Mods for 2010 speed 3 while keeping the waranty!

[lTheBrandedOnel]

Hey everyone! I'm Matt, I just joined and this is my first post so bear with me if I'm not up to standard on forum etiquette. I recently purchased a 2010 mazdaspeed 3 and I love it. It's my third Mazda and so far my fav. My question pertains to modding the vehicle without voiding my warranty. I know that Mazda sells "approved" parts, like cold air intakes, different suspension set ups and a variety of other things. As long as they are installed by a Mazda certified tech then your warranty is good. But are these parts worth it or as good as say something that Corksport has developed? I just don't want to waste my time and money. So if any of you have any experience with this or maybe a place that I could find info it would be appreciated!, Thanks!

 

[fateexceeds]

Welcome and congrats on the new MS3! I'm also a third time Mazda owner.

First, FYI, my experience is mainly from my old Protege. I modified it with mostly Mazda parts from the MSP but did install a few aftermarket parts (AEM intake, TWM short shifter, etc.). From what I've seen, the Mazda parts tend to be a bit more expensive than many aftermarket equivalents, so if you really want the Mazda parts, it's best to find them discounted from somewhere other than the dealer (or even used).

From what I understand, installing mods itself does not violate the warranty. The only way you will run into trouble is if the dealer can show that the mod caused the problem you are trying to get repaired under warranty. I had absolutely no issues related to the mods on my Protege, both when getting things repaired under warranty (they obviously weren't related to my mods - broken end link & CD changer eating discs) and when trading in the vehicle (no value lost - in fact, the dealer gave me the KBB private party, excellent condition value).

And don't worry about getting things installed by a certified tech - that would be a waste of money (unless it's something way beyond your skill level). Do it yourself and feel the resulting satisfaction!

 

[lTheBrandedOnel]

Great! Thanks for the info! I will do a fair amount of my own installations but there are a few things that I just don't have the tools for, so those would need to be done else where.

 

[JBR]

Warranty is in most cases a non-issue. If you suspect the repair is mod related then go back to stock before bringing it in; everyone does it.

 

[lTheBrandedOnel]

Does anyone know how Mazda approved performance parts compare to corksport or Autoexe? I saw the dyno work that corksport did with their CAI and it was amazing, just wondering if they did something amazingly special with their components or would that be gains from any CAI?

 

[coyfish]

This issue has been discussed 1000000 times. Dealers are all different. Some dealers will replace an engine that is fully bolted. Others won't touch anything if you have bpv.

The Mag Moss act says that dealers cant deny your warranty if your mod didn't cause the problem. But that is vague and dealers have more money than you. And when its all said and done you will waste money anyway. So its a lose lose situation in most cases.

That being said the only power mod I would think about bringing into a dealer would be a intake / catback exhaust. Anything else you are taking a risk. Most people here take parts off for dealer visits and avoid the dealer if possible.

Any brand CAI will be fine. The mazda CAI isn't even designed by mazda. It's basically a re-badged AEM intake. Only difference is that the mazda one is 2X as expensive. And my dealer said they only warranty mazda CAI's installed by them. They charge like 200 bucks to install that thing too. Its a 30 minute job.

 

[XspeedyD]

well there isn't an issue because they don't make any Mazda certified aftermarket parts for the 2010's anyways. so thats out. i say do whatever you want and take it off before you go in. that or call and ask your dealers service manager if you can do anything without voiding the warranty. every place is different. it never hurts to ask.