My FFRR is fitted with a Bosch S4 013 battery which I believe is a conventional wet battery. It never has a problem starting the car, it does however not manage to retain enough voltage to run the radio or the FBH for any length of time - radio about 10 minutes, FBH - never unless the battery is on charge.

Could this be because it's the wrong chemistry and the voltage characteristics arent whats expected? BMW i3 Electric Car
2012 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8 (now gone)
2006 VW Touareg 3.0 TDi V6

Even with a new AGM battery fitted I don’t get much over 15 minutes listening to the radio with the engine off before I get the low battery warning.
I believe their might be a software mod to improve it, but have not seen any TSB number to quote.

The charging settings on 2012’s I are intended for AGM batteries.
Mike. G reg 2.5VM Vogue Portofino red 1991- 1999
V reg 2.5td P38 Rioja red 1999- 2006
53 reg td6 Vogue Oslo blue 2006- 2015
11 reg 4.4 TdV8 Vogue SE. Baltic blue 2015- date.
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56162...tty+affair

I haven't noticed a low battery warning, it just switches off. I'll get an AGM battery for it, nearly everyone lists a standard Wet battery.

It looks like a nightmare to get to, I know the bonnet can lift vertical but still looks awkward.

Thanks for the info - AJG BMW i3 Electric Car
2012 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8 (now gone)
2006 VW Touareg 3.0 TDi V6

I have done it in about an hour, but beware, the hardest part is the physical effort needed to lift out the old one and lift in the new one. You also need a special 5 point torque bit .

can i suggest that you have someone to help take out and put in the battery..i held the left handle and giggled my side whilst my wife had the right handle and sorted her side ..
the old battery came out easily and the new went in just as easy..

Apologies to Scuddriver, who is the author of the write-up in Wiki., Nino added his “table”

I didn’t disconnect the charging unit, just moved it out of the way., and like Stan, got a helper with the lifting.

Mike. G reg 2.5VM Vogue Portofino red 1991- 1999
V reg 2.5td P38 Rioja red 1999- 2006
53 reg td6 Vogue Oslo blue 2006- 2015
11 reg 4.4 TdV8 Vogue SE. Baltic blue 2015- date.
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56162...tty+affair

Last edited by Baltic Blue on 29th Oct 2018 3:27pm. Edited 1 time in total

Thanks guys, all advice duly noted, I'll check my set of pentalobe bits, why DO they use these non standard specialist fasteners? drives me up the wall, stainless cap heads will go back in. BMW i3 Electric Car
2012 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8 (now gone)
2006 VW Touareg 3.0 TDi V6

My 2011 model has a fan fitted on the back of the charging unit, as can be seen in the photos, but don’t be surprised if your 2012 model doesn’t. Nino's 2012 Autobiography didn’t have a fan ?

Mike. G reg 2.5VM Vogue Portofino red 1991- 1999
V reg 2.5td P38 Rioja red 1999- 2006
53 reg td6 Vogue Oslo blue 2006- 2015
11 reg 4.4 TdV8 Vogue SE. Baltic blue 2015- date.
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56162...tty+affair

Mine had the fan too, but rather than remove the module I took the whole bracket out, one 10mm nut IIRC  Current: 2011 FFRR Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8
Previous: -
2004 FFRR Vogue 4.4 V8 with LPG
1997 P38 4.0 SE with LPG
1997 P38 4.6 Vogue with LPG

There looks to be a lot of wiring for a charging unit! BMW i3 Electric Car
2012 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8 (now gone)
2006 VW Touareg 3.0 TDi V6