I am only using my 330d about 3 days a week so looking for some advice on topping up the Battery over the winter. I have a Ctek MXS 3.6 charger / conditioner which I've always used on previous cars. It's supposed to handle AGM as well as lead acid batteries. I know that BMW only recommend their own chargers, but from what I've seen on the Net they appear to be a Ctek charger rebranded as BMW. I just wanted some feedback that using the Ctek will be OK given that my F30 has some fairly sophisticated electronics. I can't see any evidence of a battery under the bonnet, just the terminal connector posts. Is the Battery located under the boot, and does anyone know whether it's AGM or lead acid?
The battery is behind the right hand boot panel and its an AGM. The distance and number of your journeys will dictate whether you need the trickle charger on.
Yes. In the boot. I use a CTEK MXS 5.0 battery charger and as recommend by BMW (not sure where it is written) and I charge it from the posts under the bonnet. I put mine on trickle charge when I go away on vacation. AGM is Absorbent Glass Mat battery. http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/absorbent_glass_mat_agm
I agree with the two previous posters - and I only use the under-bonnet connections. But I thought I would just add that I think that the BMW chargers are simply re-branded CTEK ones. And for anyone else thinking of getting a charger - Lidl and Aldi both sell a very similar charger, designed for long term use.
Thanks for the confirmation guys. When a manufacturer states a caveat about only using their products it just creates some uncertainty. I can now give the Battery the occasional trickle charge to keep it in top condition.
Indeed I use the Ctek, however ..... I use the comfort leads directly on the battery, Mxs 7.0 I think, as it offers the full battery reconditioning preserving the life of the AGM battery. Car hasn't moved for four weeks now and no complaints as yet from the neighbours informing me my alarm is going haywire (flat battery syndrome) Last year I returned to partially flat battery, 48hours on charge and no issues, so this year I trickle charged for a two days before leaving, I'd advocate the cost of the unit against a replacement battery, so monies well spent
I've always used the Ctek on my previous cars over winter. The battery on my Golf lasted 11 years before it needed a replacement. My main concern with the 330d was the electronics, but after 8 hours on the Ctek the battery is now fully charged. My Ctek is a few years old and isn't automatic - you have to select the mode. This should always be the cold setting (snowflake) for the AGM battery.
