[Billfitz]

It's top rated, and it's not just a reader. A reader tells you what error codes mean, the 510 lets you do much more useful tasks, like registering a new battery. One saved trip to a dealer for service will pay for it. It's on sale now for $149 direct from the mfr.

[Katin]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.2817657

I wouldn't mess around with this one boys. Installing the correct battery and proper coding could be essential to the continued privilege of living and driving Bimmers! Not worth saving some pennies...

[nedmon]

Get a Carly code reader, about $80. Then you can read codes, register batteries, dink with the Idrive and live happily ever after.

[3Series]

I've used AGM batteries for almost a decade on a E60 550 and a E70 X5. My batteries were AGM purchased from, gasp, Walmart and Advanced Auto Parts. Only a handful of companies make batteries anyway. I just swapped the batteries and went on my way. It hasn't shortened the battery life to less than 4 years, so in my dual case experience, it's all good and its not the end of the world if you don't register the battery.

[3Series]

Originally Posted by Katin

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.2817657

I wouldn't mess around with this one boys. Installing the correct battery and proper coding could be essential to the continued privilege of living and driving Bimmers! Not worth saving some pennies...

“The battery was not the original battery for the vehicle, nor the correct battery and is believed to have malfunctioned,” Proudfit said. “

Wrong battery installed and possibly defective battery. There is no correlation between this incident and registering a battery and BMW's. Also, the battery is in the trunk the HVAC doesn't pull air from there.

[Billfitz]

The Cayenne battery is under the front seat. That's not a problem with a sealed AGM battery, but it would be with a conventional battery.

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by Katin

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.2817657

I wouldn't mess around with this one boys. Installing the correct battery and proper coding could be essential to the continued privilege of living and driving Bimmers! Not worth saving some pennies...

Be afraid, be very afraid...

Seriously, don't be a fearmonger.

[Katin]

Originally Posted by 3Series

“The battery was not the original battery for the vehicle, nor the correct battery and is believed to have malfunctioned,” Proudfit said. “

Wrong battery installed and possibly defective battery. There is no correlation between this incident and registering a battery and BMW's. Also, the battery is in the trunk the HVAC doesn't pull air from there.

No “fear mongering” here. I read an initial report ( can’t find) that stated the possible problem was due to the wrong battery being installed or installed incorrectly.
Coded wrong or not at all could cause the alternator to overcharge the battery and a possible failure.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Katin

No “fear mongering” here. I read an initial report ( can’t find) that stated the possible problem was due to the wrong battery being installed or installed incorrectly.
Coded wrong or not at all could cause the alternator to overcharge the battery and a possible failure.

You have to select the correct battery type when coding. If it is a standard flooded cell type there is an option for that or if it is AGM there is an option for that. You also specify the amp hour rating of the battery as well. Best to stick with stock specs for a replacement battery. I forget what the stock amp hour rating is but it corresponds to something like 900 cranking amps which it actually says on the battery in my car.

[Billfitz]

Incorrect coding wouldn't cause venting of hydrogen sulfide if the battery was AGM, because AGM are sealed under pressure. If the internal pressure does get high enough for the pressure relief valve to open it would vent hydrogen and oxygen. If they vented H2S they wouldn't be allowed to be mounted inside the car. BTW, they're mounted inside the car because engine heat reduces their capacity when mounted under the hood.

One need not be Sherlock Holmes to deduce from the information available that the likely cause was replacing the original AGM battery with a far less expensive flooded lead-acid battery, which can emit H2S if improperly charged, although it's quite rare. The other foot to fall would have been that of a product liability lawyer going after the battery manufacturer and Porsche for a few million, but more likely the fault was that of an indy mechanic who probably wasn't worth chasing for relative pocket change.

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Incorrect coding wouldn't cause venting of hydrogen sulfide if the battery was AGM, because AGM are sealed under pressure. If the internal pressure does get high enough for the pressure relief valve to open it would vent hydrogen and oxygen. If they vented H2S they wouldn't be allowed to be mounted inside the car. BTW, they're mounted inside the car because engine heat reduces their capacity when mounted under the hood.

One need not be Sherlock Holmes to deduce from the information available that the likely cause was replacing the original AGM battery with a far less expensive flooded lead-acid battery, which can emit H2S if improperly charged, although it's quite rare. The other foot to fall would have been that of a product liability lawyer going after the battery manufacturer and Porsche for a few million, but more likely the fault was that of an indy mechanic who probably wasn't worth chasing for relative pocket change.

Yes, in the trunk really does help the life of the battery to keep away from temp extremes in the engine compartment. It also helps move weight to the back of the car and swing the balance of weight distribution closer to 50/50.

My firs E46 battery lasted longer than any battery in a car I have ever owned. It was pushing 8 years when I first had to replace it.

[myszano1]

Hi all, I have replaced new battery and registred, but battery have different capacity, ogiginal was 90ah 900a, and new one is 95ah 850a , is there any change to change that values in car , by ISTA+ or esys ,

Waiting for your advice guys, cheers

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by myszano1

Hi all, I have replaced new battery and registred, but battery have different capacity, ogiginal was 90ah 900a, and new one is 95ah 850a , is there any change to change that values in car , by ISTA+ or esys ,

Waiting for your advice guys, cheers

It only specifies new flooded cell or AGM code values. Odd that higher AH is lower CA. They should be directly related.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

Yes, in the trunk really does help the life of the battery to keep away from temp extremes in the engine compartment. It also helps move weight to the back of the car and swing the balance of weight distribution closer to 50/50.

My firs E46 battery lasted longer than any battery in a car I have ever owned. It was pushing 8 years when I first had to replace it.

I've noticed being mounted in the trunk the battery does seem to hold up better. Still looks new versus the battery in my other car which is the same age. Also seems to still be cranking strong after about two years versus under hood batteries often not lasting even two years. Of course bring AGM and 90 AH also helps. Perhaps at some point they can switch to lithium ion or solid state starter batteries which are smaller and lighter for space and weight savings due to better energy density.

[Billfitz]

Li batteries are used already in some M models. They aren't cheap, about $1000 more than AGM. Solid batteries may never make it into cars as starter batteries. The current focus is to develop them for electric cars. If they eventually deliver what's promised of them they may be the final nail in the coffin of the internal combustion engine.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Li batteries are used already in some M models. They aren't cheap, about $1000 more than AGM. Solid batteries may never make it into cars as starter batteries. The current focus is to develop them for electric cars. If they eventually deliver what's promised of them they may be the final nail in the coffin of the internal combustion engine.

I have a li ion battery pack that can jump start my car that costs $80. It is not much larger than a cell phone backup battery and also has a flash light and can charge my cell phone and tablet.

[Billfitz]

It's not going to have the capacity that a real car battery has. I see lots of them available, rated between 1,000 and 2,000 mAh. That seems impressive, but 1,000 mAh is 1Ah.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

It's not going to have the capacity that a real car battery has. I see lots of them available, rated between 1,000 and 2,000 mAh. That seems impressive, but 1,000 mAh is 1Ah.

Mine is like 600 CA enough to get up and go. My point is lithium ion batteries aren't that expensive to make as they are in everything these days. A larger one could easily match the power of an AGM and still be smaller and lighter at a lower cost.

[Billfitz]

I don't know what CA is. I do know that the only rating that matters is amp/hours. If Li batteries could be made to match the power of an AGM while being smaller and lighter then someone would be making them, getting very rich, as everyone would want them, and by everyone I mean every car manufacturer.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

I've noticed being mounted in the trunk the battery does seem to hold up better. Still looks new versus the battery in my other car which is the same age. Also seems to still be cranking strong after about two years versus under hood batteries often not lasting even two years. Of course bring AGM and 90 AH also helps. Perhaps at some point they can switch to lithium ion or solid state starter batteries which are smaller and lighter for space and weight savings due to better energy density.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1095648

F80/82. Cost goes up!

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by 3Series

“The battery was not the original battery for the vehicle, nor the correct battery and is believed to have malfunctioned,” Proudfit said. “

Wrong battery installed and possibly defective battery. There is no correlation between this incident and registering a battery and BMW's. Also, the battery is in the trunk the HVAC doesn't pull air from there.

My plan is to just use AAA mobile battery service(battery + installation, no registering) for $220 and be done with it.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

My plan is to just use AAA mobile battery service(battery + installation, no registering) for $220 and be done with it.

If the old battery is weak & AGM if you don't register it the battery will charge at too high a rate. Expect to replace it sooner then if you registered it. Something you can do yourself a few minutes with a phone app.


BTW you can get a good 90ah AGM battery for $200 at Autozone. same battery as the SEARS Die Hard. Depending on the store have it installed free.