No battery problems with my 2009 35d to date (since July 2009).

Living here in Anchorage, AK, I'm sure electrical system is heavily taxed over the winter (heavy use of lights, seat heaters, steering wheel heater, aux heaters, glow plugs on start-up, etc). I'll knock of wood for now and hope no problems develop.

Daily commute is 14 miles one-way at highway speeds (55 - 65 mph). Has sat at the airport for nearly two weeks in cold before (-10 to 20 degF). Sits outside during work day, with temps as low as -20 degF. To date, has always started up with no problems. As someone mentioned earlier, is this problem widespread to the X5s? Any idea of what percentage of forum members have reported problems?

The main purpose of this note was to point out that while I was roaming around at the local BMW dealer a while back, I noted (and I apologize for forgetting what model it was) but a new BMW had a battery tender added to the dealer equipment sticker. I for one, would not purchase a car if you told me I had to constantly keep it on a battery tender. Not a very good sales point in my view. Even a possible weekend driver, which I don't think it was, (Z4, M3, roadster, etc) should be able to keep a battery charged. Hell, my first car (1974 Dodge Dart) could sit for months and still start!