[jimtesla]

So Im in the process of buying a used Smart EV.

Found one I liked, still under warranty for another 9 months.

The Carfax showed the dealer service that was done to the car. Looked Good.

Called Mercedes regarding the BAP program and if I can get this on a used Smart EV.

The rep asked for the last 8 digits of the Vin.

After looking up the car i was told that the Battery was retired.

The Rep says after the car is Sold at auction upon a lease return the new buyer has 60 days to re-activate the BAP program.

If it has not been re-activated its retired. And no longer eligible to have extended battery coverage.

I was told the only way to check is to call them with the Vin and see if the car is still eligible.

Otherwise, No Bap for You!

Wanted all to know the latest as of today.

 

[sokoloff]

So then the question is is the battery covered by the last nine months of the car's warranty?

Len
2014 EV Coupe 12,600 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 1,900 miles

 

[Mister_smart_LA]

So then the question is is the battery covered by the last nine months of the car's warranty?

Len
2014 EV Coupe 12,600 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 1,900 miles

If no BAP, 4 yr/50k mi battery warranty. If BAP, 10 yr/unl mi battery warranty. If the battery has been sabotaged by vehicle owner, the warranty won't cover that regardless.

I always bring up sabotage because beginners make mistakes with EV's and sometimes learn the hard way.

Here's a common example rookies do. Vehicle owner uses the car and runs the battery down to 1%. Decides it's a great time to take a vacation. Returns a month later and the car is dead. The battery is so weak it needs to be charged and left alone. But instead, the owner wants to play with all the electronics. Possibly to the point of continually trying to start the vehicle while troubleshooting. They end up draining emergency reserve and now the battery is drained to the point of no return.

A perfectly good battery, trashed, by rookie mistakes.

Folks avoiding these mistakes should have nothing to worry about. Overall the vehicles are more reliable than gas, by far, if you keep the batt charged and give it at least an occasional service, particularly in high humidity and dusty/dirty areas.

 

[Optimist]

Thank you jimtesla, You speak with clearity and a tone of authority and your appearance was/is needed to bring the current BAP program up to date.
Your facts were presented so clearly that it looks like MB Financial Services, may be your home.


Perhaps you could be encouraged to speak to the issue of second owner's responsibility to either buy-out or take over an existing BAP contract.
I know that neither is required/mandatory, but some/at least one, Dealer continues to promote the requirement that a second buyer of a BAP certified car Must assume responsibility for the prior owners BAP, contract by either buying it out, or submitting his name to MBFS to replace the original buyer.
This, as I suspect you know, is no longer a MBFS, requirement as of an unannounced date early this year, 2017.

 

[jimtesla]

Regarding the BAP

I have not been around for awhile since I turned my 2013 Smart in and Mercedes would not negotiate.

The dealer would not help,when asked about the BAP, but did tell be to call Mercedes for information

Mercedes just told me straight up to call the Vin in and check if its eligible

I see allot of leased cars that have a carfax which shows that the car gets sold or auctioned off twice

I think that whole process takes it to the 60 day mark with all the Smarts when they are sold twice coming back off lease.

I tried several Smart cars listed for sale today and each one did not qualify.

PS I do not work for, nor am I affiliated with Mercedes

Just want another one for some strange reason. Wow thats post 451.....buying lottery ticket....

 

[hurricanes]

Actually, you can find many used ED that still have BAP on Autotrader. It is not too expensive to have cars shipped anywhere in the US, so shop around and find the best deal (after all, you can't drive it home; not with the limited range).

Think twice about whether you want BAP. True, insurance/warranty on the battery is nice for peace of mind, but BAP is expensive and is contractually obligated for a decade. $80 per month is $960 per year or $9600 over the decade that you are committing yourself (subtract any payments made by prior owners). In the unlikely failure of the battery, it would be cheaper to just buy another used ED. But I understand the peace of mind that BAP provides. One reason I have it.

 

[Optimist]

I think that the $80/month BAP, went straight to MB bottom line !


The battery was carefully engineered to protect itself, never over-charging, over exhaused or capable of failing by going to true zero, the zero we saw on our screens had some remaining charge used to protect the battery cells to serve the more silent needs of the car. So cars left at Screen-zero for an extended period of time could consume that backup charge, at which time another Safety feature was activated to save the cells. a switch, simply turned Everything off before damage was done. There are some cars sitting around that are in this state. Dealers tell these owners that they need a new battery. They are untrained in the process of flipping that switch back and charging and certifying the battery,,,,so we are offered, when needed, a "Reconditioned Battery", sent out from MB Parts.


So, do you need BAP, I believe that we have learned that battery design is quite sophisticated, I doubt that MB has replaced any batteries. They knew that their battery insurance policy was the equivalent of selling "Zombie Apocalypse Insurance to Homeowners",,,it ain't going to ever happen !

 

[Mister_smart_LA]

I think that the $80/month BAP, went straight to MB bottom line !


The battery was carefully engineered to protect itself, never over-charging, over exhaused or capable of failing by going to true zero, the zero we saw on our screens had some remaining charge used to protect the battery cells to serve the more silent needs of the car. So cars left at Screen-zero for an extended period of time could consume that backup charge, at which time another Safety feature was activated to save the cells. a switch, simply turned Everything off before damage was done. There are some cars sitting around that are in this state. Dealers tell these owners that they need a new battery. They are untrained in the process of flipping that switch back and charging and certifying the battery,,,,so we are offered, when needed, a "Reconditioned Battery", sent out from MB Parts.


So, do you need BAP, I believe that we have learned that battery design is quite sophisticated, I doubt that MB has replaced any batteries. They knew that their battery insurance policy was the equivalent of selling "Zombie Apocalypse Insurance to Homeowners",,,it ain't going to ever happen !

The batteries can be drained to a point of no return, but yes, there are also protective measures aimed at trying to prevent that from occurring. But those measures aren't always foolproof.

And yes, I have seen batteries replaced. They are shipped in from Germany in 400 pound crates, and the dealer sends the dead battery back. Considering the dangers of being zapped by 400 volts, EV batteries are best suited being repaired by battery experts who specialize in the field rather than generalists who specialize in automotive repair.

 

[Yinzer]

And yes, I have seen batteries replaced. They are shipped in from Germany in 400 pound crates, and the dealer sends the dead battery back. Considering the dangers of being zapped by 400 volts, EV batteries are best suited being repaired by battery experts who specialize in the field rather than generalists who specialize in automotive repair.

I am fairly certain that the battery pack is an enclosed unit, and internal relays isolate the power so that even the connector receptacle is not energized - so even someone deliberately forcing their fingers into the connector would be safe. So yes, any backyard mechanic with access to a transmission jack can install a new battery pack. Also, even if the battery case is opened, recall that DC is not like AC, you have to actually touch both the positive and negative terminals of the battery pack simultaneously for any current to flow through your body.

But yes, people will do stupid things with a lithium battery pack from unfamiliarity. Think of all the things everyone knows not to do with an IC engine to avoid equally expensive damage - like say, pressing the throttle to the floor with the car in neutral, wondering why the car won't move, engine screaming, throws a rod. He then declares "boy! These IC engine cars sure were flaky and unreliable!"

 

[Yinzer]

Optimist,

Can you elaborate on this "switch"? Are you talking about a physical switch or a software switch?

 

[Optimist]

Restoring a dead battery:

If only it was so easy, a software upgrade/fix or knowing where the red button was located so we could just punch it back to it's on position.


To our benefit the engineering to guarantee both our safety and a maximum life for the Li-ion cells is incredibly complex, with a Battery Management System using integrated circuits. Each cell gets a constant physical exam evaluating about a half dozen conditions per cell. Then each cell is given what it can take, the best medicine/rate and strength of charge, to keep it healthy and performing at it's best.
The cells are dangerous beyond just shock value capable of catching fire and exploding. So the Battery Monitoring Sytem which is controled by integrated circuits is really beyond our careful/inquisitive backyard intervention.

 

[Mister_smart_LA]

Restoring a dead battery:

If only it was so easy, a software upgrade/fix or knowing where the red button was located so we could just punch it back to it's on position.


To our benefit the engineering to guarantee both our safety and a maximum life for the Li-ion cells is incredibly complex, with a Battery Management System using integrated circuits. Each cell gets a constant physical exam evaluating about a half dozen conditions per cell. Then each cell is given what it can take, the best medicine/rate and strength of charge, to keep it healthy and performing at it's best.
The cells are dangerous beyond just shock value capable of catching fire and exploding. So the Battery Monitoring Sytem which is controled by integrated circuits is really beyond our careful/inquisitive backyard intervention.

So are you in favor of BAP's idea of replacing a failed battery entirely, rather than a dealer service technician refurbishing the battery on the spot?