Reaxions, I don't disagree with you. If money is not an issue with you, then it really doesn't matter. Just go by Hennessy Jaguar/Land rover/Rolls Royce in Buckhead and take a look at some of the new Rolls Royces in for service that have been modded by their owners. OMG!! Can we say "Rolls Royce Hoopty"! Money is no object for them. Wealthy sports players do what they want to them and just toss them out when they get tired of them.

We're off to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz,
Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow the yellow-brick road.

 

I think most people know going in that modding a car is not a financially rewarding investment. I see no problem with modding, just understand a modded car will frequently bring less than a stock one. That said, my strategy is to do nothing that cannot be undone before I sell the car. I have historically had luck selling my mods for 1/2 (or better) their original price. That loss is something I am comfortable with if it results in my improved enjoyment of the car while I have it.

I think there is a distinction between an air filter and an axle back exhaust. Aftermarket air filters, mainly oil based ones, are known to eat hot wire MAFs. If you have a filter and your MAF goes bad, the filter is more likely than not the culprit. I can't see the same argument with the exhaust. That said, I am always interested in people's dealer experiences - not conjecture.

 

Customer satisfaction :-)

Over the years I turned a blind eye to umpteen owner modfications....most typically when it was a very good customer with a long history of loyalty to the dealership. Unpleasant, disloyal, or otherwise not golden customers didn't get the same treatment.

Beyond that, if it was a grey area as to whether or not a modifcation caused the problem, the customer always got the benefit of the doubt...with the blessing of the factory. They didn't want to pick fights unless they (and we) were 100% sure of winning.

But, Jaguar might be much more hard nosed than the manufacturers I represented over the years...and tough times mean the warranty expense is much more rigidly audited.

Cheers
DD

 

That's exactly my experience. I can never remember when an entire (factory) warranty was voided do to modifications. The area modified would be subject to voided coverage, but not the entire car.

The only cases I can remember where the entire factory warranty was outright voided were A) obvious flood damage and B) branded title

Service contracts/"extended warranties" are a different kettle of fish, as you mentioned.

Cheers
DD

 

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