Aftermarket 335i chargepipe and aftermarket warranty

[Matth5 471]

Have an Autosure warranty. My stock chargepipe exploded while pulling onto the motorway near Thames.

Had it towed to a workshop nearby and booked a rental to carry on my Coromandel trip. After finding that NOBODY has one in stock I drove back out to Thames from Auckland today in the rental and patched it with tape, in the rain, so that I could limp it home. Not fun.

Worked well enough, it held until Bombay where it popped off again (felt the sudden loss of power, hear a vibration at certain revs when accelerating, and 'engine malfunction' warning again). Pulled into the service station to apply more tape and managed to get it home with no more drama.

Just ordered a BMS one now.

Problem is I have an Autosure warranty. What's the best way to handle this? Would they be ok with this?

I have the BMW Performance Power kit software which does seem to increase the chances of them breaking so I don't really want to stick with the standard pipe.

If it's really an issue I suppose I could just keep the aftermarket one as a 'spare' and buy an OEM one too. Easy enough to swap them by the looks of it.

Edited January 18, 2016 by Matth5

[Andre3000 55]

Mate with autosure fitted a BMS after his blew in a 135i. Didn't void cover or hinder future claims. Also the stock charge pipes are sh*t regardless of the vehicles tune.

He was recommended to fit the alloy over standard from a certain Auckland Bmw specialist, go figure.

edit: pretty confident that Autosure essential will cover that pipe unsure if worth it with your excess though? If you need a claim and repair made with the aftermarket one let me know can easily arrange.

Edited January 18, 2016 by André3000

[hybrid 1043]

The charge pipe is the first weak link in the N54. The plastic collar a bit of a naff design. Go the alloy one and never look back.

[Stevie S 49]

Not worth making the claim. The charge pipe is super easy to fit, do it yourself.( no skill needed) so just the cost of the pipe, you policy excess is probably $300

[Matth5 471]

Mine's an N55. But same rule seems to apply. BMW didn't learn obviously.

Mate with autosure fitted a BMS after his blew in a 135i. Didn't void cover or hinder future claims. Also the stock charge pipes are sh*t regardless of the vehicles tune.

He was recommended to fit the alloy over standard from a certain Auckland Bmw specialist, go figure.

edit: pretty confident that Autosure essential will cover that pipe unsure if worth it with your excess though? If you need a claim and repair made with the aftermarket one let me know can easily arrange.

Good to know, thank you

Have ordered the BMS one with express shipping.

Was thinking I'd also have BM Workshop arrange and fit OEM one under warranty, to keep me safe from voiding the warranty. But I guess that's pointless?

Also, notice it also broke off by the red circled area. Could it be a sign the engine mounts are worn? I'm thinking engine movement could have broke it too.

Edited January 18, 2016 by Matth5

[Matth5 471]

Ok looks like I'm sorted. Some careful negotiating can get Autosure to be OK with it, as long as the mechanic vouches for it and is assured the intention is reliability, not supporting performance mods

[hybrid 1043]

well technically ... it can support a JB4 very well

[Matth5 471]

Haha I won't be using a JB4. The BMW performance software is enough for me, made a great improvement itself!

[Matth5 471]

Took the intake apart to do a stronger and cleaner repair. Tape + silicone wrap topped off with a metal clamp. At least now I can drive normally while I wait for the new part

Edit: Found the throttle body clip! Saw a glimpse of something metal in a deep corner behind the engine. Managed to lean over the engine and reach in to grab it, was attached to the chunk of the charge pipe that blew off.

In other news, my repair holds the pipe on fine, but can't quite hold the boost so car still goes into reduced power mode if I push it.

Edited January 23, 2016 by Matth5

[Stevie S 49]

Took the intake apart to do a stronger and cleaner repair. Tape + silicone wrap topped off with a metal clamp. At least now I can drive normally while I wait for the new part

cp repair 2.jpg

Edit: Found the throttle body clip! Saw a glimpse of something metal in a deep corner behind the engine. Managed to lean over the engine and reach in to grab it, was attached to the chunk of the charge pipe that blew off.

In other news, my repair holds the pipe on fine, but can't quite hold the boost so car still goes into reduced power mode if I push it.

Would you like to borrow my stock one in the meantime?

[Matth5 471]

Appreciate the offer Steve but I'm ok now

Your one is likely an N54 though? Wouldn't fit.

My BMS pipe just arrived (branded 'CPE'...).

One issue is that it requires the rubber o-ring from the original pipe. Mine is gone. Anyone know where I can get one? Would Repco or Supercheap have one that fits?

Edited January 24, 2016 by Matth5

[HaNs 226]

Appreciate the offer Steve but I'm ok now

Your one is likely an N54 though? Wouldn't fit.

My BMS pipe just arrived (branded 'CPE'...).

One issue is that it requires the rubber o-ring from the original pipe. Mine is gone. Anyone know where I can get one? Would Repco or Supercheap have one that fits?

Places like hyrdalink or blackwoods might have one thats right

[Matth5 471]

Places like hyrdalink or blackwoods might have one thats right

Oh Hydralink is pretty close to my office, will stop by there, thanks

[Matth5 471]

They didn't have it. Ended up paying $16 for one (which isn't a perfect fit) from Seal Imports.

Suspect I've been well ripped off but didn't want to wait...

[HaNs 226]

They didn't have it. Ended up paying $16 for one (which isn't a perfect fit) from Seal Imports.

Suspect I've been well ripped off but didn't want to wait...

Ah yes thats the other place.

Can confirm you got bent over haha. Last time i got 50 small ones for about $12

[Matth5 471]

Ah yes thats the other place.

Can confirm you got bent over haha. Last time i got 50 small ones for about $12

LOL last time I go there.

Oh well, can't wait to install it. Feels nice and tough, and it looks good

Edited January 25, 2016 by Matth5

[Matth5 471]

Got it in. Was an absolute mission to wrestle it on, now I know why BMW prefers plastic pipes - the flexibility makes them much easier to install.

The o-ring I bought was too thick and made it impossible to get the pipe on. Pretty ridiculous that BMS can't include an o-ring with it...

I used 1 layer of insulation tape around the throttle body instead, 2 layers of tape wouldn't even fit. The fitment on the BMS pipe is so tight though, even with no seal I can't see much, if any, air seeping out.

Seems air tight, worked well on my drive to work.

I'll log the boost levels when I have time to thrash it just to make sure.

Edited January 25, 2016 by Matth5