Thanks for that post.

What is really strange is that when I was at the dealer parts, they told me that there are two different batteries for my car and I needed the old battery. I had taken a picture if the top of the battery and that is how we matched it. It is strange that the foreman after double checking my vin confirmed that I needed to reprogram. I don't think he would lie. Maybe I am naive.

The other strange thing is that the sears diehard didn't work. It was more powerful than the bmw battery. It had CCA rating of 900 as opposed to the 640 on the bmw. When I started the car, the cranking seemed louder too, it just wouldn't start though.

I can't believe I had so much stress about changing the battery. Seems like such an easy thing.

Thanks so much for all your info.

Oh one more thing, I did get the variable 4•4 sign come on, but it went away after I drove it. I got this before too when my battery died and I had to jump it.

Between door freezing and window regulator freezing after the snow storm and battery dying, this has not been a good winter for my car. Luckily, I just got a new pilot for my wife. It would have not been good if she faced these issues with the young kids in freezing temperatures.