Hey guys. I am looking to purchase 07 997 which has about 9 months original warranty left. Apparently, the owner has upgraded ECU software which yields more horse power. As per my knowledge, mod like this supposed to void warranty, but the owner said it it is switchable and I just need to turn it off before I go to the dealership for any warranty service. Any idea? I have asked him to do PPI and DME scan before I commit to buy.

 

What software is it? APR? Softronic?

 

Some ECU mods will let you flash back to the stock code. However, the dealer can still see that it has been flashed.

Legally under Magnuson-Moss , the manufacturer must specifically prove that the mod you made is the reason why there was damage in order to deny warranty claims.

In practice, Porsche has in fact used ECU flashes as an excuse to deny some warranty claims, so it's up to you to decide whether you want to risk it / fight them / etc.

(the same thing could be said of track days)

 

It is APR.

 

Nine months left is not a long time. And on an 07 you shouldn't have any problems. Now if it was an 09 with more time left I would stay away as you could end up screwed in a year and then be out lots of $$$ due to the void.

 

understood, but in case i run into issue right after purchase, i don't want my warranty claim to be denied because of this mod.

 

BTW, what is the process of reversing ECU upgrade? Would it cost a lot of $$$? Personally, i like stock car with no mod. I feel p-cars are great already and don't need any mod.

 

Before having my TT flashed by Evoms in October, I called the closest P-dealer and asked the service manager for his opinion. He said if the warranty claim was unrelated to the ECU flash, they would honor it. If it was related to the flash, obviously PCNA is not in the business of fixing problems that someone else created. So I guess, "it depends" and probably has something to do with how "friendly" your dealer is towards modifications in general.

 

That I understand. I was only saying it is much less of a risk since its only 9 months.

You would have to bring it to a Tuner to have them reflash it. So yes it would cost you money.

And you will be suprised how slow the car feels after 6 months. If the mod bu bites, everyone wants more power.

Well yes. If the suspension has a problem it wont be void. If your trans. goes south it wont be void. But if something happens to you engine they will look at the ECU and most of the time point to the modified entries. Thus the void begins.

 

I can see a case where a dealer would say ECU flash put extra strain on the transmission and therefore use it as an excuse to deny a tranny warranty claim...maybe even as far as suspension problems, but radio going out, probably not.

 

It's a short term warranty so I wouldn't worry too much about it. How many miles do you think you will put on the car and under what circumstances in that 9 month period? I would want/require a PPI including a DME readout. If no abuse is shown in the DME readout that might sway me to not worry about the flash.