The dealer just called to let me know that I need a new battery for my 2007 MCS... for $571!

They mentioned that the entire car needs to be re-programmed as a result.

Can someone explain why they're trying to charge me $266 to re-program my car?

 

yes and no. if dealer install different spec battery, then a reprogram is needed. however, many have install the same spec battery without programing successfully.

 

07 r52 convertible just how do you install a new battery??

 

You lift up the mat in the boot, unbolt the battery connectors, lift out the old one and slide in the new one. I'll bet you haven't found your tool kit either.

 

They do NOT need to reprogram the car for a new battery! Just need to register it to the car on some occasions... At best they would simply need to code the CAS module.

Reprogramming the car in BMW speak means to re-flash all the vehicle modules with newer software.

 

sorry to hijack but i did not know this too

 

they are trying to RIP you off.

There is NO REASON to reprogram the car to have a new battery installed.

As for the Battery Registration in the car it is not really needed.

Save yourself a lot of trouble and buy a battery at your local auto parts store. It will run you about $130-150.

Please note that it does require a sealed battery with a vent hose. the hose is in the car and MUST be connected to the battery otherwise any off gassing of the battery will enter the cabin (not a good thing) so make sure the battery is sealed and has the vent hose hole.

Just did mine a few weeks ago and have had no troubles with the car.

 

Thanks, All!

I found from other threads that the Duralast battery from Autozone is an exact match for the 07 MCS. My service manual just came in so I looked up what is required and all it mentions is re-registering the battery, which you can do with a scan tool (I'll probably rent one from AutoZone if I have any issues after the swap) and the service manual tells you how to re-program your auto windows and sunroof should you need to.

Looks like I'll be calling roadside assistance to pick my car up and drop it off at my apartment!

 

No, you cannot. You need to have BMW specific software to do the battery change in the SPEG (fuse-box) module.

Just replace the battery with the same rating..

 

Always glad to help the elite cabrio owner's cadre. Us topless motorers gotta stick together.

 

When I replaced mine I just went to NAPA, asked for battery for my Mini, paid $100 and installed the battery. That's all....

 

That is insane, we typically sell them for 181.49. I'm not sure about the reprogramming, that does sound rather expensive.

 

Not to hijack, but that's almost as bad as the $230 oil change....

 

The BMW one that came in my M3 was a rebranded Interstate. I bought the same exact unbranded battery direct from IB. It cost much less than the dealer from what I remember.

 

The one I got from NAPA came with a vent tube and adapter to hook up to the stock vent line just like the original. It's not that hard to replace this battery, the panel above the battery was harder to take off and reinstall than the battery...

 

So, final conclusion on this is I bought the battery from Autozone, and a metric socket set. It took me about 20 minutes to swap it out despite the fact that I took my time and dropped a piece of hardware in the engine and spent a little while looking for it.

Once I got the car started again, everything came up just fine. I didn't even lose my radio pre-sets. All the windows worked (despite what the service tech at the dealer told me) and the car didn't even ask me to reset the time or date.

It was a little bit of a pain to get that molding piece back in the right way, but within 30 minutes I was all done and ready to go.

Thanks for the help guys. I appreciate the support.

 

Excellent job all!!!!

 

Good for you Nedbun! Isn't it sad they were going to charge you $266 for nothing? What a rip off. Goes to show everyone should check on NAM before paying the "stealer's" for anything.