$500 for a Battery!?!?

[CJ]

We have Interstate batteries in all 48 department vehicles including all our patrol cars- it's the only one we use because they go for so long and are so reliable.  We replace them at 5 years if the vehicle stays with us and I haven't seen a single one fail.  I'm pretty sure even our boats have their marine batteries and I'm pretty sure all our county road trucks have them to since they do our maint.  Your car is probably got something really wrong with it. 

This stupid car has been hit or miss since we bought it.

[Vinsanity]

my brother just bought a Duralast replacement battery for his E46 M3 for just around $100. it was a bit tight having to wrestle the old one out and the new one into the trunk, and we had to figure out how to reconnect the ventilation hoses for the battery fumes, but nothing that warranted $400 in labor.

[Mustangfan2003]

While you are out getting a $500 battery you need to get a bottle of blinker fluid. 

[Vinsanity]

While you are out getting a $500 battery you need to get a bottle of blinker fluid. 

don't forget a new 710 cap. genuine BMW parts only.

[NomisR]

Dude, for $500, I can probably get myself a Voltphreaks battery or something...

[hounddog]

Very possible that it's something other than the battery.  I've a very hard time believing that you got 3 bad batteries.  Methinks something else in the car is malfunctioning and smoking the battery.

I am, of course, not a mechanic but I know a thing or two about this stuff. 

It sounds an aweful lot like an overcharging problem, which will burn a battery faster than almost anything else you can do.  Overcharging is a big problem with marine batteries, and once they get a few overcharges they just refuse to hold a charge anymore.  It can be damned frustrating trying to figure it out as well.

[hounddog]

don't forget a new 710 cap. genuine BMW parts only.

I was thinking; could be the hephaestian bypass has a post selenoidal dual-looping introversion effect causing the anti-absorption ratio of the kuneutson valve filter to fall below the normal saturation point.

[Vinsanity]

I was thinking; could be the hephaestian bypass has a post selenoidal dual-looping introversion effect causing the anti-absorption ratio of the kuneutson valve filter to fall below the normal saturation point.

prescription: blinker fluid flush and a new 710 cap.

[hounddog]

Maybe need to replace the 710 fluids with the newer synthetic ultra-high kelstrate saturation level stuff.

Have heard great things about the newer stuff.

[850CSi]

I'm going to call my indie mechanic and see how much he wants to just do this himself. If it's under $200 I'll just take it to him.

I wonder if a place like NTB can reset my system.

The issue really is that after the battery is installed the system has to be reset. Apparently the battery can explode if improperly installed.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=468750&highlight=battery

[Mustangfan2003]

Well you can plug a memory saver in the OBD II port. 

[hounddog]

By the way, Randy is having to replace the battery in his car now.

Told me the dealership told him to save $200 and just put in an Interstate himself. 

Their battery was about $275 plus $100 for install, but the Interstate is something like $160 for the one his car needs.

[SVT_Power]

Our Accord uses an Interstate battery with the Honda label on it and we've gone through 3 in 4 years.  That's a problem.

Why is it that anything you guys use in your cars fail? You claimed Falken tires are junk because you guys went through a set in 5k miles or something which is practically impossible in everyday driving. Now 3 batteries in 4 years?

What the hell do you guys do with your cars?

[hounddog]

Good catch, SVT. 

Seems like someone is a little full of himself. 

[Laconian]

Why is it that anything you guys use in your cars fail? You claimed Falken tires are junk because you guys went through a set in 5k miles or something which is practically impossible in everyday driving. Now 3 batteries in 4 years?

What the hell do you guys do with your cars?

Also, the 7th gen Honda Accord that is constantly on fire.

[NomisR]

Why is it that anything you guys use in your cars fail? You claimed Falken tires are junk because you guys went through a set in 5k miles or something which is practically impossible in everyday driving. Now 3 batteries in 4 years?

What the hell do you guys do with your cars?

What he is to cars is what Sub is to electronics. 

[L. ed foote]

What the hell do you guys do with your cars?

[Tave]

I got taken on a NAPA store-brand battery this spring: $120 for the dinkiest thing they had in stock. I've had great luck with Walmart's $60 whatevers in the past.

At least that's ($60) how much they used to cost. Maybe they've just gotten more expensive everywhere.

[Rupert]

I paid about that for a NAPA battery last week.

[The Pirate]

I got taken on a NAPA store-brand battery this spring: $120 for the dinkiest thing they had in stock. I've had great luck with Walmart's $60 whatevers in the past.

At least that's ($60) how much they used to cost. Maybe they've just gotten more expensive everywhere.

I bought a battery for my car in February.  Knew it was coming, so had a chance to price out some options.  Walmart was $86.  I opted for the Duralast at Autozone, it was $95.  Batteries have definitely gotten more expensive.

[shp4man]

Just for shits and grins, I went to Alldata to see what's involved in replacing the battery. What a clusterf*ck.

[CJ]

Why is it that anything you guys use in your cars fail? You claimed Falken tires are junk because you guys went through a set in 5k miles or something which is practically impossible in everyday driving. Now 3 batteries in 4 years?

What the hell do you guys do with your cars?

I didn't claim all Falken tires are junk, just those Ziex ZX512, or whatever they are.  I have a set of Sincera SN828's on my 940 and I like them quite a lot.  And the batteries?  I don't know what's up with those.  This one's been fine since we got it.  We had the car in for an oil change when we got this battery and the old battery tested bad...so they replaced it under warranty.

Our Camry has never had anything major wrong with it.  The coolant temp sensor and thermostat need to be replace right now, but that's it.  It currently has a set of brand new Kumho something's on it.  They're rated fairly good for this car

[850CSi]

Ok, car is having trouble starting now as it gets colder outside. It probably hasn't dropped below 30 yet and it's having a hell of a time starting when I've left it overnight.

Probably just going to take it to Autozone and then I'll just take it to the stealership to have them reset the system (apparently only charge 30 min labor for this) so it charges right. Should any Group 48 battery work?

[giant_mtb]

I bought a $60 battery from Meijer that starts the Bravvy up like it was fresh off the factory line every morning, even if it is 20 or below.

[S204STi]

Economy of scale?

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I have a Die Hard in my winter Smug Bug and it hasn't let me down yet.

[Byteme]

I mean fine, I get that labor is expensive and I'd be getting an OEM battery and whatever but seriously!? And it's not like my battery is that difficult to access, IIRC it's in a panel in the trunk's side lining that's easy to remove. He could tell I was shocked so he goes on and tells me how batteries from Autozone are useless and I'll end up having to buy an OEM battery anyways "because of all of the electronics in the car." Which sounds like utter bullshit.

Question 2: Would an OEM battery really have any discernible advantage over a Duralast or whatever? Aren't the car's electronics run off of the alternator anyways?


I'm going to call the indie shop that did my ceramic brake pads and see how much he wants. I also need the microfilter replaced anyways. I would change the battery myself but apparently the car's system has to be reset. I might just change it myself and ask the shop to reset it.

A couple of questions:

Since your battery is in the trunk it is probably sealed and vented (like a Miata battery).  Have you checked to see if that's what you have?

Is the battery one that has special construction like a Miata?

If yes to those questions it might be a bit more expensive but $500?  Come on.  Size and cold cranking amps are about all that matters.  If the aftermarket battery is, at a minimum,. the same or better then it will be perfectly fine.  Also, the Autozone batteries seem to last quite a while, they are not second rate.  And the last time I checked Walmart was selling batteries made by Johnson Controls, a very large and respected maker of batteries.

[Byteme]

I'm going to call my indie mechanic and see how much he wants to just do this himself. If it's under $200 I'll just take it to him.

I wonder if a place like NTB can reset my system.

The issue really is that after the battery is installed the system has to be reset. Apparently the battery can explode if improperly installed.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=468750&highlight=battery

Some places will install a battery for free when you buy it there. 

[Byteme]

Ok, car is having trouble starting now as it gets colder outside. It probably hasn't dropped below 30 yet and it's having a hell of a time starting when I've left it overnight.

Probably just going to take it to Autozone and then I'll just take it to the stealership to have them reset the system (apparently only charge 30 min labor for this) so it charges right. Should any Group 48 battery work?

Go to Autozone's web site and check on batteries and input your car year, make and model.  They will tell you what fits and how much it will cost.  Walmart will do the same thing and I think they install it for a nominal fee, they may even reset the system.  Remember this likely won't be the first BMW they've seen.

[SVT_Power]

A couple of questions:

Since your battery is in the trunk it is probably sealed and vented (like a Miata battery).  Have you checked to see if that's what you have?

Is the battery one that has special construction like a Miata?

If yes to those questions it might be a bit more expensive but $500?  Come on.  Size and cold cranking amps are about all that matters.  If the aftermarket battery is, at a minimum,. the same or better then it will be perfectly fine.  Also, the Autozone batteries seem to last quite a while, they are not second rate.  And the last time I checked Walmart was selling batteries made by Johnson Controls, a very large and respected maker of batteries.

I've heard pretty much all car batteries are made by johnson controls