battery replacement poll - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

poiney · 12-05-2010, 11:56 AM

I'm curious how this audience addresses battery issues: risk of dying, buying, etc.

Please respond to ALL that apply. Thanks

EDIT: the last question was supposed to be "have mechanic replace battery" but I'm not smart enough to fix it.

John 070 · 12-05-2010, 12:08 PM

I've always waited for a vehicle to have problems starting (it's usually not all or nothing, electricals dim first and vehicle doesn't turn as it should), before replacing a battery. And I'm of the camp where you go to Wal Mart, Sears, etc., get the battery, put it in, spray some red greasy junk on the terminals, and you're out $80 and good for 5 years.

Maybe the BMW is different, but I'm going to handle it the same way....I won't spend $500 and replace the battery early just because...

Express · 12-05-2010, 12:10 PM

i checked replace battery by myself twice. i replace the battery myself. not sure if you made a mistake there

poiney · 12-05-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by express705

i checked replace battery by myself twice. i replace the battery myself. not sure if you made a mistake there

It is a mistake, please see my first post. Can a poll be edited?

fdriller9 · 12-05-2010, 12:17 PM

I'm dealing with slow cranking now....my battery is holding 11.7 when off.

I'm getting the braile "no weight" battery and milling a tray myself. I have a BT tool so I can register it as well.

MrDummy · 12-05-2010, 12:19 PM

Knock on wood my 2006 is on the same oem battery. So im praying it last 2-3 more years..

John 070 · 12-05-2010, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *********

I'm dealing with slow cranking now....my battery is holding 11.7 when off.

I'm getting the braile "no weight" battery and milling a tray myself. I have a BT tool so I can register it as well.

What month and year did you get your car (so we have an idea). Based on you being an '06, I probably have another 12 mos to go....also how many miles?

ihsanshaik · 12-05-2010, 12:23 PM

my battery died at like 35k on a 06. im at 38k right now :-). Damn im probably owned an e90 here the longest out of everyone. July 05 :-)

I bought a battery and replaced it from autozone and did not register it. Orange seat belt crap came on and then randomly one day adaptive headlight went out. It was the battery issue...Long story short i fooking payed close to 300 for a new battery....100 at autozone.

325high · 12-05-2010, 12:51 PM

i also checked off the last one so subtract another vote for mechanic replacement

cb1111 · 12-05-2010, 01:17 PM

Battery life is greatly dependent on outside factors, so a car that is always garage when not driven (ie garage at home and at office,) is regularly used for driving longer stretches, isn't left unused for any length of time and lives in moderate climates will last much longer than one that is used for short trips and is exposed to the elements.

That is why batteries aren't on a scheduled rotation.

iBoost · 12-05-2010, 01:27 PM

Battery completely died. Replaced it myself with an OEM one. Did not register it. And I jump my dads truck every once in a while.

In my eyes, a battery is a battery.

GenePoole · 12-05-2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDummy

Knock on wood my 2006 is on the same oem battery. So im praying it last 2-3 more years..

Mine too. Seems to still be in pretty good health. I like that BMW puts the battery in the trunk. It stays clean and cool and I imagine that helps it last longer. Mine looks like brand new still.

Barbera335 · 12-05-2010, 04:21 PM

My early production '06 is still on it's original battery as well. Plus my car sits for days on end without being used and always starts normally. At this point I'm expecting it to fail at any time though.

fdriller9 · 12-05-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John 070

What month and year did you get your car (so we have an idea). Based on you being an '06, I probably have another 12 mos to go....also how many miles?

It was built May 2006 and I'm at 60,500 right now.

mhenry7 · 12-05-2010, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *********

It was built May 2006 and I'm at 60,500 right now.

Mine was built May 2006 as well, now with 59K and original OEM battery seems just fine, even in the recent cold.

jopa489 · 12-05-2010, 10:56 PM

Largely depends on your climate and the type of driving you do. We have a small fleet of vehicles at work, and the oldest is a 2004 RAV4 with ~90k that's still on the original battery. It's been through 7 harsh winters yet starts fine every time. Will probably get it replaced this year, but it just goes to show how long they can last when it's all highway driving.

poiney · 12-11-2010, 10:23 AM

Most buy BMW batteries and register them as well. Question:

If you plan to register battery, does it matter what type of battery it is (regular vs. BMW, etc.)?

Tom K. · 12-11-2010, 11:40 AM

FWIW, I replaced the battery and serpentine belt on my '99 328i after 5 years and 55,000 miles with an OEM as a preventative measure. When I traded the car in, the replacement was still going strong after another 6 years & 40k miles including many short trips and cold starts.

Like they say, YMMV!

Tom

John 070 · 12-15-2010, 08:08 PM

Ouch, I got the yellow battery icon today while in the car with the motor off.

poiney · 12-30-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John 070

Ouch, I got the yellow battery icon today while in the car with the motor off.

I didn't know there was a warning for this.

Does this mean you can still start the car but it lets you know to get a new one, or does it mean "too late"?

fdriller9 · 12-30-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poiney

I didn't know there was a warning for this.

Does this mean you can still start the car but it lets you know to get a new one, or does it mean "too late"?

It means the battery has a low voltage reading. If you continue to leave your radio, lights, on etc while the engine is off, you risk draining it to the point where you cannot crank the engine.

So basically it's just warning you that you have just enough juice left in your battery to turn over your engine a few times.

It doesn't necessarily mean that your battery is bad. But draining your battery isn't a god thing either. As your battery drops voltage, the inside will corrode (I think it's corrode)and damage it self, decreasing the ability to hold a full charge.

chowser51 · 12-30-2010, 06:31 PM

been cold here and i can tell the battery is getting weak when starting. it's still the original battery.
if it's just a work day, then it sits in the garage while i sleep, gets driven in the cold for 13 miles (25 minute drive). sits for 12-13 hours iin the cold, then gets driven 13 miles home. so i'm hoping that is a long enough drive to keep the battery going. hoping it will last until next winter though. my brother has an '06 and he replaced his battery earlier this year.

View Poll Results: battery issues -- please check all that apply
Replace battery on ~3-5 yr interval	11	15.28%
Replace battery >5 yr interval	4	5.56%
Only replace when it dies or nearly dies (e.g., slow crank)	54	75.00%
Never carry jumpers (have faith in battery)	16	22.22%
Never carry jumpers, will tow due to jumper risk	5	6.94%
After 3-5 yr, carry jumpers	8	11.11%
Always carry jumpers	21	29.17%
Buy BMW battery	29	40.28%
Buy any-brand battery	22	30.56%
Register battery	38	52.78%
Do NOT register battery	9	12.50%
Replace battery by yourself	30	41.67%
Replace battery by yourself	15	20.83%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 72. You may not vote on this poll

12-05-2010, 11:56 AM	#1
poiney Captain Drives: 328i coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SJ Posts: 798 iTrader: (0)	battery replacement poll I'm curious how this audience addresses battery issues: risk of dying, buying, etc. Please respond to ALL that apply. Thanks EDIT: the last question was supposed to be "have mechanic replace battery" but I'm not smart enough to fix it. Last edited by poiney; 12-05-2010 at 12:10 PM. Reason: poll
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12-05-2010, 12:19 PM	#6
MrDummy →сяuisiиg iи му вмш← Drives: 2010 Space Gray 328i Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Unemployment Capitol of America Posts: 1,646 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 BMW 328i [0.00]	Knock on wood my 2006 is on the same oem battery. So im praying it last 2-3 more years.. __________________ SuPerMoD @ MassMonsterz.com A "Happy" Owner of a Metallic Space Gray 2010 BMW 328i ProGaMeR on the XboX 360

12-05-2010, 10:56 PM	#16
jopa489 BMW/Detailing Addict Drives: Estoril F30 335i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New England Posts: 6,554 iTrader: (8)	Largely depends on your climate and the type of driving you do. We have a small fleet of vehicles at work, and the oldest is a 2004 RAV4 with ~90k that's still on the original battery. It's been through 7 harsh winters yet starts fine every time. Will probably get it replaced this year, but it just goes to show how long they can last when it's all highway driving. __________________

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12-05-2010, 12:08 PM	#2
John 070 Lieutenant General Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW Posts: 10,223 iTrader: (0)	I've always waited for a vehicle to have problems starting (it's usually not all or nothing, electricals dim first and vehicle doesn't turn as it should), before replacing a battery. And I'm of the camp where you go to Wal Mart, Sears, etc., get the battery, put it in, spray some red greasy junk on the terminals, and you're out $80 and good for 5 years. Maybe the BMW is different, but I'm going to handle it the same way....I won't spend $500 and replace the battery early just because...

12-05-2010, 12:10 PM	#3
Express Major General Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Promise Land Posts: 8,711 iTrader: (17) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [4.15]	i checked replace battery by myself twice. i replace the battery myself. not sure if you made a mistake there

12-05-2010, 12:17 PM	#5
fdriller9 Banned Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC Posts: 7,092 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [3.22]	I'm dealing with slow cranking now....my battery is holding 11.7 when off. I'm getting the braile "no weight" battery and milling a tray myself. I have a BT tool so I can register it as well.

12-05-2010, 12:23 PM	#8
ihsanshaik Banned Drives: E36 M3, E36 Vert , E90 N52 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 3,578 iTrader: (5)	my battery died at like 35k on a 06. im at 38k right now :-). Damn im probably owned an e90 here the longest out of everyone. July 05 :-) I bought a battery and replaced it from autozone and did not register it. Orange seat belt crap came on and then randomly one day adaptive headlight went out. It was the battery issue...Long story short i fooking payed close to 300 for a new battery....100 at autozone.

12-05-2010, 12:51 PM	#9
325high Second Lieutenant Drives: 3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: boston Posts: 202 iTrader: (1)	i also checked off the last one so subtract another vote for mechanic replacement

12-05-2010, 01:17 PM	#10
cb1111 I ask the questions you're afraid to ask. Drives: 335xi Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DC Posts: 2,494 iTrader: (2)	Battery life is greatly dependent on outside factors, so a car that is always garage when not driven (ie garage at home and at office,) is regularly used for driving longer stretches, isn't left unused for any length of time and lives in moderate climates will last much longer than one that is used for short trips and is exposed to the elements. That is why batteries aren't on a scheduled rotation.

12-05-2010, 01:27 PM	#11
iBoost Colonel Drives: slow as f*ck Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: City of Sin Posts: 2,452 iTrader: (11)	Battery completely died. Replaced it myself with an OEM one. Did not register it. And I jump my dads truck every once in a while. In my eyes, a battery is a battery.

12-05-2010, 04:21 PM	#13
Barbera335 First Lieutenant Drives: F25 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: socal Posts: 391 iTrader: (0)	My early production '06 is still on it's original battery as well. Plus my car sits for days on end without being used and always starts normally. At this point I'm expecting it to fail at any time though.

12-11-2010, 10:23 AM	#17
poiney Captain Drives: 328i coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SJ Posts: 798 iTrader: (0)	Most buy BMW batteries and register them as well. Question: If you plan to register battery, does it matter what type of battery it is (regular vs. BMW, etc.)?

12-11-2010, 11:40 AM	#18
Tom K. Major General Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,213 iTrader: (0)	FWIW, I replaced the battery and serpentine belt on my '99 328i after 5 years and 55,000 miles with an OEM as a preventative measure. When I traded the car in, the replacement was still going strong after another 6 years & 40k miles including many short trips and cold starts. Like they say, YMMV! Tom

12-15-2010, 08:08 PM	#19
John 070 Lieutenant General Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW Posts: 10,223 iTrader: (0)	Ouch, I got the yellow battery icon today while in the car with the motor off.

12-30-2010, 06:31 PM	#22
chowser51 Second Lieutenant Drives: 2009 BMW 328i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 263 iTrader: (1)	been cold here and i can tell the battery is getting weak when starting. it's still the original battery. if it's just a work day, then it sits in the garage while i sleep, gets driven in the cold for 13 miles (25 minute drive). sits for 12-13 hours iin the cold, then gets driven 13 miles home. so i'm hoping that is a long enough drive to keep the battery going. hoping it will last until next winter though. my brother has an '06 and he replaced his battery earlier this year.