BMW Battery
11-01-2009, 01:19 PM
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My neighbor has an 05 545i and a few months ago her battery went dead. She called a BMW tech that she takes her older 330i to and he told her that the Interstate battery was what he uses at his shop. Upon replacing the battery her air bag light went on, she called her tech and he said it just needs to be reset, bring it in or just take it to the dealer when you have to bring it in for service (the 545 is still under CPO warranty).
She brought it in for service and a few niggling items. She got a call that using a non-BMW battery voids her warranty! She still gets the maintenance, but nothing else. They told her that the battery needs to be programmed for the car. Hello? It's a battery! There's not USB port or any cables (other then the positive and negative posts) that would involve programming. If a BMW battery is needed to keep the car in warranty, then cover the battery.
Does this make any sense to anyone (other than BMW so they can ream someone on a battery)?
She brought it in for service and a few niggling items. She got a call that using a non-BMW battery voids her warranty! She still gets the maintenance, but nothing else. They told her that the battery needs to be programmed for the car. Hello? It's a battery! There's not USB port or any cables (other then the positive and negative posts) that would involve programming. If a BMW battery is needed to keep the car in warranty, then cover the battery.
Does this make any sense to anyone (other than BMW so they can ream someone on a battery)?
sounds shady!!
11-01-2009, 01:23 PM
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I have never heard of something like this before. I think they started "programming" batteries in 2006. Does the aftermarket battery have the same exact specs as the OEM one?
11-01-2009, 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Krozi' post='1044794' date='Nov 1 2009, 03:23 PM
I have never heard of something like this before. I think they started "programming" batteries in 2006. Does the aftermarket battery have the same exact specs as the OEM one?
How do you program a battery? And, yes to the second question.
11-01-2009, 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Thatmarkguy' post='1044796' date='Nov 1 2009, 05:29 PM
How do you program a battery?
11-01-2009, 01:56 PM
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They don't program the battery, what they do is hook up the ECU to accept a BRAND NEW battery so the car will charge it correctly with a system they have. That's about it really.
Anything else like "register and program" is a bit misleading.
And no an non BMW battery doesn't void the warranty at all, its called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act says that a manufacturer cannot deny a warranty claim because of an aftermarket part, unless the part in question actually CAUSED the problem that the warranty claim is about.
Basically they dealership has to prove through logical reasoning how any aftermarket part caused another system to fail. Most reputable aftermarket companies exceed OEM standards in all areas so its really just a game of smoke and mirrors.
Anything else like "register and program" is a bit misleading.
And no an non BMW battery doesn't void the warranty at all, its called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act says that a manufacturer cannot deny a warranty claim because of an aftermarket part, unless the part in question actually CAUSED the problem that the warranty claim is about.
Basically they dealership has to prove through logical reasoning how any aftermarket part caused another system to fail. Most reputable aftermarket companies exceed OEM standards in all areas so its really just a game of smoke and mirrors.
11-01-2009, 02:35 PM
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My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Originally Posted by PraiseTheLowered' post='1044809' date='Nov 1 2009, 03:56 PM
Basically they dealership has to prove through logical reasoning how any aftermarket part caused another system to fail. Most reputable aftermarket companies exceed OEM standards in all areas so its really just a game of smoke and mirrors.
11-01-2009, 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by EBMCS03' post='1044824' date='Nov 1 2009, 03:35 PM
The aftermarket battery shorted the whole cars electrical system. Ops... haha
try again if youd like
11-01-2009, 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Thatmarkguy' post='1044791' date='Nov 1 2009, 06:19 PM
She got a call that using a non-BMW battery voids her warranty!
However, I've been planting my skinny Non-BMW ass on the seats ... I hope BMWNA doesn't find out
Any BMW SA who takes advantage of a BMW owner / leasee in the fashion you described should be run out of town or sent to work for Ford!
11-01-2009, 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by luigi524td' post='1044862' date='Nov 1 2009, 08:39 PM
This point is well made ... as a matter of course I fill my tires with BMW air ... use BMW water to mix my windshield washer fluid ... and drive only on BMW roads. My NAV and SAT radio only receive BMW Signals.
However, I've been planting my skinny Non-BMW ass on the seats ... I hope BMWNA doesn't find out
Any BMW SA who takes advantage of a BMW owner / leasee in the fashion you described should be run out of town or sent to work for Ford!
However, I've been planting my skinny Non-BMW ass on the seats ... I hope BMWNA doesn't find out
Any BMW SA who takes advantage of a BMW owner / leasee in the fashion you described should be run out of town or sent to work for Ford!
Skinny?? Come on, man. Members must be truthful. lol
I love your analogies.