APR chip and VW dealer issues

[BadTigerBreath]

OK lets start quietly...I really don't want to start a one chip is better than another chip discussion (see I said discussion not fight or argument...quietly) that I will decide by myself...maybe..ok I'm trying...really I am.

Question: has anyone who has an APR chip with the crusie control stalk changing system had any issues with their VW dealer during servicing or warranty discussion (see, discussion used again)

I haven't made my mind up but would be interested to hear anyone and everyone's stories.

Cheers

[G-rig]

I'm not sure if the dealer would go to the effort of checking every car that goes in (nor would have time) but also wonder how you would hide it from them if they know the cruise control stalk commands.

[jasn78]

BadTigerBreath: I know its not I dont own a mk5 but I do have a pretty heavily modified polo and i find depending on what is wrong and how you approach the dealer has more affect on your warranty then wether it is chipped or not. e.g. I have Front mount IC and have had radiator fixed without a problem but I know the current suspension noises etc would be a no go for warranty.

So my opinion is be nice if you have a problem and they normally wont care unless of course its obviously a problem caused by ur mods.

[GTI32]

I'm curious to know how many people actually flash back to stock for servicing. I don't see the point if you have other mods such as boost gauge, intake, exhaust, etc. Valet mode kind of makes sense but lets face it, the mechanics have acres of cars to flog without risking a customers vehicle.

[Sharkie]

I believe its best to add the security lockout to your APR chip. The dealers know the standard reset method and can easily check to see if you have an APR chip thus...... and potentially deny a warranty claim.

With the lockout, you set the car back to standard (if the APR chip is your only mod) and lock it. This way the dealer cannot play with the controls to set the program. I did this everytime before a service. Did not have a warranty claim though in more than 3 years .....

[Maverick]

I'm not sure if the dealer would go to the effort of checking every car that goes in (nor would have time) but also wonder how you would hide it from them if they know the cruise control stalk commands.

Unless they know your pin number how will they know you have APR?

[Tim]

Unless they know your pin number how will they know you have APR?

adding the pin number is a $200 option isnt it? So im guessing that not everyone may tick that box.

I think anyone who is reflashing their car needs to be aware of the warranty risks. If VW want to dig deep enough there will always be some sort of evidence.

[kryten2001]

I take a slightly different approach.

I'm not taking my car back for service at a VW dealer, so it doesn't worry me. The people who did my performance mods are going to be servicing my car, as they're a full workshop - and will no doubt take care of it a far sight better than the local VW dealer.

Warranty work of course, is another thing all together. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. In all likelyhood the whole car is voided, considering how much has been done to it, but it's a risk I was willing to take.

Having a good old-school workshop looking after your car is so much better than sending it into a mass-market service joint like the car yard I bought it off. They pump out 100+ cars a day through their service dept.. I want a bit of personalised service and attention to detail.

[Tim]

I take a slightly different approach.

I'm not taking my car back for service at a VW dealer, so it doesn't worry me. The people who did my performance mods are going to be servicing my car, as they're a full workshop - and will no doubt take care of it a far sight better than the local VW dealer.

I think this is a smart way of doing things. I think sometimes people get the impression that a senior VW mechanic is the one changing the oil on their car.
Quite often the independant euro specialists are actual enthusiasts themselves. Its great to be able to have a chat about your car with someone who is interested. A lot of VW employed mechanics and salespeople I have met dont even like VWs!

[BadTigerBreath]

As part of buying my car I got first 3 years or 45000Kms of servicing thrown in so I will have to use a VW dealer for that.

Thanks everyone for their input it's much appreciated, any more keep them coming

Cheers

Quentin

[Rickardo]

I believe APR are doing a June special on fully loaded remaps including lock-out is future warranty claims are an issue.

[M4RK0]

I think this is a smart way of doing things. I think sometimes people get the impression that a senior VW mechanic is the one changing the oil on their car.
Quite often the independant euro specialists are actual enthusiasts themselves. Its great to be able to have a chat about your car with someone who is interested. A lot of VW employed mechanics and salespeople I have met dont even like VWs!

Yeah! me too, unless that something turns really nasty and expensive but if you have a good garage with people knowing 100% VW cars you should be good,

Cheers!

[Guy_H]

adding the pin number is a $200 option isnt it? So im guessing that not everyone may tick that box.

I think anyone who is reflashing their car needs to be aware of the warranty risks. If VW want to dig deep enough there will always be some sort of evidence.

Actually a lot of people do take this option up - about one in ten of our customers take this up.

It sure beats having to have a switching box floating around (costs extra I believe)- you can unlock / lock it any time / any where.

Of the 6 cars we have done this week, three customers have taken up the lockout.

[Guy_H]

I think this is a smart way of doing things. I think sometimes people get the impression that a senior VW mechanic is the one changing the oil on their car.
Quite often the independent euro specialists are actual enthusiasts themselves. Its great to be able to have a chat about your car with someone who is interested. A lot of VW employed mechanics and salespeople I have met dont even like VWs!

I would have to disagree with this. We work with a lot of dealerships & a lot of the mechanics are genuine enthusiasts. When we have trade days / drive days etc - these people come out to look at GTI's on their days off & many of them have queued up to drive our tuned cars & then rave about them for months! We also have a lot of salespeople that are very, very passionate about the brand & models. We have several of them that will drive any new car around to us & show us all the updates / features - even after hours or on weekends!

Independent Euro specialists will always give you great personal service - all of our APR & Oettinger dealers (all 11 of them) http://www.goapr.com.au/dealer/index.html have great business's & good, loyal customer bases - most of them own / drive / modify a range of VAG cars themselves.

With our cars (mostly under 3 years of age), we use a combination of both. It's always good to keep your VW dealer on your side!

I'm sure there are people who work in dealerships who treat it as "just a job" - but I would never tar all of the staff with the same brush!

Just my .02 cents

[Tim]

I'm sure there are people who work in dealerships who treat it as "just a job" - but I would never tar all of the staff with the same brush!

Just my .02 cents

I didnt. I said i have met some.
I wouldnt tar all the staff with the same brush either.