Got Bap? Trying to get BAP on a used Smart!

3813 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Mister_smart_LA, Oct 21, 2017

jimtesla

Discussion Starter · Oct 18, 2017

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.

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Mister_smart_LA

· #3 · Oct 18, 2017

sokoloff said:
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.

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Mister_smart_LA

· #8 · Oct 19, 2017

Optimist said:
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.

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Mister_smart_LA

· #12 · Oct 21, 2017

Optimist said:
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?

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