Mazdaspeed 6 non-warranty voiding mods

[jepva]

Hi all,

I recently just purchased a 07 mazdaspeed 6 so this is my welcome post. I bought mine with 29k miles and it's Mazda CPO (certified pre-owned) with a 7-year / 100k powertrain. I bought this car with some mods in mind but since it will be my DD for a little while I'm looking to stay within the warranty.

I am aware the Mazdaspeed CAI is supposed to be within the warranty, but what else can I safely do without worrying about the dealer trying to point fingers and void the warranty? I remember awhile back a law was passed forbidding manufacturers from voiding due to basic bolt-ons, so I'm thinking an exhaust is fine as well. What about the BPV, inlet pipe, Cobb AP? Those are probably all the mods I'd be looking to do engine wise, im not looking for huge power.

Thanks,
John

 

[batou079]

honestly its better to ask the dealership guys what they will allow you to do without voiding the warranty.
some wont even let you install mazdaspeed specific parts without voiding UNLESS they do it themselves... another way for them to weed money outta you.

if you are unlucky, they are a crappy dealer and say NO mods are allowed.
if they are a chill dealer, they will allow some, probly few, mods.

GL! and welcome to m247!
i hope you enjoy your Mazda for years!

 

[Guest20182]

First of all, welcome!

I remember awhile back a law was passed forbidding manufacturers from voiding due to basic bolt-ons

That isn't the law. The law states that if you were to put say, an intake on your car, and two months later your exhaust manifold cracks or something, they can't claim the intake was the cause. Basically eliminates them claiming two unrelated things are the cause of the issue.

 

[batou079]

in other words, they actually have to provide tested PROOF of your mods causing the problem.
otherwise you can legally fight their claim of "warranty void".

 

[SMOKEYS36SHOP]

first off welcome !! second i have never had any problems with my dealer in my area regarding warranty work....if something breaks in regards to you adding a bolt on...expect to either take if off and put on the stock parts or pay for the damage yourself...in the end...they can't deny you your warranty without proof that your aftermarket part broke it like batou079 said

 

[APPLEJUICE]

Welcome. If the dealer can't prove it they have to warranty.

 

[slyter485]

Google "Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act". Just be smart about your mods and keep all of your stock parts in the event that you have to put them back on for a warranty issue. The dealer technically can't void your warranty for blowing up your motor if you lower the car and put aftermarket rims on, and the motor is stock - but they will probably void if you have a BT, DP, and tune and blow up.

Welcome btw!

 

[freekwonder]

What slyter485 said, google the Magnuson-Moss warranty act. I protects the buyer but it isn't always that simple, yes the dealer has to prove the warranty caused the problem. The only problem with that is most dealers have more money for lawsuits then the standard mazda owner. Like everybody else said talk to your dealer.

 

[Guest20182]

The dealer technically can't void your warranty for blowing up your motor if you lower the car and put aftermarket rims on, and the motor is stock - but they will probably void if you have a BT, DP, and tune and blow up.

Welcome btw!

Gonna have to politely disagree. If you drive your car shifting at 8k all day everyday and you blow your motor, they don't have to cover it whether your stock or not. Of course they'd have to prove that lack of maintenance or how it was driven was the issue.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

Despite the fact that the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act is supposed to protect consumers, dealers (especially Mazda dealers) are not very flexible about mods. A Mazdaspeed part may be the exception, although you should always check. The reality is that you will find case after case (search around on here) of warranty repairs denied based on mods that had nothing to do with the problem. Sure, the dealer has to "prove" it, but who are they going to prove it to? Are you going to take them to court because they claim your Injen intake caused a smoking turbo or whatever else? Mazda tends to take advantage of whatever they can in this department, and saying "you have to prove the failure was related to this mod because of the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act" will only make the tech, service manager or Mazda rep laugh. They hold the cards and they know it...the bottom line is, don't install mods you can't uninstall before taking the car in for service if you want to keep your warranty. The protection of the MMW Act is only as good as how it is enforced, and it isn't.

 

[IHeartGroceries]

Despite the fact that the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act is supposed to protect consumers, dealers (especially Mazda dealers) are not very flexible about mods. A Mazdaspeed part may be the exception, although you should always check. The reality is that you will find case after case (search around on here) of warranty repairs denied based on mods that had nothing to do with the problem. Sure, the dealer has to "prove" it, but who are they going to prove it to? Are you going to take them to court because they claim your Injen intake caused a smoking turbo or whatever else? Mazda tends to take advantage of whatever they can in this department, and saying "you have to prove the failure was related to this mod because of the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act" will only make the tech, service manager or Mazda rep laugh. They hold the cards and they know it...the bottom line is, don't install mods you can't uninstall before taking the car in for service if you want to keep your warranty. The protection of the MMW Act is only as good as how it is enforced, and it isn't.

No truer words have been spoken. Not in this thread anyway.
There may be laws in place to protect you, but they're useless outside of a court. And, it's likely more cost efficient in the end to cover repairs than it is for an attorney in a suit against a major cooperation.
Sometimes, you can get lucky, and find a tech and service advisor who are willing to "overlook" certain modifications.
But, that's not always a sure thing, as Mazda also has a tendency to send out reps to oversee warranty repair work in certain situaions. Then, your tech buddy's hands are tied.
If it's a daily driver you pay a note on, you'd better be sure you have a little extra money put away for the potential of catatrophic failure repair work, or lawyer fees. Your pick.

Anyway, mod it and have fun. Life is short. Feck it.