Voided Warranty! Any regrets?

KEVS1000 · 02-28-2006, 10:58 AM

Hi All,
I have a new 06 and I really want to go Stage2, but I am concerned about losing the warranty coverage. Although I have checked, I haven't found any "mod-friendly" dealers in the Philly area. I am just wondering how many of you have decided to just do it any way (which could lead to voided warranty) and how many of you that modded had a problem and had to go to the dealer (and what happened)? I know Subies are very reliable and I know everyone says "don't mod unless you can afford it" but I'd like some feedback from those of you that have had issues or were in a similar situation.
Thanks

wrx_sti300 · 02-28-2006, 12:50 PM

I dont think a dealership would notice a stage 2 map (altough I could be wrong). If you were really worried you could just load the stock map back in before taking it to the stealership.

pantag · 02-28-2006, 12:56 PM

Most of the dealers are fine with the turboback. Just don't tell them that you have engine management and you should be fine.

Tip: Make the service manager your friend. Buy 4-5 pizzas for the techs, salesmen and rest of the workers and I am sure he will not hassle you for the turboback (which is the only proof that you've modded the car - unless you have an external visible unit like ECUTEK etc.)

KEVS1000 · 02-28-2006, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrx_sti300

I dont think a dealership would notice a stage 2 map (altough I could be wrong). If you were really worried you could just load the stock map back in before taking it to the stealership.

I'm not worried about the Stage2 map since I can unmarry the AP. I am more concerned with the obvious turbo back exhaust.

BurnsWRC · 02-28-2006, 01:30 PM

honestly? my experience led me to get my car serviced outside a dealership anyway. I had my car in their hands for 5 months and they still couldnt narrow down the problem. so eventually i went to lachute perfomance, one of the most knowledgeable subaru garages around, and they took care of my problem..

Im very interested in this as well....

wrx_sti300 · 02-28-2006, 01:35 PM

From what Ive read they dont usually have problems with and exhaust system (catback, turboback, etc...)

KEVS1000 · 02-28-2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurnsWRC

honestly? my experience led me to get my car serviced outside a dealership anyway. I had my car in their hands for 5 months and they still couldnt narrow down the problem. so eventually i went to lachute perfomance, one of the most knowledgeable subaru garages around, and they took care of my problem..

Im very interested in this as well....

I already do maintenance and service away from the dealer. I do my own maintenance and go to a private shop for larger issues. I am only concerned because I had a suspension piece break on my previous vehicle (about $600 with parts and labor but was covered under the warranty) and I would like to know it's covered. These little things can add up quick...especially once something breaks. I am very realistic: if I go Stage 2 and the turbo blows (for whatever reason) then I can admit the fault might be mine. However, I have heard how bad SOA and dealers are with the warranty and I am worried that I will go in for a broken power window motor (or whatever) and they will void my warranty and refuse repair because of the mods.

NJSTi05 · 02-28-2006, 02:04 PM

anyone know of mod friendly dealers in Northern NJ?? cause im doing a few mods in the up coming weeks

BurnsWRC · 02-28-2006, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KEVS1000

I already do maintenance and service away from the dealer. I do my own maintenance and go to a private shop for larger issues. I am only concerned because I had a suspension piece break on my previous vehicle (about $600 with parts and labor but was covered under the warranty) and I would like to know it's covered. These little things can add up quick...especially once something breaks. I am very realistic: if I go Stage 2 and the turbo blows (for whatever reason) then I can admit the fault might be mine. However, I have heard how bad SOA and dealers are with the warranty and I am worried that I will go in for a broken power window motor (or whatever) and they will void my warranty and refuse repair because of the mods.

yeah i know what u mean, but im sure u already know that subaru cant void a full warranty based on modifications, u can take them to court for that. if ure window brakes they would have to prove in a court of law that the TBE or the AP caused the window to break....just an example

. but if u dont mind servicing ure car for major drivetrain parts outside of a subaru dealership then who cares about the warranty.

SilverSTI · 03-01-2006, 10:58 AM

The burden of proof is on the dealer to deny warranty coverage. They have to prove that the mods caused the malfunction. If they are unrelated systems of the car obviously they can't make a correlation.

SoaReS · 03-25-2006, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverSTI

The burden of proof is on the dealer to deny warranty coverage. They have to prove that the mods caused the malfunction. If they are unrelated systems of the car obviously they can't make a correlation.

Exactly!! The dealer must prove that your mods, caused a problem to happen. So IMO, stage 2 is pretty much safe.

***sciolist*** · 03-25-2006, 04:50 PM

No regrets at all.

Some of the STi's components are robust and some are not. As my car evolves, its balance changes and parts that were once up to the job are no longer.

I would much rather pay for something I want than get something I don't want free of charge.

It's unfortunate that so many STi owners seem to have such a bad attitude with respect to warranty service. If you can't afford to build on your car then leave it stock, but don't try to pin your fiscal problems on someone else.

DVZ STi · 04-03-2006, 01:06 PM

My local dealer told me that as long as the mod doesn't directly cause a problem that you take the car in to fix then it's OK.

***Neanderthal Racing*** · 04-03-2006, 01:32 PM

Voided Warranty! Any regrets?

...sleepless over it (isfh)

scoob · 04-03-2006, 07:38 PM

Just had a friend get his STi back for the local Subaru dealership today. They had to repair some sort of steering problem that included among other things a power steering pump that blew up, it was all covered under warranty. They threw $4k of new parts into that car and his turbo back was never brought up as an issue.

02-28-2006, 10:58 AM	#1
KEVS1000 Silver Member Car: 06 STI WRB Fav Mod: Fumoto Valve Location: SATX Posts: 97 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Voided Warranty! Any regrets? Hi All, I have a new 06 and I really want to go Stage2, but I am concerned about losing the warranty coverage. Although I have checked, I haven't found any "mod-friendly" dealers in the Philly area. I am just wondering how many of you have decided to just do it any way (which could lead to voided warranty) and how many of you that modded had a problem and had to go to the dealer (and what happened)? I know Subies are very reliable and I know everyone says "don't mod unless you can afford it" but I'd like some feedback from those of you that have had issues or were in a similar situation. Thanks This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

04-03-2006, 07:38 PM	#15
scoob Senior STI Driver Car: 04 STi-sold it Location: Charleston Posts: 314 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (2)	Just had a friend get his STi back for the local Subaru dealership today. They had to repair some sort of steering problem that included among other things a power steering pump that blew up, it was all covered under warranty. They threw $4k of new parts into that car and his turbo back was never brought up as an issue. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

02-28-2006, 12:50 PM	#2
wrx_sti300 Senior STI Driver Car: 2002 WRX Wagon Fav Mod: Cobb Stage 2 Power Pack Location: Brampton,Ontario,Canada Posts: 368 Join Date: Mar 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	I dont think a dealership would notice a stage 2 map (altough I could be wrong). If you were really worried you could just load the stock map back in before taking it to the stealership.

02-28-2006, 12:56 PM	#3
pantag Spec C Club Car: 06 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: My right foot... Location: Waterford CT Posts: 1,996 Join Date: Nov 2004 Trader Rating: (1)	Most of the dealers are fine with the turboback. Just don't tell them that you have engine management and you should be fine. Tip: Make the service manager your friend. Buy 4-5 pizzas for the techs, salesmen and rest of the workers and I am sure he will not hassle you for the turboback (which is the only proof that you've modded the car - unless you have an external visible unit like ECUTEK etc.)

02-28-2006, 01:30 PM	#5
BurnsWRC S204 Racer Car: 04 Infiniti G35 Coup Fav Mod: still antifreeze Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 4,935 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	honestly? my experience led me to get my car serviced outside a dealership anyway. I had my car in their hands for 5 months and they still couldnt narrow down the problem. so eventually i went to lachute perfomance, one of the most knowledgeable subaru garages around, and they took care of my problem.. Im very interested in this as well....

02-28-2006, 01:35 PM	#6
wrx_sti300 Senior STI Driver Car: 2002 WRX Wagon Fav Mod: Cobb Stage 2 Power Pack Location: Brampton,Ontario,Canada Posts: 368 Join Date: Mar 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	From what Ive read they dont usually have problems with and exhaust system (catback, turboback, etc...)

02-28-2006, 02:04 PM	#8
NJSTi05 Spec C Club Car: 05 WRX STi Blue/gold Fav Mod: my NawWS! Location: Bergen Co. NJ Posts: 2,380 Join Date: May 2005 Trader Rating: (6)	anyone know of mod friendly dealers in Northern NJ?? cause im doing a few mods in the up coming weeks

03-01-2006, 10:58 AM	#10
SilverSTI STI Driver Car: 04 STi Aspen White/G Fav Mod: Cobb Catless DP Location: North Central, WV Posts: 209 Join Date: Mar 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	The burden of proof is on the dealer to deny warranty coverage. They have to prove that the mods caused the malfunction. If they are unrelated systems of the car obviously they can't make a correlation.

03-25-2006, 04:50 PM	#12
*sciolist* Spiteful Old Codger Location: Bend, OR Posts: 2,345 Join Date: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (1)	No regrets at all. Some of the STi's components are robust and some are not. As my car evolves, its balance changes and parts that were once up to the job are no longer. I would much rather pay for something I want than get something I don't want free of charge. It's unfortunate that so many STi owners seem to have such a bad attitude with respect to warranty service. If you can't afford to build on your car then leave it stock, but don't try to pin your fiscal problems on someone else.

04-03-2006, 01:06 PM	#13
DVZ STi Amateur STI Driver Car: 2000 Toyota Celica G Location: Washington Posts: 19 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	My local dealer told me that as long as the mod doesn't directly cause a problem that you take the car in to fix then it's OK.

04-03-2006, 01:32 PM	#14
*Neanderthal Racing* GT R US Car: CUTN EDG project Fav Mod: $20. mudflaps from auto zone Location: my cave Posts: 5,851 Join Date: Dec 2003 Trader Rating: (1)	Voided Warranty! Any regrets? ...sleepless over it (isfh)