BMW Battery

[seelinger]

I noticed that my 2000 323CiC seemed to be starting slowly a couple of days ago and yesterday I had to jump the car to get it started. The car is under a CPO warranty and I intend to take it to the dealer to make sure that everything checks out, (charging system is working porperly, nothing is draining the battery, etc.). Now if it turns out that the only issue is that the battery is truly at fault, (after 4 years!?), I know that it will not be covered under the CPO warranty. When I was at the dealer several months ago I overheard a service advisor call an indivdual and inform them that they needed a replacement BMW battery - at a cost of $250.00. So I'm thinking, jeesh - by a Die Hard for $ 60.00 and replace it yourself.

My question is this - is there a compelling reason to replace the battery with an OEM replacement at a cost of $ 250.00? If the OEM battery is so great then why is mine dead after just 4 years? (I've had batteries last longer than that and they did not cost $ 250.00). Has anyone run into this situation with replacing the battery? What would you recommend?

[CiscoKid]

its not that great.... thats just what BMW and their dealers do. Go to your local parts shop, and buy a reguar battery, maybye even a optima

[mankiks323i]

My opinion most batterys i have had last between 4 or more years one lasted 6 years. i replaced my battery on my car last month 00 323i i replaced it with the factory one yes expensive 130 dollars here but it has a vent hose connected to it and i am not sure if other batterys have this and if it matters.

[gizzy]

Make sure that the battery that you get has a vent hose. You will need this since the battery is in the trunk. This prevents explosive gasses from building up in your trunk.