More Battery (Replacement) Questions

[e1000]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

When I looked into this a few years ago, there were 3 battery makers in the US. I think since then, 1 of them bought another of them. But that does not mean all batteries of the same size from one maker are the same quality. Maybe, but I would not assume.

It's now down to Exide and Johnson Controls, with the latter holding the larger market share as far as I know. Delphi was bought out by Johnson Controls a few years ago, and Exide is coming out of a CH11 bankruptcy.

I believe most of the AGM batteries for our cars, whether it be OEM or third party branded battery, is made by Johnson Controls.

[buy2ls]

Why not take your car to a shop for a new battery so that can code the battery to the car. If anything goes wrong u bring it back to them they sold you the battery and will stand behind it. Buying a battery then going to a shop with it is like bringing your own eggs to the diner. Also AGM batteries are very sensitive to overcharging, why not replace what the BMW engineers spent a lot of time and money figuring out.

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by buy2ls

Why not take your car to a shop for a new battery so that can code the battery to the car. If anything goes wrong u bring it back to them they sold you the battery and will stand behind it. Buying a battery then going to a shop with it is like bringing your own eggs to the diner. Also AGM batteries are very sensitive to overcharging, why not replace what the BMW engineers spent a lot of time and money figuring out.

Yes, some people pay the dealer or a shop to do everything. Its a lot easier, but more expensive. Some people like working on their cars as a hobby and for some it is a way to save money.

[radiofrequency]

Here's what I did, 2011 MY, car is stored during Winter with a CTek Battery Maintainer. The vehicle still has the original battery. I am replacing the original battery as it is closing in on 6 years. I researched my options and decided on this:

1. OPTIMA D35 REDTOP Battery Save 5-18 lbs with this advanced high-performance AGM battery for your BMW @ $209.99
2. OPTIMA D35 Generation 3 Battery Mount Kit Exclusive BimmerWorld aluminum mount for OPTIMA D35 batteries @ $99.99
3. $50 Discount applied if battery and mount purchased together
4. Total $259.98

Yes, I could have saved some coin with a $180 battery, but considering the mount is custom built for our vehicles and the Redtop Battery is good quality I decided to proceed. The battery and mount will be arriving early next week, I intend to register it using iCarly and will post pics of the install.

[pbonsalb]

I like weight savings. I think you could also achieve weight savings by going down to an H6 AGM size. Recoding to the lower amp hour battery would be recommended.

[oolas3]

Originally Posted by delirium330

Just picked up the Autocraft from AAP, the $50 off coupon worked great. Battery tested 811 CCA of stated 850 CCA upon pickup. FYI that the Autocraft Platinum AGM specs on the AAP site say 900 CCA, but if you read the reviews many other buyers say it is only 850 CCA per the specs on the battery itself. They were right, it is actually 850 CCA. I didn't really care and somewhat expected it from the reviews. OEM battery is 850 CCA anyway and +/-50 CCA isn't a huge deal.

Any other tricks before I change the battery itself? I know some people like to use other batteries via the cables or ODB converters to maintain 12v current to the system and not lose memory, but the small risk of frying a circuit or something doesn't thrill me. I assume I'll just have to re-program all of my settings?

I wonder if there are different versions based on geography? I have the same battery, and the sticker located on it clearly says 900 CCA.

[WingZeroX5]

I replaced my battery with AAP's Autocraft H8 in December. Swapped it out, plugged in OBD cable, fired up tool32 and registered it. Took about 20 minutes for the whole process since I was cleaning up battery compartment.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by m3m3mr

I wonder if there are different versions based on geography? I have the same battery, and the sticker located on it clearly says 900 CCA.

Suppliers are changed regularly, and there are multiple suppliers depending on which specific size or version you buy (i.e. the "platinum" might be made by company X, but the "gold" might be made by company Y). There are really only two or three big battery makers out there and they just privately label for stores.

You won't really notice a difference between 850 and 900cca.

[monterey]

I believe in bmw batteries. I had nothing but long life with them. My 1995 325i lasted 9 years before i said ok it's time to change you even though there was still no signs of failing. My other 2 bmw's gave me 7 yrs without issue before i changed them also. I buy these costco crap and they poop out after 3 yrs.

[RoundelObsession]

Does anybody know if you need to register a new battery (AGM or Lead Acid) in a E46 M3?

[delirium330]

Originally Posted by RoundelObsession

Does anybody know if you need to register a new battery (AGM or Lead Acid) in a E46 M3?

No.

[RoundelObsession]

Originally Posted by delirium330

No.

Thank You!

[G80indy]

I'd also be conscious about shopping around for the manufacturing date on the battery and have them verify its voltage/ state of charge off the shelf...
I bought mine in June with a made in May date (!)
And then when I went to get another one for our Pilot, the two available had the same date, so I had them measure ... One was 12.6 and one was 12.9, sooooo.......

[Agent-GHQ]

Originally Posted by monterey

I believe in bmw batteries. I had nothing but long life with them. My 1995 325i lasted 9 years before i said ok it's time to change you even though there was still no signs of failing. My other 2 bmw's gave me 7 yrs without issue before i changed them also. I buy these costco crap and they poop out after 3 yrs.

Good gawd that's a long as time! Do you even drive your car regularly. Generally, much like tires I'd plan on getting it replace after the 4th year

[Kamen]

I never change the battery preventatively - not if it is an AGM one. The AGM almost always goes away gradually(Not like tge conventionals, which can go out suddenly.), so you have time to notice, if it's about to be replaced. And they usually last longer than the factory estimate, sometimes - much longer.

[buddalun]

Originally Posted by radiofrequency

Here's what I did, 2011 MY, car is stored during Winter with a CTek Battery Maintainer. The vehicle still has the original battery. I am replacing the original battery as it is closing in on 6 years. I researched my options and decided on this:

1. OPTIMA D35 REDTOP Battery Save 5-18 lbs with this advanced high-performance AGM battery for your BMW @ $209.99
2. OPTIMA D35 Generation 3 Battery Mount Kit Exclusive BimmerWorld aluminum mount for OPTIMA D35 batteries @ $99.99
3. $50 Discount applied if battery and mount purchased together
4. Total $259.98

Yes, I could have saved some coin with a $180 battery, but considering the mount is custom built for our vehicles and the Redtop Battery is good quality I decided to proceed. The battery and mount will be arriving early next week, I intend to register it using iCarly and will post pics of the install.

Any updates here? TIA

[Apex Everything]

There are only 3 battery makers I forgot the break down of who is who when I bought my Duralast battery a few months ago.

It really does not matter unless you get some crazy Lithium Ion batteries.

[radiofrequency]

Originally Posted by buddalun

Any updates here? TIA

Yup, take a look here: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1284312

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Apex Everything

There are only 3 battery makers I forgot the break down of who is who when I bought my Duralast battery a few months ago.

It really does not matter unless you get some crazy Lithium Ion batteries.

Pretty much -- they just private-label for the various stores. Even then, different versions can be made by different manufacturers and it can change at random.

As I said above, as long as it has a good full replacement warranty, just buy it and don't overthink it.

[delirium330]

Circling back on this thread. Ended up ordering the H8 Platinum AGM AutoCraft battery through Advance Auto Parts/CARQUEST online. Was a pretty good deal with the $50 online coupon code referenced in this thread and comes with a 3 year warranty. FYI the website says 900CCA, but battery label actually says 850CCA (tested around 825CCA after I brought it home). Specs are identical to the original battery that comes from the factory. Took the battery tender junior (.75 amp) about 12 hours to bring it up to full charge so I don't think was on the shelf long when I picked it up.

Was a perfect fit and pretty easy replacement. I was pretty surprised to see that the car held all settings (memory seats, Bluetooth pairing, M-button settings, radio presets, etc.) after the change. I pulled the original battery and had to jump on a phone call so was probably disconnected for about 30 minutes before I dropped in the new one. I did need to reset the clock though. Is this common knowledge that it holds all settings?

I've seen people hook up battery tenders to the terminals under the hood to maintain power during a battery change, but obviously isn't on the needed on the e92 per my experience (and in my opinion not worth the risk even if you do need to spend 5 minutes resetting everything).

[G80indy]

Yep only the clock to reset-- nice.
I also topped off the battery the night before installation and programming, but I am OCD.

I also had to replace my CTEK 7002.....
It was acting up...
Now in pulse mode,
The battery sustains a 12.8 - 12.9 static state of charge.
Fresh / maintained battery gives POM