How hard can it be to change a battery!?

derin100 · 28-03-2011, 06:56 PM

Honestly!
So, circumstances dictated that I had to let my local dealership collect my CSL for some work this morning (would have liked to have got it to Murkett's but it's just too far at the moment).

The issues were as follows:

1) Broken nsr coil spring - which they've agreed to replace both sides under warranty.

2) Strange intermittent whirring from the CD player which then refuses to eject the CD but is cured by a gentle tap on the console next to the player - they're replacing the CD under warranty.

3) Car continously having a flat battery even despite having just been taken for a drive...so I was guessing the common faulty alternator problem?

Apparently not! Apparently a knackered battery (although the service history shows it's already had one replacement it was 5 years ago) and so obviously this isn't covered under warranty. Anyway...Ok, fair enough if that's what they say it is I have to go with that.

My wife is organising all of this over the phone for me whilst I'm at work but keeping me updated by texts.

So, they quote her £186.91 + VAT (i.e £224.29)for the battery. This seems a tad steep to me for a battery? So I ask her to check that if I buy a battery myself does this in anyway affect the warranty? Apparently not if I use BMW parts...and the price of the part is actually only £91 + VAT (£109.20). So, that's £115.09 to fit the battery?!

To me it looks like any other car battery to fit...or am I missing something here?!

Also (apparently), though I didn't ask them to look at them, I need new front discs and pads and rear pads. Although, I have to say none of them struck me as particularly low when I was under the wheel-arches cleaning up.

So, next they quote her £154.68 + VAT (£175) to replace the rear pads. Which after further enquiry on her part appears to be actually £63.54 + VAT for the pads and £14.50 + VAT for a wear sensor (total £93.64). So that's £82 to fit the rear pads? Ok, not as steep as 'fitting' a battery but whilst they've already got the rear wheels off to do the springs? How long can that take? Again this is something I'm prepared to do myself....or again am I missing something crucial about this job which in someway is going to make it difficult as it seems I can get them via Cooper BMW online including the sensor for £69.99 all in (unless someone knows where I can get an even better deal?).

Now...on to the front brakes: Quote = £504.02 + VAT (£604.82)....so same story here etc etc etc

I've worked on plenty of cars myself in the past...is this a job I could fairly easily tackle myself or am I missing something again?

If so, any suggestions where I can get the parts?

Many thanks in advance, as it seems just by doing the above I could save myself several £hundreds!?

28-03-2011, 06:56 PM	#1
derin100 S3 - On the open road Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 85 Casino cash: $1275	How hard can it be to change a battery!? Honestly! So, circumstances dictated that I had to let my local dealership collect my CSL for some work this morning (would have liked to have got it to Murkett's but it's just too far at the moment). The issues were as follows: 1) Broken nsr coil spring - which they've agreed to replace both sides under warranty. 2) Strange intermittent whirring from the CD player which then refuses to eject the CD but is cured by a gentle tap on the console next to the player - they're replacing the CD under warranty. 3) Car continously having a flat battery even despite having just been taken for a drive...so I was guessing the common faulty alternator problem? Apparently not! Apparently a knackered battery (although the service history shows it's already had one replacement it was 5 years ago) and so obviously this isn't covered under warranty. Anyway...Ok, fair enough if that's what they say it is I have to go with that. My wife is organising all of this over the phone for me whilst I'm at work but keeping me updated by texts. So, they quote her £186.91 + VAT (i.e £224.29)for the battery. This seems a tad steep to me for a battery? So I ask her to check that if I buy a battery myself does this in anyway affect the warranty? Apparently not if I use BMW parts...and the price of the part is actually only £91 + VAT (£109.20). So, that's £115.09 to fit the battery?! To me it looks like any other car battery to fit...or am I missing something here?! Also (apparently), though I didn't ask them to look at them, I need new front discs and pads and rear pads. Although, I have to say none of them struck me as particularly low when I was under the wheel-arches cleaning up. So, next they quote her £154.68 + VAT (£175) to replace the rear pads. Which after further enquiry on her part appears to be actually £63.54 + VAT for the pads and £14.50 + VAT for a wear sensor (total £93.64). So that's £82 to fit the rear pads? Ok, not as steep as 'fitting' a battery but whilst they've already got the rear wheels off to do the springs? How long can that take? Again this is something I'm prepared to do myself....or again am I missing something crucial about this job which in someway is going to make it difficult as it seems I can get them via Cooper BMW online including the sensor for £69.99 all in (unless someone knows where I can get an even better deal?). Now...on to the front brakes: Quote = £504.02 + VAT (£604.82)....so same story here etc etc etc I've worked on plenty of cars myself in the past...is this a job I could fairly easily tackle myself or am I missing something again? If so, any suggestions where I can get the parts? Many thanks in advance, as it seems just by doing the above I could save myself several £hundreds!? Last edited by derin100; 28-03-2011 at 07:00 PM.