2001 740i Automatic

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Squat - 25 Mar 2008 00:32 GMT

To all,
My father-in-law has a 2001 740i automatic that has been through 2
batteries. The last battery was added in 2006.
The Local BMW dealer has always installed the batteries, never a small shop
or other auto service center.
His driving in mainly short trips to local stores and back to his house.
Maximum driving is ten to twenty miles a day but not everyday.
The local BMW dealer has sold him an adapter to recharge the battery. (It
plugs into the house electrical outlet and into the cigarette lighter)

Has anyone else ever had similar problems with a 7 series or other BMW?
Thanks in advance,\
S

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R. Mark Clayton - 25 Mar 2008 10:13 GMT

> To all,
> My father-in-law has a 2001 740i automatic that has been through 2
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Thanks in advance,\
> S

Depending on treatment batteries can last 3 to 5 years.

Lots of cold starts, short trips and never getting fully charged up will
shorten the life.

7 series draw residual current with no key to keep electronics in standby.

Even a small fault / error (e.g. glove box left open) will flatten the
battery.

Adapter sounds like a good idea.

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Dave Plowman (News) - 25 Mar 2008 10:43 GMT

> My father-in-law has a 2001 740i automatic that has been through 2
> batteries. The last battery was added in 2006.

If that was indeed the first replacement battery, it's not unusual. My
original failed just outside the warranty period, but the replacement is
still fine at over 6 years old.

> The Local BMW dealer has always installed the batteries, never a small
> shop or other auto service center.

I'm not sure BMW use the very best batteries.

> His driving in mainly short trips to local stores and back to his house.
> Maximum driving is ten to twenty miles a day but not everyday.

When I'm working my usual journey is very much shorter than that - only
about 3 miles each way and in the winter in the dark in both directions.
However it does get used most days - and rarely stands unused for more
than 2.

> The local BMW dealer has sold him an adapter to recharge the battery.
> (It plugs into the house electrical outlet and into the cigarette
> lighter)

> Has anyone else ever had similar problems with a 7 series or other BMW?
> Thanks in advance,\

It really depends on how long it is unused for. On a fully charged battery
2-3 weeks is the limit. If a fully charged battery is going flat in a few
days it needs investigating.

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John Burns - 26 Mar 2008 18:18 GMT

> I'm not sure BMW use the very best batteries.

In the UK they used to use Bosch, not sure about modern ones.

I heard that US BMWs (even those made in Germany) had US Interstate(?)
batteries at one point to avoid some US import charge on foreign
batteries.

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Dave Plowman (News) - 26 Mar 2008 20:21 GMT

> > I'm not sure BMW use the very best batteries.

> In the UK they used to use Bosch, not sure about modern ones.

The replacement Bosch I bought for my E39 was identical to the original
apart from name. But has lasted much longer - and still going strong.

> I heard that US BMWs (even those made in Germany) had US Interstate(?)
> batteries at one point to avoid some US import charge on foreign
> batteries.

Perhaps like the GM autos too? Never did suss out why they fitted an
inferior 'box.

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hsg@h-gee.co.uk - 26 Mar 2008 22:47 GMT

>> > I'm not sure BMW use the very best batteries.
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>Perhaps like the GM autos too? Never did suss out why they fitted an
>inferior 'box.

My E38 Battery lasted 12 years before it needed replacing but I really don't
believe it needed it then - However, the new one is still going strong and it's
3 years old - new owner is very happy with it.

Hope my E65 battery lasts as long

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John Burns - 08 Apr 2008 20:26 GMT

> Hope my E65 battery lasts as long

How do you find the E65?

I got an E38 a few years ago but have been let down by the build quality
a few times.

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Dean Dark - 08 Apr 2008 23:21 GMT

>> Hope my E65 battery lasts as long
>
>How do you find the E65?

I open the garage door, and there it is!

(sorry.)

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Dan.

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hsg@h-gee.co.uk - 17 Apr 2008 15:57 GMT

>> Hope my E65 battery lasts as long
>
>How do you find the E65?
>
>I got an E38 a few years ago but have been let down by the build quality
>a few times.

Sorry John but I've just got back from a 10 day trip from UK to Alicante in
Spain. 2600 miles average fuel @ 37.8mpg (diesel) car will easily hit 150mph
although road test states 147 I feel 155 is easy to hit. Cruised most of the
time at 130kph (80mph) with bursts to 160kph (100).

Very nice car - better than the E38. Easier to handle, lighter steering but more
positive, sticks to the road like sh.t to a blanket. TV option is total crap.
Radio is Ok but I think I should have got the digital receiver (one on eBay for
£70?). Boot or Trunk seems a lot smaller then the E38 - not enough height -
probably due to the enormously fat spare wheel.

Sat nav is good but only if you play with the DVD and add things like speed
camera data for UK & Euroland and of course full UK postcode search - all this
should be standard from VDO/Navteq/Falk.

As I have contacts** I can add this important stuff to the vastly overpriced DVD
from BMW/Navteq. So if anyone has the 2008-01 (or 2007-01/02) DVDs and would
like a modded backup DVD with all the goodies then email me off list and as long
as you confirm you own an original BMW DVD then I'll add the goodies to it.

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Scott Dorsey - 25 Mar 2008 14:27 GMT

>To all,
>My father-in-law has a 2001 740i automatic that has been through 2
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>The local BMW dealer has sold him an adapter to recharge the battery. (It
>plugs into the house electrical outlet and into the cigarette lighter)

Pull a battery terminal and read the current draw with the key out and
all the doors closed. Is it within the specs in the book? If not, find
the leak and fix it.

>Has anyone else ever had similar problems with a 7 series or other BMW?
>Thanks in advance,\

You should know that because of all the accessories that are running when
the car is shut off that the idle current draw on these cars is pretty
damn high. It might possibly be a problem if he is driving the car very
infrequently and for only short distances; the battery is discharging when
not in use, may get discharged too far down, and might not get enough chance
to get charged back up.

Replacing the battery with a larger deep-cycle battery will mean he'll be
able to leave the thing idle for longer and that the battery won't be
damage if it's discharged too far.

BUT, it's quite possible that he has a leak. The ammeter will tell you.
--scott

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John Burns - 26 Mar 2008 18:16 GMT

A friend with a Peugeot only drive about ten miles a day, he went
through about a battery a year.

My mate has a Toyota Prius, it seems it has a battery for the starter
motor in addition to the main drive batteries. It goes flat about once a
week, dealer says he needs to take it for a 20 miles drive at least once
a week!

> My father-in-law has a 2001 740i automatic that has been through 2
> batteries. The last battery was added in 2006.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Thanks in advance,\
> S

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