4.4 Battery Replacement (?)
 

I'm new here - so be kind ;) I'm on my 3rd X5 and love them. This 2006 4.4 has been great except for this odd starting issue. Acts like a dead / dying battery, but the dealer says its fine, resets a few things and send s me on my way. Anywhere from 1 month to 6 months later I'm back. Last time they called in the BMW rep to the dealership who had them replace the 'brain', one week later gave it back and worked for almost a year. Now I'm back again with the same issue. 3 days later I get a call saying its the battery and they want $410 to replace it (?). Really, it took 3 days to put a load test on it? http://www.xoutpost.com/images/smilies/loco.gif

Basically I'm not convinced it needs a battery and IF it does, where can I find a quality one for a more reasonable price? What is the cranking amps needed?

Thanks!

I replaced mine with a Duralast from Autozone. I don't remember the price but I think it was around $150. Others have purchased from Costco, Sams Club, and even Walmart.

:iagree: Picked one up from Autozone for my 4.4 a month ago, for about $110-120 out the door. I got a ride to Autozone from work, where it died, picked up the battery, and then swapped it out in the parking garage in 20 minutes using the BMW tool kit. Works great and starts much stronger then the OE BMW battery that I replaced. Just go to the Autozone website and you can search to see prices as well as what local stores have the battery in stock.

+3 on Duralast from Autozone. had mine for three years and it still start up strong even with cold months winter in Michigan...

Thanks for the battery tips guys..!

This is my 3rd X5, but never had to replace a battery on them, does it have the capacity to stay charged long enough to swap it out or do i need to supply the car with a 12v source to keep all the information current?

Walmart - $75 - Free installation.

Cake to DIY; takes < 30 min.
Me, and most here, have reported no problems with disconnecting and reconnecting
the battery cables.

Easy DIY here:
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...apped-out.html

GL, mD

Very easy replacement - I put in a Autozone Duralast Gold 3 years ago and it just died last month. Since it was still covered under the 84 month pro-rated warrantee, they charged me just $55 for a new replacement. I'm still around $170 for the 3+ years vs. what the dealer wanted - about $400 installed. :thumbup:

Just make sure you put the external vent hose on the replacement... some brands of batteries come with a new hose/elbow, while others require you transfer it from the old battery to the new, i.e., take the vent hose and connector off the old battery before you give it to them for recycling as you might need it with the new battery. Some brands also have two vent holes, one on each end, to make the battery fit more vehicles. Be sure to plug the vent hole which is not used (battery should come with the plug (s), but check when you buy as, on occasion, people with long fingernails and nothing to do pop the plugs off in the store while the battery is on the rack).