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Kia dealership workers are stunned by my Koup

5K views 31 replies 21 participants last post by  LiveReckless010 
#1 · (Edited)
I'm actually writing this in their waiting room lol.

So I pulled into the dealership for my oil change and all the workers come out and looks at my car. They were all like "Is that a Kia? That looks different." They noticed the emblems and were like "What's that?" I told them that I bought them off eBay and it's like the Korean OEM K badge. They were like "Man, those look sweet, maybe we should slap them on all of our cars" lol. They also asked about my rims. They asked if I bought the rims from them. I told them "Yeah...? They came with the car..." haha their faces were like "o_O?" Then I told them that it's just the SX rims with the silver parts taken off lol. I also told them about the SX-R package and basically that it is like the Spectra Tuner Package they sold but for the Koup. They said they haven't heard about it, of course, because it's a Canada exclusive. They said oh and they can probably order it for me but I said no because I know how much it costs lol. They asked me if anything was done to the engine and I said no. I told them that I was gonna ask the service manager later about adding a CAI to it. And will it void warranty or not. Wish me luck =]
 
#5 ·
They told me it's ok to do any kind of engine work to it just as long as what you do don't mess up the engine somehow or the cause of the problem. Basically if I put a CAI in it and the air sensor is messed up then I'm SOL. But if my tranny messes up they can't blame my CAI. Hopefully, I'll get my CAI this month =)
 
#7 ·
Good Idea!

OP, glad your service department is backing you...but it sounds like they don't really know the Koup/Forte. Might want to let them know about the ECM getting cooled by the intake box...my service manager knew, and said if I fried the ECU with an aftermarket intake (that didn't provide cooling air) they would not warranty it. Could be an issue later on if they knew you put a CAI in, had a problem with the ECU, and then corporate finding out about your problem and mod when they tried to turn it in for a warranty covered repair payment...my 2-cents.
 
#9 ·
All the more reason to do your own maintenance.

You actually trust your car to techs that can't even recognize it as a KIA? :eek:
LoL...Appears that they were confused because he took the Kia badges off the car and installed the "K" badges.
 
#10 ·
i went in to service with my nitrous they didnt say anything and i have a cai and loud exhaust the service guy actually liked my car wait until i get my koup front conversion and turbo by next year and i also won another trophy import other. 3rd place. last month i was at 2nd place.
 
#11 ·
But what happens if your head warps and they know you have a CIA mod, can't they use that against you? If I were you I would get that manager to signature stating that it isn't going to void any engine warranty only the sensor that he said wouldn't be covered.
 
#14 ·
A cai can't be the cause of a warp head.... Only overheating can cause that.

.... I know this, I was using it as a stupid example. Dealerships try to screw you and that's all I was pointing out. and poor deisgn can lead to warped head also like in the straight 5 colorado's. Just saying whats to stop them from trying to say you installed a non factory item on the car so now its not a factory set up and we only warranty factory cars. obviously the suspension wouldn't be touchable but I have seen dealerships go as far as saying because you put an intake, exhaust and chip on the car it created too much hp for that tranny to support so thats why it blew up on your.

I am just saying get it in writing!!! I'm taking my gfs car to the shop tomorrow to talk to a rep of from the dealership and I want to get all of what they will and won't cover cleared up. Like cia they won't cover the intake obviously and the sensor, exhaust they won't cover the mufflers or cat w/e. It's worth the hassle just getting their word isn't enough. A friend took his truck to a dealership with a lift on it and asked if they would still extend the warranty even though it was lifted. they said no its all covered no problem... he blew his tranny and they blamed it on the lift n said you SOL.

bottom line get it all in writing and your covered!
 
#13 ·
Yeah I forgot that bit. The service manager said just as long as you have an ECU bracket for the sensor then I'm good. He said he noticed that a lot of Mazda owners threw CAI into their cars and fried their sensors when he worked at the Mazda dealership.
 
#15 ·


Remember that KIA can say whatever they want because they are banking on the fact that you will not take them to court and pull in expert witnesses over most repairs. If you are driving a KIA chances are you don't have that much cash to pay attorneys and experts while you car sits unrepaired.

It would be up to you to prove in court what they claim is false. I'm not saying don't do mods...just know the ramifications and run it by your service manager. Get it in writing when possible.
 
#16 ·
Remember that KIA can say whatever they want because they are banking on the fact that you will not take them to court and pull in expert witnesses over most repairs. If you are driving a KIA chances are you don't have that much cash to pay attorneys and experts while you car sits unrepaired.

It would be up to you to prove in court what they claim is false. I'm not saying don't do mods...just know the ramifications and run it by your service manager. Get it in writing when possible.
+1 to that...but also get to know your service manager and bring a coffee to the receptionist whenever you go in for maintenance...be the guy that they're glad to have on their appointment schedule. I always went by, if you scratch my back, i'll scratch yours. I've heard a lot of bad stories about my local kia dealership but through my dealings with my '01 rio it's been nothing but great.

I imagine the people with bad stories are the people that hear a little squeek in their dash that can't be duplicated and come in threatening to take everyone and their mother to court if it's not fixed within the hour.
 
#17 ·
It appears that dealerships are all the same.
When it comes to anything other than stock, they typically have no idea or no interest.
I drive in to local dealerships and most of the new/used car sales staff go outside and start checking out the Koup SXR.

The most common reaction is "Wow, love the body kit and spoiler! Where did you get it?"
My response..."through your parts counter!"
Dealership response..."Wait a minute, we sell all these parts?"

BTW...it's interesting to hear other people's experience with dealerships regarding engine related mods. You'll need to make some good friends at the dealership that will back you up once something goes wrong....or else you can forgetaboutit!
 
#22 · (Edited)
Speaking on behalf of a dealership in Canada, quite a bit of the above is false.

Firstly, no service manager worth his wage will give you anything in writing regarding modifications being approved for warranty. He might as well turn that paper over and write his resignation. That's just giving you the power to run right over him, and I can't see how anyone would think that's a good idea.

Second, consumers (in Alberta at least) are protected by a ridiculously overbearing 'authority' called AMVIC that is supposed to arbitrate disputes but instead strong arms dealers into folding and eating costs customers should usually pay for damages outside of warranty. I'm pretty sure Alberta is not the only place in the world with something like this. Basically AMVIC says the customer is right - so they are right. Period.

Kia Canada will cover 100% any repair required to any vehicle as long as it cannot be 100% conclusively proven to be the customers fault. And I mean 100%. We had a guy who pinned the tach on his Sorento and went down the highway in 4Low until it blew... covered. Why would it be? We had the ECU tossing check engine lights and storing data telling us he was at 5800 rpm and had been driving for 88 minutes. We had three connecting rods coming out of three different holes in the block. We had the customer all but admitting he did it (saying things like "I may have"... and "that's possible"). But Kia Canada said that since none of us were in the car with him at the time... we cannot say exactly what happened, and so we have to repair it under warranty.

Kia is in the middle of a global initiative to improve their brand name recognition and public opinion of their automobile. They will jump through whatever hurdles are presented to try to save face in the public eye. Impressing each customer leads to positive comments in casual conversations, which is the number one driver of public perception. This is the best time ever to own a Kia. Not only is the actual product improving in leaps and bounds, but the dealerships are being pressed to improve their customer's experiences by leaps and bounds as well. If your dealer isn't making you feel that they are bent over backwards before you even walk in the door, then I urge you to contact Kia customer service and let them know.

Lastly... all dealerships are NOT the same. If you are unsatisfied with the level of service your current dealer is providing, I would hope you'll try another in your area where applicable.

Edit: forgot the most important part: OP's comment on the employees not being familiar with the SX-R package is expected, but to have them not familiar with the shape of a Koup is quite funny. Must have been sales guys... I hope!
 
#23 ·
Speaking on behalf of a dealership in Canada, quite a bit of the above is false.

Firstly, no service manager worth his wage will give you anything in writing regarding modifications being approved for warranty. He might as well turn that paper over and write his resignation. That's just giving you the power to run right over him, and I can't see how anyone would think that's a good idea.

Second, consumers (in Alberta at least) are protected by a ridiculously overbearing 'authority' called AMVIC that is supposed to arbitrate disputes but instead strong arms dealers into folding and eating costs customers should usually pay for damages outside of warranty. I'm pretty sure Alberta is not the only place in the world with something like this. Basically AMVIC says the customer is right - so they are right. Period.

Kia Canada will cover 100% any repair required to any vehicle as long as it cannot be 100% conclusively proven to be the customers fault. And I mean 100%. We had a guy who pinned the tach on his Sorento and went down the highway in 4Low until it blew... covered. Why would it be? We had the ECU tossing check engine lights and storing data telling us he was at 5800 rpm and had been driving for 88 minutes. We had three connecting rods coming out of three different holes in the block. We had the customer all but admitting he did it (saying things like "I may have"... and "that's possible"). But Kia Canada said that since none of us were in the car with him at the time... we cannot say exactly what happened, and so we have to repair it under warranty.

Kia is in the middle of a global initiative to improve their brand name recognition and public opinion of their automobile. They will jump through whatever hurdles are presented to try to save face in the public eye. Impressing each customer leads to positive comments in casual conversations, which is the number one driver of public perception. This is the best time ever to own a Kia. Not only is the actual product improving in leaps and bounds, but the dealerships are being pressed to improve their customer's experiences by leaps and bounds as well. If your dealer isn't making you feel that they are bent over backwards before you even walk in the door, then I urge you to contact Kia customer service and let them know.

Lastly... all dealerships are NOT the same. If you are unsatisfied with the level of service your current dealer is providing, I would hope you'll try another in your area where applicable.

Edit: forgot the most important part: OP's comment on the employees not being familiar with the SX-R package is expected, but to have them not familiar with the shape of a Koup is quite funny. Must have been sales guys... I hope!

So when they told me that my top plate bearing wasn't covered by warranty because I had installed aftermarket springs, this was BS :confused:
 
#24 ·
Just an additional FYI about a service manager's authority: Nobody at a dealership has the authority to state, whether verbally or in writing that a modified car will be covered by a Kia warranty unless Kia has that written into their warranty information. Service departments go by strict guidelines and are SUPPOSED to know ahead of time what will and won't be covered. They're provided detailed information from the factory as to what / when something is covered. If any component on your car fails and it can be proven that your modification contributed in any way to the failure, the repair won't be covered. Adding a turbo and then expecting Kia to replace your blown engine? Keep dreaming. The same goes for a CAI.

Mazda has been going round and round with customers since 2006 with their Mazdaspeed 3 & 6 where CAIs were installed by the owners. CAIs cause engines to put out more power than they were designed to put out from the factory. If the transmission or engine fails on a Mazda and the CAI (or any other performance-enhancing component) isn't a Mazda-designed and installed component, you have a warranty denial on your hands. Service managers aren't authorized to guaranty anything that departs from the manufacturer's warranty. The most you could hope for, if you receive a written guarantee, is that you have grounds to sue the dealership for the repair cost, and Kia wouldn't touch that with a 10 foot pole, except to persue yanking the dealership's franchise. Verbals are hard to prove in court, so take a service manager's statement as a grain of salt in this instance.
 
#25 ·
@KiaTech - yeah they were the sales guys.

rofl since everyone is getting heated about the whole warranty thing... just record everything the service manager says with a hidden cam. lol joke obviously. =)
 
#28 ·
record everything the service manager says with a hidden cam
Who knows, maybe you'll catch the next coin thief/medication sifter/porn watcher dealer tech while you're at it.



For the warranty thing, in the u.s. anyway with magnusson v moss protection, the burden of proof(of showing that your specific mod caused a specific failure) is going to fall on a dealer in small claims court(where judges usually side with the little guy) if it comes to that.
 
#26 ·
@ MaxD: Quite likely, depending on the actual situation. I obviously cannot say conclusively one way or the other since I have not seen the parts involved, but it boils down to if the dealer can prove 100% it's your mods or driving that did it, then you're on the hook... but if there is a shadow of doubt that maybe it would have happened anyways, even with the lowering springs installed, then you maybe should have been off the hook.

Thinking on this... it's quite likely the install was incorrect, and caused the premature wear. Just thinking out loud though... my comments should not be taken as anything official either way.
 
#29 ·
Anyone actually ever gotten anything like that in writing from a service manager at a dealership? I'd be very surprised if they had, and even if so, I'd question the validity of that document. Kia has already spelled out the terms of their warranty and what may or may not render that contract null and void. Why would someone at a dealer ever agree to reinterpret those terms or alter them at all?
 
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