[lonecitizenfour]

Hi guys,

Only issue I’m afraid of my 428i is the N20/N26 timing chain issue. I haven’t seen / heard (from very little data pool) of 4 series having this issue, but there is still a N20/26 inside. I have FBO (intercooler, intake, chargepipes, downpipe and planning to put in the turbo to intake pipe when MSFT comes out with one); no mods on engine.

I have enough money to cover it out of pocket if I catch it early (I heard 2-4K) but I do have 72k mile extended warranty notice.

Will warranty likely / unlikely be active for the TC and what damages TC cause in event of a failure(if it blows up my engine) with my mods?

Thanks

[kern417]

Typically engine mods void engine failures. Especially for a limited coverage extended warranty. At that point you would be relying on BMW to issue a recall or other official notice to cover just the timing chain.

[BunkerJ]

Originally Posted by lonecitizenfour

Hi guys,

Only issue I’m afraid of my 428i is the N20/N26 timing chain issue. I haven’t seen / heard (from very little data pool) of 4 series having this issue, but there is still a N20/26 inside. I have FBO (intercooler, intake, chargepipes, downpipe and planning to put in the turbo to intake pipe when MSFT comes out with one); no mods on engine.

I have enough money to cover it out of pocket if I catch it early (I heard 2-4K) but I do have 72k mile extended warranty notice.

Will warranty likely / unlikely be active for the TC and what damages TC cause in event of a failure(if it blows up my engine) with my mods?

Thanks

Depends on your SA and the shop foreman. If your SA is mod friendly, he can get your car back there, but it's ultimately up to the shop foreman. Even if he isn't a huge fan of mods, he may realize that FBO isn't the cause and give you the go ahead. Talk with your SA and see what he says. I've already been given the go-ahead from mine, but I do my due diligence and check for the noise for 1k miles or so.

Worst comes to worst, you take it to an indy or do it yourself.

[rjd_F30]

Originally Posted by BunkerJ

Depends on your SA and the shop foreman. If your SA is mod friendly, he can get your car back there, but it's ultimately up to the shop foreman. Even if he isn't a huge fan of mods, he may realize that FBO isn't the cause and give you the go ahead. Talk with your SA and see what he says. I've already been given the go-ahead from mine, but I do my due diligence and check for the noise for 1k miles or so.

Worst comes to worst, you take it to an indy or do it yourself.

how do you go about checking specifically for the noise? don't you "check for it" every time you drive the car? from what I understand you really can't miss it.

[BunkerJ]

Originally Posted by rjdnyy224

how do you go about checking specifically for the noise? don't you "check for it" every time you drive the car? from what I understand you really can't miss it.

The easiest way is to take off the oil cap and listen while someone revs slowly. At least for me, unless it actually pops up, I'm not sure how loud it'll be. Between my turbo spooling, which is loud AF now, and the exhaust, it's hard to tell while in the cabin.

[lonecitizenfour]

Originally Posted by BunkerJ

Depends on your SA and the shop foreman. If your SA is mod friendly, he can get your car back there, but it's ultimately up to the shop foreman. Even if he isn't a huge fan of mods, he may realize that FBO isn't the cause and give you the go ahead. Talk with your SA and see what he says. I've already been given the go-ahead from mine, but I do my due diligence and check for the noise for 1k miles or so.

Worst comes to worst, you take it to an indy or do it yourself.

Last time I spoke to my SA before the mods, she said the service won't (obviously) cover the modded part or the components that are connected to the modded part. So I'm not sure if that TECHNICALLY covers the engine or not.

[BunkerJ]

Originally Posted by lonecitizenfour

Last time I spoke to my SA before the mods, she said the service won't (obviously) cover the modded part or the components that are connected to the modded part. So I'm not sure if that TECHNICALLY covers the engine or not.

I would follow-up with her to find out then. Typically those parts do void a warranty.

I had a buddy who was turned away from replacing the HPFP because of a downpipe.

[kern417]

Originally Posted by lonecitizenfour

Last time I spoke to my SA before the mods, she said the service won't (obviously) cover the modded part or the components that are connected to the modded part. So I'm not sure if that TECHNICALLY covers the engine or not.

You void anything that is connected or affected. So for example a tune will void driveshaft/axle replacement, even though it's not connected because it is affected by the added power.

I don't always trust shop foremen because it could be a new guy by the time you actually need a warranty repair or they could just change your mind. Use your best judgement, weigh the risk, and worst comes to worst take it to a different shop until you find one that is mod friendly. But in general, it's voided.

However if you're able to swap parts before bringing it in then that would be the best case scenario. Like if it dies on the road, have it towed to your house so you can swap stock parts back on then take it to the dealer.

[anotheran]

If you're thinking it might be void it, you probably shouldn't take the risk.

BMW, you need to pay to play

[madmortar]

Im in the same boat. Not going to mod until...
a) warranty runs out
b) timing chain starts whining and it gets replaced
c) I trade up for a 2/340i when warranty is out lol

[BunkerJ]

Originally Posted by anotheran

If you're thinking it might be void it, you probably shouldn't take the risk.

BMW, you need to pay to play

Exactly. There are times that BMW will hook you up on the warranty if you know the SA/Foreman well, but never rely on it. Just remember that most things are much cheaper if you do them yourself. Timing chain replacement might be an exception... Getting that front seal out alone is a pain.

[lonecitizenfour]

Originally Posted by anotheran

If you're thinking it might be void it, you probably shouldn't take the risk.

BMW, you need to pay to play

I guess I already did and I’ll pay for it if it happens and they don’t fix it. Rip. If anything it gives me an excuse to buy a new car.