Chip....whats the worst that could happen?

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Jan 21, 2001 | 01:13 PM

kevpm

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Chip....whats the worst that could happen?

considering getting a chip, but i am a high school student with limited money. What is the worst that can happen that the dealer will deny with the warrentry? and what are the chances of it happening?

Jan 21, 2001 | 01:19 PM

Johnny Bravo

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Denial of warenty work, Blown turbo, ECM damage . There's lots of things.

Make sure you speak to your service manager about this. Let him know first.
Thats what I did. Oh I also brought him doughnuts too!

Jan 21, 2001 | 01:32 PM

MWZafar

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IMHO, it's not worth it if you can't afford the potential risks - but they are only potential risks

you can very likely end up having no problems at all. However, I think it's better to be safe than sorry - keep it stock until you can afford to take care of problems that might arise from a modified car with a voided warranty. Audi of America is a business first! Remember that. They do not want to fix your car for free - and if you give them a reason not to, they probably won't.

Jan 21, 2001 | 01:41 PM

BOOSTD

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your dealer sees the car before AoA will (more)

and your relationship with your dealer is key. After all the mods I have installed (see sig) they still service the car. I offered to let the service manager drive it, and that was all it took.....he loved it.
If the dealer might pose a problem, I'd say either buy a second ECU to put in for service visits or get APR's chip since it can be switched back to stock mode.

Jan 21, 2001 | 01:48 PM

MWZafar

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true, but in the case of a major problem, they may not be as friendly as you think

Jan 21, 2001 | 02:01 PM

BOOSTD

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I didn't disagree with you there, and my dealer said that as well.

He said they would still warranty and service the car, but obviously could not service the items I installed. I'm cool with that.

Jan 21, 2001 | 02:05 PM

MWZafar

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that's kinda why my advice for kevpm was to let it wait - you may be able to handle non warranty

major service - he's 18, he probably can't yet. I don't mean that the dealership won't perform regular warranty service, like oil changes and tune ups, but that's chump change anyway. I'm talking about more serious problems. Even if problems aren't related to your mods, I can see AoA or a dealership trying to blame it on your mods, in which case you're in for a long, bitter fight.

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Jan 21, 2001 | 04:27 PM

Luis02

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Ohhhhh... I get it.

So if something happens to the car caused by the chip or whatever, they won't service it?

Then what's the purpose of telling me that it won't void the warranty?

?!

Jan 21, 2001 | 04:45 PM

#10

MWZafar

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He's a salesperson trying to sell a car.

Audi's official statement is that they will NOT be responsible for aftermarket equipment you install UNLESS it is Audi certified. If you put aftermarket wheels on the car, and a wheel bearing goes, they can blame it on your wheels. If you chip the car, and the turbos - tranny - or anything related go, they can blame it on your chip. The ONLY way to keep the warranty completely intact is to keep the car stock. Even then, sometimes you can end up having to fight to get warranty work done. On the other hand, there are people who have highly modified cars that haven't had a problem getting warranty work done. It's kindof in the luck of the draw. Sounds like you spoke to a mod friendly dealership - but it could have just been a saleperson who was willing to say whatever he could to get you to buy the car. Talk to the service manager and try to get a straight answer. If a major problem comes up, the dealership probably won't side with you - even if the salesperson says they will. Although, chances are a major problem won't come up - but it is your responsiblity to be aware that your warranty is in question when you mod the car.