That is true. And remember, they have to deal with EVERY BMW model/generation that comes through the door...we only have to focus on what's required for our models...or if you've owned previous models...you may have a lot of info tucked away into your "mental rolodex". :)

And with all the changes with the latest generation of BMWs...many of which are all electronic...there's a lot of stuff that BMW techs need to know. And the young ones may not have had that much experience with the older models...as they are being trained to work with the new iDrive, MOST communication bus system, new engines & trannys etc.

Then you have the 2004-2006 e53 X5 which kind of straddles the fence...they open the hood and see the N62 and M54 engines and 6 speed transmissions that are in some of the newer models...and they may just assume after seeing the same engine that's in the e60/e65/e70/e90/e91/etc...that it uses the same battery technology that those models do.

The face lift e53s have some of the new technology that begins with the next gen of BMWs...but still uses the old Communication Bus (Can/Diagnostic/I/K/M/P buses) and mechanical linkage to the tranny etc instead of electronic park for examples.

Again, the techs have a lot on their plate. :)

Two things not sure if anyone replied but the year and month are stamped on the terminals of my original 2004 battery that i replaced recently, secondly BMW dealers i posed a question to them about the wiring harness for a 2004 sports steering wheel if it would be compatible with the older harness from the 2001-2003 sports steering wheel...2 differences one cost 28$(from the 'older' steering wheel) and the other 100$ AND the older one was slightly longer.....they didn't know, suffice to say it fit like a glove

Yup i had funny clicking noise just as i cranked the key to ignition, plus last year startup started to sound laboured as temps dropped ( temp was hmmm 10c and I notice a laboured start turnover of engine, n this year it got worse at 19C same symptoms as last year so thought best to swap out before i got stranded)

Good plan!

just curious, but all the mobile battery replacement guys out here only offer a 1year warranty on batteries, I am just wondering what these guys do with batteries they have ordered and have not been used for a year due to lack of customers.....i doubt the manufacturer accepts em back....and if they dont have date stamps of them whats stopping these 'old' batteries being installed in vehicles?

i am sure, in each country things are different, but in the US in most cases the warranty starts when the merchandise is delivered to retail customer and not to a wholesale customer or a retailing business...

Well i think there is blanket eu law on a all electrical items being covered by a 2 year warranty yes from date they are sold, apart from iphones ipads( where apple stipulates you are covered for 1 year and if you want extra cover then you pay extra for the cover-this has landed them in deep water with many countries taking apple t court), but batteries are consumables as such so not sure what applies.....i think they maybe getting away with murder out here by selling batteries that have been sitting on a shelf for ages n still working but not to the full set extent, and yet charging full price.....ok thanks again

I was just reading this thread the other day thinking to myself that I have had a good run out of the battery in my X5.
Loaded the car up on Christmas eve to go to the in-laws, turned the key and heard ‘click’.
The car had been driven a couple of days prior with no hint anything was wrong with the battery.
Long story short, I now have a new battery but the old one (original) lasted 9 ½ years which I think is exceptional.

Yup i reckon 9.5 years is great despite the owners book saying should last lifetime of car! mine lasted 9 years, and whilst it would start whenever temps went down it got laboured and i would hear a click also.....anyway Qsilver7 great tips means i can change it out in a jiffy in the future if need be

Hey Bigwave, I've just skim-read this thread-was it the £280.00 you quoted earlier? If so, what battery did you get and where from? Surprise surprise I'm having trouble here in WA! :rofl: