These cars, from the factory, only utilized 80% of the *actual* battery capacity. This was by design because they wanted to maximize battery life. Had they let it use 100% we would have all gotten way more range, but the batteries wouldn’t have lasted nearly as many years. But many aren’t making it quite out of the warranty period. BMW changed a few, but quickly realized how much that was going to cost, so they came up with another solution…the software update. All it does is instead of stopping at 80%, it probably goes to like 90% now. That will ultimately reduce your long term life even further, but will probably get them past the warranty window so they don’t care.samorth wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:34 pm I have just had the same issue. Battery capacity down to about 65% of original (2014 22kwh battery version) as calculated for each trip and also on the Kappa Max feature on the computer.
BMW were very reluctant to deal with this, but eventually did. They took the car for 6 days and after 2 days asked for me to pay for the software update. I refused as it is a warranty claim and I could substantiate the failing battery. After the upgrade and then testing they said the battery was at 75% of its original capacity. I was VERY sceptical BUT after getting the car it is now running at about 75% capacity as tested. The conclusion has to be that the software update is fixing a BMS issue, or they are manipulating the battery electrically during the testing process to get its capacity up. Either way capacity is not great, but is better by about 15% (of 65%) so they save a warranty claim.
What disappoints me most was the attitude towards me making the claim. I gave them a poor review for the service (survey sent to me after service) and I then got a phone call back from them telling me basically I had no right to give them a poor review. And there I was thinking the survey was to improve their customer service. How silly of me.
I’m not sure there’s anything we as consumers can do about it, since they sold the car based more on the mileage range, and if they can get you within a reasonable percentage of that for the 8 years of warranty that’s all they care about.
—Donnie