i need a new battery and i called to get price quotes. 850 amp battery installed was $480. Install time they said was just over an hour. They said it had to be programmed, and that 2006 was the first year batteries needed programing. I have done some searching on the forum and have read that the whole programming issue was B.S. Anyone ever pay the dealer to do it?...if yes how does this price look?

Should i just buy a battery and do this myself? I have a friend who is a certified mechanic and could help me with something this small. Suggestions?

It's the same as replacing a regular battery. Changed it myself about a month ago. I bought the battery at Batteries Plus for 119.99.

That sounds like BS to me. I own a transport company and we often swap batteries in BMW's and I've never heard of a repro needed and have never seen an error come up. I think its probably just a standard battery swap. If you look at the battery it has standard terminals I cant imagine it needs coding. $480 seems very high imo.

I bought a new battery with higher amps so the dealer recommended registering it. Please note that it was only registering the battery needed, not programming the whole car! I changed the battery myself and they quoted 35€ (52,56$) for registering.

I think it's not necessary to program the whole car for just to get a new battery with higher amps.

edit: They told me the registering is just telling the IBS the new amps so that the system knows how to charge the new battery.

Its not B.S at all the car does need to know it has a new battery so it can charge it correctly. especially if you go for a AGM battery thats the black one that comes in all new bm's now. its more efficient and got a longer life but less amps thats why you need to tell the car that so the smart alternator reduces how much power it puts to it. I had it done to my car and i work for bmw so i know a little bit hope this helps you.

I wont be getting the AGM battery. I will most likely buy the exact same battery that came in the car. If its not the exact same battery it will be the same specs.

im still confused on what i should do. I think nearly $500 dollars for something this simple is extremely overpriced.

i just replaced mine also and spent about the same money...

it is not reprogramming it.. all it does it plug obd2 connecter to the computer and tell them it has a new program so that alternator will not over charge the new battery because if it is not reset, alternator will think that the vehicle still has old battery and will try to charge it more than it needs to so it will basically will cause battery to charge more than it needs, which can reduce the life of the battery...

When I had to replace mine about 2 years ago, I purchased one from Batteries+
It's a very easy DIY, just be careful b/c the battery is heavy as sh*t.

Never had any problems since then, MY2004 545i

+1 Replaced mine with one with OEM specs from Batteries Plus. No programming needed. DIY and save $300.

i think i will go this route. i will also call the dealer and see what they charge just to hook up the computer thing and register the battery so it doesnt over charge. they told me it was around an hour so it shouldnt be anything over $75.