my battery is dying in my 2yr old Z4

[CeEl]

Originally Posted by teagueAMX

A battery should last longer than 2 years. I agree with 2gumby and bjarne on this one. They will cover brakes but not a battery?

Agree. Couple of years ago, had my TL in for its last service before warranty expired. Cold cranking amps were a bit low, so they replaced the battery under warranty. No questions asked, they just did it and told me when I picked it up. Surly BMW with the superior (?) $0 warranty they keep advertising includes the battery as well?

[teagueAMX]

There's only one reason a manufacture has such a warranty. So buyers will feel secure buying their cars.

After the fanatical Honda buying hysteria declined, people began to realize that Japanese cars breakdown, too. Then Toyota blew themselves out of the market. Buyers looked for another route, but your choices are limited:

1. Japanese - been there done that
2. American - High end models, maybe
3. German - anything European can/will be expensive to fix

And, let's face it, even today the top Japanese brands' quality control and overall build is very high, so people would have a high level of trust even with a short warranty. Then BMW had a stroke of genius - let's give 'em the legendary "German Engineering" without the risk. A bummer-to-bumper warranty (in some countries, where marketing shows buyers have a lower tolerance).

But back on the thread, knowing that batteries can be troublesome, especially the cheap OEM versions manufactures typically install, they also managed to convince people the car has to "condition" a new battery (which is total BS), so it's a win-win for BMW. They don't have to pay for one of the of the most common replacement items on the car "bummer-to-bumper" warranty, plus they make $250 on the deal.

[Roadstergal]

My car is barely two years old and I just started getting a message on my idrive that the battery is discharging when stopped. I also have a triangle above my speedometer and when I go into the vehicle settings it is saying the same thing. I haven't brought my car in yet. I figure I will after Christmas, but I cannot believe the battery would be losing a charge already.

[matt_435xi]

so the dealership said my battery was low, and then starting asking a series of questions. they wanted me to admit that it was my fault the battery was so low, and claimed they had logs that proved that i operate electronics with the engine off. i admit i tried taking the top down this past weekend, but i rarely do that and i RARELY operate the stereo, my iPod, bluetooth, lights, or anything else when the car is OFF. i argued that their logs were false, so they erased the log file so next time they have a more accurate reading and they recharged my battery. they said they would not replace the battery, and i would have to pay for a new one if i wanted one. but after they recharged my battery the error messages went away, so they hope, and so do i, that i can get through the final 4 months of my lease without buying a new battery. they advised me to not take the top down, or use much other power, when the car is off and to consider getting a electric charger/trickler to maintain the charge when not in use. i argued that my Z4 is my daily driver and i didn't think a charger was necessary. wish me luck guys, i need to stick this out for 4 more months! (or if i get a new car earlier - come on F30!)

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by matt_335Ci

so the dealership said my battery was low, and then starting asking a series of questions. they wanted me to admit that it was my fault the battery was so low, and claimed they had logs that proved that i operate electronics with the engine off. i admit i tried taking the top down this past weekend, but i rarely do that and i RARELY operate the stereo, my iPod, bluetooth, lights, or anything else when the car is OFF. i argued that their logs were false, so they erased the log file so next time they have a more accurate reading and they recharged my battery. they said they would not replace the battery, and i would have to pay for a new one if i wanted one. but after they recharged my battery the error messages went away, so they hope, and so do i, that i can get through the final 4 months of my lease without buying a new battery. they advised me to not take the top down, or use much other power, when the car is off and to consider getting a electric charger/trickler to maintain the charge when not in use. i argued that my Z4 is my daily driver and i didn't think a charger was necessary. wish me luck guys, i need to stick this out for 4 more months! (or if i get a new car earlier - come on F30!)

Your dealer is trying to take you for a ride.

1st - worst case scenario: basic automotive battery tek today is such that you could completely discharge your batter several times with no detrimental effects. Your battery is designed to take moderate levels of abuse and bounce back with no problems.

But let's talk reality here. You said that you car is a daily driver, and you occasionally play your "electronics" with the engine off. Big deal. When you got done sabotaging your electrical system by playing the radio - something your car is designed to do BTW - it started and ran fine, right?!

Here's your dealer IQ test:
Ask them how many cold cranking amps does it takes to start your relatively high compression engine compared to the very minor trickle of power used to play your "electronics". And, guess what your car is equipped with a 170 amp alternator. That's enough to run an entire house in many third world countries (yes, I'm familiar with ohms law - just making a point ). But seriously, that much amperage at 13 - 14 volts is enough to top off your battery in a few minutes with normal operation.

As I said, manufactures put in cheap batteries - planned obsolescence. The sad part is that dealers get away with that crap 9 out of 10 times because most people don't understand automotive technology and trust stealerships to tell the truth.

[35iDriver]

Originally Posted by az34

battery are like tires no warranties

My battery died after about a year on my 2009 and the dealer put a new one in under warranty.

[az34]

matt335ci

Originally Posted by 35iDriver

My battery died after about a year on my 2009 and the dealer put a new one in under warranty.

have you read what Matt 335ci dealer told him,its sound like its kind of dealer discration.lucky for you,yours was comprehensive.

[rarlyl8]

Just throw it on a battery tender twice a week.

[35iDriver]

Originally Posted by az34

matt335ci

have you read what Matt 335ci dealer told him,its sound like its kind of dealer discration.lucky for you,yours was comprehensive.

Yup, so he needs to print this thread and show it to his dealer. If my dealer thought BMW would honor a new battery under warranty, then they honored it. NO dealer is going to risk having to pay for a new battery. His dealer needs to get the stick out of their ass.

[az34]

Originally Posted by 35iDriver

Yup, so he needs to print this thread and show it to his dealer. If my dealer thought BMW would honor a new battery under warranty, then they honored it. NO dealer is going to risk having to pay for a new battery. His dealer needs to get the stick out of their ass.

i totally agree whit you its kind of frustating particularly after having paid $60,000+ for a car the battery should last longer then a few years!