[jllyons10]

I did a search, but did not see much on this topic. My battery has an 11/2019 date. So, it is about 4.5 years old. Should I wait till it dies or be more proactive and replace soon? I have seen some comment that they have gotten 7+ years from their original battery, although some get less based on all the factors that impact battery life.

[tracer bullet]

If you're in doubt, it can be load tested. My 135i battery* went for about 11 years and I replaced it only because I felt like it must finally be time, even though it still seemed to be working like new. 4.5 years won't typically be an issue, it could be of course, but if so it would be on the early end of fail times.

* Assuming you're talking about the trunk mounted AGM main battery for starting the car and such. If so they are all basically the same, if you're wondering why I'm bringing up a 135i (what I have owned for 13 years and will be replacing if I manage to get a Z4 allocation someday).

[jllyons10]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

If you're in doubt, it can be load tested. My 135i battery* went for about 11 years and I replaced it only because I felt like it must finally be time, even though it still seemed to be working like new. 4.5 years won't typically be an issue, it could be of course, but if so it would be on the early end of fail times.

* Assuming you're talking about the trunk mounted AGM main battery for starting the car and such. If so they are all basically the same, if you're wondering why I'm bringing up a 135i (what I have owned for 13 years and will be replacing if I manage to get a Z4 allocation someday).

I did have it recently load tested and it checked out. Sounds like I should wait until it shows some sign of failure. Thanks for the response.

[Balr14]

My observation is that most recent BMW models give you adequate warning that battery is going bad by generating unusual codes that don't seem to have any basis, or unusual messages showing up on the display.

If you have a volt meter or multi-meter, check the battery about an hour after charging. If it reads mid 11 volts, it's time for a new one. Typically, a bad battery will take a charge but can't hold it. Modern battery chargers and tenders can also show battery health.

[jllyons10]

Discovered another way to evaluate battery health. You can download a CarData report on your car that shows a number of details including battery health. You can request the report in MyBMW app under Mygarage.

My battery tested out at a 200 (adequate health status).

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by jllyons10

Discovered another way to evaluate battery health. You can download a CarData report on your car that shows a number of details including battery health. You can request the report in MyBMW app under Mygarage.

My battery tested out at a 200 (adequate health status).

Thanks. For clarification, the method you show is via the MyGarage website https://mygarage.bmwusa.com/car-data.html, not the MyBMW app.

[Wynnsiensheng]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

Thanks. For clarification, the method you show is via the MyGarage website https://mygarage.bmwusa.com/car-data.html, not the MyBMW app.

Hmm, that’s interesting. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be an option when I go to mygarage on my bmw app. I suppose it must be country specific.

[Westside Guy]

Maybe I am old school but I follow “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” philosophy. 😂

[MisanoblueZ4]

Not working for me either

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by MisanoblueZ4

Not working for me either

The link doesn't get you there. First, the embedded link has a comma at the end that generates a 404 error. If you delete the comma, it will take you to the login page, but not to the car data. I'm guessing you have to go to your car profile first.

Login. Go to your Vehicle Profile page. At the top is a ribbon that shows < Z4 M40i Vehicle Profile ConnectedDrive Store CarData

Click on the CarData. You then have to click on Request BMW CarData Report. That generates a popup on privacy that you have to accept. Once you do that, you get a new CarData page with a button to Request BMW CarData Report. When you click on that, it starts the process and you get a popup that it can take 24 hours or longer to generate. After that the page show the button grayed out and the process status of your request below that. Mine is 'Report is being Created.'

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by GerryC

The link doesn't get you there. First, the embedded link has a comma at the end that generates a 404 error. If you delete the comma, it will take you to the login page, but not to the car data. I'm guessing you have to go to your car profile first.

Login. Go to your Vehicle Profile page. At the top is a ribbon that shows < Z4 M40i Vehicle Profile ConnectedDrive Store CarData

Click on the CarData. You then have to click on Request BMW CarData Report. That generates a popup on privacy that you have to accept. Once you do that, you get a new CarData page with a button to Request BMW CarData Report. When you click on that, it starts the process and you get a popup that it can take 24 hours or longer to generate. After that the page show the button grayed out and the process status of your request below that. Mine is 'Report is being Created.'

Interesting. It works for me if I click on it, even with the comma. Perhaps it is using data in a cookie from when I last visited, or perhaps because I was stilled logged into the site, not sure. Anyway, glad you found it.

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

Interesting. It works for me if I click on it, even with the comma. Perhaps it is using data in a cookie from when I last visited, or perhaps because I was stilled logged into the site, not sure. Anyway, glad you found it.

I'd say either a cookie or your cache.

But I finally got the email that my report was ready. It included a link that was the same as you quoted but had ?VIN= & a long hash for the VIN.

What I found interesting in the report is that except for the battery info almost everything else is what shows up in the MyBMW app. There's just much more detail. Location isn't the address, it's Lat/Lon to 15 decimal places. And the data is time stamped when it was uploaded from the car. Nothing earth shattering but nice to know.

[PSQ777]

My battery lasted 4 years. However I suspect its relatively early demise was helped by an after-market immobiliser stopping the electrical system from shutting down correctly.

When the battery is about to die you will definitely know about it. You will see messages saying low charge and recommending you take an extended drive. Then you will notice things like the ambient and interior lights not coming on when you unlock the car. The car shuts down everything unnecessary to give it a chance of starting.