Is it already time for a battery replacement?

[Aussie7]

I have been getting the yellow battery warning light coming up. I have also noticed that the clock in the car is loosing time and that the brightness level of the interior dashboard lights isn't keeping memory so i have to reset it all the time.
1.Is it time for a new battery?
2.Any recommendations as to which brand to buy?
3. Roughly how much should I expect to pay?

[Dartanium]

if you do not drive often, throw a battery tender on the car overnight and see if that fixes the problem. If i were to get a new battery, i would buy the OEM Mini Cooper battery as another member stated that fits and shaves couple of pounds in the process.

[Aussie7]

I drive the car everyday, I may try and charge it and see how that goes.

[WillC310]

Originally Posted by Aussie7

I have been getting the yellow battery warning light coming up. I have also noticed that the clock in the car is loosing time and that the brightness level of the interior dashboard lights isn't keeping memory so i have to reset it all the time.
1.Is it time for a new battery?
2.Any recommendations as to which brand to buy?
3. Roughly how much should I expect to pay?

Seems a bit premature for the battery to fail already... you should be covered under bumper to bumper warranty. I would take it in and have them check the alternator and electricals in the car.

[lebreeze]

My car had the same problem. But then it started going dead. I tried to charge it a couple times but just wouldn't hold a charge. Brought it into the stealership and they replaced the battery after my second visit under warranty. Everything all good now.

[Aussie7]

Battery ended up needing to be replaced. Bmw has changed their policy and won't cover the battery anymore. They told me it was due to unfavorable driving conditions, I got the car in Oct 2008 and have 10k miles on the car. They are saying the car needs to be driven at least 1000 miles a month in order for the battery to keep charge. My SA advised me to buy a trickle charger and attach it once a week and the battery would last 7 years. I assure you I will be calling BMW NA on Tuesday to voice my complaint as my car is driven everyday and just because I don't do the miles they are now saying the battery needs to charge I end up needing to pay them for a new battery.

[lebreeze]

Raise hell because mine was covered and they gave me no trouble. And I don't drive mine in the winter.

[Aussie7]

I assure you I will, this is the fourth BMW I have owned and I am about to order a new X5 for my wife so they better take care of me. My SA told me they had just changed the policy a few days ago, the problem had been happening for a few weeks and Saturday was the first appointment I could get and now they are going to screw me over

[Georgeair]

"unfavorable driving conditions" - what a load of bunk.

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by Aussie7

They are saying the car needs to be driven at least 1000 miles a month in order for the battery to keep charge.

That's exactly what they told me when I asked. Anything less and no battery warranty. Rather pay $70 every 3 years than $1,500 a year in gas alone just to drive my car to keep battery warranty . Walmart has a very nice battery, and also has handles, like stock. I charge mine regularly, so hope to get at least a year more, but since car sat for a year at dealer before I bought it, I know it'll crap out much sooner than normal. Only 4.4K miles here, and car is just over a year old under my ownership.

[Aussie7]

Originally Posted by Georgeair

"unfavorable driving conditions" - what a load of bunk.

That's exactly what I thought, I didn't receive anything from BMW and it wasn't stated when I got the car that I need to drive the car 1000 miles a month in order for my battery to last past 18 months