6 year old battery ok?

[ulrichd]

My 09 128 is going on six years old with the original battery. Never have had any starting problems. Should I preemptively put in a new one just because of age?

Thanks.

[NorthernDancer]

but you could buy a 1.5 amp battery tender and use it when car not used for a week or more.

[rps]

I've got an 08 which is still on the original battery. I plan on replacing it before winter to be on the safe side.

[wjk_glynn]

I replace my car battery every 5 years. Might be overly cautious, but I've had a few instances over the years where it failed and I had to call AAA.

Karl.

[rocketpop]

08 still on original battery (knock on wood)

[IEDEI]

you should definitely replace your battery every 5 years. german cars, in particular use a lot of battery power during startup and are pretty sensitive to weak batteries.

batteries WILL die...not worth pressing your luck on them, IMO.

[bmw1racer]

The E36 that I owned for 18 years only had the battery replaced once.

[amyracecar]

I have an e36 that i replaced the battery on at least 7 years ago [on a whim I was at Costco and saw a battery that met spec but didn't "fit"] - for 50$ i got it and installed it and haven't "thought" about it since -

car starts every time so when the battery shows some fatigue, i will r/r right away but till then.. all good!

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by amyracecar

I have an e36 that i replaced the battery on at least 7 years ago [on a whim I was at Costco and saw a battery that met spec but didn't "fit"] - for 50$ i got it and installed it and haven't "thought" about it since -

car starts every time so when the battery shows some fatigue, i will r/r right away but till then.. all good!

I suppose that generation of cars wasn't so dependent on electronics, so maybe that's why they lasted so long...?

[JM35]

Test the voltage, if its getting low, change it. I didn't change the battery on my RX8 until recently and its 7 years old.

[amyracecar]

i suppose but if the alternator is doing its job it should be kinda irrlevant - my e36 is a rock of a car though and always comes thru.. am hoping my 128 is going to be just as reliable even with the added electronics!

[awns729]

I replaced it on my 08 but most people haven't and are doing fine. Do you ALWAYS need it to start? Are you planning a road trip? Can you be late to work, etc? If none of these are an issue, and you're ok with the idea of getting a jump and you want to put off the expense as long as possible, don't replace it. If you want the peace of mind, replace it.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by amyracecar

i suppose but if the alternator is doing its job it should be kinda irrlevant - my e36 is a rock of a car though and always comes thru..

Yeah, that's true.

am hoping my 128 is going to be just as reliable even with the added electronics!

+1.

I'm two years in and so far so good.

[JM35]

I put subs in my car, I don't know why I hate them now, and it killed my battery within a couple months.

[DreamweaverDave]

My wife's car is an '09 128i and its the orig. battery. Has a green dot in the top of the battery stating it's ok. No problems with starting. I'm in the process of looking for a new battery and installing it myself and having a small BMW shop registering it for me.

I plan on using the old BMW battery for a trolling motor battery in my boat since it's still good.

DD

[JimD]

Trolling motor batteries are made to be depleted and then charged. Car batteries are not designed to be depleted as far. It may work fine but it also may not. No harm in trying it.

[Orange fever]

I just replace mine,
2011 135i
mine only lasted 4 years