BMW Advanced Battery Charging System/Battery Tender - for lighter

[JAIM3]

I don't drive my car that frequently (live in the city and do not drive to work or anywhere on a regular basis), and ended up buying the BMW branded battery tender.

I opted for the version that plugs into the cigarette lighter, as that seemed a bit less conspicuous than having my hood cracked. I park in my condo's garage and would rather not attract any attention.

I was easily able to close the door securely with the cord running through it. Will doing this long term be bad for the rubber door seal?

Thanks for the info!

[py0413]

Don't think it will harm the seal. At least I haven't experienced any after a couple winter storage of my cars.

[DragonNeo]

Can you post a link to the battery tender you bought? Thanks.

[calintexas]

OP: You should check to see if your interior lighter plug stays hot. They didn't through 2010 model year.

[jjw2331]

My dealer said the cigarette lighter one doesn't work for our cars. U need the one that plugs under the hood on the jump terminals or directly on the battery.

[///M Power-Belgium]

The best way is directly to the battery in the trunk , i have the CTEK 7000
http://smartercharger.com/wp-content...US-7000_us.pdf

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by calintexas

OP: You should check to see if your interior lighter plug stays hot. They didn't through 2010 model year.

They don't in any E9X chassis, you will need the battery clamp version.

[DBH]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

They don't in any E9X chassis, you will need the battery clamp version.

Interesting. I'd used the lighter version on my E46 M3 and just thought it'd work on the E92 as well. Does anyone know if the lighter version can be converted to a battery clamp??

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by DBH

Interesting. I'd used the lighter version on my E46 M3 and just thought it'd work on the E92 as well. Does anyone know if the lighter version can be converted to a battery clamp??

Sure, it's just a matter of crimping on battery terminals.

Here's a cheap version that will also work: http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a...NTAINER/1.html

[DBH]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Sure, it's just a matter of crimping on battery terminals.

Here's a cheap version that will also work: http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a...NTAINER/1.html

Thanks Tom.

[JAIM3]

Thanks for the replies!

Indeed, after doing some more research, it seems that the lighter does not work for our cars. My dealer misinformed me! That's a bit annoying, as I specifically asked about the correct one to buy. Hopefully they will exchange it for me.

Here is a link to the one I bought: http://www.amazon.com/BMW-Advanced-B...harging+system

Note: I bought it in person, not from Amazon. Not that it matters.

Now I need to figure out how to hook it up to the trunk. Is it possible to hook it up to the battery in the trunk and close the trunk? ///MPower-Belgium--have any pics or recommendations? Is the trunk connection suitable for quick connect and disconnect? I am drawn to that because I back in, and it would be less conspicuous.

Thanks again!

[Johndong888]

Originally Posted by JAIM3

Thanks for the replies!

Indeed, after doing some more research, it seems that the lighter does not work for our cars. My dealer misinformed me! That's a bit annoying, as I specifically asked about the correct one to buy. Hopefully they will exchange it for me.

Here is a link to the one I bought: http://www.amazon.com/BMW-Advanced-B...harging+system

Note: I bought it in person, not from Amazon. Not that it matters.

Now I need to figure out how to hook it up to the trunk. Is it possible to hook it up to the battery in the trunk and close the trunk? ///MPower-Belgium--have any pics or recommendations? Is the trunk connection suitable for quick connect and disconnect? I am drawn to that because I back in, and it would be less conspicuous.

Thanks again!

I just use the terminal up front. Hookup the red to red and the ground to a larger enough nut

[MRV99]

Due to both my wife and my "unfavorable driving profile". I put the X5 and the M3 on the BMW battery tender once a week over night and it has done wonders. I use the terminals under the hood. I keep the hood open so I don't forget and drive away with the charger plugger in. You can close the hood and not have an issue.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by MRV99

Due to both my wife and my "unfavorable driving profile". I put the X5 and the M3 on the BMW battery tender once a week over night and it has done wonders. I use the terminals under the hood. I keep the hood open so I don't forget and drive away with the charger plugger in. You can close the hood and not have an issue.

I do the exact same thing. I use my tender on Sunday nights once a week to the terminals under the hood. Has changed the way my car acts all together. Best $40 I spent.

[1fastdoc]

Originally Posted by dmk08

I do the exact same thing. I use my tender on Sunday nights once a week to the terminals under the hood. Has changed the way my car acts all together. Best $40 I spent.

How so?

[MKE_M3]

Originally Posted by MRV99

Due to both my wife and my "unfavorable driving profile". I put the X5 and the M3 on the BMW battery tender once a week over night and it has done wonders. I use the terminals under the hood. I keep the hood open so I don't forget and drive away with the charger plugger in. You can close the hood and not have an issue.

Please explain?

[MRV99]

BMW's qualifies a bad profile by somebody who drive less than 5km at a time. These short distances do not allow a battery to actually charge and you are using more power than charging. Where we live we are about 5 miles from most places we go. My last report was like 120 trips under 5km in 30 days. How did I Do that???? Drop off at daycare 3 (car odd)miles, from daycare to home 3 miles(car off) , to grade school after school 4 miles (car off), then home. That's 80 cycles for just school. If I go to lunch, 2 more short trips and throw in a drive to the grocery store, now were looking at 8-10 trips the burn the battery power than charge it.

The real killer is the heated seats, defrosters, A/C full blast on the short trips. I do take some 20-30 milers 1-2 times a week which helps but the cars still need the tender

[1fastdoc]

Originally Posted by MRV99

BMW's qualifies a bad profile by somebody who drive less than 5km at a time. These short distances do not allow a battery to actually charge and you are using more power than charging. Where we live we are about 5 miles from most places we go. My last report was like 120 trips under 5km in 30 days. How did I Do that???? Drop off at daycare 3 (car odd)miles, from daycare to home 3 miles(car off) , to grade school after school 4 miles (car off), then home. That's 80 cycles for just school. If I go to lunch, 2 more short trips and throw in a drive to the grocery store, now were looking at 8-10 trips the burn the battery power than charge it.

The real killer is the heated seats, defrosters, A/C full blast on the short trips. I do take some 20-30 milers 1-2 times a week which helps but the cars still need the tender

I hear several people saying that using a battery tender makes a difference but I don't see how. I assume you mean driveability.

I have an '11 M3 with a little over 8k miles on it. I drive 1.6 miles to work. 2.9 miles to the gym and then 1 mile back home. This is 5 days/week plus a few miles on the weekends.

So far it still starts fine, the lights are bright, the stereo is loud, the heated seats keep my ass warm, etc.

With prior cars when the battery goes bad it won't start. What's different with the M3?

[W///]

Originally Posted by 1fastdoc

I hear several people saying that using a battery tender makes a difference but I don't see how. I assume you mean driveability.

I have an '11 M3 with a little over 8k miles on it. I drive 1.6 miles to work. 2.9 miles to the gym and then 1 mile back home. This is 5 days/week plus a few miles on the weekends.

So far it still starts fine, the lights are bright, the stereo is loud, the heated seats keep my ass warm, etc.

With prior cars when the battery goes bad it won't start. What's different with the M3?

Because you are putting your battery through a lot by driving such a short distance before you shut the car off. It doesn't have time to replenish.

More worryingly, I'd change the oil more often due to sludge concerns. You car (your oil) doesn't even have time to warm up before you shut it off.

[MRV99]

Originally Posted by 1fastdoc

I hear several people saying that using a battery tender makes a difference but I don't see how. I assume you mean driveability.

I have an '11 M3 with a little over 8k miles on it. I drive 1.6 miles to work. 2.9 miles to the gym and then 1 mile back home. This is 5 days/week plus a few miles on the weekends.

So far it still starts fine, the lights are bright, the stereo is loud, the heated seats keep my ass warm, etc.

With prior cars when the battery goes bad it won't start. What's different with the M3?

The life expectancy of the battery is better if you keep it charged to top levels instead of running it down to almost dead. It is a small price to pay(time/effort) to keep the battery performing longer before it has to be replaced.

[MRV99]

I used this before. I would bet it will work with you charger.

http://www.amazon.com/Roadpro-Battery-Clip-On-Cigarette-Lighter/dp/B00065L2D8

[CBS]

Originally Posted by 1fastdoc

I hear several people saying that using a battery tender makes a difference but I don't see how. I assume you mean driveability.

I have an '11 M3 with a little over 8k miles on it. I drive 1.6 miles to work. 2.9 miles to the gym and then 1 mile back home. This is 5 days/week plus a few miles on the weekends.

So far it still starts fine, the lights are bright, the stereo is loud, the heated seats keep my ass warm, etc.

With prior cars when the battery goes bad it won't start. What's different with the M3?

I have experienced a dying battery firsthand on my Mom's 2010 528xi. Everything is fine and then you start to see the signs. I have discussed with my SA and with Mike Miller (Roundel Tech Writer) who lives nearby. Mom's driving profile didn't effectively charge the battery. In time you will probably have issues based on your driving profile. My SA replaced the battery (after it had died and left her stranded twice) and Mike Miller suggested a Battery Tender. I have used it since without further issues.

OP, good luck. I use the under the hood connection and it is very quick but I understand your need for keeping a low profile.