Need to replace battery...

[paris1]

So my 5 year old OE AGM battery is giving me clear signs that it's time for replacement. I plan to pick up a Bosch replacement currently on sale at Pep Boys, dropping it in over the weekend and taking it to my nearby BMW shop on Monday to have them register it with the ECU for $40. Pep Boys will do the install/registration for $26, but I'd rather have someone I trust do it. Any problems with this plan? Anything potential problems I'm overlooking? Yes, I know I can get software to do the registration myself, but I'd rather have my guys do it.

[nontoxic]

I would recommend checking with BMW for OEM replacement. When I replaced my battery, I checked all options including Bosch and found the OEM replacement to be ~$50 cheaper. I picked it up from the dealer and had a local BMW specialist register it for $40.

The OEM battery had lower CCA compared to Bosch but it hasn't been an issue (expected since that is how they came from the factory).

[paris1]

Originally Posted by nontoxic

I would recommend checking with BMW for OEM replacement. When I replaced my battery, I checked all options including Bosch and found the OEM replacement to be ~$50 cheaper. I picked it up from the dealer and had a local BMW specialist register it for $40.

The OEM battery had lower CCA compared to Bosch but it hasn't been an issue (expected since that is how they came from the factory).

The Bosch replacement I picked up this morning @PepBoys has the exact same spec as the one coming out and it was on sale for $179. I seriously doubt my dealer would be cheaper and I'm paying the same $40 for a local BMW specialist to install. My only concern is that I hope I don't lose all or some presets between my garage (where I will install it) and the shop.

[nontoxic]

https://www.bmwmidtownparts.com/oem-...MtMGwtbDYtZ2Fz

The battery is $112 from BMW. I was suprised by the price also.

[paris1]

Lower spec battery than the one for my 2013 which comes up $169 and is unshipable.
https://www.bmwmidtownparts.com/oem-...MtMGwtbDYtZ2Fz
But point taken, maybe an OE battery from the dealer isn't as expensive as I might have thought. I'm happy with what I got and the price was right.

[glutton4punishment]

I just went through this process with my 2011 Z 4. Here’s my advice for the average guy.
Replace your current battery with a battery that is specification wise identical to the one you have. Regestering the new battery with the ECM is an easy straight forward process. When you register a battery your basically telling the ECM that your battery is now new on this date. It will reset the charging prameters to a new battery state and away you go.
If you change the size or type of the battery. Then you have to retrofit the battery in the ECM. This is much more complicated and you will need a very good and expensive scanner.

[paris1]

Originally Posted by glutton4punishment

I just went through this process with my 2011 Z 4. Here’s my advice for the average guy.
Replace your current battery with a battery that is specification wise identical to the one you have. Regestering the new battery with the ECM is an easy straight forward process. When you register a battery your basically telling the ECM that your battery is now new on this date. It will reset the charging prameters to a new battery state and away you go.
If you change the size or type of the battery. Then you have to retrofit the battery in the ECM. This is much more complicated and you will need a very good and expensive scanner.

That's great, but how does one register the battery without some kind of programming device (Carly, etc.)? After talking to my BMW shop this morning, they agreed to do the install and registration for $40. That saved me from losing my presets and was the simplest/cheapest solution, all things considered. As noted above, the Bosch battery I used had the exact same specs as the OE unit.

[Lurcher]

Carly will register...

[paris1]

Originally Posted by Lurcher

Carly will register...

Yes, but you have to buy it and I don’t think I would use it much after that.

[glutton4punishment]

@ paris1
I believe your decision to have it done was a good decision. 40 dollars was an excellent deal.
Yes you do need some kind of interface to register a battery. If you do not have a scanner or Carly as someone else mentioned you will need one. The main reason for my post was to warn others of the difference between registering and retrofitting. Retrofitting (changing size style) will require a much more expensive scanner.

[NoQuarter]

Originally Posted by paris1

That saved me from losing my presets

I have disconnected the battery hundreds of times on multiple BMWs and never have lost any presets in the radio, or any other idrive memory configurations.

[paris1]

Originally Posted by NoQuarter

I have disconnected the battery hundreds of times on multiple BMWs and never have lost any presets in the radio, or any other idrive memory configurations.

Where were you when I posted that question in #3 above? I have done the same on lots of other cars with the same result. But the thought of possibly having to reset all that minutia (without the benefit of I-drive) put the fear of god in me!

[NoQuarter]

Originally Posted by paris1

Where were you when I posted that question in #3 above? I have done the same on lots of other cars with the same result. But the thought of possibly having to reset all that minutia (without the benefit of I-drive) put the fear of god in me!

Ha... without I-Drive I can understand the caution.

[mac-z4]

I likewise will be replacing my battery shortly for my 2011 Z4. Currently looking at a Duracell from Batteries + Bulbs. Same spec as original OEM battery (AGM, 760 CCA, 70AH) and then having the dealer register the battery when I have my PA state inspection shortly after my install. The Duracell is relatively the same cost as the dealer's but has a 4 year free replacement warranty where as the BMW dealer provides only a 2yr free replacement. Does anyone have experience/concerns with Batteries + Bulbs? I assume there will not be an issue with my install and delaying the battery registration while driving the car 10 miles to the dealer?

[impulsE89]

Got my battery from Sears 2 years ago. They registered it no cost. It was GLM higher spec battery. They showed me the register program on their screen. It has been fine. They did it all in 40 minutes. Forgot the price tho.

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by glutton4punishment

@ paris1
Retrofitting (changing size style) will require a much more expensive scanner.

Not so. Carly will allow you to change the parameters if you get a battery with different specs.

[Kgoyee]

you can try to recharge battery

[Cargirl68]

Hi everyone…

What was the mileage when you had to replace your battery?

I have a 2011 Z4 with 72K miles. I looked at the car fax to see if a new battery was ever installed but couldn’t find anything. The only thing that was done was charged it a few times.

[KennyP]

65k miles maybe and car was 11 years old.
But i recharged my battery often before that for like a year or so. after replacing havent recharged it once, it just works. No battery discharge messages anymore. So i should have replaced it much earlier. Used Exide AGM battery. And also registered new battery with inpa to reset adaptations.