i would generally agree with you, however my experience has been the higher end side of the European manufactures seem to always have high quality batteries and when replacing with domestic counterparts most find these don’t last as long. My factory BMW battery lasted twelve years and just replaced with Interstate about a year ago. So far this battery was rated as a direct replacement and was same rating and size. I’ve had more low battery warnings since replacing where I never had prior. And yes the car was reprogrammed that a new battery was installed. For those that don’t know BMW and a few others monitor age of battery and change the rate of charge as it ages. I’ve changed nothing in how I use the car or that it is on a charger when parked. The M is a car that really never shuts off so it’s a must to keep on a charger if parked longer than a week.

But since we’re talking domestic would agree seems they use the lowest quality, which at the prices we’re already paying is a little insane.

 

My 2013 6.7 was seven years old and I traded in for the 2020 in August with the original batteries.

 

I hope it works for you, but like I said if they are truly toast nothing will bring them back. You’ll love the charger though as it has a supply mode where if you don’t want to lose power during a battery change out you can connect to main power side and will keep all going. Also useful if you’re doing hours of playing with setting or modifying things with FORscan.

 

You mention FORscan, and I have heard it mentioned in other posts. What is FORscan and how does it work?

 

This is the best place to start with FORScan: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...readsheet.html

Be sure you buy one of the recommended ODBII adapters.

 

I have to disagree to a point. True, the European manufacturers tend to have higher standards, but there are better options than the batteries that are installed at the factory. The actual truth, and you hit on it in a sideways manner, is that the European manufacturers have more intelligent power management systems. Being that they are more prone to monitor EVERYTHING going on in the vehicle that is sapping power from the pixie storage device.

Having had my hands in Bentley, Aston Martin, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Mercedes, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and the other ultra high end makers, I can assure you that the battery is absolutely one place where they can scrimp on cost and quality. They do a better job isolating the unit from heat and vibration, and keep tabs on what is pulling on it but they still shortchange on quality.

While BMW does require their modern vehicles to be informed a new battery has been installed, this is mostly to tell the computer and charging system to change the curve used to charge the battery. Intelligent power management systems are on a whole other level on German vehicles.

 

Very nice, seems we have been around some very nice cars. I've worked on and driven some cars I only dreamed of s a kid (No Bentley yet though)... I have actually had the displeasure, but on one level the please to scrap a Lamborghini Superleggera. Standing on top cutting the roof off and then literally cutting the fuselage in half between the drivers and passenger side was pretty wild... I still have the V10 in the garage as a constellation prize for using my garage and property for storage Trying to figure out how I can fit it in my '69 Bronco but I digress...

Agree to your points, but still for whatever reason the aftermarket in the US anyhow on AGM's don't seem to match the abilities of the factory BMW battery. Not sure why, but many that have changed to non-factory have had more issues after the change. Obviously many factors that could contribute to this, but I do know the Interstate that I've always been a fan of for lead-acid, their AGM has not made be feel confident it's going to last long.

Oh and on the battery location/storage... I agree... it was very odd to have the battery in the trunk, but now think it's a much better design for keeping away from heat and better weight distribution... Just don't spill water from your beer cooler... ask me how I know, actually don't it was painful to the wallet

 

Hello gents, I finally had both batteries load tested and both failed. I am now splitting 2 new Interstae 65 from Costco and problems all solved. Thanks for all your help. Replacing these batteries was among one of the more labor intensive tasks that I would not have expected...tight work area.