[Wolverine23]

Anyone know any good car chargers for BMW. i guess i dont drive my car too much in winter, the time went off and they said its because of the battery. Suggested getting a charger or replacement battery. Replacement battery is like $500 and for BMW to look at if its something with battery is $160/hr.

Found this on Canadian Tire site:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows...ry+Charger.jsp

Any thoughts? Car is usually parked in the garage overnight.

[sim@ecuprogram]

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows...B10%252B2A.jsp

Go this one. This is the exactly same as BMW Factory one, beside the label (cuz i have both LOL)

[2kaccordocoupe]

I have the older version of this, i use it on my 3er as well as my bike. Works excellent. All you really need is a battery tender / minder to keep the battery fully charged.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows...%252C%2B2A.jsp

[halB]

Wouldn't the battery be still under warranty?

[MMachines]

Or get a battery tender, they're like $30 (Same or similar unit is sold under a different brand), it's tiny, and you can leave it plugged in and forget about it. No settings, no box to place on the ground, or anything. simple simple. It's what a tonne of bike guys use.

[samej]

or get a regular battery from someone else. Geez, $500 is highway robbery...

[Oulixes]

Originally Posted by samej

or get a regular battery from someone else. Geez, $500 is highway robbery...

It is a robbery and you can get a battery from someone else, but bear in mind that the battery has to be "activated." You can do it with a tool, something like the Bavarian Technic, or a dealer can do it for you, but he will surely charge you for doing it.

[Wolverine23]

Thanks for the info guys. the battery is under warranty if its defective. Another guy who was in the shuttle with me back the dealership said his battery was toast, so they replaced it.

[Wolverine23]

Thanks for the Links guys (e90sims & 2kaccordocoupe)

[sweetc6]

Get the ctek 3300, I use them on 335i and the vette.

[Oulixes]

Originally Posted by sweetc6

Get the ctek 3300, I use them on 335i and the vette.

Ctek is my current choice as well - use it on both of my cars and motorbikes.

[9PointStar]

I use the Motomaster version of the Ctek style charger for my motorcycle....basically the same thing just $30 cheaper. Its the "intellligent" style charger, and as movinup said, you just plug it in and forget about it over the winter. It can even be used while the battery is in the car/bike, just in case you need to use it or start it up.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows...B2A%252B4A.jsp

[Wolverine23]

thanks, the Ctek sounds promising

[lcs]

Originally Posted by 9PointStar

I use the Motomaster version of the Ctek style charger for my motorcycle....basically the same thing just $30 cheaper. Its the "intellligent" style charger, and as movinup said, you just plug it in and forget about it over the winter. It can even be used while the battery is in the car/bike, just in case you need to use it or start it up.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows...B2A%252B4A.jsp

I have the same charger as you. Did you use the connectors under the hood? I hooked it up and the "full" light was lit. But when i unhooked the connectors the full light was also on. I was wondering if the battery is indeed full or I hooked it up wrong.

[Wolverine23]

i went and got the ctek 3300. plugged it under the hood. negative to the grounded spot and positive to the red cap area. looks like the battery was half left. hopefully this solves my problem. Thanks for the info guys, really helped out rather than the stealership.

Happy New Year

[Wolverine23]

Battery Fully Charged with the Ctek 3300. when i plugged it in first, battery was not fully charged.

[2kaccordocoupe]

Nice, a simple battery tender saves another battery

[TeutonicDan]

I got a battery tender from Princess Auto (Newmarket) and have had it hooked up since Nov. Works like a charm. 20-30 bucks or so. It has float mode and charges as soon as your battery drops charge slightly.

[Wolverine23]

thanks for the Info guys, better than having the stealership charge me $160 just to look at it. Really appreciate it.

[sejnomar]

Quick question, is the CTEK to be used only when storing your car over the winter or can you use it during winter. Meaning... Plug it in at night, in the morning unplug it and drive away. Leaving the unit connected to the battery. Also can it be plugged in under the hood??

[bigjilm]

Another vote for Battery Tender. I use the "JR", and it's nothing more than a wall-wart with a connector for the posts. I wouldn't expect it to charge very fast, but it maintains batteries perfectly. Bike shops also stock these things, which is why I bought mine in the first place.

[TheDarkone]

I got mine at BMW Autohaus parts dept. for 60 bucks plus tax. Plug and play..no worries...10 year warranty, can't go wrong. Ask for Tony, he's a swell guy, very helpful. Know's his sheeot.