Battery

[Nor Shaharom Mansor]

Been having my F10 for 20 months. The "Charge Battery" (not Change battery) message pops up. Anyone has experienced this?

 

[cafee]

Yes.. experienced it at about 25 months.. happened after sent car to Quill for reprogramming.
As usual they advised to change the battery.. about RM2k.
However.. I did a battery re-register and the message went away overnight.
Fingers crossed.. coming to 36 months ownership.. no message thus far.

 

[cafee]

Oh by the way.. I now use a trickle charger occasionally.. CTEK MX5..

 

[kuntakinte]

Hi bro cafee

Was also looking at the ctek battery charger since I'd occasionally leave the car for long periods. Do you plug the charger to car for the duration you are away or only when you return?

 

[splee]

Just read in the Internet about the CTEK battery charger. Understand that it can extend the life span of our BMW battery. Any idea where I can buy this and how much is it? Thank you.

 

[kuntakinte]

You can get it at After twelve motor sports at sunway. Ctek Mx3.8 is $380 and mx5.0 is $520. That's on their mudah page. Wonder what's the difference? Most importantly, what's the operating process for this? Just plug in for extended periods or use it only when the battery is flat or car won't start?

 

[kuntakinte]

Here's a good video instruction on its use

http://youtu.be/iUiQeSP74ns

Will probably get one soon especially the model that comes with the tester functions for starter, battery condition and alternator

 

[kuntakinte]

It looks like our club vendor euro tuner carries the ctek msx 5.0 test and charge model and retails for $520

Above what the regular mxs5.0 offers, this one also includes the capability to test your battery levels, starter components and alternator condition just by simply connecting both the terminals at the battery

Anyone close to him wanna arrange a group buy?

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/newforums/index.php?/topic/36718-ctek-mxs-38-battery-charger-mxs-50-testcharge/

 

[kuntakinte]

Ctek msx 5.0 test and charge charger in action

http://youtu.be/HB-yWujGSUw

 

[Herbert]

Check out our club vendor G1 Racing Wholesale for CTEK


http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/newforums/index.php?/topic/38257-ctek-car-battery-charger/

 

[kuntakinte]

Check out our club vendor G1 Racing Wholesale for CTEK


http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/newforums/index.php?/topic/38257-ctek-car-battery-charger/

Thanks Herbert, $480 is a good price for the ctek msx 5.0

I wonder if they have the msx5.0 test and charge version as well ...

 

[kuntakinte]

Thanks Herbert, $480 is a good price for the ctek msx 5.0
I wonder if they have the msx5.0 test and charge version as well ...

Oops, I just realized the pictures posted on the vendor's website is THE mxs5.0 test and charge model. Anyone keen to do a GB?

 

[splee]

Oops, I just realized the pictures posted on the vendor's website is THE mxs5.0 test and charge model. Anyone keen to do a GB?

This one looks interesting. I want I want.

 

[cafee]

Yes MXS 5.0 is about RM400+
If your battery are not drained.. you can just plug it in when you get back. It takes 1-2 hours to get to up usable 80% (but much longer to hit 100%).

Very useful.

 

[colebruno]

Kuntakinte,

I'm interested to buy. When do you plan to get one?

 

[kuntakinte]

Sorry, forgot to update this thread....

g1 Racing replied that they are willing to offer the MXS 5.0 test and charge for RM 490 with minimum 3 purchases. Otherwise, it's RM 520 each

Was a little lazy to organize a group buy since the difference is negligible. Will probably just walk into the shop one of these days. Maybe you can say that you got the info from BMW forum and see if they are willing to sell you at RM 490

 

[colebruno]

How often do you have to charge your battery?

I had this battery warning msg last year and the service guy at AB managed to claim for me under warranty. Cost of battery is too high to change this after the warranty period. Apparently we must only use the battery from BMW. So need to take care of the battery.

 

[kuntakinte]

I managed to trace the root of the error message to an unexplained starting of some fan or blower when the car is left stationary for some time. Discovered this by accident when one evening sitting in my porch, I heard a faint but audible whirring sound coming from the car near the windshield wiper area. The sound stopped the moment the remote key to open door is pressed. The next day, when I started the car, the battery discharge message appeared. Several days later, the same thing happened. This was on a courtesy 316i I had.

I think it may have to do with the climate control. When I try to toggle internal air circulation to manual, the sound seems to appear when car is left idle. At auto, there was no sound. Maybe for some reason, the system is trying to recirculate fresh air into the cabin when left at manual for extended periods of time.

I think It's ok to get outside battery with the same AGM build and specs. The only problem is that I read somewhere the battery needs to be ''registered' with the car via some handshake due to the charging abilities of Eco pro and may involve programming, if anyone can confirm

So, yeah, conditioning the battery to prolong its life is important, so whichever way you look at it, the ctek is a worthwhile investment

 

[cafee]

I got the CTEK for about RM400. I use it when I think the car needs it - frequent short trips.. parked for days etc.

F10 OEM (BMW) battery is available in Malaysia - Quill quoted RM2.4k, but you can get it outside for about RM1.6k.

It's not difficult to register the battery yourself - just a notebook and a DIY cable (if you are lazy to build the cable, ebay has plenty for about USD20+)

The registration has nothing to do with Eco-Pro - just tells the car that this is a new battery - so that the IBS will allow the battery to be charged properly. (Please do not buy different rating battery - although programming will allow this)

 

[kuntakinte]

Thanks for the clarification on the battery and system handshake.

The normal ctek 5.0 is about 400 odd as well. The item we are referring to is the newer version with testing capabilities on the battery, alternator and start components. I think those are nice features to have.