Ask the Car People.SM


BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair

5349 messages,  Last post on Apr 30, 2013 at 3:31 PM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

    
Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 522 of 536

#5205 of 5349 Re: 2006 BMW 330xi will not start [Mr_Shiftright] by busiris

Jan 20, 2012 (3:27 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 20, 2012 12:37 pm)
If its a 2006, then its included in the E9x series.
 
As far as I know (and, sometimes I don't know very much), all E9x series require battery registration, and BMW dealers are (with few exceptions) the only shops than can do this.
 
So, the Piper (in this case, BMW) is probably going to "get his due".
 
One poster's experience (from another forum... I hope this will be allowed, since its aimed at helping a poster here...
 
I replaced the original battery on my 2006 E90 myself in 2010, figuring it must be due, especially since the Florida heat tends to be tough on batteries. I had read a number of DIYs and never saw anything about registering the battery (never heard of such a thing until today). Within 6 months or so the car was cranking slow. By late summer 2011 the battery went completely dead. I put another new battery in myself (this was just a few months ago). Within weeks I noticed the cranking was somewhat slow again. I started thinking maybe the ignition coils are getting old. Today I've got the car in a good local shop for a rear window regulator replacement (damn those windows). Just got a call --- the battery is bad and the car wouldn't crank. The subject of "registering the battery with the car" then came up and was explained to me. So in addition to the window repair job I'm having them put in a new BMW battery and do the registering
 
This is what you call learning the hard way that the car's design is too "advanced" for the owner's own good. Bottom line is I would recommend taking care of the registering.

#5206 of 5349 Re: 2006 BMW 330xi will not start [busiris] by bhill2

Jan 22, 2012 (2:13 am)

Replying to: busiris (Jan 20, 2012 3:27 pm)
So exactly what represents 'registering' a battery? It sounds like it involves introducing the charging system to the battery's quirks and limitations to that it doesn't fry the thing. Am I right?

#5207 of 5349 Re: 2006 BMW 330xi will not start [srs_49] by hemanthh

Jan 22, 2012 (6:48 am)

Replying to: srs_49 (Jan 20, 2012 12:44 pm)
Prior to getting the 330xi, I had a Honda Prelude for about 12 years. Cant remember changing the battery even once. Maybe once, I just dont remember. I left it on a friends driveway, all winter one time and still had no issues starting it up.
 
Of course, my friend claimed that he would drive it out once in a while to keep the battery juiced up, and I do believe him
 
But the 330xi, I only drive once a week or so, and this time, hadnt driven for a couple, just when the night time temps went into the single digits.
 
Good news is that the jump seemed to get it back. Im worried, it might stall again on a long drive, so have invested in AAA after many years

#5208 of 5349 Re: 2006 BMW 330xi will not start [bhill2] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 22, 2012 (11:56 am)

Replying to: bhill2 (Jan 22, 2012 2:13 am)
Well they call it registering but really any competent and well-equipped indie shop should be able to do this. You have to hook up the scanner, clear all the codes and then check into, and possibly program, (dial in) various systems so that they work properly. So maybe the dealer quote was for dealer shop time rates, which as you know can be $$$.

#5209 of 5349 Re: 2006 BMW 330xi will not start [bhill2] by busiris

Jan 23, 2012 (3:55 pm)

Replying to: bhill2 (Jan 22, 2012 2:13 am)
So exactly what represents 'registering' a battery? It sounds like it involves introducing the charging system to the battery's quirks and limitations to that it doesn't fry the thing. Am I right?
 
Partially....
 
Mr_Shiftright pretty much nailed it.
 
Different battery construction types have differences in their optimum charge rates, how they discharge, etc., and "registration" gives the on-board computer the info it needs to program charging rates, etc.
 
I haven't had the experience myself, so I can't tell you who, besides BMW, may be able to perform the process.
 
You can simply change out the battery and replace it with a new one, but be prepared for some strange "electronically related" issues to arise.

#5210 of 5349 Re: 2006 BMW 330xi will not start [busiris] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 23, 2012 (6:34 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Jan 23, 2012 3:55 pm)
apparently even BMW is not quite sure what strange phenomena might occur. For instance, your sunroof could stop working. The scanner has to figure all this out.
 
Here's what ALLDATA says: (ALLDATA PRO is for all types of mechanics, not just the ones at BMW dealerships.)
 
"IMPORTANT:
The scope of application of some systems may be restricted after a power supply interruption.
Likewise, individual settings may be lost.
Settings or activations must be carried out, depending on the equipment specification.
 
For example:
Vehicles with automatic engine start stop function (MSA): MSA function is active only after learning period (vehicle must not be woken for a period of approx. 6 hours) > if necessary, notify customer of the situation
E46 Perform (four-wheel drive) / E53 / E83: steering angle sensor adjustment
If necessary, carry out adjustment of active steering
If necessary, activate slide/tilt sunroof
If necessary, activate power windows
If necessary, activate mirror with compass Please refer to the Progman user documentation for further information on vehicle-specific activation.

#5211 of 5349 Re: 2006 BMW 330xi will not start [Mr_Shiftright] by chewy2

Jan 23, 2012 (8:03 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 23, 2012 6:34 pm)
Does anybody know what the cost of registering a new battery might be?

#5212 of 5349 Does Anyone Else. . . by cdnpinhead

Jan 23, 2012 (8:18 pm)

think that this is part of why the vast majority of "modern" BMWs are distributed to (many/most are leased) to consumers rather than enthusiasts?
 
BMW appears to prefer that no one ever raise the hood; any and all maintenance issues (including putting in oil from time to time) should be taken to the dealer. The hood may as well be welded shut, oh and the trunk too, in the case of the battery.
 
Several of us think otherwise. . .way otherwise.

#5213 of 5349 Re: 2006 BMW 330xi will not start [chewy2] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 24, 2012 (11:18 am)

Replying to: chewy2 (Jan 23, 2012 8:03 pm)
Well just reading that description, and considering what it might take to physically remove and install the battery, this can't be more than ...what....1.5 hours total?
 
So where I live that's $200 + the battery.

#5214 of 5349 Does Extended Warranty make Sense? by wasdcbmw

Jan 27, 2012 (4:48 pm)

Hi,
 
I just purchased a 2010 328i XDrive with 35K miles. Dealer is offering the BMW extended warranty (not third party) for 6 years /100K miles at $2500 (7 years / 100K was $3000). He was also offering to extend the maintenance program to 6 years/100K for another $1700.
 
The car is relatively new - In service date was in May 2010 but mileage is high.
 
Should I buy the warranty, maintenance or both?
 
Thanks!

Messages Page 522 of 536

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement