My Dealership Is Pretty Cool

[CoolWhip]

So I went to my dealership today and asked a few questions regarding my warranty and after market parts.

I spoke to the service department guys, the guy who runs the Mazdaspeed parts area, and the person who deals with financing and warranty issues.

Apparently they are cool with non-Mazdaspeed intakes and exhausts, some of the SU parts I showed them like the boost tube kit. Only thing they told me not to do is mess with any bolt-ons for the motor and the blow off valve. Service guy did tell me that if I did decide to mess with BOV I should keep the factory one and do him the favor of replacing it before I bring it in to the dealership.

One thing they did drill into my head was that I drive a Japanese economy friendly car. Another thing they kept going on about that I didn't quite understand was installing after market parts onto the Speed3 was semi-pointless because the computer makes adjustments to offset the gains you would get from the mods to prevent too much fuel consumption.

Dunno, I'm still new to this I'm going to go back and get some more info.

 

[MikeHTally]

When I bought mine a week or so ago, the front guys told me the same thing. They encouraged me to install the shifter bushings, CAI and BOV. They did tell me to take the BOV off before I visited for service. Since it's very unlikely I'll put one on anyway, that is a non-issue.

I have to say, though, I wasn't particularly impressed with the service and parts departments. When I arrived for my appointment to get my cargo net and third key, the service writer wasn't especially glad to see me. The parts department didn't have all the parts and had to send someone elsewhere to cut the key! WTF? It took over an hour for a fifteen-minute job.

 

[FrequentFlyer]

Did you guys get all this on tape or in writing? lol

 

[lestat13]

On paper?? Seriously, the guys I talked to said if there is anything on it that wasn't there when I bought it they can't cover any warranty issues :\

So..... where is this dealership??????????

 

[MikeHTally]

On paper?? Seriously, the guys I talked to said if there is anything on it that wasn't there when I bought it they can't cover any warranty issues :\

So..... where is this dealership??????????

Well, you've now probably picked up some bugs or dust. Guess your warranty's shot. (cheers2) The dealer can't void your warranty and if you add a CAI or modify your rear motor mount, they can't scrap the whole warranty. They'd have to prove the mod caused the problem.

 

[smakdown61]

Well, you've now probably picked up some bugs or dust. Guess your warranty's shot. (cheers2) The dealer can't void your warranty and if you add a CAI or modify your rear motor mount, they can't scrap the whole warranty. They'd have to prove the mod caused the problem.

Theoretically, thats true. However, they can say whatever the hell they want to say to deny your warranty claim up front. Its up to you to get a lawyer and fight it, which will take time and money.

 

[FrequentFlyer]

Exactly. Don't believe it when they act like they're your long lost buddies because when it comes to money, that changes very quickly. If I were you, I wouldn't talk to them about your mods at all, especially when they tell you it's ok if you do it, but "take if off before you come in here". This just means that they know your car is modded, but your trying to pull a fast one on them. Let them try to discover if your car was modded. If you do some minor bolt ons and take the stuff off if you need warranty related work in an associated area of the car, I highly doubt they'll realize it was modded. Who knows? Maybe they are cool with mods, but I definitely would not trust them. Dealers hate warranty work because they are limited to the amount reimbursement from the manufacturer. They can't say it took 15 hours of labor when the manufacturer will only pay them for 12.

 

[smakdown61]

Exactly. Don't believe it when they act like they're your long lost buddies because when it comes to money, that changes very quickly. If I were you, I wouldn't talk to them about your mods at all, especially when they tell you it's ok if you do it, but "take if off before you come in here". This just means that they know your car is modded, but your trying to pull a fast one on them. Let them try to discover if your car was modded. If you do some minor bolt ons and take the stuff off if you need warranty related work in an associated area of the car, I highly doubt they'll realize it was modded. Who knows? Maybe they are cool with mods, but I definitely would not trust them. Dealers hate warranty work because they are limited to the amount reimbursement from the manufacturer. They can't say it took 15 hours of labor when the manufacturer will only pay them for 12.

+1. Don't believe anything a dealership says to your face. The only time I will ever take my car there is for warranty work.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Again, these posts crack me up! Years as a mechanic and a best freind who is a service manager. CAI and Catbacks will NOT void your warranty in any way! that is federal law. You start messing with the inner mechanics of the motor they will HAVE TO PROVE it was the mod that caused the problem. You will NOT need a lawyer, you will at the very MOST have to file a formal complaint with the BBB in your area/city. Worst case they will refer to the regional service rep and he will look at your car, the fix and your service track record. If you have been following the maintenance guidelines and not running heavy internal mods you will be cleared.

 

[smakdown61]

Again, these posts crack me up! Years as a mechanic and a best freind who is a service manager. CAI and Catbacks will NOT void your warranty in any way! that is federal law. You start messing with the inner mechanics of the motor they will HAVE TO PROVE it was the mod that caused the problem. You will NOT need a lawyer, you will at the very MOST have to file a formal complaint with the BBB in your area/city. Worst case they will refer to the regional service rep and he will look at your car, the fix and your service track record. If you have been following the maintenance guidelines and not running heavy internal mods you will be cleared.

So because you and your friend have experience one thing, means that will apply to EVERY dealership in the country? Um, try doing a search for "warranty denied" and see what comes up. In alot of places BBB complaints don't do s***. I've seen businesses with "unacceptable" ratings stay around for years without any problems. The dealership and mazda rep can say whatever they want about denying your warranty claim. Thats why you get a laywer. In most cases, a lawyer will be threat enough for them to fold.