OK I have an X3 not X5 but traced the flat batteries I was having to the Business CD head unit not turning off - even though the display goes off the unit was still drawing power.

I have the 2012 X5 3.5i with the sport pkg (8000 miles)and I got the battery excessive drain warning. The next morning car barely started, took it to the dealer. After six days the SA says that the battery needs to be replaced and apparently I was not turning something off in the carwhich voids the warranty. I told them that is BS, they took another five days (total 11) and covered the cost for the new battery and labor. Design Flaw between battery, alternator and or electrical system??????

Bob-

If you are reading this thread, you have probably surmised that this issue involves diagnosis at several 'levels'.

First order is what the dealer did- interrogated the battery charge/management system, and found the discharge stuff- told you it was your fault and hoped you'd pay the $300 for diagnosis, $350 for the batetry, and $300 to install and re-register.

Your push back caused them to do something else to get it covered by BMWNA.

Now, did they just whine to BMW? Did they do any real diagnosis?

There is a TSB which involves attaching a logging current monitor toi the car and tracking current draws over time after the car is turned off- and over night. You will likely find the root cause is a defective module that is coming on for no reason and repetitively waking the car's systems up, draining the battery every night. It can only take so much before it fails.

You might want to ask what was done....

Or keep it in mind for the next time. If it recurs, make sure to go in 'heavy' with a demand in the work order that says "do the TSB"

GL

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The design flaw, if we call it that, is an overly complex system. There is no single cause, it is a case of any component that has a slightly higher draw than it should causing the vehicle to not go to sleep, and that kills the battery

I quit posting updates because I thought everyone was tired about reading them and I would post a final one when the fix was completed. Well, the vehicle has been in the shop since May 2 and we are still trying different components and changing things out. I have seen invoices on this of what they put in the vehicle and it's well over $10,000, not counting labor or the use of any loaner cars. As of Thursday, they were waiting on some connectors and modules to arrive which they did and everything was installed in the vehicle, they also noted some corrosion in the dash wiring,,,however, the vehicle was to be charged overnight and then the service manager was going to take it home Friday to simulate driving, parking, letting it sit overnight to see if the issue comes back. Hopefully he is correct, and if he is, I will post what they replaced and the process they went through. I would like to say that I have been treated fantastic during this period by the dealer as far as loaners go. This dealer even though I did not buy the vehicle from them are treating me like I purchased it from them.....nothing but top notch service. Currently driving a new X35d and I must admit,,,I kind of like it........they even let me take this vehicle to Florida on vacation,,,,,,,couldn't have asked for anything better..!!!

Since the 2nd of May. thats a long time. The way its going you may end up with that 35d?

I would prefer my 5.0i BUT,,,the 34d was not as bad as I thought on acceleration,,,,not 5.0i good,,, but not too bad!!

If **YOU** dont WANT to lemon it, dont. But the law is there if you want it...

ARD,,,,,,,, Thanks,,,looks like you got someone to fully explain the law,,,which I didn't,,,,,got to be persistant,,,which I was not...Thank You,,,QUESTION,,,,,when do you actualy "lemon a vehhicle",,,,and who decides if it should be a lemon,,,,???? I almost hate to do it to the dealer because he has been so good about fixing it, or I should say trying to fix it,,,I don't want him to be short changed or anything. Thanks again ARD!!

I gave you the explanation months ago in my first posts... but you didnt trust my opinion. Unfortunately, every time I saw this thread it was a weekend and I couldnt call TN. The key fact is that your 'used' car is under a new car warranty. This is what their website fails to distinguish, and whomever you spoke to failed to appreciate

DO NOT think that this is going to hurt your dealer... they are being paid to do this. Likely BMWNA has been told "the guy isnt going to lemon it, we convinced him he cant".

In any event...

Nobody 'decides'... you file a demand, just a letter, with BMW corporate saying 'this car is a lemon I demand a buyback under the terms of the BMW new car warranty'. (There is more to it than that, in terms of what is in the letter- a retelling of the issues and why the car is, in fact, a lemon.) Over the phone they will try and stall and delay you, keep on them- given it has been months in the shop, it will be a no brainer. Personally I would refuse to be delayed- just say "I have the address and will be sending a demand letter...at which point you get transferred to the people hat can actually DO something.

DO keep in mind that they will NOT be helpful in the least. it will be somewhat adversarial.

I've posted a lot on this. Look up "lemon" under my user name here and on bimmerfest.

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