APR Polo GTI - This months Motor mag (JUN)

[Bug_racer]

You entire post has no merrit as there is no such thing as "voiding a warranty". It's illegal.
You could replace the entire engine in your Golf with a Chevy V8. If the paint on your right rear door starts flaking off, that's still covered, as it has nothing to do with the engine.

I can't believe that in every single tuning thread we have to go through all the same questions and answers all the time, but it's really simple.

If you tint your windows, you're modifying your vehicle, but your warranty isn't voided
Same as if you change your stereo, wheels, tyres etc. If you change your stereo but the bonehead you get to install it wires it incorrect and it causes an electrical fire, then sure, why SHOULD Volkswagen have to pay for his incompetence?

It's the same thing with ECU Tuning. If you flash your ECU and you have a problem with your car, then as long as the ECU hasn't caused the problem, your warranty covers it. It's no different to any other option, accessory, or modification of your car.

I dont think you know too much about modifying a car to that extreme . Putting a Chev in a Golf is going to put extreme pressure on every part of the car . The chassis is going to twist , and worst case your going to have paint cracking . I should post some pictures up of VR6s that Ive seen that have been lowered to extreme levels and have the chassis cracking . This would never be covered under warranty . Warranty is up to the discrepancy of the dealer/technician and if they say no then you can go to another dealer or attempt to prove why they wont honour it ( fair trading etc ) .

[gavs]

As corey has said, it is illegal for anyone who offers and advertises a warranty to void it. If you have an APR tune put into your ECU and your turbo destroys it's compressor wheel and you wish to claim a warranty replacement, then under fair trade, VGA or VAG, whichever is the proper decision making party, will need to prove that your ecu tune has caused the issue. How? Well, basically they will need to provide evidence that indeed increasing the boost pressure through the tune destroyed the compressor wheel. If they just so a flat out "NO", then you turn around and start questioning them, start asking for documentation etc and empirical evidence. Ulitimately, they need to prove to you, as the consumer and purchaser of their product, that it is not their fault for the component failure. If they refuse to do this, that is why we have the ACCC and obudsman.

On a side note, some other tuners are now offering warranties not only on the ecu and software but also any relevant components directly affected by the tune, i.e if indeed the turbo boost pressure is increased by the tune and it goes bang, that is covered by their warranty.

[Corey_R]

Lol @ Bug_racer... we're talking about software here. Whilst yes, putting a chev v8 in a golf would stress it, my point was that your warranty isn't automatically voided if you do - especially unrelated parts, such as paint flaking off due to clear coat failure


gavs, nice post, that is pretty much the summary of it.

Whilst some people may interpret you statements as the consumer will need to end up proving to the dealer that their modifications haven't caused the problem, then fine, you make sure you use a reputable product and have a reputable outfit perform the modifications for you. With the recent Volkswagen Golf 118TSI engine issues experienced in Australia, not a single engine replacement has been denied due to the presence of an aftermarket flash for example.

You're correct, there are aftermarket companies that offer warranties on the components - such as Oettinger (which Guy_H also distributes), but it's an additional cost obviously.

[Guy_H]

The ACCC is the ultimate controlling body, you can spend a lot of time reading their site

For consumers

You can call them & you can email them, it will outline the trade practices act - and go into depth on express, implied & statutory warranties.

This will also explain why there is no clear cut line about warranty. Volkswagen can not dodge warranty issues that belong to them, neither can the tuner / window tinter / car detailer that works on your car either.

Anyway, thats probably best left for another thread. This one is about the APR Polo & its quicker everywhere than a Ford Focus RS

[Corey_R]

Anyway, thats probably best left for another thread. This one is about the APR Polo & its quicker everywhere than a Ford Focus RS

Damn straight!

[gavs]

Exactly, and the look on the faces of the poor people who forked out $65000 for a focus and see a lowly $30000 polo disappear into the distance

[GTI JOE]

Yeah...that's so cool. Brings a new meaning to "Bang For Buck"

[RolfGolf]

We suggest you run the car pretty hard right from day one. DO NOT baby the car at all, cars that use oil over the life of the vehicle generally had a "soft" break in.

On our cars they get run pretty hard & then an oil change @ 1500km's. They never use oil after that.

Hey Guy, do you change the supplied oil before breaking in the car initially and what oil do you use after the first change? I've read that fine synthetic oils can inhibit the breaking in process ...

Cheers.

[Blitzen]

I think Corey has a valid point. Every time a tuning thread is started, you have to explain (sometimes multiple times) about warranty and tuning...

People need to read the newbies corner first, and need to learn to utilse the Search function to help the mods out.

[Guy_H]

Hey Guy, do you change the supplied oil before breaking in the car initially and what oil do you use after the first change? I've read that fine synthetic oils can inhibit the breaking in process ...

Cheers.

We generally just do the first change at 2500km's & put in fresh stuff, then do a change every 5k (or 7.5k). and certainly a change after every track day.

With turbo charged engines, a "conventional" break in oil may not be the best.

Interesting read:

Stealth 316 - Engine Break-In