Battery died on my '99 M3 today...

[Jon S.]

The last 2 service appointments I had (most recent -- last May) I was advised that my battery tested out low, but I never seemed to have a problem starting my car. Once while I was waxing it with the stereo on I drained it to the point of needign a jump, but never a real problem (until today)...

This morning she started up just fine, and I drove to Rincon for a birthday surf. When I got out of the water and tried to get home I turned the key and only got the tell-tale clicking sound.

After a jump I went to the dealer and bought a replacement, not wanting to futz around with charging & testing.

I paid $125.00. Was this a good deal? :dunno:

Also, I think I came up with a pretty cool way to change out the battery without having to recode the stereo. What I did was hook up my charger to the leads under the hood and leave it on while I pulled the battery out of the trunk and R&R'd it. Worked like a charm! I guess that it is a real P.I.T.A. nowadays to get the radio code from a dealer (I don't have mine). Apparently, you have to pull the stereo out to get the numbers off of the back of the unit. Glad I didn't have to go that far...

[Bmwcat]

What brand of battery did they sell you? I have my radio code ready and Ive used it a few times. I think I still have the original BMW battery from 1996!! :)

[Dane.se]

att Jon

Who's birthday ?
I just spend 160$ on a battery for my 1991 VW Golf Cabriolet, and its died again, seems like it was my generator that need new charcoal (?) ...
(memo to self : remember to fix Golf generator)

[fun2drive]

125 is a very fair price. Even with my BMWCCA discount my new BMW battery was like 115 bucks 8 years ago. I have since gone to Batteries Plus because I can get a similar battery for about 30 bucks less...
I have also bought an Interstate replacement battery for around the same price, 99 bucks but have recently discovered Auto Zone is carring batteries with the recessed lugs for around 69 bucks.
I still you got a good deal for a BMW battery.

[Cliff]

I paid $125.00. Was this a good deal? :dunno:

I paid about the same a few weeks ago when my indy mechanic replaced the one in my 3er.

[Jon S.]

att Jon

Who's birthday ?
I just spend 160$ on a battery for my 1991 VW Golf Cabriolet, and its died again, seems like it was my generator that need new charcoal (?) ...
(memo to self : remember to fix Golf generator)

It was my (46th) birthday... :eeps:

What brand of battery did they sell you? I have my radio code ready and Ive used it a few times. I think I still have the original BMW battery from 1996!! :)

It is an OEM BMW battery... Looks similar to the one that I pulled out which may have been the original. It does have one of those green charge indicators now that the original didn't.

I paid about the same a few weeks ago when my indy mechanic replaced the one in my 3er.

Cool! THANKS!!

[Cliff]

It was my (46th) birthday... :eeps:

...

Cool! THANKS!!


You bet, and happy birthday! :beerchug:

[BradleyPorter]

I had nearly the same situation, I live in Iowa and it gets cold, my battery died and replaced it for $113.10 , I don't have the codes either, had to pull the S/N and go to the dealer for the code, kinda blew :confused:

[zarbat007]

yep thats a fair price

[BradleyPorter]

Yeah, I was still suprised of the cost, but what do you expect with the car. I'm not aware of the brand, but its bmw ceritified and suppose to last ^10 years..

[wuilman]

Also, I think I came up with a pretty cool way to change out the battery without having to recode the stereo. What I did was hook up my charger to the leads under the hood and leave it on while I pulled the battery out of the trunk and R&R'd it. Worked like a charm! I guess that it is a real P.I.T.A. nowadays to get the radio code from a dealer (I don't have mine). Apparently, you have to pull the stereo out to get the numbers off of the back of the unit. Glad I didn't have to go that far...


or you could get the proper tool for the job and not risk shorting things out with the battery charger!:yikes: this be the one:thumbup:
http://www.toolsource.com/ost/product.asp?sourceid=overtureautotool&dept%5Fid=500&pf%5Fid=71758&mscssid=V7DJA4A5J11R8LTDJV54WNTK4AQB3UN5

[Jon S.]

or you could get the proper tool for the job and not risk shorting things out with the battery charger!:yikes: this be the one:thumbup:
http://www.toolsource.com/ost/product.asp?sourceid=overtureautotool&dept%5Fid=500&pf%5Fid=71758&mscssid=V7DJA4A5J11R8LTDJV54WNTK4AQB3UN5

Cool tool!!

[BradleyPorter]

hey that is neat, never thought of it, sure would of saved me a lotta of hassel, oh well at least if i sell the car i have the codes now....

[wuilman]

yeah we have to use them at the shop, or we then have to deal with an enormous headache!:cry:

[dhm118]

i just replaced the original battery on my 92 325i last month! i got a new one installed for $100. sweet price installed ey?

[ban91r]

i do have one question. why have so many people still got stock head units in? are they not like crap ?

took mine out as soon as i possibly could and those horrid rear speakers.

[Bmwcat]

I'm on my second stock radio/cassette thanks to Ebay. The radio isnt bad and I like the bright orange LED readout that matches the rest of the dashboard. Also the stock Alpine radio has the VHF weather channels, kewl stuff!!! :thumbup:

[Jon S.]

i do have one question. why have so many people still got stock head units in? are they not like crap ?

took mine out as soon as i possibly could and those horrid rear speakers.

I love my HK!

:thumbup: