Just took a look at my battery and it appears it's from 2012 (neg terminal stamp is 38/12) so I assume it's original to the car. It turns over just fine and I'm not experiencing any issues but I was surprised that it's that old. Other cars I've had the batteries last 3 to 5 years before they die.
With a long road trip into France planned in a couple of months I'm considering getting a new one as a precaution.
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Battery Age
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LJG
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Battery Age
Black 2012 28i
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Johnny h
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Battery Age
Think that would be wise with a trip like that on the horizon…..LJG wrote: ↑Tue Jun 07, 2022 9:48 pm Just took a look at my battery and it appears it's from 2012 (neg terminal stamp is 38/12) so I assume it's original to the car. It turns over just fine and I'm not experiencing any issues but I was surprised that it's that old. Other cars I've had the batteries last 3 to 5 years before they die.
With a long road trip into France planned in a couple of months I'm considering getting a new one as a precaution.
E89 20i SDrive M Sport mineral grey
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Smartbear
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These cars can get battery related issues despite still turning over ok, I’d replace it to save any aggravation.
Rob
Rob
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Mr Tidy
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Exactly what Rob said. 
The battery on my 2nd E86 died after 10 years while my Indy was running diagnostics to deal with a random Amber EML - new battery seemed to fix it!
I got a load of random electrical malfunctions on my E90 a few weeks ago and took it to my Indy today. 7 year old battery was on it's last legs and a new one seems to be the cure.
For peace of mind on a trip like that coming up I think I'd replace it anyway. Even if it did manage the trip I doubt it would last much longer.
The battery on my 2nd E86 died after 10 years while my Indy was running diagnostics to deal with a random Amber EML - new battery seemed to fix it!
I got a load of random electrical malfunctions on my E90 a few weeks ago and took it to my Indy today. 7 year old battery was on it's last legs and a new one seems to be the cure.
For peace of mind on a trip like that coming up I think I'd replace it anyway. Even if it did manage the trip I doubt it would last much longer.
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Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
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LJG
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Mr Tidy
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Well spotted!
I used TWG Automotive in Camberley for years as Will is ex-Sytner and I can just about walk there (2.5 miles) although he does have a courtesy car.
But then RBM Hampshire opened up in Hook on the A30 in 2019 when Ross left Sytner after 15 years, and he has 2 loan cars now. That's where my E90 was today and my E86 will be there next week.
I've never had any issues with the quality of work or pricing at either of them, but getting a booking tends to be quicker at RBM - it's usually a month or so at TWG.
I used TWG Automotive in Camberley for years as Will is ex-Sytner and I can just about walk there (2.5 miles) although he does have a courtesy car.
But then RBM Hampshire opened up in Hook on the A30 in 2019 when Ross left Sytner after 15 years, and he has 2 loan cars now. That's where my E90 was today and my E86 will be there next week.
I've never had any issues with the quality of work or pricing at either of them, but getting a booking tends to be quicker at RBM - it's usually a month or so at TWG.
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
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mcbutler
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Battery Age
If the battery is oriignal it should have BMW written on it.LJG wrote: ↑Tue Jun 07, 2022 9:48 pm Just took a look at my battery and it appears it's from 2012 (neg terminal stamp is 38/12) so I assume it's original to the car. It turns over just fine and I'm not experiencing any issues but I was surprised that it's that old. Other cars I've had the batteries last 3 to 5 years before they die.
With a long road trip into France planned in a couple of months I'm considering getting a new one as a precaution.
https://www.countybattery.co.uk/ are the cheapest car battery retailer I have found in the UK and free delivery, pretty much any garage can fit/code the battery even if you buy it elsewhere.
DONT miss the coding process its essential to get the best from it
Mark
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warmasice
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Yep, you'll be needing to change in soon anyway, so with a trip looming, have it replaced.
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LJG
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Thanks for the advice everyone, I went ahead and replaced it last Saturday.
Black 2012 28i
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Deepseaskateboard
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Did you get it done at BMW?
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LJG
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I went to a local independent, RBM Hampshire. Installed a BMW battery in about 10 minutes.
Black 2012 28i
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Johnny h
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Just got me thinking that maybe I should check mine....is this the date stamp that's been mentioned I should be looking at? ![Image]()
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E89 20i SDrive M Sport mineral grey
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VW Caddy..... Yep.. Its white
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VW Caddy..... Yep.. Its white
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LJG
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Johnny h
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Thanks.... Perhaps I'd better get it checked out
E89 20i SDrive M Sport mineral grey
Golf R-line Atlantic blue
VW Caddy..... Yep.. Its white
Golf R-line Atlantic blue
VW Caddy..... Yep.. Its white
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SonnyA85
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Battery Age
Wouldn't replace a battery on a whim.
You can test the battery with a decent charger to see how much of the original charge it still holds.
Batteries of old which weren't sealed could last forever if used regularly and maintained and topped up. All they needed was Epsom salt and water for the water that had evaporated, the salt broke down the crystals.
Personally I would have just charged it fully before leaving and bunged the charger in the boot just in case after testing the capacity.
You can test the battery with a decent charger to see how much of the original charge it still holds.
Batteries of old which weren't sealed could last forever if used regularly and maintained and topped up. All they needed was Epsom salt and water for the water that had evaporated, the salt broke down the crystals.
Personally I would have just charged it fully before leaving and bunged the charger in the boot just in case after testing the capacity.