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      08-29-2021, 04:02 PM   #1
vreihen16
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12V aux battery finally gave up

I found out early last week that the original 12V aux battery finally failed on my 2015 i3, after 6 years and 20,686 miles. Might be a record for battery longevity, based on many reports of batteries failing in 3 years or so.

It went with zero warning after the car sat for a week, and I had to use the emergency key to unlock the door and the manual frunk release cable to get at the dead battery.

Remy battery got the replacement AUX-18L here in two days, and the swap was straight forward following the two-minute instructional video on YouTube. You need a T27 Torx bit to take the frunk bin out, which is not included in some Torx kits. Had to go to my electronics toolbox for the T27, because my automotive kit only has T25 and T30.

Although the car works without registering the new battery, I dropped the $32 at the iPhone App Store for BimmerLink to register it anyway just in case it really does something other than make a note of the replacement for the dealership's scan tools. I already had my trusty Kiwi3 OBD adapter dongle that works with BimmerLink (and BimmerCode), so buying BimmerLink for this one use was cheaper than going to an independent repair shop or the dealership to have them do it.

Just making note here in case anyone was curious, and so that I have a service record to see how long the replacement battery lasts.....
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      08-30-2021, 09:23 AM   #2
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Good information,
Thanks
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      08-31-2021, 11:59 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vreihen16 View Post
I found out early last week that the original 12V aux battery finally failed on my 2015 i3, after 6 years and 20,686 miles. Might be a record for battery longevity, based on many reports of batteries failing in 3 years or so.

It went with zero warning after the car sat for a week, and I had to use the emergency key to unlock the door and the manual frunk release cable to get at the dead battery.

Remy battery got the replacement AUX-18L here in two days, and the swap was straight forward following the two-minute instructional video on YouTube. You need a T27 Torx bit to take the frunk bin out, which is not included in some Torx kits. Had to go to my electronics toolbox for the T27, because my automotive kit only has T25 and T30.

Although the car works without registering the new battery, I dropped the $32 at the iPhone App Store for BimmerLink to register it anyway just in case it really does something other than make a note of the replacement for the dealership's scan tools. I already had my trusty Kiwi3 OBD adapter dongle that works with BimmerLink (and BimmerCode), so buying BimmerLink for this one use was cheaper than going to an independent repair shop or the dealership to have them do it.

Just making note here in case anyone was curious, and so that I have a service record to see how long the replacement battery lasts.....
Hey there!
Ice seein you here!

I was too much of a puss to change my own battery in my 2017 when I got it 3 months ago.
I'm in Georgia, so I just took it to the dealer 1 week after buying it and asked for the battery to be changed.

$380 tax included
I figured it's 4 yrs old and as hot as it gets down here, just do it!

Glad to see you got the remy in there. I'll do that next time.

How much is an oil change? I'm going to the dealer to get it logged
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      08-31-2021, 01:57 PM   #4
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My i3 doesn't have a REx, so I have no idea what an oil change costs or involves.

I had the two-year brake fluid change and BMW inspection done right after I bought my i3, and that was a bit over $300 at the dealership. Since I did not have a prior service history at our local dealership (never having owned a BMW before), I figured that throwing them a gravy cash job would be a good idea to get in their good graces in case I needed warranty service later.....
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      08-31-2021, 09:26 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vreihen16 View Post
My i3 doesn't have a REx, so I have no idea what an oil change costs or involves.

I had the two-year brake fluid change and BMW inspection done right after I bought my i3, and that was a bit over $300 at the dealership. Since I did not have a prior service history at our local dealership (never having owned a BMW before), I figured that throwing them a gravy cash job would be a good idea to get in their good graces in case I needed warranty service later.....
For the brake fluid change, I only paid $179 at the dealer a few weeks ago.

Ouch to $300

Edit: ooh you also had the inspection with the brake fluid change
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      09-08-2021, 09:29 AM   #6
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Sounds like mileage is an important factor in 12v battery life. Yours may be the oldest 12v battery we've seen replaced, but also probably the lowest mileage!
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      10-10-2021, 10:12 AM   #7
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Battery not charging while stopped message/ I had the 12 V battery replaced

Hi happened right after I got the compressor fixed , cost was over 1000$ taxes in
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      10-11-2021, 05:43 AM   #8
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Quote:
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Hi happened right after I got the compressor fixed , cost was over 1000$ taxes in
Cost for the compressor or the new battery?
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