replace battery

Just got the replace battery message on my 550i xdrive with 9800 miles (8 months old). Says that I may continue to drive but I should replace the battery at the next opportunity. I have not called the dealer yet. Any one else see this?

I'm not even sure where the battery is located, I surely miss the simplicity of my e39.

Yes, it's been a fairly common bugaboo. Some cars have had issues with charging.

Originally Posted by moe4ever

I'm not even sure where the battery is located, I surely miss the simplicity of my e39.

in the trunk

Yip, Same place as the E39

How many freeway miles do you drive daily? There have been sporadic reports about the battery going bad when you do not drive enough freeway miles for an adequate charge.

Originally Posted by ssj

How many freeway miles do you drive daily? There have been sporadic reports about the battery going bad when you do not drive enough freeway miles for an adequate charge.

I thought battery will charge when you drive in city as city driving requires frequent braking/deceleration.

Originally Posted by bfv

I thought battery will charge when you drive in city as city driving requires frequent braking/deceleration.

My SA told me that the battery requires freeway driving to recharge adequately. He said 20-30 mile drive would be adequate. Unfortunately there are several of us who drive in stop/go rush hour - even if on the freeway most of the time. He said that was inadequate and recommended I charge the battery once weekly.

Originally Posted by ssj

How many freeway miles do you drive daily? There have been sporadic reports about the battery going bad when you do not drive enough freeway miles for an adequate charge.

I drive an hour and a half of stop and go traffic every weekday, and only get to drive at highway speeds during the weekend. However, I have not had issues with the battery or with charging, in over 9k miles. I would attribute any instances of the battery going bad to defects in the battery or alternator, not to any design issues. I am confident that a normally functioning battery and alternator would not develop any problems even when the car is driven few or no freeway miles.

This is utter nonsense that the battery requires a special pattern of driving to properly charge. If they should deny warranty coverage because of that, as they often did with e60s, we'd have a problem.

most of my driving is highway at normal to high speeds (65-75% hwy miles)

By chance is the battery still in it's shipping mode from the factory? Some have posted here the dealerships sometimes over look this as part of the prep which causes the battery not to charge per spec.

Originally Posted by Slaymaster

By chance is the battery still in it's shipping mode from the factory? Some have posted here the dealerships sometimes over look this as part of the prep which causes the battery not to charge per spec.

not sure but the car is 8 months old. Calling dealer this am.

Originally Posted by ssj

My SA told me that the battery requires freeway driving to recharge adequately. He said 20-30 mile drive would be adequate. Unfortunately there are several of us who drive in stop/go rush hour - even if on the freeway most of the time. He said that was inadequate and recommended I charge the battery once weekly.

If that was the case, then I would see many "battery dead" F10s during my daily driving in NYC If you look at "efficient dynamics" panel under RPM panel, the blue panel (in the shape of a battery) will light up as you take foot away from accelerator or brake. Maybe, charging has something to do with the duration of idling of engine at certain speed (can be done only on "free" freeway).

Originally Posted by bfv

in the trunk

ehh, actually it is where in the E39 was the spare wheel

Happened to be reading the "Service and Warranty Information" booklet that came with the car and noted on page 22 ..... "Battery Care" ..... "If your car is driven only for short distances of less than 10 miles over a prolonged period of time, without an occasional drive at highway speeds, the engine's charging system will not maintain the battery".

Not agreeing with this just noting the caveat!

Tech said this is a fairly common issue with the 550s, he has seen one come in with as little as 3000 miles. Replaced battery, apparently the new batteries are not having the same issues as the originals

Originally Posted by mautzi

Tech said this is a fairly common issue with the 550s, he has seen one come in with as little as 3000 miles. Replaced battery, apparently the new batteries are not having the same issues as the originals

Cost?

Originally Posted by ssj

Cost?

Zero - under warranty

Originally Posted by ssj

My SA told me that the battery requires freeway driving to recharge adequately. He said 20-30 mile drive would be adequate. Unfortunately there are several of us who drive in stop/go rush hour - even if on the freeway most of the time. He said that was inadequate and recommended I charge the battery once weekly.

What your SA told you sounds like pure BS to me and if indeed it is true then this is a serious flaw that reflects poor engineering and design. Charge the battery once a week?

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

What your SA told you sounds like pure BS to me and if indeed it is true then this is a serious flaw that reflects poor engineering and design. Charge the battery once a week?

See previous post by laser

Originally Posted by bfv

I thought battery will charge when you drive in city as city driving requires frequent braking/deceleration.

Copy Paste from the F10 manual:
The energy of motion of the vehicle is converted to electrical energy while coasting. The vehicle battery is partially charged and fuel consumption can be lowered.
So what is coasting -- When approaching a red light, take your foot off
the accelerator and coast to a halt in the highest applicable gear. On a downhill slope, take your foot off the accelerator and coast in a suitable gear.

Originally Posted by ssj

See previous post by laser

OK, BMW is covering its a** for the poor design. It amazes me to continue to see examples of what we have to put up with to drive the "ultimate driving machine" ha!. FWIW, I've driven only in town and only short trips for the past three weeks and I haven't seen any low battery messages yet. I guess I better take it out on the freeway pretty soon or else . . . . ::

Originally Posted by laser

Happened to be reading the "Service and Warranty Information" booklet that came with the car and noted on page 22 ..... "Battery Care" ..... "If your car is driven only for short distances of less than 10 miles over a prolonged period of time, without an occasional drive at highway speeds, the engine's charging system will not maintain the battery".

Not agreeing with this just noting the caveat!

Duly noted.

"Efficient Dynamics" - Right.
Ridiculous.

I received the 'replace battery' message this weekend. Took it in yesterday and was told that the car needed to be reprogrammed as there is nothing wrong with the battery. Picking it up this morning. Only time will tell if the problem is solved.