Z4MR - Battery Dead Help

Guys

What is the secret to getting the battery cover off? I took the 3 nuts off the top, got one of the bottom screws to back out, but the other two just spin. Is there a catch or something that unlocks the battery box?

Help!

Best regards

They're just 50 cent plastic pieces, rip them out. I use a door panel popper. The replacements BMW offers now don't have the phillips head part. They're just center tap expanding rivets; which are made to be destroyed.

Thank you!!! I used plyers, small metal open end wrench and got them out enough to yank out. There was no way with the so called directions in the manual for that cover to flip over to the left like the diagram seem to indicate. I was concerned about ripping the cover, but I snatched hard enough to have a clean break on each of the plastic screws and no harm done.

I got the battery on the tender, hopefully by tomorrow evening it will have rejuvinated it enough to start up.

Best regards.

Originally Posted by STIHLBOLTS

Thank you!!! I used plyers, small metal open end wrench and got them out enough to yank out. There was no way with the so called directions in the manual for that cover to flip over to the left like the diagram seem to indicate. I was concerned about ripping the cover, but I snatched hard enough to have a clean break on each of the plastic screws and no harm done.

I got the battery on the tender, hopefully by tomorrow evening it will have rejuvinated it enough to start up.

Best regards.

Why didn't you do it under the hood?

Originally Posted by STIHLBOLTS

Thank you!!! I used plyers, small metal open end wrench and got them out enough to yank out. There was no way with the so called directions in the manual for that cover to flip over to the left like the diagram seem to indicate. I was concerned about ripping the cover, but I snatched hard enough to have a clean break on each of the plastic screws and no harm done.

I got the battery on the tender, hopefully by tomorrow evening it will have rejuvinated it enough to start up.

Best regards.

Yea, sorry I didn't realize that was the goal. There is a positive battery post in the back center of the engine bay. Its under a plastic cover. Put the negative connection on the frame.

I checked on the car this morning and the battery tender did not do it much good. I don't like leaving a charger running unattended so I left the tender alone for the moment and will check on it again when I get home tonight. I looked at the jump start point and went duh too. The jump start point did not have any kind of cover on it, just a round metal piece on top of a black box. I'll put the charger hook up there if we don't see any improvement to night. Talked to my service guy at the dealership and he said if it don't charge up, call the BMW Service number and they will pick the car up free and bring it in. Part of the warrenty.

PS: Those screws needed go any way. I will put something different in there that I can actually get back out at a later point.

Thanks for the help.

Best regards.

Lucky for you the replacement battery should be free. They are not cheap. I use a tender on mine for 24hrs once a month to keep it topped up since I don't drive much.

I know, I knew it was getting cold and should have already had it on the tender, it's one of those smart kind that you just leave hooked up and it shuts itself down. I also left my radar detector plugged in. I know, what a dope! And yes, I have had experience with those expensive BMW Batteries on the last car when the mice moved in on it.

Update, got battery charged up enough to crank the car and took a spin for 30 or so miles. And now she is back on the tender. That should do the trick.

Again, thanks for the help.

Best regards

Sometimes, I have let mine go 2 or 3 weeks without running, mostly in the summer time, and never had a battery issue. Always started and didn't need a battery tender. Just passed the 4 1/2 year old mark now so probably will need a new battery shortly. The battery died on my Z3MR when it was about 5 years old.

I'm thinking of adding a new one in the spring at the 5 year mark. No issues - yet; just PM.

I have never ran in to the this issue either during the summer. Winter is rough on batteries and if you have something like a radar detector, ipod pluged in then the battery will get drained. It was my own fault, I am just glad it did not cost me a new battery.

From here on out the car goes on the battery tender when not in use and that should take care of any future problems.

Best regards

My car sits a lot - it's an 07 with only 7,000 miles and I see it every six to twelve months. My kids are supposed to keep it on the tender for me. but it always gets disconnected. I've been through two batteries and BMW has advised me - quite fairly, I believe - they won't give me another new one. If the car is going to sit, the battery should be disconnected. In the rush to the airport on the last day, I always forget this detail. So, I'm coming home at the holidays and wonder, what's the price of a new battery because I know I'll need one.

BMW Batteries are expensive, $300!

+1 for Battery Tender Jr

Can you get a battery at Auto Zone or some other parts store? I got one for my 3.0L there for <$150. Is the M battery different?

Yes, Ken. You have to know the secret "M" handsake to get a "M" battery. Just kidding.


No, it's no different than the BMW battery I had in the 3.0. It's just $300 through the dealer. If insurance had not covered it, I would have bought a interstate or battery source premium brand.

Best regards

Do you have to register that battery with the Z cars like I had to with my M5?

Originally Posted by STIHLBOLTS

Yes, Ken. You have to know the secret "M" handsake to get a "M" battery.

Best regards

That explains it - I bought my M used so I didn't get the secret M handshake. I know - I'll look on ebay for one...

What is the current BMW OE replacement part # for a Z4M battery? I'm going to get some prices.

Thanks!

glad you got it figured out. I noticed that the M's are finicky w/ battery voltage. IE: cars HVAC, dcs, and ABS won't work unless at operating voltage. I also noticed that the CCA rating was higher than my Nissan Titan w/ Tow pack and HD battery/alternator it must be due to our high compression?

I changed mine w/ a 9lb odyssey and shaved nearly 40lbs off the back