OK, I've bought my new car - still thinking about the Stage 1 ECU from APR at this stage, but from feedback here and on other forums it looks like it's 99.999% likely to void the warranty, assuming the dealer finds out. There may be a 0.001% chance that I'll find a dealer who won't care, but it seems to be a long shot.

So what I'd like to know is - how "easy" is it for a dealer to find out that I have a Stage 1 APR chip installed if I take the car in for scheduled maintenance? I understand that the APR ECU chip has a stock v chipped mode that can be installed, and a lockout mode to prevent someone else from fiddling with it, but I read somewhere that a dealer can "read" the number of times that the ECU has been flashed or whatever and can then come up with a conclusion from there. Is this check something that is routinely done during a normal scheduled maintenance, or is it only done in cases when the car is taken in for some engine/turbo damage, etc? (IE are they trying to catch people out as part of standard procedure now)

I guess what I'm really asking, if I decide to get a Stage 1 APR chip (or one from another maker), can I get away with keeping my warranty, or are the two mutually exclusive? APR seem to suggest on their site that their stock vs chipped thing is nearly foolproof, but of course they would say that. I really want to get it chipped but I need to weigh up the pros and cons - I still have 2 years and 38000 miles of the factory warranty left.

I realise this is subjective, and that YMMV, but I'd love to hear some personal experiences which will help my decision.

 

Anyone?

 

Giving a bump to this thread because as a newb I've been TRYING to research this issue myself without asking the same old usual questions and being annoying...

However, this is the second thread that I found that "promised" to answer my own questions about the Stage 1 APR and warranty -primarily has ANYONE actually had their warranty voided or a claim denied because a dealer discovered they have an ECU upgrade done?

I've read innumerable posts in different threads about how:
1. ECU upgrade won't/can't be found
2. Its easily found
3. Techs don't look for it as a standard procedure
4. If found, the dealer has to prove the ECU chip caused the damage
5. If found, the dealer will DEFINITELY void the warranty...

Lots of conflicting info (as you always find on an enthusiast forum).

But, the real question remains: has anyone had their claim or warranty voided/denied by a dealer because the dealer discovered an ECU upgrade? Or know anyone personally (not anecdotely) who has? And, if so, was the discovery specifically because the dealer discovered the ECU change - or did they notice other mods and voided/denied on that basis?

Thanks in advance for any info anyone can provide.

 

i can't say if they will void you or not, but if you go with the +1 setup you need injectors also which won't be too hard to miss.

 

i would get the 1+ its a huge improvement and makes the car a blast to drive again! dont get stock programming... you wont ever use it and if u think about it... the dealer isnt going to driving your car off the parking lot... the blue injectors wont be a huge flag... if u are that worried about, get a sharpie and color them black

also it can only void related items.. IE a window switch going out wont be void because of the injectors

 

stacks

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I think the dealer makes you sign a waiver that says you don't havea chip/programming so they can flash the ECU. So you will have to let them know it is chipped or they will erase it. I am about to get this done to my car and I varified with the guys doing it they said if the dealer ever were to erase the apr programing by upgrading your ecu or so, we will re-program it for free! Check before you buy!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

how do you do a quote? thatone just screwed up bigtime ^^^^^^^^I am about to get this done to my car and I varified with the guys doing it they said if the dealer ever were to erase the apr programing by upgrading your ecu or so, we will re-program it for free! Check before you buy!!!!!!!!!!!!