self maintenance warranty implications--any?

[Dr. Strangelove]

If you do some/all of your own maintenance work during the warranty period, does this have any potentially adverse warranty issues? Any one ever run into this?
...and Merry Christmas, y'all

John

[GTR350cc]

Usually State and Federal law protects the DIY maintenance and preserves warranty coverage. One exception: if a maintenance or mod you perform adversely affects a system component or performance, manufacturer can duck liability for repair under warranty. The issue of fact is where many disputes arise.

An example: adding motolights and modifying the wiring harness, system ground, battery load and power distribution system is usually harmless. But at least one wiring harness meltdown and subsequent denial of warranty coverage has occurred.

[wncbmw]

Keep your receipts for parts and fluids!

[MikeCam]

Vann is offering year end rebates to any member who can successfully document DIY for the entire year. Send a self-addressed, stamped return envelope with your receipts, bar codes from the original containers, and dirty oil filters to Vann Waters, P.O. Box 9999, Somewhere Remote, NC 29999

[pneuby]

h) Failure to Service: This includes, but is not limited to, damage attributable to failure to perform maintenance services at the specified intervals or in accordance with the instructions in the Rider's Manual. Proof must be provded either by a paid invoice copy or filling in the appropriate boxes in the Rider's Manual.

It appears to me that BMW is trying to lock you in to dealer maintenance. The "filling in" of the boxes is via a bold stamp issued to each dealer for that purpose. "Proof...by a paid invoice copy" implies the invoice you get from a dealer for repairs. Doesn't seem to line-up with the typical receipt you get from a parts dept. for items bought over the counter.

Two other caveats from a Maintenance Instructions manual:

Important: BMW refuses to accept liability for damage or consequential damage due to repairs or service work performed by other than BWM-authorized workshops

(Italics for emphasis not in orginal.)

BMW Motorrad refuses to accept any liability whatsoever for other-make spare parts and accessories.

Would anyone care to post the Federal law/s, or example/s of state-law which allow your warranty protection in cases of unauthorized maintenance?

[GTR350cc]

Don't be confused by two things: 1) Manufacturers booklets are not the law. They will warn but are not necessarily binding. And 2) There are not 'unauthorized' maintenance or parts. There are maintenance not done to BMW standards, parts not provided by BMW approved vendors, and work not performed to usual and customary standards.

It is both reasonable and wise for BMW not to warranty other manufacturers' parts, workmanship, or results. That notwithstanding, a claim for failure of a BMW part or procedure can still be brought under warranty. While BMW might try to wear you down between the dealer, the regional rep and the national corporate HQ, unless and until you take it to the last step: court, you'll never truly discover what is covered and what is not covered.

Still, dealer disputes most often work out to satisfy the customer (except of course those who really did exercise neglect or poor workmanship). I am unaware of any true service warranty denials other than Internet rants that obscure the facts and tend to paint the perp as the good guy and Corporate as the bad guy.

I will leave it to you to research your own state law and the Uniform Commercial Code of the U.S., etc.

[pneuby]

.. a claim for failure of a BMW part or procedure can still be brought under warranty. While BMW might try to wear you down between the dealer, the regional rep and the national corporate ...disputes most often work out to satisfy the customer (except of course those who really did exercise neglect or poor workmanship)..

I agree. I was merely tossing in some info as a 'Devil's Advocate'.

I will leave it to you to research your own state law and the Uniform Commercial Code of the U.S., etc.

I have no desire to, but someone alluded to it earlier.

[wncbmw]

Owners manual and manufacturers and/or salesman's BS do not overrule the law! Unless they give you free service and parts, they can't require you to go back to the dealer for service.

(And contrary to what Mike posted above, I am not giving any rebates away!)

[Packrat]

You will not void your warranty. The Federal Protection is the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act. It is lengthy and not clear in its true form. It effectively states that as long as the maintenance, modification or whatever, does not CAUSE the warranty issue, the fact that it is done by a 3rd party using 3rd party parts, the manufacturer can not deny the warranty claim.

As an example, if I adjust my valves correctly, the manufacturer can not claim that that caused an oil pump failure - they must cover it. However, if I mis-adjust my valves and as a direct result, a part gets damaged, the manufacturer is NOT obligated to repair it under warranty. This also allows me to add 3rd party add on such as fog lights without affecting my entire warranty - electrical system may not be covered if the lights can be proven to have caused the failure.

Overall result of the act: I can use any oil as long as it meets the specified API rating, brake fluid, (all other fluids). I can do the maintenance myself or have a 3rd party do it. I can make modifications to the bike as long as they do not damage it. You might need to fight in court, but you are protected.

The following link if for a site that gives a little easier explanation of it.
http://pt-tuning.com/policies/Magn-Moss-Act.html