128i Battery Replacement

[caseysc]

Dealer says charging system must be reset when battery is replaced. Anyone have any intel on this. They want over $450 to replace the battery.

[reisf]

Yes that's correct. Otherwise you're new battery will blow up. #srs

[mr.fabulous]

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1101203

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1081902

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by caseysc

Dealer says charging system must be reset when battery is replaced. Anyone have any intel on this. They want over $450 to replace the battery.

That's less than the $630+ my stealership charged me.

[RoundelM3]

That's a way high price. I paid less than $300, including the "registration". You can buy an aftermarket battery with the correct specs for less than the BMW OEM cost, and then use one of several available applications to register the battery, like Carly for BMW.

[Vigilante375]

So thanks to the wonderful engineers at BMW, they have to register the battery so the car knows what kind of battery it is and so it uses it in a smart manner as to prolong the life of the battery. Thats why you're paying so much.

Not like BMW wants us to go out and by a regular battery that will last just as long, perform just as good and for 3/4 of the price while being able to do it ourselves.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by Vigilante375

So thanks to the wonderful engineers at BMW, they have to register the battery so the car knows what kind of battery it is and so it uses it in a smart manner as to prolong the life of the battery. Thats why you're paying so much.

Questionable (or worthless) engineering if the battery lasts for only a couple of years, according to some.

Not like BMW wants us to go out and by a regular battery that will last just as long, perform just as good and for 3/4 of the price while being able to do it ourselves.

DIY is sadly becoming a thing of the past.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Questionable (or worthless) engineering if the battery lasts for only a couple of years, according to some.

DIY is sadly becoming a thing of the past.

For what its worth my battery lasted 7+ years and for the $130 I invested in BMW Carly I've already saved $150 in diagnostics on other car problems using it with expected future savings. If I were OP I'd buy my own battery and get Carly although it'll take time to get the parts in. I drove my with my cR new battery for a week or so before getting the Carly adapter and registering yhe new battery, don't think thats the end of the world.

[NVHoo]

I've really been educated by this thread and I'm not happy to learn I need special electronics if I replace my battery myself. Glad I know now in advance. Next to no dipstick to check oil level, this is the second dumbest thing BMW does.

So I read in the linked thread that you have to replace the battery with the exact AGM but I've never hear of this term relative to batteries and how do I determine what AGM I have? What does AGM stand for? Thanks

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by Vigilante375

So thanks to the wonderful engineers at BMW, they have to register the battery so the car knows what kind of battery it is and so it uses it in a smart manner as to prolong the life of the battery. Thats why you're paying so much.

Not like BMW wants us to go out and by a regular battery that will last just as long, perform just as good and for 3/4 of the price while being able to do it ourselves.

You can buy a "regular" battery that meets the BMW specs - you do not have to buy a battery from BMW. If your car is still in warranty, BMW will replace a dead battery. If not, you can either buy one from the dealer (EVERYTHING costs more at the dealer, even TPMS sensors) or from another supplier as long as the battery is the proper spec. Registering it can be done by a dealer or Indy shop that has the proper equipment, or you can get one of several applications and an OBDII adapter to use with a computer, tablet, or phone to perform the task.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by roundel335

If your car is still in warranty, BMW will replace a dead battery.

In my case (and for some others), not without a fight from BMW.

I had to get the local news involved in order to get BMWNA to refund the $630+ they charged me for a battery replacement.

[mr.fabulous]

Originally Posted by NVHoo

I've really been educated by this thread and I'm not happy to learn I need special electronics if I replace my battery myself. Glad I know now in advance. Next to no dipstick to check oil level, this is the second dumbest thing BMW does.

So I read in the linked thread that you have to replace the battery with the exact AGM but I've never hear of this term relative to batteries and how do I determine what AGM I have? What does AGM stand for? Thanks

read completely through the threads listed above by me, we beat this to death earlier this year

[1er_vert]

What happens if I install the Autozone 950CCA battery myself, without "registering it?" No start? Dash warnings?

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by 1er_vert

What happens if I install the Autozone 950CCA battery myself, without "registering it?" No start? Dash warnings?

It'll be fine, but it could compromise the longevity of the battery. You could easily drive it just fine for a month without registering.

[rowsdower]

Originally Posted by 1er_vert

What happens if I install the Autozone 950CCA battery myself, without "registering it?" No start? Dash warnings?

The car charges the battery differently as the battery ages. You register the new one so the car knows to reset the charging logic. Also, if you pick a different type of battery, the car will charge it differently. Not resetting basically just shortens the life of the battery.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by 1er_vert

What happens if I install the Autozone 950CCA battery myself, without "registering it?" No start? Dash warnings?

I did a fairly detailed DIY on this... It's really not a great idea to just toss a new battery in and hope for the best. CCA's and age play a big role in how the car treats the battery during use and when the car is off.

DIY Here. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1384864

[Lucky1]

Come on this is easy. Order the replacement OEM battery for your car, order BMW Carly with the appropriate OBDII adapter and not only can you register your battery but diagnose future problems as well. It pays for itself and it isn't too difficult. Installing the battery isn't super difficult either. If I can do it you can.

[Olgeezer1]

Yeah, if you enjoy doing your own stuff all the above is fine but really, for me, this is a once every 8 yr. event, probably due to using a smart charger whenever the car's going to be sitting for more than a few days. Had the dealer do it for a little over $400 Cdn.(around $325. U.S ).

[edwardmagichands]

My previous owner replaced the battery without registration done by indy I assume. It's been a while but nothing has happened yet.

Knock on wood.

[Olgeezer1]

Originally Posted by edwardmagichands

My previous owner replaced the battery without registration done by indy I assume. It's been a while but nothing has happened yet.

Knock on wood.

Nothing's going to happen, other than you're going to have shorter battery life due to the battery being charged at an improper rate.

[edwardmagichands]

Originally Posted by Olgeezer1

Nothing's going to happen, other than you're going to have shorter battery life due to the battery being charged at an improper rate.

That's expected result. We'll see.
And of course, I'm going to do it properly when I do that.

[Tommm]

Local dealer wants $140 to register the battery, only $400 for a battery registered.

If not registering the battery means I will get less, but not less than 50% of the life out of it, the less expensive route is go through two AGM batteries. If i buy an AGM from Advance, and it dies before three years, I get a new one. That seems like the most efficient route.

I will probably skip registering the battery when mine goes. Like the IMS bearing in a 996, what are the odds?