Battery while car is not used

[Dorfmeister]

Hi all

Just bought my first Z4, although I haven't received it yet, just signed the contract. It's a E89 2010 35is with 65.000 km (approx 40.000 miles?) Really looking forward to this adventure

As this is my summer/fun car, its going to be parked in the warehose of my work in the winter season. Question is: how long can it stay there without being used/started to avoid battery problems? The dealer stated that all services has been made so I trust the battery has been replaced. But unsure of its age though. Any thoughts? Advices?

 

[Pondrew]

I don't think even the best condition battery will hold charge, even with being left unlocked, for 6-8 months. Maybe 2 if you are lucky.
Is there power nearby? If so, just get a cheap battery maintenance charger/ conditioner/ trickle charger and leave it on all the time.
The other problem is that if the battery goes flat, or even nearly flat, it seems to cause all sorts of other problems.
Welcome by the way

 

[Dorfmeister]

Thanks for the quick answer

As I live in the south of Norway I suspect the period of not using the car is top 3 months or so. And yes there is power nearby so I will follow your advice.

So unlocked is the best way to store it?

 

[mr.tourette]

If you have a trickle charger you can leave it locked up.. leave the parking brake off though as that may well seize on if leftblaid up

 

[Smartbear]

Hi, the date of manufacture should be stamped on the battery post
Rob

 

[Zed Baron]

I've got one of these in the garage connected to the car via the terminal under the bonnet on AGM mode: https://www.ctek.com/uk/battery-chargers-12v-24v/ct5-time-to-go-uk (should be able to get it on Amazon)

 

[TitanTim]

Would recommend a a cTEK charger, pricier than most but well worth it, fit and forget using the engine bay charge points.

I would say the battery would only last a few weeks especially in cold weather, they soon die.

Tim.

 

[Ole gits rule]

I use one of these and it works well - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313641544253?hash=item49067e2a3d:g:mzsAAOSwzIBfSNeT

 

[JamesClements]

Mines stored with the battery disconnected 3-4 months a year (depending on weather) and somewhat to my amazement always starts on the first turn of the key, although it is a reasonably warm building. I use a CTEk for my bike a little more expensive but very good

 

[Anonymous]

One minor point..there are several good and cheap tender / float charges..but…most in the event of a power cut don’t restart.. :tumbleweed:

So if you are leaving it truly unattended make sure you get a ctek or other charger that auto re-starts..

If you check your car periodically then the cheaper charges at a fraction of the ctek price are much more cost effective..

 

[Dorfmeister]

I'm at work every day so no worries there. And if I'm not there are warehose staff to report.

But thanks a lot for all you answers guys. Only thing I was not answered on was the one where I asked abot if it is better to leave the Z4 unlocked? It's better for the battery?

 

[Ole gits rule]

If the charger is on then lock the car - it will be fine

 

[Anonymous]

I'm at work every day so no worries there. And if I'm not there are warehose staff to report.

But thanks a lot for all you answers guys. Only thing I was not answered on was the one where I asked abot if it is better to leave the Z4 unlocked? It's better for the battery?

If you have a tender it’s irrelevant..without it your car will last approx twice as long to problem time with doors unlocked as the alarm consumes a fair amount of power..so 6 ish weeks on a new 70ah battery fully charge locked and 3 months -ish unlocked

 

[Dorfmeister]

If you have a tender it’s irrelevant..without it your car will last approx twice as long to problem time with doors unlocked as the alarm consumes a fair amount of power..so 6 ish weeks on a new 70ah battery fully charge locked and 3 months -ish unlocked
[/quote]

Thanks a million Pbondar. Just what I needed to know. And thanks to all of you!! Really appreciate it. Friendly guys

 

[Mr Tidy]

Glad that's solved your battery question.

I don't know if it matters for 3 months, but I've often seen it suggested that it's worth either moving the car a bit or over-inflating the tyres to avoid any flat spots in long term storage.

Anyway welcome to the forum, and we'd love to see a photo or two of your car!

 

[Dorfmeister]

Glad that's solved your battery question.

I don't know if it matters for 3 months, but I've often seen it suggested that it's worth either moving the car a bit or over-inflating the tyres to avoid any flat spots in long term storage.

Anyway welcome to the forum, and we'd love to see a photo or two of your car!

Thanks for this Mr Tidy As I mentioned above I'm picking up my car end of next week, or beginning of the week after. It's grey with silver wheels and silver mirrors (as I understand all 35is have). I looked for this colour combination for some time now, so finally there was one for sale and I bought it right away. I could choose between 19' or 18' wheels. Went for 18' as I understand the driving experience is better. Well now, YES I promise to put some pictures up here as soon as I get this lovely car

 

[Maria1]

We had to leave ours for seven months without trickle charging and the battery was completely unserviceable. This year we will leave it with old battery in it and then manually open the door and bonnet and then connect it to the battery which will have been trickle charged in the flat. This way seem better than disconnecting the battery unless forum members can convince me categorically that disconnection will not allow the boot to self lock and thus render the car completely immobile....