Performance enhancement and warranty

[Mk6 GTI]

Hi All,

Are there performance improvements i can make to the GTI that will still be covered under warranty?

Cheers!

[team_v]

According to most dealers, there isn't any.

However the APR tune is meant to be hidden so should be okay.
Lightweight wheels and removal of deadweight (spare tyre, rear seats etc) shouldn't cause any problems.

The only real problems come when parts that need to be replaced/fixed under warranty can be claimed to have failed due to the performance enhancements you have added.

[Dubman]

Are there performance improvements i can make to the GTI that will still be covered under warranty?

I've been wondering the same thing. On Pages 13-14 of the service schedule book in the warranty section it states you must pay for the cost of repairs, replacements and adjustments that are necessary due to:....modification or alternations that have not been approved by Volkswagen, including installation or use of non-genuine or non-approved parts, accessories, equipment, assemblies, components or agents....

So in others words only performance improvements that are Volkswagen approved would be covered.

[Tim]

the best thing you can do in regards to this issue is establish a good relationship with your dealer.

[Guy_H]

Oettinger has an engine / drivetrain / breakdown supplemental warranty for up to three years on a new car.

Purposely designed to cover any gaps left by the factory warranty.

https://www.oettinger.com.au

[brad]

Hi All,

Are there performance improvements i can make to the GTI that will still be covered under warranty?

Cheers!

Better tyres & lightweight quality rims are a performance enhancement that should not affect warranty.

Just about anything else (suspension improvements, remaps, etc) give VW an opening to negate warranty on related items. eg: a remapped ECU won't affect the warranty on the windscreen wiper motor.

[MovieDude]

Would modifications also affect your insurance cover?

[G-rig]

Would modifications also affect your insurance cover?

Could do, best to check with your insurance.

Mods should be done knowing you could void your warranty in those areas, otherwise leave it stock.

[brad]

Would modifications also affect your insurance cover?

All insurance companies are different. You need to ask them.

[265coupe]

Aftermarket tune effect on VW Warranty

A thread has been running currently regarding 118TSi engine failures due to broken pistons and/or rings. This raises an interesting question in my mind.

Am I correct is assuming that the fuel map (tune) determines mixture which may have contributed to burnt pistons through a lean mixture?

If this is so then the rebuild/ replacement is an obvious warranty repair.

Which is OK while the warranty is current or you have a factory 'tune' installed.

A failure out of warranty would require negotiation and possible factory repair but what if there's an afterrmarket tune installed.

I read on this forum that aftermarket tunes don't affect warranty. Well I would think good luck to anyone who returned the car to VW with a failed piston and anything other than a factory tune installed.

Seems like a great risk. a few extra Kw and the chance of a huge repair bill.

[STV4SYT]

I guess it depends on how well you know your service dept.

At the end of the day, VW pay them to do all warranty repairs albeit at a lesser rate than joe public.

This is where some loyalty pays off.

[Corey_R]

@265coupe - I merged your thread with this one, since it's the same topic.

There is also a specific forum for Tuning and Performance which this probably fit better in, but the merge is enough atm

[265coupe]

And VW scrutinise all warranty work with a fine tooth comb. Any dealler willing to pass through a repair 'for a mate' on warranty would be dancing with the devil.

[265coupe]

Thanks coreying. Just didn't want to be accused of thread digging.

The question may have become extremely relevant given current thread re 118TSi engine failures and the conjecture of impending doom for all 118TSi engines.

As the owner of a 118TSi I'd like to hear from current users and suppliers of quality aftermarket tunes. Because I for one love the idea of a small spend and then the engine performance of a standard GTi. Just dunno about the risk.

[Corey_R]

@265coupe - you're assuming though that the aftermarket tuners have not done their homework on this. What's to say that they are not more reliable than VW's own tune? It's very possible that they actually use more fuel during 'spirited driving' to therefore reduce the likelyhood of this issue.

I know for one that APR via Harding Performance in QLD do testing within Australia on the products, often several months in advance of the official release. I would say that the other better known and more popular tuning products also do similar.