[mbd23]

I need one because I’m working from home and cannot drive it often enough. The dealer says the kind they install requires me to unhook it under the hood every time I drive it. I have a bad back and don’t want to do this. I have one on my Miata that just requires me to plug and unplug it in the trunk. Is there an easier setup up for my 228i?
Thanks.

[zipstic]

The tender attaches under the hood on the passenger side close to the firewall. There's not much bending over, if that's what you're concerned about. You can attach it standing up straight after opening the hood.

Trying to attach a tender to the battery itself would put significantly more stain on your back since it's located in the trunk in a well.

[Artdnj]

Really easy to do, love mine, Ctek

[mbd23]

Is Ctek the brand that BMW uses?

[John in VA]

Originally Posted by mbd23

Is Ctek the brand that BMW uses?

Yes.

[Lucky13]

My BMW branded battery tender is made by Deltran. It looks just like the Battery Tender brand but a BMW logo on it. I use mine one night a week and my battery is original on a 2014 M235 with only 20,000 on it.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by mbd23

I need one because I’m working from home and cannot drive it often enough. The dealer says the kind they install requires me to unhook it under the hood every time I drive it. I have a bad back and don’t want to do this. I have one on my Miata that just requires me to plug and unplug it in the trunk. Is there an easier setup up for my 228i?
Thanks.

I also have the CTEK and it is the same as the one you could purchase at the BMW dealer, but can be found on Amazon or other.

The hookup does not challenge my bad back. Opening the hood is as easy as the trunk, and then the terminals for attachment are directly and easily accessible. This is an easier reach for a challenged back than reaching down into the trunk.

[qlaval]

Anyone aware of the CTEK model number that is used for the BMW brand?

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I also have the CTEK and it is the same as the one you could purchase at the BMW dealer, but can be found on Amazon or other.

You might know better than I do (never looked at CTEK just did BMW brand) but don't they also make a quick connect hookup that you can mount in the lower grille outside the car, so you don't actually need to open the trunk every time? Maybe not ideal for your back but could be helpful for others.

I stuck with BMW brand purchased at my BMW dealer simply because there's no possible way they could hassle me about it if a battery warranty issue ever came up.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

You might know better than I do (never looked at CTEK just did BMW brand) but don't they also make a quick connect hookup that you can mount in the lower grille outside the car, so you don't actually need to open the trunk every time? Maybe not ideal for your back but could be helpful for others.

I stuck with BMW brand purchased at my BMW dealer simply because there's no possible way they could hassle me about it if a battery warranty issue ever came up.

Sorry, I don't know and never investigated. Here is the website, starting with the one I bought, which has worked perfectly for several years. They may be able to advise about a quick connect.

https://smartercharger.ca/collection...-multi-us-7002

BTW, this is $118 on Amazon. I had paid $110 in 2017.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2016/01/28/b...ttery-charger/

[jv92red]

I've been using CTEK MXS 5.0 for a few months now.
Paid ~$80 on Amazon.
I got this one since it has maintenance option specifically for our AGM battery

Not sure but looks like it's the same as the BMW rebranded unit.

[mbd23]

New question. My car is in the driveway. I have an outdoor outlet. Can the Ctek be used outdoors?

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by mbd23

New question. My car is in the driveway. I have an outdoor outlet. Can the Ctek be used outdoors?

I would 10000000000% check directly with them and get in writing both 1. that it can and 2. they have some sort of warranty in the event of damage to your vehicle.

That seems sketchy at best, no way I would do that without some sort of assurance directly from the manufacturer.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

I would 10000000000% check directly with them and get in writing both 1. that it can and 2. they have some sort of warranty in the event of damage to your vehicle.

That seems sketchy at best, no way I would do that without some sort of assurance directly from the manufacturer.

The CTEK 0.8 maintainer indicates use outside and in wet environments, not sure about the other models.

[USA-RET]

I bought this one from Amazon:

CTEK - 40-206 MXS 5.0 Fully Automatic 4.3 amp Battery Charger and Maintainer 12V (40-206)

https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-40-206-5...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Initially it said it was not compatible with my M240i, Called CTEK and was told it is compatible.

Have been using it w/o any issues. It is simple to use, open the hood, attach the clamps to the red and ground and plug charger in. I have a bad back and this routine doesn't affect my back at all. I do not go into the trunk at all.

Amazon sells other CTEK chargers with BMW logos for more $. The above models works fine.

[Gilles79]

There is an accessory that allows for permanent connection to battery. I use my CTEK MXS 5.0 under the hood so not sure if there are limitations for our cars.

https://smartercharger.ca/collection...t-connect-m8-1

[Neverlost99]

If you can drive a Miata with a bad back: you can hook and unhook these. Easy.

[Maynard]

They also sell a very long extension wire with battery connectors, so the unit can stay indoors and power a car in the driveway. I am about to order mine, so no direct experience, but I'm told they also get fairly hot at times, so don't rest the unit on upholstery or plastic trim panels.

[qlaval]

Originally Posted by jv92red

I've been using CTEK MXS 5.0 for a few months now.
Paid ~$80 on Amazon.
I got this one since it has maintenance option specifically for our AGM battery

Not sure but looks like it's the same as the BMW rebranded unit.

Since our battery is an AGM battery which mode do you use?
The MXS 5.0 manual shows the following:

[qlaval]

Originally Posted by mbd23

...The dealer says the kind they install requires me to unhook it under the hood every time I drive it. I have a bad back and don’t want to do this. I have one on my Miata that just requires me to plug and unplug it in the trunk. Is there an easier setup up for my 228i?
Thanks.

Per the owners manual:
Battery chargers for the vehicle battery can work with high voltage and currents, which means that the 12 volt on-board network can be overload or damaged. There is a risk of damage to property. Only connect battery charger for the vehicule battery to the starting aid terminals in the engine compartment.

[jv92red]

Originally Posted by qlaval

Since our battery is an AGM battery which mode do you use?

On the MXS 5.0 on 'car' mode there is 'normal' or 'AGM'. I use Car / AGM mode. Both lights ( Car and AGM) will be lit when charging and in maintenance mode.

From my understanding, normal will work just fine but in AGM mode these batteries can take a higher charge rate than normal lead acid batteries so if your in a hurry to top it off then use AGM mode, otherwise normal will work just fine too. But again, i set it to car/AGM mode and let her sleep.

[albertw]

Originally Posted by jv92red

From my understanding, normal will work just fine but in AGM mode these batteries can take a higher charge rate than normal lead acid batteries so if your in a hurry to top it off then use AGM mode, otherwise normal will work just fine too. But again, i set it to car/AGM mode and let her sleep.

This might be true, but the more important difference is the charging voltage. Standard on my Ctek is 14.4 volts and AGM is 14.7. Float is a lot lower (13.8?). This matches my understanding - to reach full charge an AGM needs 14.7 volts. There is some disagreement (on aviation forums, because many aviation voltage regulators are adjustable) on whether the charger in a vehicle should be set at 14.7 for AGM, as that might be hard on the battery once it is fully charged.