What's so special about the battery?

chinese_food · 04-20-2012, 09:21 AM

What makes the battery so sensitive? When I first purchased my 528, the sales guy explained the warranty rules. He said "everything is covered EXCEPT FOR THE BATTERY"...?

BigKutta · 04-20-2012, 09:30 AM

Really, does it state that somewhere (besides you dealer's words)?

LiveLarger · 04-20-2012, 09:43 AM

Batteries in general have a short expected life span.

Chili Palmer · 04-20-2012, 09:49 AM

I think he means expensive. If the battery dies, you need to have BMW program the car to the specific battery. A simple battery replacement can cost from $500-$600 including the programming. I used to gripe when I had to spend $45 to replace the battery on my 79 El Camino - I didn't know I had it so good.

gatoman39 · 04-20-2012, 10:50 AM

it's not the battery that's special, it's the car. If you don't use the car consistently, the alternator doesn't get a chance to fully charge the battery. Unsolicited, my SA told me to get a smart charger.
The first time I hooked this up it took 20 hours to fully charge.

BMW battery drains car owner's patience

chinese_food · 04-20-2012, 12:05 PM

I drive my car ~50 miles a day. I guess I dont have to worry about that then.

gatoman39 · 04-20-2012, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinese_food

I drive my car ~50 miles a day. I guess I dont have to worry about that then.

you should be fine, especially if most of that is on the highway...

sali · 04-25-2012, 12:53 PM

I had a 2011 F10 535i and the battery drained completely (I had been only driving in NYC for the past month once a week as my wife was sick for a while. I just did groceries which is less than 8 miles). Turns out that the new owner had electrical problems (got rid of 535i and got Jaguar XJ Supercharged).

chinese_food · 04-26-2012, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sali

I had a 2011 F10 535i and the battery drained completely (I had been only driving in NYC for the past month once a week as my wife was sick for a while. I just did groceries which is less than 8 miles). Turns out that the new owner had electrical problems (got rid of 535i and got Jaguar XJ Supercharged).

Why are you still posting on the this forum if you dont have a BMW?

JNoSol · 04-26-2012, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinese_food

Why are you still posting on the this forum if you dont have a BMW?

sali · 04-26-2012, 02:16 PM

Will need a 2nd car soon and leaning towards a BMW not sure which

Frogmanjc · 04-26-2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatoman39

it's not the battery that's special, it's the car. If you don't use the car consistently, the alternator doesn't get a chance to fully charge the battery. Unsolicited, my SA told me to get a smart charger.
The first time I hooked this up it took 20 hours to fully charge.

BMW battery drains car owner's patience

how often do you plug it in?

04-20-2012, 09:21 AM	#1
chinese_food Enlisted Member 8 Rep 45 Posts Drives: BMW 528 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	What's so special about the battery? What makes the battery so sensitive? When I first purchased my 528, the sales guy explained the warranty rules. He said "everything is covered EXCEPT FOR THE BATTERY"...?
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04-20-2012, 09:30 AM	#2
BigKutta Brigadier General 3901 Rep 4,047 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C, 2019 330xi, 2017 Q7 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington DC Burbs iTrader: (1) Garage List 2019 330xi [0.00] 2017 Audi Q7 3.0 [0.00] 2020 M2C [0.00]	Really, does it state that somewhere (besides you dealer's words)?
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04-20-2012, 09:43 AM	#3
LiveLarger Second Lieutenant 4 Rep 261 Posts Drives: F11 520d M-sport Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oslo iTrader: (0)	Batteries in general have a short expected life span.
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04-20-2012, 09:49 AM	#4
Chili Palmer Master Of My Domain 89 Rep 669 Posts Drives: 2015 650i Gran Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: SoCal iTrader: (3)	I think he means expensive. If the battery dies, you need to have BMW program the car to the specific battery. A simple battery replacement can cost from $500-$600 including the programming. I used to gripe when I had to spend $45 to replace the battery on my 79 El Camino - I didn't know I had it so good.
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04-20-2012, 10:50 AM	#5
gatoman39 Major 116 Rep 1,346 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 335 M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: LA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E92 335i M Sport [1.00]	it's not the battery that's special, it's the car. If you don't use the car consistently, the alternator doesn't get a chance to fully charge the battery. Unsolicited, my SA told me to get a smart charger. The first time I hooked this up it took 20 hours to fully charge. BMW battery drains car owner's patience __________________
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04-20-2012, 12:05 PM	#6
chinese_food Enlisted Member 8 Rep 45 Posts Drives: BMW 528 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I drive my car ~50 miles a day. I guess I dont have to worry about that then.
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04-25-2012, 12:53 PM	#8
sali Private First Class 16 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 18 911, 16 Range Rover Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I had a 2011 F10 535i and the battery drained completely (I had been only driving in NYC for the past month once a week as my wife was sick for a while. I just did groceries which is less than 8 miles). Turns out that the new owner had electrical problems (got rid of 535i and got Jaguar XJ Supercharged).
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04-26-2012, 02:16 PM	#11
sali Private First Class 16 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 18 911, 16 Range Rover Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Will need a 2nd car soon and leaning towards a BMW not sure which
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