Well, I brought my M Coupe in to Claridge BMW located in Fremont, CA.

For those that don't know, Fuse #31 controls the interior map lights, cig/power plug (?) and left rear parking light, left front parking light and left front bumper light.

Fuse #31 kept blowing out whenever the parking lights were engaged.

At first, the dealer said they would have to charge $250 to look at vehicle because I had aftermarket front bumper lights (clear). The service rep said that since these were non-BMW parts that the electrical problem would not be covered under warranty.

What? But they were BMW parts (with BMW emblem imprinted onto the clear lenses themselves). They were just the European front bumper lights. After back and forth with the service rep, we compromised that I would pay IF they discovered the lights were causing the electrical problem. If not, then BMW pays the bill.

Anyhow, they checked the parking lights, found they weren't the cause and proceeded to systematically find the problem. 3.5 hours later, still could not locate the cause.

I have to bring my car back on Monday so they can continue their analysis.

Now, the problem I have is that I replaced the orange front bumper lights with the European clear bumper lights. Both items made by BMW themselves, yet the Service Rep called the BMW made European lights as aftermarket and therefore voided my warranty in getting the electrical repaired.

Now, I can understand if you add a Supercharger to your engine or perhaps do a complete stereo overhaul where such items could have a significant effect. But replacing the orange bumper lights for BMW-made clear ones should not justify voiding your electrical warranty. It's literally a like-for-like part.

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