Battery Gripes.
 

So my battery died again.. this time I couldn't jump it so I had it towed. So they tell me that its going to cost me $665 and that I'm not covered by warranty because I don't drive 800 miles a month.

Can someone who's had the battery problem chime in please ?

appreciate itl

I keep a battery tender on my car. The shop foreman at the dealer said it's a good idea. I drive mine short distances in the city most of the time.
I can't see how the warranty wouldn't cover your battery. I don't drive 800 miles a month either. I have two cars and don't always drive the X5.

Craig

BULL $ -> I would ask them where in the warranty booklet does it specifically state that you must drive more that 800 miles! Warranty is mileage / year based. I'd be frustrated..... its like saying sorry your airbags don't work... you need to crash the car a once a year! BS BS BS

ok, So I just got off the phone with them again and here's what they said.

"We did the tests and the blackbox showed that the reason for the drain was because your hazards or left parking light was left on."

He then said that the battery had a dead cell and could not hold a charge because of the lights so that its not covered by warranty.

WTF ???

I asked the guy for the time that the lights were left on and they said there's no time code.. ok.

any one have any suggestions ?? I'm not going to fork up 700 bucks for this. Total BS.

Either take it to another dealer, or ask to meet with the district service rep for BMWNA in your area.

Let us know what happens...

Craig

You can also post on Bimmerfest. A person by the name vatkens works for BMWNA and responds to problems like this. You might even send him a PM over on Bimmerfest. He last posted a message to someone with tail gate problems if you look, you will find his post.

Good luck,

Craig

That a bunch of bs. I would through some type of fit and ask to speak with his manager and bmw na. If the throwing a fit don't work, try throwing a chair at them.

It won't solve your immediate problem with BMW and the costs, but it might be a good long term solution for after you are done fighting with them:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...w-one-fyi.html

So, typical of BMW dealing with their E70 X5. Similar stories are like this when the new 7 Series came out in the early 2000's. BMW was/is just overwhelmed with problems and warranty costs. I remember when we got our 2003 Z8 Alpina. MSRP was about $140,000...and the battery died also. BMW told us to keep the car parked in the garage with a BMW battery tender. WTF? And, we had to pay for the battery charger. Sorry to hear this. I would FOR SURE file a complaint with BMWNA. In this volatile economic crisis, BMW does NOT need unhappy customers, that can persuade family & friends to avoid BMW vehicles!!!

leaving the lights on, does not cause a dead cell, a dead cell is a manufacturing defect.