BMW Battery problems?

I have a 2010 BMW 128I with 28K miles that we have had fro 2 1/2 years. when we bought it the bragged about bumper to bumper waranty and the quality of the product. Well I just found out when the look at the fault codes the have some the say "blaim the customer". turns out they would not replace the defective batterybecause it regestered code 73. Then they proceded to tell me it was my fault because I left the key in the car. Which I thought strange since the key was in my wifes purse and does not need to be in the ignition to start. Then I got schooled on how to properly hit the button "twice" to turn the car I had been driving for 2.5 years off. Long story short and $362 later I had to pay for a new battery. When I went to pick it up the gave me the reason it was my fault. "Unfavorable driving profile" the battery can be depleted due to unfavorable driving caracteristics of the customer.
Unfavorable driving profile
The battery can be depleted due to unfavorable driving characteristics of the customer:
- In the case of extreme short-distance driving, it is possible that starting the engine takes more energy from the battery than is charged in the subsequent trip. The charge balance deteriorates if a great many current consumers are switched on during the subsequent trip.
- Very few trips: If the vehicle is moved very infrequently and the individual trips are not sufficiently long, it is possible that during the immobilization period more energy is taken from the battery by normal closed-circuit current than is charged while the vehicle is being driven.
If possible, point out these facts to the customer.
Has any one had any luck with BMW on this?

I had a similar situation on my '09 MINI Cooper S. I drove it for two years no problems then my wife started using it to get to her job. She drove only 5-7 miles each way and used the lights, seat heaters, etc. We then started to get the low battery dash warnings. I tried hard to get the dealer to replace the battery and they explained the same story about user profile. I didn't believe them at first but when I looked at the actual change in driving patterns, it seemed they had a point. I went out and bought a battery maintainer and use it regularly. It also de-sulfates the battery so it should be good for a long while. At this point it has been almost a year since we had any low battery warnings. I am still not convinced the battery is not weak, but my warranty is good till the end of Dec. I suggest you buy a Battery Minder for about $35 and use it whenever practical.

I have battery minders however there were no warnings just a dead battery which is very common in Arizona when the weather switches. Usually it is first few days of heat or first cold snap. That said my 2003 ford truck is used less and we have no issues with a $70 Interstate Battery which is good for 5 years with no question. Not sure why a BMW that lasts 2 years is worth $486.00 which is what they tried to charge me. Then out of the blue they decided maybe I could have it for $362. In addition we have a 1999 suburban in the mountains which gets used once a year for hunting battery is 6 years old and all we did was put a disconnect on it so it would not drain while sitting. Both the MINI and BMW have electronic drains which are much more the problem than the driving.

You cannot revive the battery by driving on a highway for 30 minutes? Even if you replace the battery, your driving profile is going to run it down again.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-...r-battery1.htm

I am still on the original battery of a 2006 330xi with 132.5k miles. 80 miles a day 60 of which are highway miles.

a I agree with you that the dealer was not reasonable. While it might deplete a battery to only drive short trips it should not ruin a battery. There have been several reports of premature battery replacements in 1 series. I would have argued more and replaced it myself if they did not cover under warranty. I can make the software updates, or at least i think I can so there is no reason I can't replace a bimmer battery at reasonable cost.

Jim