[zedman]

On the 320d the stop start doesn't operate and hasnt done for about 8/9 months now. Dealer has told me that is due to the battery. Dealer won't replace as the battery passes all the tests even though the stop/start function didn't operate on the way home after the dealer had fully charged it before it was picked up.

Apparently the driving style is to blame. But the car has been driven exactly this way since it was bought. If anything it gets used for longer journeys now.

So has anyone successfully managed to get a dealer to change their battery on the warranty, cos all I get is 'computer says no'.

[M3-FAST]

Could you ask them to temporarily chnage the battery ? Say swap it for one out of a used car on the sales pitch.

If your battery has the same fault in that car and the replacement battery works OK in yours, they wouldn't be able to claim that your battery has no fault.

I have never heard of driving style influencing how a battery behaves or degrades! Maybe in the winter when common sense used to dictate how much electrical load you placed on a battery, but that is something that happened 10-20 years ago!! I have never replaced a battery or had issues with one in a modern car.

Failing that try another dealer?

[mabosh]

Have you had the battery warning light come on?

We had an issue with our previous car, a 123d, where the battery warning light would come on whenever the car was parked with the ignition on but engine off. It would usually come on within a minute or so of switching the engine off.

We had no stop/start during this period and from time to time the car would switch off the heated rear window and other functions to save battery power. I trickle charged the battery but it didn't make a massive difference.

In the end the problem was traced to a faulty glow plug. This was replaced and a battery test done. They deemed the battery kaput and was replaced under warranty.

I really can't see how your non functioning stop/start can be down to driving style. From cold parked at home, the stop/start would kick in at the first set of traffic lights - no more than 2mins or half a mile away.

Just out of interest, the 123d is still for sale at the dealers:

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/de...zMTU=&btp=1x12

Good luck with your investigations!

[zedman]

M3 FST I did say that if my battery was fine then could they change it with one from one of their demos, they 'couldn't' (wouldn't) do it. Apparently the stop/start stops working when the battery is at 80% charge. They fully charged it on the Tuesday, I picked it up last night and the stop start hasn't worked yet. According to all their tests the battery works just fine and holds its charge. They even print out all the recent journeys to show how they are all short ones etc etc. Tried 2 dealers and they're both the same

Mabosh yes I have exactly the same thing happen to me.

Is there a piece of equipment that I can buy that will tell me what % my battery is on? If I can prove that it doesn't hold its charge then they may do something about it.

Apparently my word isn't good enough.

[rich1068]

I know I sound like a stuck record but pop over to Quarry Motors. They're just off Rutland Road. First right as you go under the bridge at the bottom. Very helpful and I'm sure for half an hour's labour they'll take a look and arm you with info for dealing with Sytner. They did this for me when I had problems with the clutch and didn't want the main dealer fobbing me off. That said, I've found Sytner Sheffield to be helpful and professional at all times.

[mabosh]

Originally Posted by zedman

Mabosh yes I have exactly the same thing happen to me.

Is there a piece of equipment that I can buy that will tell me what % my battery is on? If I can prove that it doesn't hold its charge then they may do something about it.

Apparently my word isn't good enough.

We bought our charger from Halfords and they guy there actually came out with a battery level meter to the car first (he offered, we didn't have to ask). I think the measurement was around 70% so we bought a charger. Always handy to have and it was only about £30.

You can buy a battery level meter from them and I think the dearer chargers have one built in.

If you don't get anywhere with your current dealer ("current" - no pun intended!) then I'd try another. I think they are trying to fob you off, presumably there is nothing obvious wrong (i.e. no fault code coming up) and they can't be bothered investigating.

[zedman]

Ive now got BMW UK looking into it, the guy from there just phoned me back and said all the printouts show that my battery's fine YET he accepts theres something up if the stop/start never works.

He's ringing me back!

[zedman]

Originally Posted by rich1068

I know I sound like a stuck record but pop over to Quarry Motors. They're just off Rutland Road. First right as you go under the bridge at the bottom. Very helpful and I'm sure for half an hour's labour they'll take a look and arm you with info for dealing with Sytner. They did this for me when I had problems with the clutch and didn't want the main dealer fobbing me off. That said, I've found Sytner Sheffield to be helpful and professional at all times.

The service guys are pretty nice over at Sytner, down to earth and not pompous. But they are expensive, more than Stratstone for servicing and other work. Sytner wanted £235+ or something for KDS wheel alignment, Stratstone did it for £120. Also from where I live takes me less time than going to Sytner.