What quirks does your car have?
There's a dedicated actual tow hook right next to the right foglight, you just pull this trim piece out, put it in neutral and viola.
I need an oil change anyway.
yes i'm definitely all in favor of having as few people as possible handling/driving my cars lol
@AJT123 why not just get a trickle charger? the CTEK is a known great option for that, harry metcalfe of harry's garage/evo magazine uses one of those for each of his cars
@AJT123 why not just get a trickle charger? the CTEK is a known great option for that, harry metcalfe of harry's garage/evo magazine uses one of those for each of his cars
@AJT123 why not just get a trickle charger? the CTEK is a known great option for that, harry metcalfe of harry's garage/evo magazine uses one of those for each of his cars
CTEK battery maintainers are legit, highly recommended.
Yep, I've got the FLA/AGM version hooked up to my late father-in-law's car which rarely gets driven (especially in the winter) and the Lion/LiFePO4 version hooked up to my M3, which can go a few weeks at a time without leaving the garage (because there's no need) when the weather is crappy. Both are hard-wired to the battery, with a quick disconnect cable so it can be attached/detached in a matter of seconds. Also used the AGM one a few weeks ago on my son's car overnight (using the alligator clips), after he got a voltage warning driving short distances in temps well below zero.
CTEK battery maintainers are legit, highly recommended.
CTEK battery maintainers are legit, highly recommended.
does your M3 have some newer tech in it that makes it recommended to use the lithium iron phosphate type?
the lithium one seems sold out... well now i'm confused i didn't even know i had to consider these types of options for trickle chargers lol, i thought all car batteries were lead acid type
does your M3 have some newer tech in it that makes it recommended to use the lithium iron phosphate type?
does your M3 have some newer tech in it that makes it recommended to use the lithium iron phosphate type?
Yes, my M3 has a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery. The good news: it's about 32 lbs lighter than the battery in the prior model. The bad news: A replacement is $1800 from the dealer, though it's currently on sale at Turner for $1300. Hence the reason for the maintainer. If it extends the battery life by even a couple of months it's worthwhile.
It's not sold out, you just have to hit "All Buying Options" and it's available shipped from Amazon for $120.
Yes, my M3 has a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery. The good news: it's about 32 lbs lighter than the battery in the prior model. The bad news: A replacement is $1800 from the dealer, though it's currently on sale at Turner for $1300. Hence the reason for the maintainer. If it extends the battery life by even a couple of months it's worthwhile.
Yes, my M3 has a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery. The good news: it's about 32 lbs lighter than the battery in the prior model. The bad news: A replacement is $1800 from the dealer, though it's currently on sale at Turner for $1300. Hence the reason for the maintainer. If it extends the battery life by even a couple of months it's worthwhile.
Oh, this is like a Doug Demuro Quirks and Features thread. lol
- My key fob that looks and feels like a bomb detonator when you press the lock button.
- Turn Signal/Blind Spot Cameras that display in the instrument cluster will forever be my favorite feature and cant live without it, especially living in the city.
- Headsup Display can be rotated on its side. I have ZERO idea why that is a thing, but its there.
- When a car in front drives away, a chime will sound letting you know to pay attention. lol. (its also active when parked which is dumb, but whatever)
- Door chimes that sound when cars, people or bikes are going by so you dont hit or get your door taken off. Also helpful here in the city when street parked.
- Instrument display that tells you what position the headlights, wipers are in. small detail since both are auto controlled, but leaves the guess work out of looking to far in case you adjust by accident.
Quirks I dont like...
- Phantom parking sensor activations. Something will randomly trigger the sensor intermittently. Thankfully not often, but it happens when coming to a stop or when stopped. a quick button press cancels the activation when not needed.
- Powertrain selector defaults to comfort or eco every time I start car. I wish i can default to custom where I have everything set to Sport (AWD split, suspension, steering, exhaust) except the transmission.
- No button for LKA to default on, only for Lane Departure. Departure is very abrupt if its ever activated, which i understand, but LKA is not intrusive at all. So if i ever get into a situation where LD is activated, i get a strong tug on the wheel then I turn on LKA.
- My wireless phone charger should be called a phone heater. They tried to solve the issue by building a fan into it and blow cold air directly onto the phone which works for a bit, but the phone STILL turns into hot lava. This seems to be an issue across every make with wireless phone chargers though.
- My key fob that looks and feels like a bomb detonator when you press the lock button.
- Turn Signal/Blind Spot Cameras that display in the instrument cluster will forever be my favorite feature and cant live without it, especially living in the city.
- Headsup Display can be rotated on its side. I have ZERO idea why that is a thing, but its there.
- When a car in front drives away, a chime will sound letting you know to pay attention. lol. (its also active when parked which is dumb, but whatever)
- Door chimes that sound when cars, people or bikes are going by so you dont hit or get your door taken off. Also helpful here in the city when street parked.
- Instrument display that tells you what position the headlights, wipers are in. small detail since both are auto controlled, but leaves the guess work out of looking to far in case you adjust by accident.
Quirks I dont like...
- Phantom parking sensor activations. Something will randomly trigger the sensor intermittently. Thankfully not often, but it happens when coming to a stop or when stopped. a quick button press cancels the activation when not needed.
- Powertrain selector defaults to comfort or eco every time I start car. I wish i can default to custom where I have everything set to Sport (AWD split, suspension, steering, exhaust) except the transmission.
- No button for LKA to default on, only for Lane Departure. Departure is very abrupt if its ever activated, which i understand, but LKA is not intrusive at all. So if i ever get into a situation where LD is activated, i get a strong tug on the wheel then I turn on LKA.
- My wireless phone charger should be called a phone heater. They tried to solve the issue by building a fan into it and blow cold air directly onto the phone which works for a bit, but the phone STILL turns into hot lava. This seems to be an issue across every make with wireless phone chargers though.

it's still a 12V battery too, is it possible to just buy a "regular" battery as a replacement?
My favorite quirk. They canceled it for budget reasons and apparently on high it shakes the car, but not in mine. It also gets people wet standing near it (who cares? If it's raining?) This is VASTLY superior to the regular way. They also canceled it because they had reports of people "mesmerized " with it and I can see why.
Haven't investigated that yet, but it may be possible. But my previous factory batteries have all lasted 6+ years, and this is both supposed to be better, and will be better cared for (always garaged, on a tender if not being driven). So I've got a while before crossing that bridge. And who knows, after 7-8 years, LiFePO4 batteries might be down to ~$400 so it won't even matter.














