Paddles and Pitfalls - Do car mods screw your warranty ? 

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Petrol ped we have just bought the green 2019 mini clubman jcw you had in Belgium! The one you had for 3 months lol

Your story of the lights coming on the dash and into limp mode reminded me of when my son fitted a well-known air filter brand to his 6 month old BMW M140i - a small piece of plastic came off the filter and was ingested by the turbo/engine - lights came on, car into limp mode and off it went to BMW. They took it apart and established that the air filter was the cause of the problem and consequently, his warranty was void and would not cover any repair/replacement parts - also, as the car was leased, to get it back under manufacture warranty they would have to undertake the work and replace the turbo, manifold and other bits that had been affected - the bill...North of £7k!!!! Lesson learnt (of course, he should have taken the filter off before they collected it and they would have been none the wiser!)

Yes is the answer - before Ive even watched the vid ! - my Porsche dealer made it quite clear to me, if I change my back box silencer for an after market system my warranty will be at risk, not only now but for the whole life of the car should anyone else in the future wish to put a Porsche warranty on it. - excellent video Pete

You're right to mention the finance situation. Another RU-vidr who modified their new BMW under warranty and finance was forced to pay immediately for the car in full! Being an M Comp, I guess it was a rather large bill....as well as no warranty!

I think your You Tube profile would certainly have helped with your warranty claim not so sure Jo Public would have the same outcome. Just a thought.

I think those paddles look great! Got my brand new Clubman JCW turning up on Monday!! Same colour scheme as yours but without the go-faster stripes. Cannot wait. Cheers for the videos!!!

Regarding mods, I would be more concerned about invalidating my insurance if I wrote my car off and it was assessed by insurance company. I know you mentioned this in the video. 👍

Awesome content as usual Sir. The shifters look like a very good addition to the car and appear to be good quality too. Pleased to hear you have had a positive experience with MINI warranty, a heart stopping moment I’m sure. Great to see more JCW Clubman content, I’m a huge fan of your car as you well know. I’m still enjoying my 3 pot Clubman Cooper Exclusive, although a much slower beast, I’ve no regrets on the purchase; all thanks to your influence on the brand and model. Take care Pete and all the Peddlerz.

Because of your reviews of the Mini Clubman JCW I have recently got my own in order. Looking forward to collecting it soon! Keep up the great content.

Hi Pete I think the best advice is don’t do any mods on your car until the warranty has finished and you own it.😀

Been looking at a set of those paddle shifters for the clubby for ages just couldn’t pull the trigger . Awesome vid as usual. 🤘🏻

You are lucky to have a compliant dealer Ped. Many dealers would have rejected your claim as i believe BMW have asked UK dealers to check all cars coming in for service or repairs for modifications to inform them. 😳 How true this is, i do not know. A lot of dealers know their repeat customers very well so I'm sure they turn a blind eye to their mods as so many people mod their cars these days. Dealers wouldn't have many repeat customers if they started telling tales on their best customers. 😉 Another interesting video. 👍

Hi Pete. Picking up my new Clubman Cooper S tomorrow, first Mini ever bought after watching your channel all year. I've had it totally de chromed so in all black and paddle shifters would finish it off nicely , fingers crossed. Keep up the good work, love watching the channel.

Great video! One of the big sales claims for manufacturer backed performance upgrades such as Cooper Worrks was always that they didn't affect the warranty.

On my 2016 Mercedes A220d AMG line. I wanted a bit more power from the 2.2. But you cannot touch the engine while its still under warranty. Or so i thought. After speaking with my dealer, i was able to fit a "Brabus D2 Tuning package". This is mercedes approved and does not effect the Warranty. The jump to 460NM in a little A class was excellent, which actually made some in-gear acceleration times faster than the W176 A45 !.

Great video with good Information. Thank you Sir Pete for this video and sharing your experience. Very happy for you that you didn’t void your warranty

Great looking paddles. I may have to get a set for my 2020 Clubman! As always, your content is excellent.

Been looking forward to this one! People ask me and the answer is normally, "it depends" but will be good to see what you have to offer!

Hi Ped- Another interesting video and good information about warranty claims after mods have been carried, sometimes Dealers & OEM will not support the claim. Also an important concern would be your insurance in the event of an accident, it was good you explained this in your video.

Hi, I purchased a new car this year and today took delivery of a new puppy. It was a very similar process. I researched the model, found the best dealer, did a pre delivery inspection, had it registered and got it insured. This resulted in an Audi S3 Black Edition and today a white miniature Schnauzer.

Great Vid as always- new to this channel but loving the vids! Keep up the great work!

Glad your dealer and mini 🇬🇧 looked after you on that one Pete ! Great vid 👍🏻

Evening Pedro,great last video,always good to tell the masses,that any modifications have to be made clear to your insurance company.And may I draw tour attention to the guys at Retropower cars,they turn out some amazing stuff,and could well be worth a visit 😀keep up the good work,stay safe.Stu in Shrewsbury

Excellent info and content as usual. Never owned a Mini before, but seriously considering a Clubman next year, your leading me astray sir 😂.

Another interesting video - love the Clubman. I work as a Warranty Administrator and what you said is good advice. Manufacturers cannot really reject a warranty claim just because the car is modified, only if they can prove that the modification has caused the issue. So if you have a stage 2 engine tune for example then they can’t reject a claim for paintwork or infotainment etc. It does however depend on the dealers as they are exposed to the repair costs until the claim is paid so some may be cautious. Taking it back to the dealer you bought to from is usually the best as they have a relationship with the customer. Like you said it is best to be a bit cautious when the car is in warranty. Thanks again for all the great content.

I would think that Mini would be willing to assist you if anything went wrong given all the positive material you put out their on social media about the brand. You should be on the payroll.

Loving the subtle mods you’re doing to your car mate! Great video too 😀

Have I commented in the first two hours?? I’d love some of those shifters for my JCW Clubman 👍🏻 Thanks once again for the great content.

Awesome vlog pete,mini clubman sounding amazing have a great weekend ,stay safe

Another great vid Pete. My wife hates it when I come back in limp home mode.

Great video pedro. It's not all about reviewing fast cars. This type of video is just as valuable to me. Very informative and interesting. Cheers. BTW I demo'd the BMW 330e M Sport these last few days......... Brilliant!

Top vid as always and useful info on the modding, Thanks for sharing.

Defiantly Considering those. The fact you don’t have to take the wheel off is great. 👍🏼

Great vid as always Pete... Just done the same on my F55 Cooper S. Love them.... But.... It's now a bit tight for the fingers on the wheel 🙄😁 I'll get used to it I'm sure 👍 thanks for the brilliant channel 😎

Hi Ped Very informative and good advice. Over the years with mods made to my cars always outside warranty period, you then know where you stand and who is going to pay.☹️

Hi Pete , I fancy a pair of these .. I look forward to this video, I’m interested in the warranty side of things . Keep up the good work, great vids 👍🏻

Those paddles would be awesome on the JCW I’ve just ordered 😉

Waiting for lockdown to finish to test drive a clubman JCW .... Cant wait. Good advice on the warranty

Great content as usual, love those flappy paddles. They would look great in my countryman SD 👍

Owning a JCW I’m particularly looking forward to this. & those shifter extensions would be cool!!!

Food for thought indeed but that’s stocking gifts sorted 😬😂 Thanks PP xx

This will be an interesting one, will watch as soon as I’m free!

I've often wondered about modifications as so many RU-vidrs meddle with brand new cars. I really love any of your videos about your Mini's. PS Not sure if I previously said, my 2020 F56 Cooper S does not have paddles. I think it's because it's the classic trim rather than the Sport or Exclusive trims. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Definitely good choice on the red. That could be my first mod on my new Clubman JCW

love the red paddles .our mini dealer quite good ,had warning message about low oil ,the dealer said it needed a software up date (all done under warranty),unlike our audi dealer they wanted payment just to look at anything

Good evening love the video. Yes sir you are right with the modifications everybody needs to be careful!!!! That’s why we get GP3 so we don’t need to do anything because the car it’s great straight away from the factory. And yes we get 2 of them one for me and one for her.

Good choice on the red levers. Look very special. Don't worry about writing my name down for the comp this week as I'm an MX5 man! Saves you a bit of ink :)

Thanks petrol ped. Just ordered a pair of paddle shifters for my JCW. Cheers.

Great video ped, im always worried about doing modifications and messing with warranties and insurance.

Interesting video, I have had 3 cars on PCP and will never go down that route again my present car is on a standard loan and I will be keeping my car, it was a used low mileage car. When I bought my 1st car we modified our cars as it was very easy to do so. No electronics in the cars, my first car a Mk2 Escort didn't even have power assisted steering, I purchased a SparkRite electronic ignition system that clamped onto the ignition coil and improved the spark to the plugs. I used to change the oil to Castrol GTX. Those were the days.. My mate had a British Racing Green mini and he changed the seats, steering wheel and put spacers on the wheels and put arch extensions on.. The cars were not quick but boy did we have fun, learning to do hand brake turns which were great in the snow and ice. How I miss those cars.

Order myself some of those mugs. I ordered the four set of Senna’s Car colours and helmet. Can’t wait for them to turn up.

Even with a full service history some manufacturers like Ssangyong it’s even hard to get items replaced under the warranty, i own a Ssangyong Tivoli top of the range and my touchscreen system shuts down when I connect my mobile to the usb, been fighting them for years on this and getting nowhere. I’ve learned the hard way stay away from Ssangyong, It’s great how mini has replaced your part under warranty and no hassle to get it done they definitely know how to treat their customers unlike Ssangyong

Worth talking to your dealer first for mechanical mods. Paddle shifters look so much better in red. Still love the union jack rear lights and the Remus exhaust sounds great 👍

Loving the mods! I still have quite a bit to do on mine... custom striping and blackout of the chrome is on the list. I still can't believe that mini doesn't sell a kit to remove the chrome trim!!!

Peter...good advice again. I am one who had the “tyre” experience. My Freelander could only be fitted with Continentals because nobody else made the size but on the Discovery Sport, that came with Continentals again but when I renewed them I found Michelin now offered a choice and I prefer them after decades of driving on them since my Dad’s VW in 1956 (SDS back then!).However....I read that my insurers wanted to know...no increases or problems but if I had not, it was a way of querying my policy in the event of a claim. I do wonder though...if a set of PS4’s would fit, that might be a very different t matter! Stay safe...enjoy the Mini...a good friend had one recently as a Service Loan car from BMW and was very impressed....I think their Fiat 500 commuter might be getting an upgrade! Byeee...Richard 😀😀😀😀

Great video as always! As for those paddle shifters.... ooh yes please!

Ped... The paddle shifters look sexy, nice upgrade! Although, I do liked the ones that needed the steering wheel being removed though! With regards to the Drivetrain issue you had come up on your car, and taking it to Mini who diagnosed and replaced that part you mentioned, the likelyhood is that there was nothing wrong with it and mostlikely sensor related. The drivetrain issues could be anything, it is a bit unerving when you see it for the first time! The Eventuri air filter is also increasing your horsepower slightly, those things are good for 15 to 25bhp increase depending on the car, one of the reasons they are so expensive and that is probably your issue, but not a problem. The sensors on your car and looking for readings within certain perametres. I have an ECU box, plug and play, on my 2015 F56, which has been there since the car was new. Every couple of weeks it will trigger a light on the dash, usually an engine light, and very rarely I will get the drivetrain light and limp mode. With the engine light, the codes are related to the air pressure sensor on the manifold, intake and out and the drivetrain issue, the culprit is usually the peddle/excellerator, when you put your foot down really aggressively when you drive like you stole it! Anyhow, I would not be surprised if you get that same issue again. I purchased a Code Reader about a year after i got my car. The Code Reader I have will read any car for general issues, however it has a section for BMW's which identifies the exact issue. When a code comes up, I plug it in and read it, check to make sure that there are no other new issues, outside the ones mentioned above, then clear! I have been doing that for the duration that I have owned my pocket rocket, and have had not had any mechanical issues with the car. They are pretty much bullet proof.

I looked at these the other day, thought they would look great

Love the paddles, works well with the cars colours 👍🏼

Nice video Pedro; have a good weekend 👍

Great stuff, really enjoy your content 👍🏼

Morning Ped. I like the paddles and yes I think the red looks best. Unfortunately my Cooper Sport is a manual so the other sets no use to me. Another great and very poignant video. Cheers

Good evening all. I think what you said in the video is how all the dealerships I know, work with the cars warranty. I think red is the better colour option.

Great entertainment and very informative keep up the the good work pete

Modern cars are so sensitive to lights coming on for absolutely no reason glad you were ok with warranty was looking forward to you visiting lohen to release more horses but not now to risky with warranty all the best.

Same Clubman is mine, would love to see one of those!

Excellent video, love the red paddles!

Hi Ped, nice video as always!

Evening all. Looking forward to this one ☝️

Great video Pete, thanks.

Warranty not my issue but finance (PCP) will be! Insurance covers any cosmetic changes (I don't need more power, happy with stock M140i B58!). My mantra is do mods that are reversible. Thanks for your thoughts on the subject.

Made me laugh about Sports mode as I’m always in Green - really must try Sports more often 🤣

looks good with the paddle extenders on

Love all the videos 👍 keep it up 👍

Really hoping the eventuri (Sp?) intake will be available through a dealer in the states soon. My 2021 JCW clubman is in the production queue- finally! And I so want to get the intake done on it! 🤞 those paddle shifters are sweet! Love how they play off the red stitching on the JCW steering wheel. ❤️

Thanks for that Ped, a real informative vid. 👍 I want to change my exhaust when I get my new car (A45s) as my VW golf TDI 2018 sound better than it! I think that's one of the best mods you've done, they really suit the car 🤜💥🤛 Don't put me in the draw next wk Ped as I haven't got a mini, let one of the other paddlers have a better chance - give ur hand a rest 😂 Cheers fella 👍

Fantastic video as usual and very interesting!!! Thank you very much.....Stay safe

Hi Pete, bit late to the video this week, 2 days sorry 😞. Love the look of the new red paddles, hope the adhesive pads are good and strong lol.. I feel you've been neglecting Ruby off late, are you sure you don't want me to take care off her through the winter 😃 it's no trouble honestly 🤣. Take care mate 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🏁 PS you need to have a word with SMPS2012, serious lack of products for my R53 😞😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Hi Pete. Those red paddles certainly look good on Charlie

I have to admit I've modified quite a few of my cars before I've even owned them for 12 months. But since I drive them without insurance, warranties don't concern me. . . . Even the RC clubs I've belonged to haven't questioned the changes unless I put in a more powerful motor.

Interesting video One thing mentioning is never modify any car that is being rented via PCP. You may find that the is repossessed by the car manufacturer if you are found out to have modified the car Remember you never actually own the the car under PCp

RU-vidr's warranties are never refused. The VW dealer here refused electrical warranty just for changing my headlight bulbs.

Those paddle shifters would look awesome on my soon to be ordered, Petrol Ped inspired, 2021 JCW Clubman! 😁😁😎😎🤘🤘

Nice vidéo and let's go paddle shifters!!

Like the paint job on the clubman.

Greetings all... I heavily modified a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado .... the first mods happened a week after picking it up new from the dealer.... I had a chat with the dealer regarding warranty etc prior to purchase for some peace of mind, and never had a problem with any warranty claim.... mind you there were only a couple of claims and none were directly related back to any mods. As for insurance, I listed every mod and accessory for the insurer and eventually, after a few years, went to an insurer that covered all mods without any specifically being listed. Here in Australia it seems the insurance companies are a bit more relaxed about common mods and changes.

Spot on well explained Pete and another cracking Video 👍

Nice shifters, bought a JCW after watching your videos 😁

I’ll take a set for my F54 clubby, MERCI very much

Pick me I need some of those paddle😀 great video as usual. Steve waiting for Wednesdays mid week 180

Hi all hope everyone is ok ?..

thanks again petrol ped for another great vid and yes i agree the red is best cheers

Evening Pete another little great little mod.

really like this topic. Thanks

Love how you don’t need to remove airbag, that’s a nightmare job!

I love the extended shifters.

Hi Pete. Yeh, you just confirmed pretty much everything I suspected about modifying a car with finance on it. I recently settled my used car PCP on my now 5 year old RSQ3......I settled it early and saved about £900 in interest and have considered going down the modding route with the saving. But frankly, I just can't justify any performance mods....if 340 bhp and 0-60 in under 5 secs isn't enough on our roads, what is? It sounds great with the 5 pot engine, plenty of pops and bangs, so no real need for another exhaust, and it looks pretty good the way it is. Maybe just the wheels could do with a bit of a refurbish......no damage, just some brake dust staining. But yeh, it's good to be able to now have the option to modify....but not just for the sake of it.

Hi Ped, I keep an eye out how you get on with the paddles, have seen them before and tempted for my F54 JCW.

Actually managed to watch your vid at upload time 👍. Very curious to hear your warranty issues