I am not a native English speaker, but I know that 'happy ending' has different meanings. But in my case it really was such a relief to see the car start after replacing the battery on my own. Thanks to several threads I found here in the forums

Whilst at it, I realised I ve probably being tricked at my previous battery change (over 5 years ago)
When I opened the battery bay to remove the old one, I found a (BMW genuine) cell with the code 61218386950
Having already ordered the replacement battery (based on my chasis VIN and the REAL OEM catalogue), I realised already that the old battery was 55Ah 480A - compared to the AGM 70Ah 700A which is my new battery (as it was listed the replacement for my car)
Both batteries are made by Exide (as well my old BMW-labelled one). But with the old one being much less capacity. When I looked back at the catalogue, there's this:

01 Original BMW AGM-battery 70 AH 1 09/2016 61216924021 $399.68 ENDED
01 Original BMW AGM-battery 70 AH 1 61216805461
01 Original BMW battery (Warranty only) 55AH 1 61217586963
01 Original BMW battery (Warranty only) 70AH 1 61218381730
01 Original BMW AGM-battery 60 AH 1 61217604802
Although I can see some early codes where the capacity was lower (e.g. 60Ah), latest ones were 70Ah
That explains many things now - with the most apparent, the slowness/hesitation of the starter/ignition (even long before the battery was dying out)

Anyhow, car started instantaneously, faster than I can ever remember since I owned it - no hesitation or other funny noises
The only remark is the loss of the radio stations and also the time is null (i.e. replaced by --/--/-- after starting the car). But this is to be expected
Luckily my car didn't have the IBS sensor (that's the reason I did the change on my own in first place)

According to what I understood here is that if there is no IBS, then no battery registration is needed or any other action

But I wanted to confirm with you guys - is there any need to reset/restore anything with regard to the onboard computer? (other than setting the time of course, which I can do by following the manual)
Because although I mentioned to my local garage that since there is no IBS and that I ll do the change on my own, they still told me OK, "..but drive here afterwards, so that we can reset it"
What do they mean by resetting it? Is there anything on the onboard computer that needs to be reset/initialized still? (and if so, is it something that I can search and do on my own?)
Because I suspect they didn't understand when I mentioned "there is no IBS" on my car (hence no further action needed..?)

 

The exact wording from the garage was "to clear the error codes" (after the battery blackouts)
As this could affect some components of the car, not performing as they should

Other than the time + radio, which I have sorted on my own, what else is/could be affected?

Is it something that I need special tools (e.g. ODBII or other diagnostic) or something that I can do on my own? (any links/video?)

Any help would be appreciated, as it will probably save me some $$

 

Just did this with my schawaben scan tool. That is used for replacement if and only if you have the IBS system or clear codes. I used a Genuine MINI battery and changed it out to the same Genuine MINI battery for my car. I have IBS system on my MINI.

1. Sleep mode first for FRM saftey: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...odule-frm.html
2. Replace the battery with simple tools. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...battery-431458
3. If IBS : https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ip-mini-s.html Then use schwaben scan tool to reset the battery system, the scan tool is also used if you change the type of battery and IF not match to match... ie i want to put a larger capacity battery or AGM..etc. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...020sch01a~scf/
4. If no IBS. Clear all codes with schwaben scan tool and go. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...020sch01a~scf/

 

So I do need additional tools in order to carry out step [4]
I cannot clear the errors just via the onboard computer/service mode?

 

If you don't have the IBS system, just reset the clock and radio presets. I've changed my battery 3 times already (no IBS) and there never has been a code that needed to be cleared after the job was done.

 

I tried to scroll through that menu and honestly I can't find something wrong or something like an error code
Only thing is a small exclamation mark (right next to the KM count), but I believe this is due to being in low fuel recently
I have an ODB device somewhere (can't find it) and I just wouldn't like to have to pay 20-40EUR for nothing (if it really there's nothing affecting the functionality of the car and/or its components)