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Is coding classified as a modification?

  • 20-09-2020 8:26pm
    #1
    Orderofchaos
    Registered Users Posts: 111 ✭✭


    Recently bought a new to me 520d and an obd Bluetooth dongle. I downloaded Bimmercode app and want to make some changes to lighting, mirrors etc. It also allows me to get Sports Automatic Transmission functionality. Are these classified as mods by insurance companies?


Comments

  • #2
    Fitz II
    Registered Users Posts: 2,527 ✭✭✭Fitz II


    Yes.


  • #3
    Orderofchaos
    Registered Users Posts: 111 ✭✭Orderofchaos


    Fitz II wrote: »
    Yes.

    Elaborate a bit please. Are you speaking from experience or speculating?


  • #4
    Orderofchaos
    Registered Users Posts: 111 ✭✭Orderofchaos


    For instance the passenger mirror tilts to 70 degrees when the car is put into reverse, changing the angle to 50 degrees allows me to see more clearly.


  • #5
    Truckermal
    Registered Users Posts: 6,048 ✭✭✭Truckermal


    Modify would be described adding a piece of hardware to a Car like a tuning box etc etc.


  • #6
    mikeecho
    Registered Users Posts: 5,030 ✭✭✭mikeecho


    If the car is modified from how it came from the factory line.. then yes, it's modified.

    Whether or not the insurance company is bothered by such minor changes, is up to the individual insurance company.


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  • #7
    walshtipp
    Registered Users Posts: 333 ✭✭walshtipp


    Truckermal wrote: »
    Modify would be described adding a piece of hardware to a Car like a tuning box etc etc.

    Doesn't have to be hardware. A remap would be counted as a modification for example.


  • #8
    Fitz II
    Registered Users Posts: 2,527 ✭✭✭Fitz II


    If you have changed the car in any way, so it no longer is as the manufacturer intended then you have modified it. Doesn't matter if its software, tires, suspension, body kit or anything else. You should inform your insurer.....most people dont but technically you should and it would invalidate your insurance if this modification somehow lead to a malfunction and you claimed on your insurance.

    As I said most people dont bother making a big deal of this.


  • #9
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,612 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    Fitting an aftermarket stereo could be a material mod if it made the car more attractive to a potential thief.


  • #10
    mikeecho
    Registered Users Posts: 5,030 ✭✭✭mikeecho


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    Fitting an aftermarket stereo could be a material mod if it made the car more attractive to a potential thief.

    Or if it caught fire... I've seen a few dodgy installs of head units and accompanying sub woofers, that ended up in flames.


  • #11
    tcawley29
    Registered Users Posts: 1,829 ✭✭✭tcawley29


    mikeecho wrote: »
    Or if it caught fire... I've seen a few dodgy installs of head units and accompanying sub woofers, that ended up in flames.

    How were they dodgy? Exposed wires? Just curios really


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  • #12
    grogi
    Registered Users Posts: 8,615 ✭✭✭grogi


    tcawley29 wrote: »
    How were they dodgy? Exposed wires? Just curios really

    High resistance on connectors on power carrying cables. This results in more power being lost at those points, which brings up their temperature and introduces fire hazard.


  • #13
    tcawley29
    Registered Users Posts: 1,829 ✭✭✭tcawley29


    grogi wrote: »
    High resistance on connectors on power carrying cables. This results inmore power being lost at those points, which brings up their temperature and introduces fire hazard.

    Cool, good to know. Thanks

    I suppose wherever possible use correct conversion leads.

    If though one had to cut and solder (neatly) is that okay?


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