[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

BMW's energy management doesn't run at 100% SOC. Works at about 80%.

If we charge to 100% SOC, after a few days use it will drop back, as the energy management doesn't charge the battery. Leaves capacity for the over-run regeneration. If we don't drive a profile that gets much 'regeneration/harvesting' it is likely it will settle around 80% in normal use. 75 - 80% SOC is not necessarily a sign the battery is on the way out.

Agree, this is pretty much what I’ve observed from both our cars with N55 engines (X5 and F30). Even after long drives where you’d expect the battery to be fully charged, if I hook them up to my charger (4.3 amps) they’ll still suck down 3-4 hours of juice before the charger indicates 100%.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

Agree, this is pretty much what I’ve observed from both our cars with N55 engines (X5 and F30). Even after long drives where you’d expect the battery to be fully charged, if I hook them up to my charger (4.3 amps) they’ll still suck down 3-4 hours of juice before the charger indicates 100%.

Yes, it takes a lot of 'over-run' in our driving, to get the charge to increase much over 80% SOC. You have to deliberately lift off to zero accelerator position, to make the most of energy recuperation.

Intelligent alternator control IGR

In contrast to conventional charge control, the intelligent battery control avoids a 100% charge. The charge level of the battery reaches about 70 - 80% of the maximum possible charge.

The intelligent alternator control is suppressed cyclically in order to allow 100% battery charge to maintain the full capacity of the battery over time (regeneration).

In the intelligent alternator control system, the alternator voltage is correspondingly more often in the lower voltage range in order to achieve more effective charge intake by the vehicle battery.

[rebattery]

agm and flooded can last up 9+ years, checking voltage is not a test of condition only state of charge. A battery @ 12 volt or lower in not necessarily bad, only discharged.
Shorter life is a result of many factors. High heat, short trips, and electrical load.
after 3 years find a battery outlet that test for free and have it done once a year.

[JJS]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

BMW's energy management doesn't run at 100% SOC. Works at about 80%.

If we charge to 100% SOC, after a few days use it will drop back, as the energy management doesn't charge the battery. Leaves capacity for the over-run regeneration. If we don't drive a profile that gets much 'regeneration/harvesting' it is likely it will settle around 80% in normal use. 75 - 80% SOC is not necessarily a sign the battery is on the way out.

I did not know that. Thanks for sharing.

[DrivenByE30]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

My last bimmer's OEM battery last 8+ years in California weather.

Good to know .

my car is exactly 6 month and the other day I forgot to turn off my parking lights and ended up leaving them on for practically 12 hours straight and the car was still able to start as normal that's impressive

[WallaceK]

Holy molly, mine is almost 10 years. It is starting to discharge when the car sits for 2 weeks without use, bought a noco charger yesterday. To be fair, I live in a tropical place and I drive 90% of the time on the highway.

[Skyhigh]

Originally Posted by WallaceK

Holy molly, mine is almost 10 years. It is starting to discharge when the car sits for 2 weeks without use, bought a noco charger yesterday. To be fair, I live in a tropical place and I drive 90% of the time on the highway.

Mine has been discharging after 2-3 weeks without driving ever since it was new! That seems to be normal for these cars, full with electronics, ConnectedDrive, etc.

I put it on charger prior to planned rest and/or after.

[wilbur_the_goose]

Does Bimmerlink have anything to display the State of Charge?

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by wilbur_the_goose

Does Bimmerlink have anything to display the State of Charge?

You don't need an app to determine that. One of these will do: https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Charg...7422ZPT4&psc=1

Mine is plugged into the outlet below the radio/AC, so I always know where it stands.

[Skyhigh]

Originally Posted by wilbur_the_goose

Does Bimmerlink have anything to display the State of Charge?

Yes it does.

[WallaceK]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

Mine has been discharging after 2-3 weeks without driving ever since it was new! That seems to be normal for these cars, full with electronics, ConnectedDrive, etc.

I put it on charger prior to planned rest and/or after.

Now I'm surprised, I will be very happy if I can make this battery last at least 2 more years

[Livetodrive]

My 2016 delivered in Nov. 2015 has the original battery, so it’s 7 1/2 years old. It’s never given me any trouble.

[eluded]

7 years old

[HighlandPete]

Changed original battery after 10-years. May have lasted longer, but didn't want to risk the 11th winter.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by wilbur_the_goose

Does Bimmerlink have anything to display the State of Charge?

Yes...and ditto SkyHigh's reply. There are two things you can do to check your battery using the Bimmerlink app.

You can check the battery's state of charge (click on the icon for 12v battery). And you can also check the battery's status at the IBS (intelligent battery sensor) if you click on SENSOR VALUES.

You can see examples below:

1. battery state of charge (sitting 2 weeks after forgetting to hook up to trickle charger) & this is the original battery in my 2014 f15 X5
2. battery @ IBS prior to start up (sitting 2 weeks)
3. battery @ IBS after engine has been started

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

Mine has been discharging after 2-3 weeks without driving ever since it was new! That seems to be normal for these cars, full with electronics, ConnectedDrive, etc.

I put it on charger prior to planned rest and/or after.

Same here, both on the original battery and on the new one. Closed circuit (sleeping) current draw alone will take a battery down, quite quickly, without any issues.

[Fliplegend]

On the F30, less than a year.
On the F33, OEM going on 8 years.
Both are 2015 models with the F33 build date just a few months before the F30.