Battery nearing the end?

CondorX5 · Post by **CondorX5** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 10:50 am

Just wondering if I should fit a new battery sooner rather than later.........my 2005 4.8is is still on the original battery AFAIK. The past few days I have been getting spurious error messages like Self levelling suspension inactive or Dsc inactive coming on randomly and then vanishing after restarting. Cars performance seems unaffected and it sits level, no suspension issues that I can see. I know odd messages start becoming more frequent as the battery winds down until you end up with a Xmas tree dashboard which I would prefer to avoid.....Plus its happening as the days are getting colder which makes me suspect the battery is not going to make this winter.

If a new battery seems a good idea, which one would be best for the 4.8? I seem to remember special offer codes at some stage - any of those around still? would prefer not to have to go to the main dealers - the E53 doesn't need battery coded to car, does it?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 6:06 pm

Average lifespan of a car battery that has been treated 'normally' is approx 6 years. Anything beyond that is a bonus. If you are seeing spurious messages then it would perhaps indicate a dying battery.....it's certainly what mine was doing when it faded away....

Ubatoid · Post by **Ubatoid** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 7:57 pm

try this. Its for an Audi but its correct for the X (I bought One)

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Audi_ ... 0&cc5_1026

Use the code MBclub25 for 25% off.....

Horizon · Post by **Horizon** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 7:58 pm

I have just fitted a new battery due to my 2006 3.0d being 6years + on its original battery.
I didnt wait for it to let me down or to throw up errors.
I got one of the net, Bosch S5 Silver. one hundred and two quid inc vat and delivery.
Just typed in Battery for X5 3.0d into Ebay.
I actually picked it up from the supplier, as they were only 5 mles away in Rochdale

storminmike · Post by **storminmike** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 8:32 pm

[quote="Ubatoid"]
try this. Its for an Audi but its correct for the X (I bought One)

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Audi_ ... 0&cc5_1026

Use the code MBclub25 for 25% off.....
[/quote]

Yup....comes out at GRAND TOTAL (inc VAT): £84.55

I do have my concerns that ECP is going a bit MFI...discount or otherwise...are they cheap? The discounts seem a bit too common

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 9:27 pm

my 2004 had its battery replaced last year this time. it used to start no probs, but if i played with the car with doors open for about an hr etc - that was it. random messages, occasional jump start.. were my symptoms.

fully recommend the Bosch S5 from ECP.

if you're still on the original battery and getting random messages its really not worth the worrying, just replace the battery. as said it's already had its better years of life

specially with winter around the corner you're in for worse times ahead with a bad battery.

gchristofi · Post by **gchristofi** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 10:48 pm

+1 it's time for new battery and s5 from ECP is the best route.

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 11:00 pm

I have budgeted mine in even though I haven't had any messages to date ( famous last words I bet )

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AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 11:23 pm

If you've been renewing the BMW warranty worth getting catr checked at main dealer - just to make sure no other issues. Mines a Bosch Silver or something.

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 11:46 pm

[quote="AW8"]
Mines a Bosch Silver or something.
[/quote]
Glad to see the technicalities are not escaping you

Must be close to getting a day off now

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AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Tue Oct 09, 2012 10:48 am

) I am actually off tomorrow..........will spend tomorrow nursing a strained shoulder but not until I have done an early morning family errand ::)

My battery currently has more energy in it than me ::)..........that brings us back on topic.

ChrisLux · Post by **ChrisLux** » Tue Oct 09, 2012 12:33 pm

You've done well to make it last this long . I replaced my '05 battery coupla years ago .

I bought mine on http://www.bmminiparts.com/ , think it was around £95

Better to get it done before it gives up the ghost completely and you lose all your
programmes etc

CondorX5 · Post by **CondorX5** » Tue Oct 09, 2012 3:08 pm

Well just to update this with what I hope is the finale......I was going to order a battery today for delivery tomorrow, and Sod's Law struck with a vengeance, as it does!

Car started as normal this morning, and when I arrived at the Bermuda Triangle for odd dash messages, 30 miles from home, (all the error messages have come up at the same junction in Brum, around 30 miles from home, only ever on the morning commute -go home the same way, but never happened PM ), the dreaded Transfailsafe message happened with the big bang and resounding clunk that accompanies it............right in the middle of one of the biggest junctions in Birmingham! Limped across to a layby, pulled up and switched off, removed key, waited a few minutes, restarted - no problem, except the radio was dead and not responding to on/off switch. Car running fine, so decided to proceed to office about 2 miles away in Harborne, no problems other than the journey was a very quiet one! No further odd messages or Xmas tree dashboard. I had a busy outpatients clinic and was 99.99%sure it was the battery, so called on the RAC to deliver and fit one for me- it was the original BMW branded one under the tin hat in the boot, I must say the innards down there look as if the car has just come out the factory so shiny and clean it all is!

RAC guy had the kit to check the alternator charging ok, and its fine.

New battery fitted, radio has miraculously recovered, I thought it might do that. No weird error messages, the 4x4 middle light on the dash is still on, but if memory serves correctly that will go off when I drive off and will reset. Engine sounds sweet and purry like all happy V8s should.

Could have done with the cheaper option from ECP to be honest, but given the circumstances, the £120 from RAC was ok as the guy was very organised and helpful and I didn't have to heave it out the boot myself and do my back in. He had done an X5 battery before so at least he knew where it was for starters - I remember a few funny stories about the jokers at Kwik Fit all having a meeting clustered around the open bonnet of an X5 looking for the battery

.

Hopefully this battery will live as long as the original..........and here's hoping for no more heartsink dash messages and transfailsafe ker-plunks for many moons to come.........

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Tue Oct 09, 2012 4:40 pm

Hmm.........Sorry to hear of woes. as you know I am not a machanic or auto electrician

...........however, I can't help think that if car was running then the alternator should be doing most of the work. I thought the main role of the battery was staring and running juice when alternator not operating. That said these cars do have a lot of current use for various gizmos so I may be talking nonsense. Alsao if a battery was absolute toast then I can see it may be more of an issue....Perhaps someone with more knowledge as opossed to my constructive speculatiion will comment & explain further.

You didn't clarify if car still has warranty cover...........as prior stated I would get it checked over - what with winter ahead.

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Tue Oct 09, 2012 4:46 pm

[quote="CondorX5"]
Car started as normal this morning, and when I arrived at the Bermuda Triangle [/quote]

All the best, hope you navigate through the bermuda triangle without issues tomorrow:)

J

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