BMW M3 and M4 - The Icons
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
home
Technical Sections Coding, Navigation, iDrive, Audio, Video, Bluetooth, Phone, Cameras, Electronics

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-03-2021, 03:47 PM   #1
LuckyBrand
Captain
LuckyBrand's Avatar
1142
Rep
775
Posts

Drives: BMW X5, BMW G80 IOMG M3 MANUAL
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Michigan

iTrader: (0)

Do I need a battery tender over the winter?

Thoughts on needing a battery tender over the winter months while in storage. I was originally going to get one but have read a few articles that due to the lithium battery vs a traditional that the discharge rate is much lower and most lithiums can keep a good enough charge for up to a year without charging. Any input would be welcome.

Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      11-03-2021, 03:55 PM   #2
modat
Lieutenant Colonel
2460
Rep
1,737
Posts

Drives: 2022 IOMG M3 Xdrive
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

If you are going to completely store it and not take it out at all during the winter I would get a battery tender. Even though the car is off it still uses up battery as some of the systems are still working in the background.
Appreciate 0
      11-03-2021, 09:38 PM   #3
tmilnthorp
Second Lieutenant
United_States
148
Rep
227
Posts

Drives: 2015 M4
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

iTrader: (0)

I didn’t on my F82. Until I had to replace it after it died over the winter. You don’t wanna see that bill.
Appreciate 0
      11-04-2021, 07:32 AM   #4
androidtopp
Second Lieutenant
United_States
408
Rep
294
Posts

Drives: 2013 Focus ST, 2022 M3Cx
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Chicagoland

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2013 Ford Focus  [0.00]
2022 BMW M3  [0.00]
Great question - I'm in the same boat, probably going to park mine for all of the winter, not springing for winter tires this season and I don't even know if it'll be through the break-in miles at the rate I'm going. So any recommendations for a good tender would be appreciated from those that use them.
Appreciate 0
      11-04-2021, 10:51 AM   #5
LuckyBrand
Captain
LuckyBrand's Avatar
1142
Rep
775
Posts

Drives: BMW X5, BMW G80 IOMG M3 MANUAL
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Michigan

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tmilnthorp View Post
I didn’t on my F82. Until I had to replace it after it died over the winter. You don’t wanna see that bill.
Did your car have a lithium battery?
Appreciate 0
      11-04-2021, 12:07 PM   #6
nearwater4me
Colonel
1910
Rep
2,127
Posts

Drives: '22 G82 Base
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: GA

iTrader: (1)

I think it's a very cheap insurance for a rather expensive battery.
I plan on using battery tender for anything longer than a week between drives.
Appreciate 0
      11-04-2021, 04:13 PM   #7
LuckyBrand
Captain
LuckyBrand's Avatar
1142
Rep
775
Posts

Drives: BMW X5, BMW G80 IOMG M3 MANUAL
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Michigan

iTrader: (0)

I ended up buying a NOCO Genius 2 amp maintainer. Looked at plenty of reviews and many solid choices but decided on this one. Should be good to go now for the winter months. Thanks for all the input so far.
Appreciate 0
      11-05-2021, 12:05 PM   #8
Ximian
.
Ximian's Avatar
United_States
1885
Rep
1,854
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: MN

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2011 BMW M3  [0.00]
2021 BMW M3  [0.00]
Get a battery maintainer specifically supporting lithium batteries. I'm going with the CTEK (56-926) LITHIUM - it's on Amazon for about $100.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      11-06-2021, 08:51 PM   #9
kjx
///M ♥ Recycled Dinosaurs
kjx's Avatar
United_States
3163
Rep
1,766
Posts

Drives: BMW M4, BMW X5 45e
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ximian View Post
Get a battery maintainer specifically supporting lithium batteries. I'm going with the CTEK (56-926) LITHIUM - it's on Amazon for about $100.
Do G8Xs have lithium batteries? I remember reading somewhere that they went back to AGM after having lithium in the F8Xs.

Pretty sure it's AGM again as in this thread:
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1807274
__________________
2022 BMW ///M4 Comp M xDrive (Enzian, Kyalami - insta | youtube | bp featured: Delivery + 963M + 2x Enzian!) | 2021 BMW X5 45e (Carbon Black Metallic, Ivory White)
BMW CCA LIFETIME MEMBER | Past cars: 2016 BMW 435i Gran Coupe (Carbon Black Metallic, Oyster White - Euro-delivery)
Appreciate 0
      11-06-2021, 09:26 PM   #10
edofloat
Captain
edofloat's Avatar
453
Rep
647
Posts

Drives: Outback or 992
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: ///MN

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by kjx View Post
Do G8Xs have lithium batteries? I remember reading somewhere that they went back to AGM after having lithium in the F8Xs.

Pretty sure it's AGM again as in this thread:
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1807274
It’s lithium. Look up the part number, the replacement battery is crazy money for a battery.
Appreciate 0
      11-07-2021, 08:20 AM   #11
LuckyBrand
Captain
LuckyBrand's Avatar
1142
Rep
775
Posts

Drives: BMW X5, BMW G80 IOMG M3 MANUAL
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Michigan

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by kjx View Post
Do G8Xs have lithium batteries? I remember reading somewhere that they went back to AGM after having lithium in the F8Xs.

Pretty sure it's AGM again as in this thread:
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1807274
Quote:
Originally Posted by edofloat View Post
It’s lithium. Look up the part number, the replacement battery is crazy money for a battery.
It's lithium. I looked in the trunk at mine. Says it right on the top of battery.
Appreciate 0
      11-07-2021, 08:50 AM   #12
KiloCo
First Lieutenant
United_States
252
Rep
319
Posts

Drives: Toyota// 22 G82 M4 Comp
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by modat View Post
If you are going to completely store it and not take it out at all during the winter I would get a battery tender. Even though the car is off it still uses up battery as some of the systems are still working in the background.
(22 M4 Comp/B'klyn Grey)This is my first BMW ! Does anyone think I need a Battery Tender since I only drive the car once a week( Saturday) maybe (Sunday)? Since taken delivery in October 4th, I drove the car 3 times. 45 miles on the odometer
Appreciate 0
      11-07-2021, 09:11 PM   #13
tmilnthorp
Second Lieutenant
United_States
148
Rep
227
Posts

Drives: 2015 M4
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by LuckyBrand View Post
Did your car have a lithium battery?
Yes it is. If you’re going to let it sit, especially in cold, for more than 2-3 weeks, the tender is cheap insurance
Appreciate 0
      11-08-2021, 09:08 AM   #14
LuckyBrand
Captain
LuckyBrand's Avatar
1142
Rep
775
Posts

Drives: BMW X5, BMW G80 IOMG M3 MANUAL
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Michigan

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by KiloCo View Post
(22 M4 Comp/B'klyn Grey)This is my first BMW ! Does anyone think I need a Battery Tender since I only drive the car once a week( Saturday) maybe (Sunday)? Since taken delivery in October 4th, I drove the car 3 times. 45 miles on the odometer
You live in a warmer climate it looks like. In saying that especially the way BMW's charge it wouldn't hurt to throw one on there every couple of weeks to freshen it up or you could just hook it up Sunday night and take it off the next weekend to make sure your good. Like others have said it's pretty cheap insurance to make sure your battery stays good.
Appreciate 0
      11-09-2021, 08:43 AM   #15
nearwater4me
Colonel
1910
Rep
2,127
Posts

Drives: '22 G82 Base
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: GA

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by KiloCo View Post
(22 M4 Comp/B'klyn Grey)This is my first BMW ! Does anyone think I need a Battery Tender since I only drive the car once a week( Saturday) maybe (Sunday)? Since taken delivery in October 4th, I drove the car 3 times. 45 miles on the odometer
It's about how far/long you drive the car more so than how often.
IMO you don't drive long enough to give enough charge to the battery.
I'd definitely use a tender if I were you.
Appreciate 0
      11-09-2021, 03:09 PM   #16
tom @ eas
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
tom @ eas's Avatar
United_States
8067
Rep
18,788
Posts


Drives: BMW
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Anaheim, CA

iTrader: (19)

Garage List
2018 BMW i3s  [0.00]
2010 BMW M3  [6.50]
2015 BMW M4  [5.25]
Quote:
Originally Posted by LuckyBrand View Post
Thoughts on needing a battery tender over the winter months while in storage. I was originally going to get one but have read a few articles that due to the lithium battery vs a traditional that the discharge rate is much lower and most lithiums can keep a good enough charge for up to a year without charging. Any input would be welcome.

Thanks!
It can on it's own, without accessories draining it. Either disconnect or invest in a battery tender if being stored for long periods of time.
__________________
Tom G. | european auto source (eas)
email: tom@europeanautosource.com · web: https://europeanautosource.com· tel 866.669.0705 · ca: 714.369.8524 x22

GET DAILY UPDATES ON OUR BLOG · FACEBOOK · YOUTUBE · FLICKR · INSTAGRAM
Appreciate 0
      11-12-2021, 04:33 PM   #17
vetteflier
Captain
United_States
466
Rep
609
Posts

Drives: 2021 BMW M4 Competition
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Colorado

iTrader: (0)

Got a BMW brand tender for around $80. Short money when you consider replacement cost or even the inconvenience. Anything over a week, and I use a tender--same as on my Vettes which had much cheaper batteries.
Appreciate 0
      11-16-2021, 01:09 PM   #18
Ximian
.
Ximian's Avatar
United_States
1885
Rep
1,854
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: MN

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2011 BMW M3  [0.00]
2021 BMW M3  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ximian View Post
Get a battery maintainer specifically supporting lithium batteries. I'm going with the CTEK (56-926) LITHIUM - it's on Amazon for about $100.
This one is working well enough, although the clips between the + and - points in the engine bay are pretty far so the wire for these clips are at about the limit.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      11-17-2021, 08:36 PM   #19
m5eattle
human
90
Rep
116
Posts

Drives: 2021 M5 Comp
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Yeah the lithium F90 battery is like $1500-2k. I'm sure the G80 battery is similarly priced. Like others said, get a tender if you're doing lots of short drives or going a while without driving it.
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2021, 10:26 AM   #20
LuckyBrand
Captain
LuckyBrand's Avatar
1142
Rep
775
Posts

Drives: BMW X5, BMW G80 IOMG M3 MANUAL
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Michigan

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by m5eattle View Post
Yeah the lithium F90 battery is like $1500-2k. I'm sure the G80 battery is similarly priced. Like others said, get a tender if you're doing lots of short drives or going a while without driving it.
Wow are you serious? $15 to 2K? Damn!
Appreciate 0
      11-19-2021, 09:13 AM   #21
androidtopp
Second Lieutenant
United_States
408
Rep
294
Posts

Drives: 2013 Focus ST, 2022 M3Cx
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Chicagoland

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2013 Ford Focus  [0.00]
2022 BMW M3  [0.00]
Where is everyone attaching their tender? I just popped the hood for a few seconds, and it feels like the more "permanent" ring connectors that came with the CTEK tender won't work, the BMW remote terminals in the front are too large or not removable to cinch those rings down. I'd like to use those ring connectors since it'll make it simple to use the quick connect on the CTEK, not have to get my hands dirty or whatever if I'm plugging and unplugging the tender. So is there a way to do that that I'm missing? Or do people use the alligator clamps under the hood? Or are people wiring to the battery directly?
Appreciate 0
      11-20-2021, 01:33 AM   #22
m5eattle
human
90
Rep
116
Posts

Drives: 2021 M5 Comp
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by LuckyBrand View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by m5eattle View Post
Yeah the lithium F90 battery is like $1500-2k. I'm sure the G80 battery is similarly priced. Like others said, get a tender if you're doing lots of short drives or going a while without driving it.
Wow are you serious? $15 to 2K? Damn!
Yep here's the M5 part https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...ah-61217857288
Appreciate 1
LuckyBrand1141.50
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:24 AM.




g80
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST