Dealer Story about OEM Batteries vs. Aftermarket
05-19-2009, 06:04 PM
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So my 2004 530i was at the dealer yesterday and today to seal up the vent that is located in the trunk in the battery compartment because...... it was accumulating water. Thats right! WATER, about 3" of it... near the heart of ALL the electrical components in the car! How freaky is that? Well apparently this was a known issue and BMW released a bulletin on it or whatever. My dealer was nice enough to fix the problem under my CPO, (but its normally only covered under factory).
To get to the point... the dealer said they were concerned they noticed an Interstate battery there and not an OEM one. I said: "why? Its either I replace it via you for $330 or via myself for $80." They are exact specs as OEM. Well the "service advisor" stated that the OEM battery has a vent tube but the aftermarket does NOT. Therefore, the problem with that is acid cannot drain when the battery becomes hot or whatever and it can cause corrosion at the top of the connectors, etc.
You guys confirm this? I mean, am I going to burn a damn hole in my trunk from battery acid seeping all over the place, end of the world scenario like the dealer made it sound?
To get to the point... the dealer said they were concerned they noticed an Interstate battery there and not an OEM one. I said: "why? Its either I replace it via you for $330 or via myself for $80." They are exact specs as OEM. Well the "service advisor" stated that the OEM battery has a vent tube but the aftermarket does NOT. Therefore, the problem with that is acid cannot drain when the battery becomes hot or whatever and it can cause corrosion at the top of the connectors, etc.
You guys confirm this? I mean, am I going to burn a damn hole in my trunk from battery acid seeping all over the place, end of the world scenario like the dealer made it sound?
05-19-2009, 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Howitzer' post='883777' date='May 19 2009, 06:04 PM
You guys confirm this? I mean, am I going to burn a damn hole in my trunk from battery acid seeping all over the place, end of the world scenario like the dealer made it sound?
Haha no. They will come up with all kinds of crap to make you see how paying an extra $250 is necessary. I never heard about this happening in all other cars that aren't BMW's? So why would it happen now? I bought a battery that has more cranking amps and a better warranty then the ones BMW have for only $130 and wouldn't hesitate to tell anyone else to do the same.
05-19-2009, 06:20 PM
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whew!
P.S. - They were very annoyed that I kept referring to BMW bulletins and what I read on a forum about this or that and I just happened to be correct about EVERYTHING - thanks to e60.net. =)
P.S. - They were very annoyed that I kept referring to BMW bulletins and what I read on a forum about this or that and I just happened to be correct about EVERYTHING - thanks to e60.net. =)
05-19-2009, 06:23 PM
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Come on.... battery manufacturers know where their batteries can and cannot be used. I find it hard to believe that Interstate doesn't know that it can't (according to your BMW service rep) be used!
Last time I looked, a car battery is pretty much a car battery, regardless of brand.
Last time I looked, a car battery is pretty much a car battery, regardless of brand.
05-19-2009, 06:54 PM
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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Well, you do need a vent tube to expell battery gases, but it's integral to the car, not the battery.
05-19-2009, 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Howitzer' post='883802' date='May 19 2009, 10:20 PM
whew!
P.S. - They were very annoyed that I kept referring to BMW bulletins and what I read on a forum about this or that and I just happened to be correct about EVERYTHING - thanks to e60.net. =)
P.S. - They were very annoyed that I kept referring to BMW bulletins and what I read on a forum about this or that and I just happened to be correct about EVERYTHING - thanks to e60.net. =)
05-19-2009, 06:58 PM
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Originally Posted by CWS530' post='883841' date='May 19 2009, 07:54 PM
Well, you do need a vent tube to expell battery gases, but it's integral to the car, not the battery.
for example. i bought a Werker battery (BMW OEM battery maker) which has the vent tube.
05-19-2009, 07:01 PM
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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Originally Posted by heavy_g' post='883847' date='May 19 2009, 09:58 PM
actually there's is a vent tube in the OEM battery. it is advised to get one that has a vent tube as well.
for example. i bought a Werks battery (BMW OEM battery maker) which has the vent tube.
for example. i bought a Werks battery (BMW OEM battery maker) which has the vent tube.
