Optima Battery Install with BimmerWorld Custom Mount

[radiofrequency]

I decided to do some preventative maintenance and replace my almost 6 year old battery yesterday. Reviewing the BimmerWorld custom mount for the Optima battery, I decided to go this route. Here are the pricing details:

8020-164 OPTIMA D35 REDTOP Battery Save 5-18 lbs with this advanced high-performance AGM battery for your BMW 1 $209.99
100.61.580.0001 OPTIMA D35 Generation 3 Battery Mount Kit Exclusive BimmerWorld aluminum mount for OPTIMA D35 batteries 1 $99.99
Discount ($50.00)
Total $259.98

I am in no way mechanically inclined, so the removal of the existing battery and install of the new Optima battery took me a little longer than anticipated, however, I got away with only one skinned knuckle! Removing the existing battery required a little dexterity as you need to hold the top mounted electronics out of the way with one hand and, with the other hand, remove the existing battery. It's a heavy beast is all I can say! I have attached images of the custom mount and the new battery. The custom mount is beautifully crafted and the quality of the billeted aluminum is exceptional. One of the images below show that you will have some parts left over from the original battery mounts. The packaging is exceptional, BimmerWorld even threw in a bag of Gummy Bears with the mount. My trusty Toptul set of tools was all I needed to complete the install. I registered the battery using Carly, I have the full Carly app, and was a little disappointed that I had to pay $9.99 to register the new battery, I wasn't aware that there were a host of additional charges within Carly, these are referred to "In App" costs. But then again, I still came out ahead based on what the dealer would charge for this job. I hope that this information helps those who want to transition to an Optima.

[CIFUM3]

Pics installed?

[Rassilon]

were you able to weight the mount?

[radiofrequency]

I am on a road trip right now, but will post pics of the install upon my return home (Driving my C4S on this trip as opposed to the M so can't take photo's now). The billeted aluminum mount is feather light, but the construction is solid, you can see that a lot of thought went into it, I have no doubt that it is sturdy enough to hold the Optima securely. For comparison, I have a Moots titanium bicycle, and I was able to hold the frame prior to the build process (wheels, components, etc), it's a wickedly light frame coming in at 1165 grams or 2.56 lbs - I mention this as it's hard to imagine a frame this light putting up with the pain that it gets put through while riding, the billeted Optima mount reminds me of the workmanship and quality of the Moots frame, it was the first thing that came to mind when I was unpacking the Optima mount.

[Rassilon]

Originally Posted by radiofrequency

I am on a road trip right now, but will post pics of the install upon my return home (Driving my C4S on this trip as opposed to the M so can't take photo's now). The billeted aluminum mount is feather light, but the construction is solid, you can see that a lot of thought went into it, I have no doubt that it is sturdy enough to hold the Optima securely. For comparison, I have a Moots titanium bicycle, and I was able to hold the frame prior to the build process (wheels, components, etc), it's a wickedly light frame coming in at 1165 grams or 2.56 lbs - I mention this as it's hard to imagine a frame this light putting up with the pain that it gets put through while riding, the billeted Optima mount reminds me of the workmanship and quality of the Moots frame, it was the first thing that came to mind when I was unpacking the Optima mount.

Thanks! Do you connect the car to a trickle charger when you are gone? Would be interesting to see if optima yellow top can handle the parasitic draw.

[Rassilon]

And did the electronics that sit on top of the battery fit?

[radiofrequency]

Originally Posted by edwardgtxy

Thanks! Do you connect the car to a trickle charger when you are gone? Would be interesting to see if optima yellow top can handle the parasitic draw.

I don't know the answer to the parasitic draw question, however, I do connect the vehicle to a trickle charger for about 6 months of the year when it is in storage, and intend to do so now that I have installed the Optima.

[radiofrequency]

Originally Posted by edwardgtxy

And did the electronics that sit on top of the battery fit?

See the attached image, the Optima Mount comes with a bracket to hold down the electronics, not as elegant as the OEM, but it does the job. I have done some spirited driving since the install, and everything appears to be holding up well, no rattles or squeaks, not that I expected that as the mount is beautifully crafted and, IMHO, of the highest quality. If I had, on unpacking the mount, found it to be of sub standard fit, finish, quality, I would not have proceeded with the install, just an FYI.

[whats77inaname]

Did you also pick up the Optima battery maintainer? Have it, love it

[radiofrequency]

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

Did you also pick up the Optima battery maintainer? Have it, love it

Nope, I have a CTek which I have used for years and will use moving forward, unless it's contraindicated for the Optima battery - I will check on this prior to putting the car back into storage in September.

[m3toboot]

Looks good! However this is a smaller battery will less capacity than OEM?

[Rassilon]

Originally Posted by radiofrequency

See the attached image, the Optima Mount comes with a bracket to hold down the electronics, not as elegant as the OEM, but it does the job. I have done some spirited driving since the install, and everything appears to be holding up well, no rattles or squeaks, not that I expected that as the mount is beautifully crafted and, IMHO, of the highest quality. If I had, on unpacking the mount, found it to be of sub standard fit, finish, quality, I would not have proceeded with the install, just an FYI.

thanks! and did you end up registering the battery? if yes, what ah rating did you set it to?

[radiofrequency]

Originally Posted by m3toboot

Looks good! However this is a smaller battery will less capacity than OEM?

Here are the specs on the Optima D35 Redtop:

CCA: 720 amps
MCA: 910 amps

The OEM Battery: 90 Ah (57.6 lbs)

CCA: 850 amps
MCA: 1000 amps

[radiofrequency]

Originally Posted by edwardgtxy

thanks! and did you end up registering the battery? if yes, what ah rating did you set it to?

Using Carly, the software detected the AH, I can't recall what it was but everything is working as advertised.

[Rassilon]

Interesting.. I always thought you need to select one ah rating from the list. I wonder how the software is able to figure it out.

[PGas32]

Originally Posted by edwardgtxy

Interesting.. I always thought you need to select one ah rating from the list. I wonder how the software is able to figure it out.

Any others want to chime in here? I installed the setup yesterday and wasn't sure which ah to select. I know little to nothing about batteries and the answer to this isn't apparent with a Google search

[Rassilon]

Originally Posted by PGas32

Any others want to chime in here? I installed the setup yesterday and wasn't sure which ah to select. I know little to nothing about batteries and the answer to this isn't apparent with a Google search

I asked bimmerworld support a while back about this and they claimed it's 47ah. Btw how is the mount and the battery? I am deciding between this and RCS 30ah mini battery.

[PGas32]

Originally Posted by edwardgtxy

I asked bimmerworld support a while back about this and they claimed it's 47ah. Btw how is the mount and the battery? I am deciding between this and RCS 30ah mini battery.

So far so good. I re-registered it to 40ah agm last night. The only other option that was close was 60ah agm. I installed the battery and mount on Thursday and did a weekend track event with no issues.

[2K11SGCoupe]

Any updates on the use of the Optima red top battery? I think my 2011 is ready for battery replacement.

[drwankel]

Ping on this. Curious how well anybody who made the switch is holding up. It does bother me that the optima has lower specs in every way other than weight,

[Rassilon]

+1 on ping still deciding between this and 30ah mini battery.

[roastbeef]

whats the huge red thing on top of the battery attached to the positive post? looks like an oem part, but what does it do?