[skipwalton]

Just when I thought it was funny that the back end of our ML350 looked like a space shuttle wiring harness nightmare, I read that on my '15 328i the battery, if changed out, has to be registered to the cars system so the computer knows how much amperage the alternator needs to produce and other such crap. When will it ever end. I'm about ready for a 1976 American anything that I only need a screwdriver and an adjustable wrench to repair, and maybe some duct tape

[Mikesmith2939]

It's not just BMW that say the new battery needs to be registered, It's all manufacturers the use the smart charging system.

This includes Ford, Audi, Mercedes etc.

[COKen]

Originally Posted by Mikesmith2939

It's not just BMW that say the new battery needs to be registered, It's all manufacturers the use the smart charging system.

This includes Ford, Audi, Mercedes etc.

Its not very smart unless it can easily be told (or recognize) a new battery has been installed.

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by COKen

Its not very smart unless it can easily be told (or recognize) a new battery has been installed.

One needs to be a smart car owner/shopper when driving the Ultimate Driving Machine:

Local auto parts retailer installed new AGM battery in my 2012 X3- $210 out the door, no addl cost for coding/registration. Work completed in 30 minutes while I waited.

Compare that with your local BMW Stealer's offerings😉

[sspade]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

One needs to be a smart car owner/shopper when driving the Ultimate Driving Machine:

Local auto parts retailer installed new AGM battery in my 2012 X3- $210 out the door, no addl cost for coding/registration. Work completed in 30 minutes while I waited.

Compare that with your local BMW Stealer's offerings😉

Interesting...

What did they use to code new battery?

What battery did you choose?

Im planning to use BimmerLink but wondering what an auto parts store would use.

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by sspade

Interesting...

What did they use to code new battery?

What battery did you choose?

Im planning to use BimmerLink but wondering what an auto parts store would use.

Local Pep Boys shop- first store said they could not do coding but referred me to another local store that could; one tech there is a Bimmer guy and shop has pretty sophisticated diagnostic computer setup as they service lots of Euro branded and other late model cars.

Battery is a 5 year warranty First Interstate- original BMW branded battery pulled from car was traditional lead acid type.

I DIY many things but this was a very fair price and good service experience. I don't generally frequent places such as Pep Boys but this worked out quite well-

The manager at this 2nd store told me the other store has the diagnostic gear but nobody there is trained to use it!

[Billfitz]

If you have a car that's old enough to need a battery and you do any of your own work you must have an OBD diagnostic tool. Not a reader, a tool, like the Foxwell NT510 With one you can identify fault codes, and just as important clear them and do other chores, like battery registration. Without one either be prepared to pay someone else to do all of the work on your car or get rid of the BMW and get something more user friendly, like a '57 Chevy.

[Wgosma]

BimmerLink seems to be sufficient so far.

When I owned E39's I used a dedicated handheld unit that could read and clear codes

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by 3A53

It's pretty annoying how much BMW forces their way of doing something upon the owner. Everything from the runflat tire debacle to battery coding. In 70k miles on my Tacoma I don't think I've used more than a pair of pliers and a couple small wrenches including a front brake job, battery replacement and OEM rear view camera install.

You can skip the coding and your BMW will charge the battery just like your old Tacoma. Whether or not you’ll like the results is an open question.

[chowser51]

This battery registration thing has been around forever and a day. Do people not research cars anymore before buying?

[Sweeney921]

Originally Posted by chowser51

This battery registration thing has been around forever and a day. Do people not research cars anymore before buying?

Nope.

[bobiam]

I'm going to find out what battery registering is! Is it like a formal introduction or a religious ceremony???
I own BimmerLink and was wondering what that was all about.
What happens if you just drop in a new batt and ignore registration?

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by bobiam

I'm going to find out what battery registering is! Is it like a formal introduction or a religious ceremony???
I own BimmerLink and was wondering what that was all about.
What happens if you just drop in a new batt and ignore registration?

Failure to register alerts the BMW private police squad; they'll be knocking on your door and may take your car away if you fail to comply on the spot and code the battery 😉.

From what I've read if you don't register the system may overcharge the new battery a bit- which may shorten its overall lifespan. Believe that's as bad as it gets-others here may know more in the topic.

Good luck/Bill

[Billfitz]

The ability of a battery to hold charge goes down with age. To compensate for that the car increases the charge as the battery ages. If a new battery is not registered the car will continue to supply charge as if it was an old battery, so the battery may overcharge and could even be damaged. Worst case the car electrical system could be damaged. This probably wouldn't be a problem for a week or two, depending how much you drive, but it eventually would be a problem.

[kern417]

It's more efficient to have the computer regulate alternator amperage instead of the usual integrated regulator. Especially as more and more load is put on the electrical system. BMW was just one of the first to implement it.

[deviantspeed]

I haven't done this on a bmw yet, but typically you have a battery part number, vendor and serial number that is input. Tells the electronic battery regulation that a new cow is in town.

Many manu's do this, and it's really nothing new.

[sspade]

Has anyone successfully registered a new battery with BimmerCode?

I know this is a feature and plan to use it someday when my original battery shits the bed.

Just wondering if anyone has tried it yet and how they found the process.

[deviantspeed]

Originally Posted by sspade

Has anyone successfully registered a new battery with BimmerCode?

I know this is a feature and plan to use it someday when my original battery shits the bed.

Just wondering if anyone has tried it yet and how they found the process.

Nope, just make sure your new battery has the 3 things I mentioned. Off the record, if it's similar, I have heard you can just increment the serial +1 (vw/audi/porsche world, so ymmv)

[JDTX]

Originally Posted by sspade

Has anyone successfully registered a new battery with BimmerCode?

I know this is a feature and plan to use it someday when my original battery shits the bed.

Just wondering if anyone has tried it yet and how they found the process.

Not yet, but you can watch YouTube videos on how to do it or read up on it. It sounds pretty painless. Also, if you purchase a dedicated OBD reader, there are some that are BMW aware and are able to recode the battery on the computer.

From what I have researched, it's only complicated if you change the battery characteristics. If you simply replace the battery with an identical replacement, then it should be simple.