Great News today from BMW, on Lithium battery life expectancy !
So, take a deep breath and relax, you might even dump your
BAP, contract with MBFS. If you took the cautious route and protected yourslf, you may use these facts to rethink your monthly battery insurance plan.
https://insideevs.com/bmw-batteries-have-15-year-life-in-cars/
Well, the BAP program is not just an extended warranty that you can "take or leave". I know there is a separate thread (or two) suggesting you can "opt out" of BAP in a vehicle that was purchased with BAP. However, the Battery Assurance Plus program is a battery LEASE plus an extended warranty. Legally, the original owner did not purchase the battery but leased it in exchange for a reduction in price of $5k. Legally, the subsequent owners are supposed to assume the lease and continue the payments until MBFS is made whole. Legally, the seller (likely a dealer at this point) is supposed to present this paperwork to you.
In practice this is not going according to the above "plan". Dealers are either not knowing or not telling about BAP. They also MAY be signing paperwork with the buyer that states they "own" the vehicle without prior liens or encumbrances. If they do sign that paperwork and sell you a BAP car they are very likely commiting fraud.
In practice, we only have anecdotal musings in this and other forums of what MIGHT happen if MB discovers you have a BAP car and are not making payments ("shut off" the car via software, refuse to give it back to you if you bring it in for MB service, repo the battery, etc.). Again some threads suggest MBFS WANTS you to blow off BAP so they can scrap the whole mess. One thing I learned in 35 years of negotiating with suppliers, they will NEVER give money away. I find it hard to believe in a scenario at MBFS where they are knowingly going to walk away from tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars or more because the BAP program has become inconvenient. I'll believe that when they send it to me in writing.
As far as any rumors, press releases, etc. about battery longevity, that may not apply to the Smart car battery even if it IS true. BMW and all other manufacturers use a different chemistry mix in their batteries. Your mileage will LIKELY vary - maybe by a lot!
I'll keep paying for BAP. Maybe it is a fool's errand. I got the car cheap and knew the numbers going in - even if the dealer did not. With a full BAP payout the car was still a good deal for me. And I do sleep better knowing that expensive lump of chemicals and metals under the seats is insured.
Cheers,
Mike
