more difficult to start

[3Series]

[QUOTE=rh71;836319]my SA says these batteries are supposed to last 7 years. Maybe he's talking about normal driving with a lot of highway...

They used to......not so sure about more recent batteries in BMW's with i-drive and automated this and taht.

My 1998 M3 (almost 14yrs old) is on it's second OEM BMW battery. However, it gets driven about 1,000-1,500 miles a year and sits with a trickle charger the rest of the time.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by rh71

my SA says these batteries are supposed to last 7 years. Maybe he's talking about normal driving with a lot of highway..

7 years is extraordinary for a modern BMW. The bell curve suggests 4-5 years, with the newer, electronic-intensive ones falling shorter.

Like I said, 7,5 years for the one in my X3 is phenomenal considering the temperature extremes and option-heavy vehicle (electric everything, heated everything). Then again, the X3 sees mostly highway driving, and I usually don't use the climate control unless needed.

[rh71]

ugh battery checked out ok and there are no codes which would show up if related to the charging system. And there would also be a battery warning light.

guess i'm gonna try the fuel injector cleaner... always thought that stuff was a gimmick... but I'm desperate now. If anyone has any other ideas I could throw at them, pls let me know.

[diesaroo]

Originally Posted by rh71

ugh battery checked out ok and there are no codes which would show up if related to the charging system. And there would also be a battery warning light.

guess i'm gonna try the fuel injector cleaner... always thought that stuff was a gimmick... but I'm desperate now. If anyone has any other ideas I could throw at them, pls let me know.

Well unless you have a favorite, BMW has their own branded fuel injector cleaner.

Also, FYI the aftermarket diagnostic software from Autoenginuity will register batteries after replacement.

[jean-marie]

you can not start your engine?
something wrong with the system?

[autoque]

BMW branded fuel injection cleaner is a rebranded Chevron Techron concentrate fuel system cleaner. It's probably much cheaper to buy one at a local Chevron. And it's among the highest regarded cleaners in a sea of fuel injection cleaners.

[diesaroo]

Originally Posted by autoque

BMW branded fuel injection cleaner is a rebranded Chevron Techron concentrate fuel system cleaner. It's probably much cheaper to buy one at a local Chevron. And it's among the highest regarded cleaners in a sea of fuel injection cleaners.

Do you have a reference to show they are the same product?

[ard]

Originally Posted by diesaroo

Do you have a reference to show they are the same product?

Anyone got a gas chromatograph in their garage?

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by diesaroo

Do you have a reference to show they are the same product?

Look at the bottom of the bottle; it might even say manufactured by Chevron in fine print somewhere on the BMW bottle (I don't remember; I haven't bought it in ages)

[autoque]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Look at the bottom of the bottle; it might even say manufactured by Chevron in fine print somewhere on the BMW bottle (I don't remember; I haven't bought it in ages)

Correct.

Much easier than using the tomatograph.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...r-techron.html