New Battery: Dealership or Mechanic? (Programming necessary?)

refrusloi · 05-09-2018, 11:59 AM

Vehicle: 2012 BMW 328i (convertible)

Situation: So I took my car in for a service and they said the battery was "weak" and I should consider replacing it. Their price was of course more expensive than a local mechanic shop that specializes in bmw.

Details: If I go to the mechanic they said they would install and register it (but not program). It would be a "Millenium" battery (couldn't find info on this).
If I go to dealership it will be the OEM and they will install, program, and register.

My questions are: Does it matter if I get the OEM battery or not? Do I really need to have the battery programmed? [AKA Can I go with the mechanic with peace of mind or should I pay more and let the dealership do it?

COKen · 05-09-2018, 12:10 PM

Never heard of the battery needing to be programmed. It does need to be registered so the car will know it is new and can then charge it properly.

Orion4 · 05-09-2018, 12:32 PM

No programming. Just registered after install.

bimmer456 · 05-09-2018, 03:08 PM

You can register the battery yourself using coding software.

obert · 05-09-2018, 03:45 PM

My personal preference since these cars are temperamental to some after market parts. I would get an BMW battery and have INDY shop install and register it to save a few $.

Billfitz · 05-09-2018, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer456

You can register the battery yourself using coding software.

You can't register the battery with E-Sys, but you can with Carly, or with a Foxwell NT510.
OP, the battery must be registered, not programmed.
https://www.youcanic.com/bmw/battery-registration

If your mechanic can register it fine, just make sure he knows what registering it means. It doesn't mean sending the battery manufacturer a card with your name and the battery serial number on it. There's no reason to buy a BMW battery, BMW doesn't make it anyway. But be sure it's an AGM of the right size from a name brand.

supermarket · 05-09-2018, 04:32 PM

If you replace the battery, you need to register it. Many independent shops can do this.

If you replace the battery with a different type, you also need to code the car to match the battery's characteristics. Shops that specialize in BMW can help, but the average independent shop may not be able to.

For purposes of coding, battery type involves both chemistry (AGM vs. traditional lead-acid) and capacity (amp-hours). The car uses this information to build an appropriate charging profile. If you already have, say, a 90Ah AGM battery, then you can replace it with any other new 90Ah AGM battery without coding, regardless of who's name is on the battery's label.

It is possible to DIY both coding and registration.

refrusloi · 05-09-2018, 05:21 PM

Thanks guys appreciate the infO!

05-09-2018, 11:59 AM	#1
refrusloi Registered 1 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Convertible Join Date: May 2018 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	New Battery: Dealership or Mechanic? (Programming necessary?) Vehicle: 2012 BMW 328i (convertible) Situation: So I took my car in for a service and they said the battery was "weak" and I should consider replacing it. Their price was of course more expensive than a local mechanic shop that specializes in bmw. Details: If I go to the mechanic they said they would install and register it (but not program). It would be a "Millenium" battery (couldn't find info on this). If I go to dealership it will be the OEM and they will install, program, and register. My questions are: Does it matter if I get the OEM battery or not? Do I really need to have the battery programmed? [AKA Can I go with the mechanic with peace of mind or should I pay more and let the dealership do it?
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05-09-2018, 12:10 PM	#2
COKen Lieutenant Colonel 981 Rep 1,560 Posts Drives: M Rster / Z4 M40i / X5 M50i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	Never heard of the battery needing to be programmed. It does need to be registered so the car will know it is new and can then charge it properly. __________________ 2002 M Roadster, Steel Gray Metailic, Gray Nappa Leather, HT, TC Kline DA Shocks & Camber Plates, w/H&R Springs, Stromung Exhaust, SSR Type C. Looking for new home. 2022 Z4 M40i, Misano Blue Metallic, Driver Asst Pkg, Prem Pkg 2023 X5 M50i, Phytonic Blue, Black Extended Merion Leather, Driving Asst Pro Pkg, Park Asst Pkg, Exec Pkg, Climate Comfort Pkg.
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05-09-2018, 12:32 PM	#3
Orion4 Lieutenant Colonel 481 Rep 1,572 Posts Drives: 2013 335i Sport Line Sedan Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Melbourne, FL iTrader: (0)	No programming. Just registered after install.
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05-09-2018, 03:08 PM	#4
bimmer456 Major General 2960 Rep 5,993 Posts Drives: 340i Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0)	You can register the battery yourself using coding software.
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05-09-2018, 03:45 PM	#5
obert Brigadier General 1781 Rep 4,456 Posts Drives: 2013 328i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Seattle Wa iTrader: (49)	My personal preference since these cars are temperamental to some after market parts. I would get an BMW battery and have INDY shop install and register it to save a few $.
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05-09-2018, 04:32 PM	#7
supermarket Private First Class 99 Rep 148 Posts Drives: 2018 340xi, 1996 328iS Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	If you replace the battery, you need to register it. Many independent shops can do this. If you replace the battery with a different type, you also need to code the car to match the battery's characteristics. Shops that specialize in BMW can help, but the average independent shop may not be able to. For purposes of coding, battery type involves both chemistry (AGM vs. traditional lead-acid) and capacity (amp-hours). The car uses this information to build an appropriate charging profile. If you already have, say, a 90Ah AGM battery, then you can replace it with any other new 90Ah AGM battery without coding, regardless of who's name is on the battery's label. It is possible to DIY both coding and registration.
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05-09-2018, 05:21 PM	#8
refrusloi Registered 1 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Convertible Join Date: May 2018 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys appreciate the infO!
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