[tommy248]

I just bought a 2011 550i xDrive two months ago and have put 2100 miles on it. The car sent a message to the dealer saying there was an engine malfunction and a stabilization malfunction, so I brought it in right away.

After looking at it for 2 days, the technicians consulted with and ultimately brought in engineers from BMW North America. What they came up with is that, because I only drive 3 miles each direction to work every day, that all those small trips were draining the batteries and causing these messages. They told me that I needed to "stretch the cars legs" once a week with a long drive or let it idle in the driveway for a 1/2 hour.

Has anyone ever heard of anything like this....because I'm not buying it!

[bobblehead]

Yes. Battery issue (at least for some)

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthre...ne+malfunction

[BMWrules7]

Completely accurate. The electronics are so demanding that you need to hit a minimum threshold of driving time and speed to keep the battery charged.

This is not a very green remedy, but you need to increase the amount of pollutants you place into the earth in order to make your so called "efficient dynamics" both efficient and dynamic.

Now, personally I am ok with this so long as they don't blame you. I am sure your BMW dealer never expressly disclosed this idiosyncrasy, did they?

Originally Posted by tommy248

I just bought a 2011 550i xDrive two months ago and have put 2100 miles on it. The car sent a message to the dealer saying there was an engine malfunction and a stabilization malfunction, so I brought it in right away.

After looking at it for 2 days, the technicians consulted with and ultimately brought in engineers from BMW North America. What they came up with is that, because I only drive 3 miles each direction to work every day, that all those small trips were draining the batteries and causing these messages. They told me that I needed to "stretch the cars legs" once a week with a long drive or let it idle in the driveway for a 1/2 hour.

Has anyone ever heard of anything like this....because I'm not buying it!

[bobblehead]

tsb on battery issue

2011 BMW 5 Series Battery TSBs
TSB Number: SIB-34-05-10 NHTSA Number: 10037645 TSB Date: December 1, 2010 Date Added to File: June 1, 2011
Failing Component:
Electrical System:Battery
Summary:
BMW: there is a software error causing the sleep mode of the vehicle to be delayed which could drain the battery.

[Sharbotcom]

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

Completely accurate. The electronics are so demanding that you need to hit a minimum threshold of driving time and speed to keep the battery charged.

This is not a very green remedy, but you need to increase the amount of pollutants you place into the earth in order to make your so called "efficient dynamics" both efficient and dynamic.

Now, personally I am ok with this so long as they don't blame you. I am sure your BMW dealer never expressly disclosed this idiosyncrasy, did they?

I can see it now...end of lease, arguing with BMW Financial "I had do all the extra miles to keep my battery charged...it's BMW's fault!"

[bdardashti]

Originally Posted by Sharbotcom

I can see it now...end of lease, arguing with BMW Financial "I had do all the extra miles to keep my battery charged...it's BMW's fault!"

[bobblehead]

Good one, Bill. Just following the dealer's call.

[SoCAl 550i]

Something doesn't add up... you put 2100 miles on your car in 2 months and your driving 3 miles each way to work????