[greyd]

Hi All

I recently picked up an 09 320d, and i'm wondering what is the battery life expectancy so I can plan for replacing it before it goes flat and leaves me stuck somewhere?

Cheers

[onebadmofo]

You will have a lot of warning signs before it goes out. I have 07 and just changed mine so you have a year or two left.

[QLD]

Originally Posted by onebadmofo

You will have a lot of warning signs before it goes out.

Well do you think a couple of examples might help?

[BMJOE]

Originally Posted by QLD

Well do you think a couple of examples might help?

i see you have not had your battery die, warning icons come up on the dash in the form of a battery advising battery is low. I had this happen for a few weeks before I had mine changed. my car is an 07, OP 4-5 years might be the average lifespan. another point, I had to have mine upgraded and coded in properly. Don't try to change over yourself, I was told, true?

[pavo335]

I was getting the messages after about 2.5 years and asked how much for a new battery and was quoted 500 wtf!!! I called BMW and asked what the life expectancy was and they said they'd cover it under warranty, in the end the dealer said something about a faulty battery sensor

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Sometimes you'll get a low battery warning because the battery charge is actually low, but if you've done a few long trips and are still getting the error message then it's probably on it's way out.

They seem to last about 3-4 years these days... When buying a new one make sure it's coded to your car. Failure to code it to your car will result in the battery being overcharged dramatically reducing it's life expectancy.

[QLD]

Thanks for the examples men

I haven't had a battery fail as its only 16mths old... so good to know what to expect...

[shu]

One of the things that will occur is that your DRLs won't turn on when you unlock the car. Assuming you have it enabled. This will happen even before the warnings will show.

[Archangel335]

Originally Posted by bmroxm5

Sometimes you'll get a low battery warning because the battery charge is actually low, but if you've done a few long trips and are still getting the error message then it's probably on it's way out.

They seem to last about 3-4 years these days... When buying a new one make sure it's coded to your car. Failure to code it to your car will result in the battery being overcharged dramatically reducing it's life expectancy.

I need a new battery too. Keeps getting those annoying low batt warnings. Anyone around Melbourne that can code the thing stu?

[greyd]

Thanks all for the replies, I have seen the messages already for the remote battery, but I wasn't sure how long the BMW battery should last, but at least I know its unlikely to go without warning.

We run Holden Rodeo's in our company fleet and they have been notorious for suddeny battery failure after 2.5 years with very little warning.

[Freefreefive]

I'm getting all these symptoms. Car drives fine but has the warning come up, drl s not on always. I never knew why it was intermittent. Now I do...

[pavo335]

Has anybody tried to use a battery charger?

[Freefreefive]

Yep. Charged overnight. Helped a little but back to same after a couple of weeks.

[SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!!]

I was able to get 5 yrs out of mine. Changed w the same spec battery. No issues

[QLD]

When people say "make sure you CODE your battery"... what exactly does that mean?

Isn't a BMW battery a BMW battery??

What is being coded and why?

thx..

[Archangel335]

Originally Posted by QLD

When people say "make sure you CODE your battery"... what exactly does that mean?

Isn't a BMW battery a BMW battery??

What is being coded and why?

thx..

+1

[pavo335]

Originally Posted by Archangel335

+1

It's a BMW battery silly! Tell me what BMW component don't you have to code? If BMW sold petrol they'd make you code that as well!

Everything is connected these days and for one the charge rate varies on the age of the battery, in theory this prolongs the life of the battery. I also heard a rumor that from the factory the battery doesn't charge until the car is up to full operating temp. Which is a pro Len if you drive short distances. When the changed mine the services chap said they removed this.....

[systech]

Originally Posted by greyd

Hi All

I recently picked up an 09 320d, and i'm wondering what is the battery life expectancy so I can plan for replacing it before it goes flat and leaves me stuck somewhere?

Cheers

Based on my experience about three years. However, it's highjly dependent on whether you drive for more than 20 minutes or so as the alternator is programmed to start charging only after around this time (to reduce engine load when engine is not up to temperature and hence reduce emissions).

Some more details on the symptoms I experienced before the battery was replaced under warranty are in the following thread...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=563229

[David328M-Sport]

My iDrive screen display started acting up. Apparently it was the computer adjusting for low battery. Not sure about that explanation. 5 years lifespan for mine. Changed mid/end 2010.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by pavo335

I was getting the messages after about 2.5 years and asked how much for a new battery and was quoted 500 wtf!!! I called BMW and asked what the life expectancy was and they said they'd cover it under warranty, in the end the dealer said something about a faulty battery sensor

How can we find this sensor they are talking about? I wonder if my sensor is bad. I v had this low battery warning light for like 2 years now and never had any major problem. I ve had my car for over 6 yrs and original battery still.

[pavo335]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

How can we find this sensor they are talking about? I wonder if my sensor is bad. I v had this low battery warning light for like 2 years now and never had any major problem. I ve had my car for over 6 yrs and original battery still.

2 years really..... I think it sits atop the battery, but don't quote me on that

[cruvon]

Had a higher capacity BMW battery installed in mine after the original went low!