[F30_n55]

Hey guys I have a 2012 f30 335i with 60k miles , do for a few weeks my car started to waste more gas than usual, then the check engine light turned on. The car started struggling to turn on till it stopped turning a few days ago. I got the car towed in to bmw Palm Springs and their telling me it's the battery , I persisted to ask them what the check engine light code came up with and they just keep telling me the battery is the problem . The car never alerted me of a low battery or anything in that nature. I keep asking what the check engine light came up with and they just respond that the battery is the issue

[GPM]

Did you check the code before having it towed? Is it the original battery? You say the car didn't alert you. That's the purpose of the check engine light. 6 years old, 60k miles, chances are very good it is the battery.

Since you don't seem to trust your dealer you might consider checking the code yourself next time before taking in to them.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by GPM

Did you check the code before having it towed? Is it the original battery? You say the car didn't alert you. That's the purpose of the check engine light. 6 years old, 60k miles, chances are very good it is the battery.

Since you don't seem to trust your dealer you might consider checking the code yourself next time before taking in to them.

I didn’t take care of it when things started going South.

I will not spend money on a reader to tell me what’s wrong.

I don’t trust my Dealer who has the proper equipment.

I want some psychic on the forum to tell me what the issue is based on my self diagnosis.

SMH

I also get all my medical advice from the homeless guy on the Street Corner as I figure he knows more than my Doctor.

[jh_f30]

Originally Posted by F30_n55

Hey guys I have a 2012 f30 335i with 60k miles , do for a few weeks my car started to waste more gas than usual, then the check engine light turned on. The car started struggling to turn on till it stopped turning a few days ago. I got the car towed in to bmw Palm Springs and their telling me it's the battery , I persisted to ask them what the check engine light code came up with and they just keep telling me the battery is the problem . The car never alerted me of a low battery or anything in that nature. I keep asking what the check engine light came up with and they just respond that the battery is the issue

I'd actually be happy to hear it's just a bad battery and not something major.

[RoundelM3]

It's the battery...they normally won't last more than 5 years. Mine is 5.5 years old, but I've only got 30K miles on the car. There is no "low battery" warning, and the CEL is due to a code that likely says "insufficient voltage" or something similar. I've had this same type of failure on a previous car, and there is no warning, other than the weak starts. Battery replacement and registration fixed it.

[jgoens]

Originally Posted by roundel335

It's the battery...they normally won't last more than 5 years. Mine is 5.5 years old, but I've only got 30K miles on the car. There is no "low battery" warning, and the CEL is due to a code that likely says "insufficient voltage" or something similar. I've had this same type of failure on a previous car, and there is no warning, other than the weak starts. Battery replacement and registration fixed it.

Interesting. I am just past 5 years, and do get a code via ISTA that battery is worn. Car cranks fine. I set up a battery checker in socket in trunk and it reads 12.20 after sitting, but is on "yellow." Guess my days are probably numbered. Did you replace yours on your '13?

[Orion4]

I slept at a Holiday Inn Express last night= its the battery! What I've noticed with the "Intelligent Power/Battery Management" systems in the these cars, is that when the battery starts to fail, you can get some pretty quirky symptoms/faults. Doesn't seem like any of them start to fail with the same ques.

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by jgoens

Interesting. I am just past 5 years, and do get a code via ISTA that battery is worn. Car cranks fine. I set up a battery checker in socket in trunk and it reads 12.20 after sitting, but is on "yellow." Guess my days are probably numbered. Did you replace yours on your '13?

No, not yet, but I keep thinking I should do it proactively rather than waiting for it to fail. Trying to figure out what the best AGM-type replacement would be - guess I'll have to do some searching of this forum to see what others have done.

[jgoens]

Originally Posted by roundel335

No, not yet, but I keep thinking I should do it proactively rather than waiting for it to fail. Trying to figure out what the best AGM-type replacement would be - guess I'll have to do some searching of this forum to see what others have done.

Yeah, I have checked into batteries a little bit but that has been inconclusive. Seems like some people get one at Walmart--others the dealer. These batteries are relatively expensive--that's why I put a battery checker in my car as I would like to get as much life out of it as I can, but don't want to get so close to have to deal with a failure. Failed batteries suck as it is an item you know is going to fail and when it does it requires immediate attention.

[Orion4]

Got my battery at a Batteries Plus down the street. Duracell Ultra Platinum AGM Battery for 2013 BMW 335i L6 3.0L 850CCA for about $230. Had my Indy register it.

[_bdiddyb_]

Originally Posted by jgoens

Yeah, I have checked into batteries a little bit but that has been inconclusive. Seems like some people get one at Walmart--others the dealer. These batteries are relatively expensive--that's why I put a battery checker in my car as I would like to get as much life out of it as I can, but don't want to get so close to have to deal with a failure. Failed batteries suck as it is an item you know is going to fail and when it does it requires immediate attention.

Autozone Duralast Platinum Battery H8-AGM. Running good 8 months so far. Gives the car a good crank every time!

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by jgoens

Yeah, I have checked into batteries a little bit but that has been inconclusive. Seems like some people get one at Walmart--others the dealer. These batteries are relatively expensive--that's why I put a battery checker in my car as I would like to get as much life out of it as I can, but don't want to get so close to have to deal with a failure. Failed batteries suck as it is an item you know is going to fail and when it does it requires immediate attention.

I called my local dealership and was surprised to hear that I could get an OEM battery for just $20 more than one from the local auto parts stores. That price includes a 10% discount for Veterans or BMW CCA members - I fall into both categories but they'll only give me one or the other.

[ceedawg]

My car is a 2k15 45k miles. Took my car in for a coolant hose repair. When I went to pic up the car the SA told me they gave me a new battery free because upon routine testing the voltage was low. Go figure! I gladly said ok thanks.

I know on a 2k8 Volvo S90 T6 I had when the battery was low the car would shut down certain functions even limit power with a CEL. When I put in a brand new battery the car woke up big time and all the accessories and functions came back fully restored. Car obviously performed drivability wise night and day. I’m sure it is the same thing with our BMWs and all,it’s fancy options as well.

[Orion4]

Originally Posted by roundel335

I called my local dealership and was surprised to hear that I could get an OEM battery for just $20 more than one from the local auto parts stores. That price includes a 10% discount for Veterans or BMW CCA members - I fall into both categories but they'll only give me one or the other.

Does that price include the battery registration? Some dealers do, others dont.

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by Orion4

Does that price include the battery registration? Some dealers do, others dont.

No, that's just the price of the battery. I can do my own registration. More than likely, they'd charge an hour's labor to swap out the battery and do the registration, although they may have a flat-rate charge for that. I only spoke to the parts guy and he wasn't sure.