Flickering on idrive screen
 

I noticed a temporary flickering of the speedometer cluster and nav screen while driving. The light intensity seems to change when this happens. Anyone experience this weird issue?

Alternator

Wow really? It's the alternator? It's an 08 with 50k miles on it. I didn't realize they die so fast.

anything can die fast on these cars:(.

Yea exact same symptoms as my 05 545i. It's the voltage regulator attached to the alternator.

Ouch! Hope you dont have the water cooled type..that one's Expensive as Shiggitty!
I believe around a STACK for the alternator itself + labor.

Na I think it's the regular Valeo one. Buy brand new, don't buy remanufactured. I got away with $70 labor and $300 alternator. Any mechanic should be able to swap it out within 2 hrs. Atleast that was the case for mine.

yeah, mine was the regular type as well. Dealer done mine though for about $600 total.

My car is still under warranty, so I'm going to give it in. Will the car stall on me while driving?

When mine went bad, it started with occasional sputtering and soon there after it just never cranked back up from dead battery.

The car is at the dealer and they said the battery has to be replaced due to low voltage. 428$. They said the charging system and alternator are fine.

Yes, the new battery has to be programmed and/or registered to your vehicle.