NotTheStig, thanks for explanation. This is very intriguing indeed. From Owner's manual...: ------------------------------------------------ Vehicle battery Battery care The battery is 100% maintenance-free, i.e., the electrolyte will last for the life of the battery when the vehicle is operated in a temperate climate. Your BMW center will be glad to advise in all matters concerning the battery. ------------------------------------------------ That's it! (thanks for nothing, BMW owner's manual) Found on advanceautoparts.com batteries "Suitable for: BMW 535XI ": - Battery, Group Size 93, 850 CCA by AutoCraft Silver - part# 93-1 $94.99 - Battery, Group Size 49H8, 800 CCA by AutoCraft Gold - part# 49H8 $134.99 I'm surprised thy are different group sizes, but anyway - specs for the more expensive one are: .Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) @ 0°F: 800 .Cranking Amps @ 32°F: 950 .Reserve Capacity (minutes): 100ah .Terminal Type: SAE top post .Height (in.): 14-5/16 .Width (in.): 6-7/8 .Length (in.): 7-1/2 .Weight (lbs.): 50 Even after quite a bit of googling still can't find exactly what type of battery my 535XI actually has, what's the replacement part number ... and is it "regular" battery or AGM battery. But it sure looks like registration process is needed, so either get $400 tool, or pay the dealer, or risk an independent. Will continue digging - it does sound like $400 is a lot for replacing and registering a battery. Interesting related to this topic thread on bimmerfest: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=416322 (is it OK to drop this link here?) Re computers: How about this for first personal computer: Schneider (Amstrad) CPC 6128 Sorry for unorganized message.
Kaypro? Of course! Schneider (German version of Amstrad) also ran CPM, had a 3" disk drive (not 3.5!), built in basic ... and TurboPascal, that took 38K when loaded. These were the days ... in those days you didn't have to register your battery
If you look, you'll discover that Interdata is late 60's/early 70's and pre-dated Kaypro (which didn't exist until around '80) and CP/M (didn't exist until '74.) I'll date myself precisely: began programming computers in 1970.
ok; you win.....I'm the young guy (cut my teeth on the old 8080/8085A Intel using Assembly) and you're the old, wise, guru-type-dude.....
And appropriately, now that I'm semi-retired and teach snow-boarding (and skiing), I actually am a "dude".
So if I have a model that does not require registration (2005 X5) can I just do a traditional battery changeout myself or will it set off codes, erase settings, etc. that'll require a dealer visit?
You should be able to simply swap out the battery yourself, but you may have to reprogram/reset the windows and, of course, the radio. Its easy to do. The owner's manual should tell you specifically what you will need to do. I know my 2005 MINI and 2007 Z4 Coupe explain what needs to be done.
