Battery Life

R

ronk

Lifer
 Durham
How long do batteries last these days?

I’ve just had the original battery changed on our 335 - the car is now only 27months Old - they told me it’s an AGM and would have cost in the region of £250 inc calibration.

On the flip side - the old fashioned lead acid battery fitted to my first Z4 (2004 E85) and sold to a pal, is still going strong !

Progress eh? :rofl:
 
MY e89 battery lasted 7 years. Life depends on how it’s used really. Temps, charge and discharge cycles etc.

I wouldn’t be happy at 2 years tho
 
Just changed the AGM one in my 35i / 7yrs 50k / exact same one gone in as out (OE Varta ) £130 delivered so £250 is pure ballcocks even with the "programming " :cry:
 
mr wilks said:
Just changed the AGM one in my 35i / 7yrs 50k / exact same one gone in as out (OE Varta ) £130 delivered so £250 is pure ballcocks even with the "programming " :cry:
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I think the programming is not strictly necessary, after all the replacement only has to last for more than 27months & you’re quids in!
Rob
 
Fortunately the new car warranty covered the replacement but if I’d had to pay i certainly not have paid £250 .
I think the reprogram is only if a unit with a different amp/hr rating is fitted.

I would guess the £250 costs they quote is an internal / between department charge .
 
That is what I heard as well with the programming, i.e. without it on the newer cars, it would fry the battery. Not seen the proof (except for short lasting batteries).
 
ronk said:
How long do batteries last these days? ...........

...On the flip side - the old fashioned lead acid battery fitted to my first Z4 (2004 E85) and sold to a pal, is still going strong !

Progress eh? :rofl:
Click to expand...

Amazing but the battery in my June 2003 e85 is the original date stamped BMW unit! I always stick it on the Ctek when it's not used for a week or more but I can't imagine it can last much longer, there again who knows?

What is battery programming anyway?
 
Literally just replaced original from April 2007
Correct replacement from my Dealer cost £106 which i thought was very acceptable :driving: :driving:
 
Ewazix said:
ronk said:
How long do batteries last these days? ...........

...On the flip side - the old fashioned lead acid battery fitted to my first Z4 (2004 E85) and sold to a pal, is still going strong !

Progress eh? :rofl:
Click to expand...

Amazing but the battery in my June 2003 e85 is the original date stamped BMW unit! I always stick it on the Ctek when it's not used for a week or more but I can't imagine it can last much longer, there again who knows?

What is battery programming anyway?
Click to expand...

Bmw say the car is supposed to be programmed that a new battery is fitted, this apparently alters the charging rates to maximise the life of the new battery.
It sounds plausible until you find out how much they want to charge for it :rofl:
Rob
 
Yes, it all seems to be geared to revenue generation! :headbang:

My 123d needed an AGM battery and coding before 55K miles and 5 years old - cost just over £250 at an indy. :eek:

Then just before 77K miles it needed a new starter motor - stop/start may have been a factor? :x

My Z4C had a battery at 81K supplied and fitted for about half that cost - progress indeed. :headbang:
 
Smartbear said:
Ewazix said:
What is battery programming anyway?
Click to expand...

Bmw say the car is supposed to be programmed that a new battery is fitted, this apparently alters the charging rates to maximise the life of the new battery.
It sounds plausible until you find out how much they want to charge for it :rofl:
Rob
Click to expand...
Cheers got it, BMW at it again! Fit a battery that lasts just beyond the warranty period AND needs re-programming at a dealer :roll:

I thought the whole idea of a 'smart charge' alternator was to detect the state of the battery and adjust charging and that AGM batteries were supposed to be capable of a lot more deep discharge and rapid charge cycles, hence why they are used on motors with stop-start and loads of toys.
 
My thoughts on battery coding... http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=100385&start=15
 
Ewazix said:
Smartbear said:
Ewazix said:
What is battery programming anyway?
Click to expand...

Bmw say the car is supposed to be programmed that a new battery is fitted, this apparently alters the charging rates to maximise the life of the new battery.
It sounds plausible until you find out how much they want to charge for it :rofl:
Rob
Click to expand...
Cheers got it, BMW at it again! Fit a battery that lasts just beyond the warranty period AND needs re-programming at a dealer :roll:

I thought the whole idea of a 'smart charge' alternator was to detect the state of the battery and adjust charging and that AGM batteries were supposed to be capable of a lot more deep discharge and rapid charge cycles, hence why they are used on motors with stop-start and loads of toys.
Click to expand...
When i went in to check price of new battery at my Dealers they confirmed that if the correct battery original type was fitted ie a lead acid replacing lead acid then no resetting was necessary apart from the clock :thumbsup:
 
What ever batteries you buy they are all miles behind in terms of technology.

You would think they would have sorted something by now with the future looking to depend on the technology. The tech that is around is all integral with computer programming constantly ensuring the health of the cells. Basically a computer controlled battery, which is how they try to make a small battery like the one in your phone healthy but unfortunately what ever you do the cells degrade.

Wonder how a car cycles a battery, probably why they dont last long.
 
buzyg said:
The one in the MR is original, so 9 1/2 Years old, and 60k miles. Still going strong. :D
Click to expand...

That’s impressive but I’d seriously consider replacing it for a new one before it bites you in the arse :cry:
Rob
 
It seems that the old lead acid type last, while the new fangled AGM types with fancy charging controls - dont !
 
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