BMW 1 Series Battery Woes: Start-up Issues & Warnings

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2018 BMW 2 Series last month. The symptoms were exactly like yours, sluggish starts and battery warnings. Took it to the garage and it turned out to be more than just a dead battery. In my case, the alternator wasn't charging the battery properly, which led to the discharge warnings. The mechanic found that the voltage regulator in the alternator had failed. They had to replace both the alternator and the battery since the constant undercharging had damaged the battery cells. It was quite a serious issue because leaving it unaddressed could've left me stranded somewhere or caused damage to other electrical components. The whole diagnostic process took about 2 hours, and the repair was completed the same day. Given your mileage and symptoms, I'd suggest getting it checked soon. These electrical issues usually don't fix themselves and tend to get worse over time.

Hi! Thanks a lot for sharing your experience, sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with right now. Was actually worried it might be the alternator too. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for everything? Also, has everything been working fine since the repair, or have you noticed any other electrical quirks? Cheers

Hey there! Happy to give you an update! After getting my 2018 BMW 2 Series fixed, everything's been running perfectly smooth. The Terminal 30 continuous plus issue that was causing all those problems got sorted out completely. My total bill came to 290 € for diagnosing and fixing the heavily discharged battery issue, quite a relief as I was worried it might be the alternator which would've cost way more! Since the repair, I haven't had a single electrical problem. The car starts right up every time, no more warning lights, and all the electrical systems are working just as they should. Honestly, it feels like having a new car again! Really glad I got it sorted when I did, these things can definitely snowball if left unchecked. Best decision I made was going to my current mechanic instead of my old one. Sometimes paying a bit more for quality service is worth it in the long run. Let me know if you need any other info!

Thanks Mark, Just got back from the mechanic and wanted to update you. You were right about finding a good mechanic, made all the difference! I finally took my car to this shop that specializes in European cars. The guy really knew his stuff and didn't try to upsell me on unnecessary repairs. Turned out my issue was different from yours though. Had a faulty battery control module that was misreading the charge levels. Got that replaced along with some corroded battery terminals. Bill came to about 200 €, way less than I expected! Car's running like a charm now. Starts instantly and all those annoying warning lights are gone. Really appreciate your advice about getting it checked quickly, definitely saved me from bigger problems down the road. Thanks again for all your help! Best regards