Going to change my battery next week because it’s 5 years old. Being proactive. Will I loose the stuff programmed into the radio etc? I have the visual boost radio.

also going to buy one from advanced auto
( H7-AGM) and I have the scanner to register it. Has anyone else used that battery?

thanks.

 

Don't know, but if it was mine I'd hook up a battery tender to the cables before disconnection. Then you should be good to go.

 

I might still have one of those OBD memory savers that you then hook to a power source for juice while doing the work. I'll have to look around for that. I just wasn't sure if these newer ones kept alot the data backed up somehow. One of my other newer cars is capable of that.

 

Best way is like Moochie mentions, hook up both ends onto battery tender or an external 12 volt power. Then replace your battery. Also, you may need to register the battery through some app or with someone who can code it in. I also do see from other BMW forums that if you're replacing the battery with the exact amperage/draw rating battery, then you may get away without having to register it in. It can get controversial, though.

 

If you use same kind of battery you still need to register it so the alternator doesn't overcharge it. It's an intelligent system that isn't smart enough to know that you put in a fresh battery.

You don't have to code it since it is the same spec's.

 

Thanks for the comments. I was able to do it a few days ago actually was quite simple and I reprogrammed it.

 

Can you share how did you do it? The reprogramming? Thanks

 

Have a foxwell 510 scanner. You can Google a few videos on how to use it but it’s really straightforward took just a couple minutes.

 

I just put the exact same battery in my 2015 F56 today. (Even got $50 discount by ordering online!) So far so good.
I haven’t registered it yet, as I’m still waiting to purchase a scanner. (Seems the Schwaben tool is popular).
The new battery is similar but not identical to the original. They’re both 12 v, AGM, 80 ah, and 140 rc, but there’s an increase of CCA from 800 to 850, and an increase of cranking amperage from 800 to 1000. Would this need to be recoded, or just registered? Will the Schwaben tool do both? Thanks.

 

just buy a cheap BMW ENET cable, download ISTA and do the battery registration the OEM and easy/cheap way ... $20 cost max

More expensive ... but more user friendly and easy to use "out-of-the-box" ... buy the BimemrLink iOS app & requisite chinese Bluetooth ODB2 adapter

have both and proficient in both methods. to me they are equally as easy ... just need to follow the instructions for ISTA install on your computer. ISTA is obviously more of a robust tool, and much more desirable for the car enthusiast/motor head long-term

 

thanks for the information. I’m expecting delivery of the Schwaben tool today. Hopefully it will do all I need of it, but I will keep your advice in mind.

 

Got a email/coupon from MINI USA couple of days ago for a new battery. '15 MCS $340 installed. Good 'til March 7.

 

I have a slightly different question...assuming normal battery wear and weather (no extreme cold snaps/draining events on the battery), will the battery warning light turn on in the instrument cluster, and will you get a check control message when the battery needs to be replaced? Similar to how the brake light turns on when you need pads?

Reason I ask is because my car is a 2014 (one of the first F56s) and is probably going to be due for a battery soon, but it still functions great - starts up every time

 

Yes. Well sort of. I was working on my '15 S the other day (original battery) messing with the tail lights for a couple of hours. Got a warning light "start engine-low battery." Had a SA, a couple of weeks ago, check the battery. It is down about 40%. Works fine but as he stated hot weather is harder on a battery than cold. True. He suggested a change before summer. A parts store can check the battery's condition, usually at no charge.

 

that’s probably a pretty good deal if you aren’t going to do it yourself. I paid $150 for my battery (after the $50 online discount at Advance) and $225 for the Schwaben scanning tool which allowed me to register the battery myself (which was not too hard). So I’ve spent $375 and now have a tool which hopefully will save more money later on.

 

The battery on my '17 crashed yesterday with no warning. Car is less than three years old (picked up 5/17) with 35,200 miles. Purchased a new BMW battery from my long-time independent BMW/MINI service provider. I replaced the battery myself since the battery wouldn't hold a charge long enough to start and then took it to him to register it. Total cost $211 including tax ... not a bad deal.

One question ... have others experienced premature battery failure? On other BMW and MINI vehicles I have owned, I replaced my batteries at around five-years and never had an issue. This one going at less than three years caught me by surprise with a very dead car on my hands. The good news is that none of my settings, including coding, were erased.The only thing I had to reset was date and time.

 

I can’t speak to your question about premature battery failure, as my 2015 F56 is the first mini I’ve ever owned and I’ve only had it about a month. Sounds like you got a good deal on the battery replacement.

 

Not sure if it can be considered premature failure as you don't know what went on prior to your ownership and Florida heat probably plays a factor as well. I have a low mileage 2014 F56S with original battery, knock on plastic, it will keep going.

 

I have a low mileage 2015 MC Justa, and now you guys have me paranoid about the battery dying. So far, no issues, so I guess I will just relax and not worry about it, until I get a warning or it suddenly dies. 😳

 

Do you use your start/stop engine feature? If so, that might cause more battery wear.

 

No ... never. My car is coded to default to sport mode, which cancels out start/stop.

 

I'm the original owner so nothing unusual that should have impacted the battery. I know the heat doesn't help, but in my previous MINI (2009 F55), the battery lasted almost seven years. When I asked my mechanic, he said that he's seen it before, but not often.