[pobrienny]

Average Battery Lifetime?

I'm wondering what the average battery life most have found with their F30. My 2013 F30, N26 xDrive still has the original battery with a date of Oct 2012. Is 10 years about average? I guess the Intelligent Battery System does optimize performance!

[Billfitz]

8 years would probably be average, with a lot depending on climate and driving habits. Batteries don't care for either very hot or very cold conditions. Lots of short trips are harder on them than fewer long trips. Auto start/stop reduces battery life. BMW batteries are oversized to handle auto stop/start demands, so if you don't use ASS that over sizing results in longer than average battery life.

[pobrienny]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

8 years would probably be average, with a lot depending on climate and driving habits. Batteries don't care for either very hot or very cold conditions. Lots of short trips are harder on them than fewer long trips. Auto start/stop reduces battery life. BMW batteries are oversized to handle auto stop/start demands, so if you don't use ASS that over sizing results in longer than average battery life.

My battery has experienced -20F to 105F over its life thus far, with 160k miles. The alternator gave out over the weekend, was wondering when the battery would!

[123Britt]

My dealer said most AGM batteries last 7-8ys.
.
.
After 7 / 8 yrs -- why wait -- Replace it as a maintenance item.

[delta-9-ginseng]

I recently replaced the battery a couple of days ago at the dealer. My car is a 2016. I’m sure I could have rode it out a couple more years but decided to just replace and forget about it.

[Jimmert]

My AGM died after 6 years already(well it didnt die yet, but couldn’t keep charge for over 2 weeks)

[el_couzin]

I Just replaced my AGM battery, it had 7years. It was working fine but wasn't able to reach the max CCA when fully charged (around 500 / 850CCA). Last winter I had 4 or 5 battery warnings. I've changed it more as a prevention rather than to wait to be stuck in the middle of nowhere

[ballbutick]

my car is 2016, battery die 4 week ago

[fe7565]

I just checked in ISTA my F30 2012 battery, and it has an average of 76% (capacity? -> last 5 charges). Bought the car when it was 1.5 years old and apparently (based on ISTA) this is the original battery, so 10 years old. Car is/was garaged in moderate climate.

I guess the BMW smart battery-charging system works quite well.

[imperfectluck]

'14 F30 in NYC non garaged and mine has been fine though I'll get a readout to see the remaining capacity, haven't gotten any battery warnings ever since owning the car but I don't do much short distances but will probably just pick up a new battery this year as it's done me justice don't want to get stranded with it

[Yam_440i]

My car is a 2017 and my battery began causing some electric gremlins in my car (e.g. stop start not working, random errors on the dashboard). The battery was not holding sufficient charge. Changed it, all problems went away

[cfm56d7b]

Two data points.

2017 440i GC: battery replaced by the dealer shortly before expiration of 4 year warranty

2015 X5: battery replaced at exactly 7 year mark as expected for AGM battery

[bgalakazam]

2015 with original battery still. Hot Italian weather and now cold German weather. Plenty start/stop. I am pretty happy with the life.

[auburnf30x]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

8 years would probably be average, with a lot depending on climate and driving habits. Batteries don't care for either very hot or very cold conditions. Lots of short trips are harder on them than fewer long trips. Auto start/stop reduces battery life. BMW batteries are oversized to handle auto stop/start demands, so if you don't use ASS that over sizing results in longer than average battery life.

This basically sums it up.

Things that will prolong battery life: Garage kept (less dramatic temperature swings), using a trickle charger when parked unused for more than a couple of days, disable auto stop/start, reducing short trips (<15m), being careful not to drain the battery by repeatedly opening doors and leaving them open with the car off over several hours, etc.

[Billfitz]

I do all the above. I don't drive anywhere less than a mile away, I walk. That's good for the car and good for my health.

[zhty]

OEM battery from Jan2016 still going okay

[howe9191]

Mine since 2013 til now still working good, urban driving style with at least 30m each trip, Daytime running light - OFF, Auto Headlamp - OFF

[Hobie18]

I just replaced my 2013's original battery. It was giving signs it was time for replacement. Stop Start which I usually turn off was not working and iDrive crashed a few times.

Used BimmerLink to register new battery. Only issue was BimmerLink / BimmerCode didn't have option for 95 Ah replacement (original BMW 90 Ah).

[daddymac]

Had a few bimmers over the years usually about 7 years. Learned once you start having problems change it right away otherwise it leads to more problems.

[1bad14-F30]

2014 335i, just replaced the battery 2 weeks ago. Autozone Duralast Gold. We'll see how well it holds up. My battery was the original. Began to have labored starts and random iDrive crashes. Replaced and all is well. 7-8 years certainly does seem to be the norm for these AGM batteries. Garage kept, no big temperature swings here in Seattle area. No short trips. (mostly because I don't want condensation in the oil system, but seems to help the battery as well. Girlfriend thinks I'm nuts. lol)

I noticed in Bimmerlink, that when I first got the new battery and registered it, it said 84%. After having it installed for the past 2+ weeks, it now says 94%.

[bulletguy]

Original battery in my car still working fine in its 9th year entering 10th.
I have seen significant drop in mpg. Is this the sign?

Thanks
Bulletguy.

[Billfitz]

Huh?