To Chip, or not to Chip?

[bananas]

Hi All,

I'd love to chip my EOS, but I'm concerned about voiding the warranty. My understanding is that VW can now "detect" chipped ECU's.

The line I usually read is that VW need to establish that the modified component caused the failure before they void the warranty. But what a bun fight that would be.

Anyone heard of a VW dealer chipping cars? That would solve the problem.

Thoughts, comments?????


Cheers
Peter

[Timbo]

Best to speak with the various flash tune vendors regarding this.

[Golf Houso]

I remember the VW dealer in Liverpool telling me they actually offer chips on cars, when people ask. He said something like over the counter, and under the counter chips. Saying how people were getting polo gti's with 132kw instead of the bog stock 110kw. Interesting, I wouldn't assume it'd be cheap but regardless it maintained warranty!!!

Seriously ask some of the dealers around, I knew this guy did it at least...

[eternaloptimist]

Its not an EOS but... picked up my new Jetta 2 days ago.
The VW dealer is also a Powerchip agent - doesn't advertise the latter.
I paid to have the Jetta chipped prior to delivery - am delighted with the increase in power and the smoothness of the ride. Dealer assured me no problems with the warranty (yes, I am probably naive!) ... wouldn't have had it chipped if it wasn't the VW dealer's mechanics actually doing the ECU remap.
D

[mikinoz]

I spose either way with a receipt from the dealer for the car warranty and the same dealer for a chip warranty, then warranty should be all sewn up!

I would laugh if said dealer voided your warranty.

[TDIMAN]

My Passat (Diesel) has a Steinbauer box on it. It is connected after the ECU so the ECU never knows that is it there. It simply reprograms the duration of the injectors from the factory settings. It has increased output by 20% and I simply remove it when it goes back to Volkswagen for service or warranty.

It has a wire than runs of the throttle position wire which is about the only thing you could find in the car to suggest that it has the box installed (but you would have to remove the carpet to find it).

I am not sure what is available for Petrol models?

[Transporter]

I spose either way with a receipt from the dealer for the car warranty and the same dealer for a chip warranty, then warranty should be all sewn up!

I would laugh if said dealer voided your warranty.

Sewn up or not?

Most car manufacturer will void your warranty if the manufacturer did not approve the modification.
Please, don't confuse the dealer with the car manufacturer.
Dealer has a franchise to service and repair the vehicle.
Such a dealer could as well be:
Yesterday’s, Joe Blow Garage and tomorrow it would have a sign:
Gener*l Motors Ho*den
Or what ever name.
Which could also meant that if you claim your warranty Volkswagen Australia (or any car manufacturer) could refuse to cover that claim, it would leave you to negotiate with your dealer and you could be in his mercy.
Of course if you don't have any warranty claims related to mod’s every body is just smiling and everything is "OK".
But lets say, you increase the power from factory 169kW to 229kW and the torque from 300Nm to 430Nm and it wasn’t manufacturer approved I can only imagine that you would void the warranty for any drive train component.
Plus you have to take onto consideration that many car manufacturers don’t give any warranty for car racing or anything related to racing or competition.