

If this is your first M car, why don't you drive the car stock and see if it is adequate in its original form before adding a tune. The reported hp and torque numbers on the F8x are definitively underrated by BMW. Even if you have historically tracked your vehicles, the 2015 model is a different animal.

As far as the warranty coverage, I would read the fine print as it relates to Dinan. It is true that Dinan will provide warranty coverage in the event BMW declines, it is not, however, equivalent to your new car factory warranty from BMWNA.

+1. This car has enough power and fun stock. You need to track it stock then upgrade when you grow out of the stock power band. Agreed with Vigilant: Dinan is just charging you the extra insurance premium in case BMW declines your warranty coverage. That's why their tune is $2k higher than JB4 and less power output.

[Padfan9]

Originally Posted by WVUDrJay

This is my first M car, M4, and I love it I've read a lot about the tunes namely ESS and JB4. I'm curious about warranty issues etc. I would be terrified if my engine blew for any reason but my warranty on a 70k auto were voided.

Curious to know members thoughts or experiences.

I had Dinan on my 335is, both my turbo's blew out (not sure if Dinan caused it or not) but BMW replaced both free. I got Dinan on my M4 2 months ago and it is awesome! Yes, it is more expensive, but I think they do the best tuning job, definitely more power, but safe and you will have peace of mind.

[dmk08]

IMO don't tune your car if you aren't willing to eat the cost of the motor. Is it likely? Probably not. Is it possible? F yeah.

[Black Gold]

Originally Posted by WVUDrJay

This is my first M car, M4, and I love it I've read a lot about the tunes namely ESS and JB4. I'm curious about warranty issues etc. I would be terrified if my engine blew for any reason but my warranty on a 70k auto were voided.

Curious to know members thoughts or experiences.

then don't put a tune on your car. because BMW WILL find evidence of it, if you blow your motor or have other serious issues.

you cannot hide a tune from BMW if they bring in specialists and fully evaluate the car, which they will do if it encounters serious issues