Does a Tune Void CPO and/or Decrease Value on Resale?

[MH992NC]

I was curious if an APR stage 1 tune on a '21 992 S would void a CPO warranty and/or decrease value should I consider reselling down the road (in spring). I was torn on whether to get the tune or not. Love the sound and performance, but not sure if it's worth it if the value of the car will be worth less with it. For what it's worth, I don't track, and don't intend to, but I drive it like a 911 is supposed to be driven.

[Tom]

I was curious if an APR stage 1 tune on a '21 992 S would void a CPO warranty and/or decrease value should I consider reselling down the road (in spring). I was torn on whether to get the tune or not. Love the sound and performance, but not sure if it's worth it if the value of the car will be worth less with it. For what it's worth, I don't track, and don't intend to, but I drive it like a 911 is supposed to be driven.

A tune will not void the warranty in its entirety, but any problems caused by the tune would not be covered (with the dealer having the upper hand in that debate). If your clear coat starts to peel, for example, the warranty would still cover that. But an aftermarket tune would jeopardize coverage on anything drivetrain related. Here are the actual terms of the warranties by year:

https://www.porsche.com/usa/accessories ... /warranty/

See page 5 and 6 in the '21 manual saying the warranty does not cover 'parts that fail due to ...use of non-PCNA distributed parts' and 'modifications not authorized by PCNA.'

As for whether it affects market value, pretty hard to say for any particular car. Find the right buyer, and they may like the tune and pay extra for it. But, in general, if you sold a dozen bone stock cars and a dozen tuned cars, I'd wager you'd get more overall for the stock cars.

[blueline]

In addition to what Tom said, you should be able to re-flash the ECU back to stock on most (all?) aftermarket tunes. This is generally a fairly easy thing to do. Inquire with your preferred aftermarket vendor as to whether that's easily doable.

Technically, Porsche could void a drive train related failure if they knew a tune that they hadn't approved was present. Whether they'd do that or even try to detect if a tune was present is another story. Much would depend on circumstances surrounding the failure and your relationship with the Porsche dealer.

This is an issue that is purposely kept in a gray area to give Porsche the ability to make individual decisions based on a wide variety of circumstances while simultaneously covering all bases from a legal standpoint. Hence wording such as "Any modification to the vehicle may impair or disable its safety functions. Unauthorized work performed during the warranty period may result in claims being invalidated." (p8 of my 2022 992 svc manual)

Then there's this: "Have all service work and modifications to the vehicle performed exclusively by an authorized Porsche dealer. This ensures that your vehicle remains reliable and safe to drive, and that no consequential damage occurs to your vehicle." If the dealer does the work and if you aren't asked to sign a disclaimer, then I'd guess that you'd be in the clear.

[blueline]

In addition, I would imagine that Porsche could extend warranty denials to a variety of aftermarket alterations if they wanted to get ugly and intractable about it but that would risk potentially serious consumer complaints and backlash.

In addition to tunes, "unauthorized" alterations could could potentially include PCM programming, brake component changes, suspension upgrades, etc., etc. Personally, I don't think Porsche would push any issue too far unless a catastrophic failure that was directly attributable to a non-stock upgrade.

But, the fact remains that Porsche would hold most or all of the cards in any situation like that.

[Tom]

In addition to what Tom said, you should be able to re-flash the ECU back to stock on most (all?) aftermarket tunes. This is generally a fairly easy thing to do. Inquire with your preferred aftermarket vendor as to whether that's easily doable.

Technically, Porsche could void a drive train related failure if they knew a tune that they hadn't approved was present. Whether they'd do that or even try to detect if a tune was present is another story. Much would depend on circumstances surrounding the failure and your relationship with the Porsche dealer.

This is an issue that is purposely kept in a gray area to give Porsche the ability to make individual decisions based on a wide variety of circumstances while simultaneously covering all bases from a legal standpoint. Hence wording such as "Any modification to the vehicle may impair or disable its safety functions. Unauthorized work performed during the warranty period may result in claims being invalidated." (p8 of 992 svc manual)

Then there's this: "Have all service work and modifications to the vehicle performed exclusively by an authorized Porsche dealer. This ensures that your vehicle remains reliable and safe to drive, and that no consequential damage occurs to your vehicle." If the dealer does the work and if you aren't asked to sign a disclaimer, then I'd guess that you'd be in the clear.

All fair and practical points. My answer was overly influenced by my background I think. When asked if something is legal or permitted by contract, force of habit makes me answer that way. Whether you can get away with something is an entirely different question. That same background makes me question the enforceability of some of the warranty exceptions -- the FTC makes clear, for example, that you can use third-party parts and services without voiding your warranty, but if you read Porsche's terms you'd sure think otherwise. I guess a bad dealer could argue everything from a failed engine to global warming was caused by Jiffylube, but Porsche can't per se void coverage just because you went there -- even if some of their language might make you think so.

https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/auto- ... ntiesfacts

[Stormy_Monday]

My indi shop told me not to make any changes to my GTS 4.0 that could give the dealer any excuse to deny a warranty claim. I would also bet that somewhere there is a checksum value that can be checked for SW changes.

[WillyDaP]

Having worked with Performance Cars on and off for 30+ years I can honestly say forget all the arguments and rationale ( like using the Moss -Magnuson Act ) and leave the tune for after you are out of warranty!

A tune paints a broad brush and can void a zillion items if a Dealer wants to press , as it can be said the extra power or torque stressed parts which were not designed for the changes. We can argue all we want, but ask your Service Advisor and 90% of the time they will tell you it will come up on their diagnosis and then it is out of their hands, the car is marked.

[blueline]

My indi shop told me not to make any changes to my GTS 4.0 that could give the dealer any excuse to deny a warranty claim. I would also bet that somewhere there is a checksum value that can be checked for SW changes.

And that's yet another reason that I've let the Porsche dealer make the track and performance upgrades to the GT4.

And I'd agree to the checksum and other methods that could be utilized to seek out ECU flashes and other recoverable changes or alterations (there are countless bits of info), but Porsche is going to want to go after someone pretty badly to go to those lengths. They are not routine.

All in all, if one wants to be truly secure in the knowledge that their warranty hasn't been weakened, don't make changes or absent that, include the dealer in the game.

[Vernin]

My indi shop told me not to make any changes to my GTS 4.0 that could give the dealer any excuse to deny a warranty claim. I would also bet that somewhere there is a checksum value that can be checked for SW changes.

And that's yet another reason that I've let the Porsche dealer make the track and performance upgrades to the GT4.

And I'd agree to the checksum and other methods that could be utilized to seek out ECU flashes and other recoverable changes or alterations (there are countless bits of info), but Porsche is going to want to go after someone pretty badly to go to those lengths. They are not routine.

All in all, if one wants to be truly secure in the knowledge that their warranty hasn't been weakened, don't make changes or absent that, include the dealer in the game.

I have done some upgrades to my T.
After 8598 miles, My shift housing was feeling fatigued.
I had Porsche Install a Numeric Short Shifter.
It cost 300 dollars to install, does not void my warranty, and makes shifting my 911 T like shifting a GT3 or equivalent
I also put on a Sportshifters Shift Knob, custom-made, and it makes the already short shift 1.5 inches shorter. Each shift is crisp, short, and precise with no wiggle, or play when the shifter is in gear. The shift housing went from plastic and washers to A shift housing made out of Billet Aluminum, with ceramic bearings.
So quite the upgrade and the only upgrade I will do for the foreseeable future (5 years)

[blueline]

My indi shop told me not to make any changes to my GTS 4.0 that could give the dealer any excuse to deny a warranty claim. I would also bet that somewhere there is a checksum value that can be checked for SW changes.

And that's yet another reason that I've let the Porsche dealer make the track and performance upgrades to the GT4.

And I'd agree to the checksum and other methods that could be utilized to seek out ECU flashes and other recoverable changes or alterations (there are countless bits of info), but Porsche is going to want to go after someone pretty badly to go to those lengths. They are not routine.

All in all, if one wants to be truly secure in the knowledge that their warranty hasn't been weakened, don't make changes or absent that, include the dealer in the game.

I have done some upgrades to my T.
After 8598 miles, My shift housing was feeling fatigued.
I had Porsche Install a Numeric Short Shifter.
It cost 300 dollars to install, does not void my warranty, and makes shifting my 911 T like shifting a GT3 or equivalent
I also put on a Sportshifters Shift Knob, custom-made, and it makes the already short shift 1.5 inches shorter. Each shift is crisp, short, and precise with no wiggle, or play when the shifter is in gear. The shift housing went from plastic and washers to A shift housing made out of Billet Aluminum, with ceramic bearings.
So quite the upgrade and the only upgrade I will do for the foreseeable future (5 years)

Numeric makes some great products. I have their aluminum pedal set in the GT4 and absolutely love them - so much higher quality than what comes with the car.

viewtopic.php?t=1733&start=340#p26920