Battery Help

[Aurorax0]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I don't know too much about cars. I have a 2001 X5 with about 8000 miles on it. The battery that came with the car lasted until about 9 months ago. At that time I had 6000 miles on the car. The battery that I got to replace that old battery is now dead (or so I've been told). I put 2000 miles on the car in the 9 months that the battery has been in there.

The dealer has told me that the replacement of the battery that has been in there for 9 months is not covered by the battery warranty because I didn't drive the car enough. It seems to me that the first one lasted 3 years with about 2000 miles/12 months and this one lasted only 9 months.

Are they being reasonable?

[Bear]

Batteries last about as long as the warranty on the battery. Go to Advance or Auto Zone and buy a battery with a six or seven year warranty (Johnson Controls makes auto zone and sears, and Kmart, and wal mart batteries and Interstate the Advance batteries) I have a Advance battery in my 1988 750 and it is three years old and shows no sign of quitting..

[BMWLotAttendant]

Stupid question...who is the battery made by?

[Aurorax0]

Originally posted by BMWLotAttendant@Jan 27 2005, 01:16 AM
Stupid question...who is the battery made by?

[snapback]280189[/snapback]

Ummm...embarassingly enough....I don't know. I'll check and report back.

[epkermitt]

Originally posted by Aurorax0@Jan 25 2005, 11:11 AM
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I don't know too much about cars. I have a 2001 X5 with about 8000 miles on it. The battery that came with the car lasted until about 9 months ago. At that time I had 6000 miles on the car. The battery that I got to replace that old battery is now dead (or so I've been told). I put 2000 miles on the car in the 9 months that the battery has been in there.

The dealer has told me that the replacement of the battery that has been in there for 9 months is not covered by the battery warranty because I didn't drive the car enough. It seems to me that the first one lasted 3 years with about 2000 miles/12 months and this one lasted only 9 months.

Are they being reasonable?

[snapback]278916[/snapback]

[Dirty_Tool]

The worst thing for a battery in a BMW is to not drive the car. With the amount of electronics in a late model BMW there is a constant drain on the battery, no battery can hold up to this for weeks at a time... especially not a Kragen or Wal Mart battery, i would stay away from these all together. The reason your second battery lasted less time is probably because it was rated at less CCA (cold cranking amps) BMW changed the requirement at some point and most likely your replacement battery was not identical to your original battery, which would be fine except that the car doesnt get driven in a "normal" schedule.

So that said, I would say you have a couple of options.

1) install a battery cutoff switch so that when the vehicle is not driven the battery is not being taxed by a system draw. This is not necessarily the best option because then you lose radio presets clock settings etc.
2) Buy the BMW recommended trickle charger which was designed for customers such as yourself who do not drive their vehicles often. It is an automatic charger which will maintain the battery at a full state of charge without harming any of the vehicle electrical systems. This is something you would leave on the car when it is sitting not use after its too late and the system draw has already fried the battery.

Now keep in mind this is assuming that of course you have had a dealership or reputable automotive technician test the charging system and confirm that there is no EXCESSIVE amperage draw with the key off and of course after 16 minutes when the busses go to sleep.

DT

P.S. Not positive but for those who were asking I do believe Douglas International still makes batteries for BMW. Buying a battery through their website is a MUCH better route than using Autozone, Kragen etc.