Braille Battery, model is g-lite

[Mrbig]

Anyone have this and or this actually work...e90 m3/E92

[Mrbig]

Bump !!!

[pbonsalb]

There is a member in Spain who is running a lithium battery and has posted about it. There are probably some others who have not posted or posted as much. Braille makes a range of lithium batteries. In my view, the biggest one might be OK for a while, but given the price, I am not going to find out.

I have run lightweight agm batteries in the past in street cars that are driven year round (including winter) and had poor results. For example, the 22 lb Braille AGM, which is actually a Deka ETX30L available elsewhere for half the price, powered my 99 M3 for about a year -- including one winter, but it was failing in cold fall weather the next year and did not make it into a second winter. I now run the Mini Cooper battery in my 99 M3 and it has held up well for a few years of year round use. BMW actually uses this same battery as a lighter weight option in some performance versions of its M3s. It is about 35 lbs, which is considerably less than any of the standard factory battery from the last 3 M3 models.

Lithium is the way to go for lightness, though, if you can afford it.

[Mrbig]

Anyone chime in ? G-lite should work we'll with the m3 and not cause any issues from what I'm reading anyone have this one and weight savings is insane like 50 lbs difference maybe !!!

[Mrbig]

?

[crunchy_frog]

if you really want to run a lithium ion battery and have the cash then get this from braille
http://www.braillebattery.com/index....duct_group/i49

it matches the equivalent group size battery our M3 uses but with the weight savings

but its really expensive

[speedaddictM3]

Wouldn't you need to code the new batteries into the car since they are different from the OEM one? How would you do that? I'm not talking about registering the battery, but actually coding the new specs in.

[Savage42]

I have a little info that may help out.

First, the actual drop-in replacement would be the Carbon Intensity models. The BMW Alpina B3 GT3 offers a Braille I48CE as a factory option and then the higher capacity I48/49CS versions for their other models. http://www.braillebattery.com/index....tensity_carbon

In regards to your question regarding the GreenLite battery, I assume you are referring to the Braille GU1R lithium (6.6 pounds) battery. The stock Group 49 battery in my 540i 6-speed M-sport took a dump and decided to put one of these in it's place for several months now. It certainly has the cranking power, as it spins up my V8 much quicker than the stock battery. It is low in capacity, so you can't let the car sit for a long time without using the charger (recommend buying the combo). I did leave the car sitting for 9 days while out of town and had no problem starting right up when I got back. If I was going to be gone for more than 2 weeks, I would have used the charger. Of course, you will need to make a custom mount for it, as well. http://www.braillebattery.com/index....ies/gu1r_combo

Of course, my E39 540i does not have NAV or anything extra, so the parasitic draw would only be from the PCM and stock security system, so anything with more electronics on it may decrease the amount of time I'd let the car sit. In a daily drive, no problem at all.

I have pictures of both batteries side by side (attached), so I saved nearly 50 pounds and the car definitely runs better. Lithium delivers a higher, cleaner voltage, so it's common to see quicker starting, improved engine management performance, less horsepower draw from the alternator due to efficient charging (5 times faster than lead) and will last 3-5 times longer. The factory BMWs in the American Le Mans series and all of the DTM cars run the Braille B128L model, which has much more power & capacity than the GU1R, but similar to the I48CE, just a little larger. http://www.braillebattery.com/index....atteries/i48ce

Anyway, that's my experience. I would probably go towards the I49CE if my car wasn't 14 years old with 225k miles on it, but being older and not as much electrical demand from the car as the new cars, the GU1R seems to work well. It's a great option for all of the older cars, for sure. Just thought I'd pass that along, as I have some friends with Porsche GT3s that run the I48CE in them with great success, so they saved 35 pounds and is up to that kind of work in a 10 pound battery that bolts right in. Hope that helps.

[Mrbig]

weight savings is what im after but dont want any issues so u think the gu1r could be ok in my car ? no issues ? 2011 M3

[aus]

There was a discussion about Braille battery's many years ago. Many people with the smaller ones where having issues with them getting drained after only 2-3 days.
I believe, most recommended the 15 or 18 lb version.

The overall best price/weight ration battery was the Mini battery. It's suppose to bolt right in and save a good amount of weight. I'd be wary of using one if you use start/stop.

Might want to try a search.

.

[Savage42]

With it work? Most likely, but the low capacity does mean you can't sit and play the stereo without the car running and previously mentioned situations.

I'm glad Stop/start was mentioned, as that is one function that this battery is definitely not designed for. You you have to go with the full-size, 10 pound version to have enough capacity for that function.

As for AGM, the 18 pound would work, but wouldn't go smaller/lighter unless in a 4 or 6 cylinder.

[Mrbig]

I was looking for more info but did not see what I was after !!!

[Savage42]

What do you mean by "more info"?

As for the GU1R lithium battery, it may work but does not spec out for your car. Will it work? Yes? Reliably for many years and no issues? Can't really say by going with a battery that small and having all the electrical demands in your vehicle, definitely small in a car with Stop/Start. The I48CE as more capacity & power, which is designed for your car, so that one is most likely the lightest and best option.

As for the AGM options, I would say the B2618 or B3121 will work, as I've seen many C6 Corvettes running those batteries (even the Vipers), so that is an option.

With either, you just have to keep in mind the lower capacity impacts the amount of time the vehicle can sit. This isn't an issue in a daily driver. Does that help?

[Mrbig]

Def better info thanks so much !!!

[Mrbig]

AGM options make sense and price isn't bad at all !!!

[pbonsalb]

I ran the Deka ETX30L, which is the equivalent of the 21-22 lb Braille (Braille rebadges Deka AGM powersports batteries and sells them for twice as much). It held up for a year, including one winter, in my 99M3 that is driven year round and parked outside. By late the second fall, the battery was failing on very cold days so I removed it and installed a Mini Cooper battery. A new BMW has greater power demands, so I think the Deka ETX30L would not last as long under the same driving conditions. The Deka is cheap, so you could just buy a new one every year.

When I needed a new battery for my 08M3, I bought a full size one. I have only lightly modded this car (track pipe, intake, tune with water/meth, pulley, H&R springs, performance brake pads and braided lines) and want it to drive reliably. My 99M3 makes over 550 rwhp and over 500 lbs rwtq and is driven year round, but I am willing to make more compromises and risk some reliability.