Breaking CPO Warranty?

[ShoeDog]

All -

Quick question ... I have an '02 X5 (3.3i) and I'm going to need some CPO work done on it (see below) next week from the Dealer. However, I'm going to have an oil change done from an independent shop the day before for a few reasons (see below).

Question is: Will having the oil change done by an independent break my CPO warranty in anyway? My CPO is a Warranty, not a maintenance Warranty, so the CPO doesn't cover oil, brakes, etc.

Backstory:

So on Tuesday I took my X5 into the dealer to have a nail removed from RR tire and also have them top off my oil since the light was coming on. They did all this and then came back with the following items that they said needed to be fixed (soon):

1. Replace belts ($193)
2. Replace Front bushings ($261)
3. Replace C.V. Boot ($1,000)
4. Fix Power Steering leak ($234)
5. Replace both Front ($680) and Rear brakes ($548)

So I asked them, "I was in for my Insp II in March (7,000 miles ago), wouldn't this stuff have been discovered then?" The answer, "Well, it's been all summer, blah, blah, blah" So basically, no answer.

I then asked, "Isn't some of this covered under my CPO?" (which runs out in December) and he goes, "Oh, yeah, well the CV boot and the Power Steering would be covered." I'm thinking, well ... gee, glad I asked since that alone was $1200.

So I set up an appt to do just the CV boot and the Power steering next week since those are under the CPO and will only cost me a $50 deduct.

I then called a local shop, Autohaus Bayern here in Beaverton, OR and talked with them. A buddy at work has used them a lot and likes them. Basically they can do all the other stuff (brakes, etc) for a lot cheaper. He said, "bring it in for an oil change on tuesday and we'll look at the other stuff mentioned and I'll let you know if a) it truly needs to be done and b) when it needs to be done. He said, the brakes for example, I might have another 6 months on them as the light is not even on yet. (note: the dealer recommended getting them done, but didn't say that "had" to be done right this minute).

So I just want to make sure that getting the oil changed by the Indie dealer on Tuesday doesn't screw up my CPO warranty for the CV boot and Pwr Steering work being done by the Dealer on Wed.

Any input would be great. Nothing like going in for a flat tire fix and coming out with $2800 worth of work to be done. ugh.

[jayjay_dee]

i dont think so...

[Boston X5 4.4]

Oil change at indie has no impact on that CPO work. Many people here change the oil themselves or at an indie in between BMW scheduled oil changes. Furthermore, if the indie uses OEM filter the dealership will never know.

I would get the boot and steering leak fixed at dealership and get the rest checked/done at the indie.
Are you positive that the dealership is covering the boot repair under CPO - it is not covered if you follow the terms of CPO to the letter although many dealers have covered it and seems to vary based on the dealership and your relationship with them. Just don't want them to come to you and say - oh we made a mistake and its not covered heres a bill for....

[Aimster]

You can do repairs yourself.

You can even mod your car.

In order for warranty to be void they have to show you neglected the car and that the oil change you did was part of the failure that you are requesting to get fixed under CPO.

[motordavid]

What the previous posters all said to you is on the ball...
typical Stlr crap trying to noogie up a list
of "things to fix", some of which aren't on
the famous CPO "warranty". The SAs and,
some techs, are famous for drumming up
high margin, non-warranty covered work.

GL, and let us know the outcome.
BR,mD

[ShoeDog]

Thanks for the info everyone!

Yes, I will double check the CPO coverage on the CV boot. When I was there, I specifically said, "You know I have CPO coverage" and he said, "Is it Maintenance" and I said, "No just the warranty, not covering maintenance." He looked at my account and then said that the CV Boot and the Power Steering would be covered, less the $50.00 deductible, but all the other things would not.

But I will follow your advice and double check because you are right, I'll pissed if I have them do the work and the come back saying, "Oh you know what ... "

[Kendall]

Originally Posted by ShoeDog

Thanks for the info everyone!

Yes, I will double check the CPO coverage on the CV boot. When I was there, I specifically said, "You know I have CPO coverage" and he said, "Is it Maintenance" and I said, "No just the warranty, not covering maintenance." He looked at my account and then said that the CV Boot and the Power Steering would be covered, less the $50.00 deductible, but all the other things would not.

But I will follow your advice and double check because you are right, I'll pissed if I have them do the work and the come back saying, "Oh you know what ... "

CV boot is NOT covered under CPO, although I have heard very rare instances where people had it covered (with a very generous SA).. it is a rubber component and considered "wear and tear"... As for the brakes, you can do much better at an indy... I'm not sure what kind of relationship you have at your dealer, but that's a very hefty repair bill replacing all that stuff... As long as you check your CV boots and brakes periodically (ie. no visible cracks in the rubber, brakes nearly worn out or excessive squealing), I see no reason why you should replace them... Sounds like you have a very aggressive service advisor looking to make some extra $$$...

BTW- power steering leak should be covered under CPO...

[ShoeDog]

Thanks Kendall -

Very strange that he would have checked my coverage and specifically stated that the CV boot and Power Steering were covered. In fact when I said, "Wow, glad that at least the CV boot is covered since that is $1,000" he said, "yeah, that's pretty big."

I have a call into the service manager that I have a longer relationship with (the SA I had never dealt with) and she tried calling me back 4 times when I was away from my desk, so it will be interesting to see what she says.

The indie shop said the CV boot was like a $300-400 job, certainly not a $1,000 unless they were doing a whole lot more work.

I baby this car, always have, so I'm a bit shocked at most of this. Sure the brakes wear out, I understand that - but all the other stuff there really hasn't seemed to be a reason it's all happening all of a sudden.

It will be interesting to see what the indie shop say's on Tuesday.

[Kendall]

Originally Posted by ShoeDog

Thanks Kendall -

Very strange that he would have checked my coverage and specifically stated that the CV boot and Power Steering were covered. In fact when I said, "Wow, glad that at least the CV boot is covered since that is $1,000" he said, "yeah, that's pretty big."

I have a call into the service manager that I have a longer relationship with (the SA I had never dealt with) and she tried calling me back 4 times when I was away from my desk, so it will be interesting to see what she says.

The indie shop said the CV boot was like a $300-400 job, certainly not a $1,000 unless they were doing a whole lot more work.

I baby this car, always have, so I'm a bit shocked at most of this. Sure the brakes wear out, I understand that - but all the other stuff there really hasn't seemed to be a reason it's all happening all of a sudden.

It will be interesting to see what the indie shop say's on Tuesday.

$300-400 for a CV boot job is dirt cheap... Define "job"..... that could be only for one side... or only the outer boots... There are both inner and outer, and if you replace them both, that's at least 4 hours or so in labor + parts... Indies are cheaper than the dealer but not 70% cheaper..