It's not really programming the battery,what the dealer does is called "Registering" the battery to car.It's a process that allows the car to read the new battery amp rate so that the alternator does overcharge the new battery thinking that the old battery is still in the car.I had this done this winter here in Chicago when I bought a new battery,by the way the dealer cost here to do the "Registering" is $50.

 

From my research it looks like the whole registering thing is BS.

On a side note, what's the difference between 94R and 95R batteries? For the 2004 545i, the online battery stores list 95R batteries but for the 2005 545i they list the 94R... this is consistent among the different website I went to looking for batteries...

 

So the rating on the battery I believe is 185, the one that was in there. The 94R is rated at 175 which is lower power, and the 95R is rated at 195. Its better to have it higher. I forget what the 175 is in relation to but it shows it on the top of the battery. The 94R was $147 and 95R is $175. There is a 8 year warranty on the battery.

 

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Like I said, I got my replacement battery from BMW and they registered it - ALL FOR FREE because I used the BMW roadside assistance thing. Why would they tell me to do this, and actually do it, if they weren't getting paid for it? Yeah, they might get money from BMWNA for some of it, but even at that?

Regardless, if you are having battery issues and are still under warranty, call roadside assistance and get a new battery and registration for free!