[Hornet_Rider]

The issue with battery discharge in the X3 is the fact that the battery is in the trunk and when you hit cold temperatures, the capacity of the battery is a lot lower. So even if you drive the next day, the battery stays super cold and barely charges. You do this for a couple days and you get the warning . I have bought a really inexpensive battery blanket that I plug in for about 30 minutes when it gets really cold and never had the warning ever since.

Nobody in the south has that issue... also nobody in Canada in summer...

[pungo]

Originally Posted by Hornet_Rider

The issue with battery discharge in the X3 is the fact that the battery is in the trunk and when you hit cold temperatures, the capacity of the battery is a lot lower. So even if you drive the next day, the battery stays super cold and barely charges. You do this for a couple days and you get the warning . I have bought a really inexpensive battery blanket that I plug in for about 30 minutes when it gets really cold and never had the warning ever since.

Nobody in the south has that issue... also nobody in Canada in summer...

Battery location in the trunk or engine compartment is not going to make much of a difference when the vehicle sits overnight, the battery is going to get cold regardless of the location. I'd think it'd get colder in the engine bay over the trunk since it's exposed to more outside out. Regardless, if I were plugging something up to the car, I'd go for a battery maintainer over a blanket so the battery voltage is at the maximum in the morning. But I actually have no experience in sub zero F conditions, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about

[Wgosma]

Over the life of a battery it's better off not being in the engine compartment- heat takes the greatest toll on a battery. Regardless of location, folks who live in very cold climates are best off by using trickle charge tender when car sits idle overnight in winter.

[hardparker]

I got my battery replaced today at Pep Boys. I would have preferred parts only and replacing it myself, but our local Pep Boys stores don't sell parts to the public any more. All parts must accompany service.

Anyhow, I got their Champion H9 battery, which is the same size as the OEM 105AH battery on my M Sport, which was nice, rather than having to downsize to an H8. Price was $184, installed, so pretty happy with that overall.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by hardparker

I got my battery replaced today at Pep Boys. I would have preferred parts only and replacing it myself, but our local Pep Boys stores don't sell parts to the public any more. All parts must accompany service.

Anyhow, I got their Champion H9 battery, which is the same size as the OEM 105AH battery on my M Sport, which was nice, rather than having to downsize to an H8. Price was $184, installed, so pretty happy with that overall.

Not bad, did pep boys register the battery too?

[hardparker]

Originally Posted by pungo

Not bad, did pep boys register the battery too?

Yep.

[Randeyman]

Interesting... I checked with a local Pep Boys here in Huntsville AL and they told me they could install a new battery but they could not register it.

So was your new battery a 100Ah size? Is that close enough to the original 105Ah toi not make any difference? And thus does not need to be coded?

[Wgosma]

Pep Boys I worked with installed battery that was same amp hour and cold cranking specs as original BMW battery, and as mentioned they coded it.

I'm not certain but I think coding may include updating more than battery specs, age/date installed may be part of included info—-if that is case then best to code/register any new battery.

Registering is pretty simple process if one has the tools(diagnostic software)...maybe you know local shop who works in Bimmers, if you know them well, are a customer, then perhaps they will code the battery for little or no cost? Never hurts to ask.

[the_saintusa]

Swapped out the battery in my wife's 2016 x3 this afternoon.

Picked up the replacement from the local parts store.

Hardest part was getting the tie down out.

Registered the new battery with the Schwaben NT510, no issues, except it didn't want to automatically grab the VIN. The mileage shown at the time of replacement automatically populated, so pretty happy with how things went.

The battery coming out was from 2015, and started showing a low charge warning on the coldest of mornings. Preventative maintenance.

[eDubz]

I just put an OEM 105Ah battery in today for $220. Registered it with Carly.