$415 battery quote, whats the deal?

Illoosive · 06-27-2014, 05:27 PM

someone please tell me why it's so expensive from a dealer?

e92_enthusiast_1 · 06-27-2014, 05:32 PM

Battery is like $250 from dealer and they charge like $100+ parts and labor and ecu new battery 'registration'.

Most people buy it themselves and have an Indy program it for a lot cheaper.

My dealer battery quote was like $500 lol no thx

PichaDis11 · 06-27-2014, 05:46 PM

Cuz BMW tax... Pay to play basically.

Meeni · 06-27-2014, 05:52 PM

You have to reprogram the car computer for the new battery. It is easy but you get to have the machine to do it, so captive consumer get to pay "premium" for 2 click on a computer service.

Illoosive · 06-27-2014, 06:45 PM

What have people in this forum done that saves money as an alternative?

evoix · 06-27-2014, 07:05 PM

bough the battery and took it to local shop for programming. SOme people say it doesnt need to be reprogrammed and have no problems and some say it does. Took no chances

battery $180 and the shop installed and program for $50. Never had a problem and its been over a year(knock on wood)

djjasper · 06-27-2014, 07:08 PM

I bought mine at Advance Auto with a coupon code (i. e. It was cheap), had an indy shop install and register it. No need to reprogram if you replace FLA with FLA or AGM with AGM depending on which type is oem for your year and model.

silver07335i · 06-27-2014, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illoosive

What have people in this forum done that saves money as an alternative?

Write down or take a photo of the specs of your battery and go to O'Reilly's, Sears, or your favorite auto parts place and have them look up an equivalent battery for you with either same or higher specs. I think Advance Auto Parts is having a sale on their website so you might check their site for a deal. If you want to go OEM battery then try getbmwparts.com After that you can find someone or a shop to register the battery or you can get the cable/software to do it yourself. If you completely switch different types of batteries (i.e., lead acid to AGM) then you'll also need to program the battery to the car so it charges it properly. Simplest way is purchase same type of battery with similar or slightly higher specs than previous one, install it, and register it.

Useful reading about registering and programming the car battery: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...gister+battery

Chriztofor · 06-27-2014, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illoosive

What have people in this forum done that saves money as an alternative?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=883159

Wires · 06-27-2014, 09:35 PM

Up in the great white north, our dealers charge us 2x market value on everything. Glad to be Canadian, eh! Too bad being a Canuck ensures that you never make a noise farting again.

Agentphish · 06-27-2014, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illoosive

What have people in this forum done that saves money as an alternative?

Like others have said, get a battery elsewhere and take it someplace to get it coded or code it yourself. There was a free tool floating around on the forums here someplace but I'm having trouble finding it.

There's a DIY for install here:

Check out advanced auto and see if they carry it, I don't know if they do or not, but they do have an awesome coupon that is good through tomorrow. http://slickdeals.net/f/7019284-adva...o-50-off-w-125

Good luck.

Illoosive · 06-27-2014, 11:14 PM

Thanks everyone, for helping me out and staying on top of it.

MonacoBlueE90 · 06-28-2014, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evoix

bough the battery and took it to local shop for programming. SOme people say it doesnt need to be reprogrammed and have no problems and some say it does. Took no chances

To my understanding the coding is needed, because that IBS system. That thing learns how to charge the battery, when it's needed and when the old battery starts to get weak it can adjust to that, but when you change new battery it needs coding, because otherwise the IBS still thinks it's the old battery and keeps doing the same as before. Basically not using full potential of the new battery and probably make it last shorter time. That's why coding is needed, so the system knows to start the learning from begin.

Also if you choose some after market battery there is no point getting anything bigger than 90Ah, because in that coding list there is 3 different sizes to choose and if i remember correctly 90Ah is the biggest. Anything bigger and the IBS system doesn't fully use the new battery potential.

ctuna · 06-28-2014, 12:39 AM

If you are doing this yourself or worse yet letting a non BMW
shop change the battery don't let them use battery back up
as it blows fuses and whatever you do don't close the trunk with
the battery out as you will lock yourself out of the trunk as the lock
is electrically actuated.
Cost me 240 for a Interstate MTP 49/H8 installed and registered at local Indy.

brocklanders · 06-28-2014, 06:41 AM

Whats the cheapest thing in a BMW? The owner! $450 thats a steak dinner! Go get yourself a pack of hot dogs and bam you just saved yourself $450. Then you can go to the dealer and have a battery installed and not have to worry about it exploding in your trunk.

John 070 · 06-28-2014, 07:13 AM

I paid $280 at a dealership in 2011. You have to shop around, many dealerships fluff the labor (the part is the same, or some even mark up over list).

I also got the old battery back and it' still being used today. I prematurely replaced at 5 yrs. it can go 7+ as an aunt still has her original in a 2006 330i sedan.

John 070 · 06-28-2014, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brocklanders

Whats the cheapest thing in a BMW? The owner! $450 thats a steak dinner! Go get yourself a pack of hot dogs and bam you just saved yourself $450. Then you can go to the dealer and have a battery installed and not have to worry about it exploding in your trunk.

I was ok with $280 at the dealer as they provide a free loaner and you can always keep the loaner an extra day or two if you want. I never ageed with the Wal Mart $100 DIY suggestion.....if you diy use Oem....

XM_Rocks · 06-28-2014, 07:45 AM

You guys are crazy.

Go to Batteries + Bulbs or any other battery specialty shop... buy battery... install.

You can alternatively go to NAPA or any other good auto parts place.

I have removed the battery positive/negative loads of times on my car to do specific work.

This isn't a one off custom sports car it's a 3 Series.

Bob Shiftright · 06-28-2014, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agentphish

Like others have said, get a battery elsewhere and take it someplace to get it coded or code it yourself. There was a free tool floating around on the forums here someplace but I'm having trouble finding it.

There's a DIY for install here:

Check out advanced auto and see if they carry it, I don't know if they do or not, but they do have an awesome coupon that is good through tomorrow. http://slickdeals.net/f/7019284-adva...o-50-off-w-125

Good luck.

Jeepers! "Why make anything simple when you can make it complicated?"

The tape goes on 20:33 and it's recorded by a BMW master tech who I would guess had all the nuts and connectors loosened up.

I'm sure "it depends" but it might actually be cheaper to stick to your day job and pay Ask The BMW Expert to replace the battery.

John 070 · 06-28-2014, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Shiftright

Jeepers! "Why make anything simple when you can make it complicated?"

The tape goes on 20:33 and it's recorded by a BMW master tech who I would guess had all the nuts and connectors loosened up.

I'm sure "it depends" but it might actually be cheaper to stick to your day job and pay Ask The BMW Expert to replace the battery.

One has to realize, you can't expect a dealer to do it, and give you a loaner, for $49.95. But $400 is a rip off. I say list on the battery plus half hour labor is reasonable. Just as many seem to be averse to doing a load test to see if they even need a battery at all, they don't want to call around to check pricing. One dealer did a brake flush for less than an indie on my car and yes, provided a loaner. It's like making 3 phone calls is so tedious. My grandpa said before Al Gore invented the internet, that' sweat people did.

Agentphish · 06-28-2014, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Shiftright

Jeepers! "Why make anything simple when you can make it complicated?"

The tape goes on 20:33 and it's recorded by a BMW master tech who I would guess had all the nuts and connectors loosened up.

I'm sure "it depends" but it might actually be cheaper to stick to your day job and pay Ask The BMW Expert to replace the battery.

hahaha I didn't even watch it. Didn't know it was that long/detailed.

There's a DIY in the DIY forum here but the one i found seems to be missing pictures.

Zero_09 · 06-28-2014, 11:23 AM

Battery cost me $162 plus taxes and got an Indy shop to install it for $15. Used BMWLogger and the cable which cost me $90 to register the battery.

The cable is cheaper from the BMWLogger website now. I had got mine from eBay when they weren't selling it on BMWLogger website.

Just make sure you are getting the exact same battery if you're buying the battery and registering it yourself

06-27-2014, 05:27 PM	#1
Illoosive Private First Class 7 Rep 144 Posts Drives: E92 328i 6MT Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: SF iTrader: (0)	$415 battery quote, whats the deal? someone please tell me why it's so expensive from a dealer? Last edited by Illoosive; 06-28-2014 at 12:45 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-27-2014, 05:32 PM	#2
e92_enthusiast_1 Lieutenant Colonel 35 Rep 1,652 Posts Drives: '10 AW/CR e92 6mt 335i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00]	Battery is like $250 from dealer and they charge like $100+ parts and labor and ecu new battery 'registration'. Most people buy it themselves and have an Indy program it for a lot cheaper. My dealer battery quote was like $500 lol no thx
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-27-2014, 05:46 PM	#3
PichaDis11 Colonel 295 Rep 2,202 Posts Drives: E90 N52 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NY iTrader: (3)	Cuz BMW tax... Pay to play basically. __________________ Retrofits: 322, 609, 6FL, 6NR, 6VC, 2TB.. Upgrades: Bilstein B8 Eibach Spring kit
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-27-2014, 05:52 PM	#4
Meeni Gateropode 329 Rep 2,848 Posts Drives: BMW 330i 06 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	You have to reprogram the car computer for the new battery. It is easy but you get to have the machine to do it, so captive consumer get to pay "premium" for 2 click on a computer service.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-27-2014, 06:45 PM	#5
Illoosive Private First Class 7 Rep 144 Posts Drives: E92 328i 6MT Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: SF iTrader: (0)	What have people in this forum done that saves money as an alternative?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-27-2014, 07:05 PM	#6
evoix Major 441 Rep 1,347 Posts Drives: X3m Evo IX Evo X Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	bough the battery and took it to local shop for programming. SOme people say it doesnt need to be reprogrammed and have no problems and some say it does. Took no chances battery $180 and the shop installed and program for $50. Never had a problem and its been over a year(knock on wood)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-27-2014, 07:08 PM	#7
djjasper Lieutenant 41 Rep 557 Posts Drives: 2015 435i 6MT Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: CO iTrader: (0)	I bought mine at Advance Auto with a coupon code (i. e. It was cheap), had an indy shop install and register it. No need to reprogram if you replace FLA with FLA or AGM with AGM depending on which type is oem for your year and model.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-27-2014, 09:35 PM	#10
Wires Brigadier General 1646 Rep 4,877 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Up in the great white north, our dealers charge us 2x market value on everything. Glad to be Canadian, eh! Too bad being a Canuck ensures that you never make a noise farting again.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-27-2014, 11:14 PM	#12
Illoosive Private First Class 7 Rep 144 Posts Drives: E92 328i 6MT Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: SF iTrader: (0)	Thanks everyone, for helping me out and staying on top of it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-28-2014, 12:39 AM	#14
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,103 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	By the way If you are doing this yourself or worse yet letting a non BMW shop change the battery don't let them use battery back up as it blows fuses and whatever you do don't close the trunk with the battery out as you will lock yourself out of the trunk as the lock is electrically actuated. Cost me 240 for a Interstate MTP 49/H8 installed and registered at local Indy.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-28-2014, 06:41 AM	#15
brocklanders Major 106 Rep 1,428 Posts Drives: the uno, mineral white Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: houston iTrader: (3) Garage List 06 325 [0.00]	Whats the cheapest thing in a BMW? The owner! $450 thats a steak dinner! Go get yourself a pack of hot dogs and bam you just saved yourself $450. Then you can go to the dealer and have a battery installed and not have to worry about it exploding in your trunk. Last edited by brocklanders; 06-28-2014 at 07:11 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-28-2014, 07:13 AM	#16
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	I paid $280 at a dealership in 2011. You have to shop around, many dealerships fluff the labor (the part is the same, or some even mark up over list). I also got the old battery back and it' still being used today. I prematurely replaced at 5 yrs. it can go 7+ as an aunt still has her original in a 2006 330i sedan.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-28-2014, 07:45 AM	#18
XM_Rocks Captain 63 Rep 688 Posts Drives: 2016 GTI, sold my E90 N54 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	You guys are crazy. Go to Batteries + Bulbs or any other battery specialty shop... buy battery... install. You can alternatively go to NAPA or any other good auto parts place. I have removed the battery positive/negative loads of times on my car to do specific work. This isn't a one off custom sports car it's a 3 Series.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-28-2014, 11:23 AM	#22
Zero_09 Captain 38 Rep 627 Posts Drives: 07 E90, 2011 E90 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: = iTrader: (1)	Battery cost me $162 plus taxes and got an Indy shop to install it for $15. Used BMWLogger and the cable which cost me $90 to register the battery. The cable is cheaper from the BMWLogger website now. I had got mine from eBay when they weren't selling it on BMWLogger website. Just make sure you are getting the exact same battery if you're buying the battery and registering it yourself
	Appreciate 0 Quote