Replacing a 2008 M3 E93 Battery

Like other prior posts, started to see my original OEM battery coming to the end of life (clock slow, odometer resetting).

Rather than pay a premium at a local BMW dealership, went the route of others and bought a similar spec'd battery to OEM. I also save on costs by installing it myself (see pictures for the install in the next post) and registered the battery at an independent BMW service shop.

Battery:
H8-AGM Duralast - http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/_/N-8gcxb?itemIdentifier=319459_829936_0_
Retail $169.99
Paid $154.99 (returned my original battery so non $15.00 core charge and used this $15 coupon - http://click1.email.retailmenot.com/ezssrqcykjpfqpzqftvtcfvwvjfbrlcpchvvlhsrzqyzhr_etrsqzqzpqp.html)

Labor:
Free – installed it myself (~30 minutes)

Registration:
$55 - http://www.eastsidebavarian.com/ (local BMW independent car service shop)

Total Cost = $209.99 + WA tax

Tools:
Gloves
Flat Head Screw Driver
10MM Socket
13MM Socket
Electrical or Painter's Tape

Remove the initial cover by turning the highlighted screw.


Remove the other covers by turning the screws and pulling the pieces.


Unscrew the Negative terminal and wrap with tape. Unscrew the battery hold downs to give you room to move the battery to unhinge the top battery area. There is a 13MM bolt under the + symbol that will allow you to remove the red battery portion. Once set aside, you can unscrew the positive terminal.


Remove the battery vent hose (note there may be traces of acid so it is important to be wearing gloves. Lift the original OEM battery by the handles (note it is heavy and easier to take it out from the side where you have more leverage and lifting area.


What the area looks like when the battery is removed.


Reverse the order and ensure you put the vent battery hose back into the positive portion of the battery. Also connect the positive terminal first and the negative terminal last.


Go to a independent service shop to register your new battery.

I did not wear gloves when I did it.

I just replaced mine with the Sears DieHard similar battery. I already had the BMW Logger software so I was able to register it myself.

Good write up, OP. Next time, you'll be ready to code the reset yourself

Check/Clear Codes,Adaptations,Register New Battery. Free, No INPA/EDIABAS required.

I believe the OEM battery for the 2008 E93 vert is rated as 90 Ah / CCA 900. DuraCell and Duralast H8-AGM batteries are rated as 92 Ah / CCA 850.

Is it okay to put a replacement with a different rating? Can someone please clarify?

P.S. Two BMW dealers in NJ mentioned that BMW recently has updated that the 92 Ah / CCA 850 is an acceptable rating.

GoRoundel wrote

I believe the OEM battery for the 2008 E93 vert is rated as 90 Ah / CCA 900. DuraCell and Duralast H8-AGM batteries are rated as 92 Ah / CCA 850.

Is it okay to put a replacement with a different rating? Can someone please clarify?

P.S. Two BMW dealers in NJ mentioned that BMW recently has updated that the 92 Ah / CCA 850 is an acceptable rating.

Haven't had an issue and BMW service shop I went to who registered the battery said it was fine.

GoRoundel wrote

I believe the OEM battery for the 2008 E93 vert is rated as 90 Ah / CCA 900. DuraCell and Duralast H8-AGM batteries are rated as 92 Ah / CCA 850.

Is it okay to put a replacement with a different rating? Can someone please clarify?

P.S. Two BMW dealers in NJ mentioned that BMW recently has updated that the 92 Ah / CCA 850 is an acceptable rating.

its to ok but you need to register it...

when i got mine at sears its their AGM battery with 92ah / cca 950 i had to register it to be safe.. BMW recommend it and even local shops do... yes it will work without having to do it but im sure battery will not last long or might see issues in the long run. better to be safe than sorry.

Thanks guys!

Replaced the OEM battery (90 Ah / 900 CCA) made by Banner an Austrian company, with Duracell AGM (92 Ah / 850 CCA / Size: H8AGM / Group Size: 49). Bought it at Sam's Club for $159.95 + tax.

Duracell is made in the USA, by East Penn. Comes with a 3 year Free Replacement Warranty and 8 year Pro-rated Warranty.

My Indy installed the battery and registered it with the car for me... All is well now!

P.S. Dealers wanted $325 + tax (minus 20% discount for CCA members) plus installation ($150 for 1 hour labor). OEM battery comes with only 2 year Pro-rated Warranty.

Question: if we change to a battery with 92ah and different cca, will bmwlogger be enough to register the battery with the change?

Ok so I'll just put my 2 cents on this older forum, I recently purchased a 2009 e93 and one thing that I have been noticing is the thing kept dying if I left the door open for less than 5 minutes, so I decided today to go get a new battery. I have a local indy I started using with this car and he is the best! He recently installed 2 new front control arms, a new leveller sensor and back plus alignment for $550! Anyways, I pulled apart the rear panels in the back and noticed my battery is :

S: 61 21 7 575 327
AW: 61 21 6 924 022

Which I have gathered is an AGM battery so I went over to my local autozone and bought the following:

http://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/battery/duralast-platinum-battery/319459_0_0/

Was a perfect fit and was the same 900 CCA as the oem battery I was replacing, only difference is the autozone battery is 95 ah whereas the oam battery was 90 ah, hope that's not a problem. I went to the great indy I mentioned earlier and he registered for me for free! I tipped him of course and will definitely be using him in the future!

Anyways, just wanted to share my story and hopefully help others going forward!

why do you need to register? The battery will run even you don't register

jzyaa wrote

why do you need to register? The battery will run even you don't register

I believe to reset the car's computer adaptation in regards to charging.

BimmerRookie wrote  

jzyaa wrote

why do you need to register? The battery will run even you don't register

I believe to reset the car's computer adaptation in regards to charging.

If you change a brand new battery the system will detect it. No need to register

It seems this question always gets brought up about registering your new battery, and being able to do it yourself.

Thank you for the write-up.

I just put a new battery in the car last night. Will I get a message soon saying it's noticed a new battery and ask me to register it? Drove in to work this morning, and nothing popped up 8/2012 build date. I had the car on a battery tender while replacing on hopes of keeping all stored data. Still ended up having to reset time.

03BeastCharmer wrote

I just put a new battery in the car last night. Will I get a message soon saying it's noticed a new battery and ask me to register it? Drove in to work this morning, and nothing popped up 8/2012 build date. I had the car on a battery tender while replacing on hopes of keeping all stored data. Still ended up having to reset time.

I don't believe you will get any message asking you to register it but from what I've been reading you should register it.

Changed the battery and changed the VO to 90ah_agm and registered it. Quite a easy fix. Thanks for the awesome guide

Besides registering, are there any other reset procedures that need to be done when changing the battery? TIS makes it seem like there are some re-learning procedures that need to be done (auto engine start/stop, mount steering angle, etc.):

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e92-m3-cou_201202/repair-manuals/12-engine-electrical-system/12-00-engine-electrical-system/2S8T2Cv

Is it Ok to attach a trickle charger (like a CTEK) to the electrical leads under the hood to keep the settings while changing the battery?

is Carly good to reset battery with?

jzyaa wrote

why do you need to register? The battery will run even you don't register

yes it will run if you dont register . but it may not charge it enough or to much, causing some other components to fail, not to mention reduce your new batteries life significantly, so always register your battery after every change , dont forget to reet the date ??

fredde11 wrote

is Carly good to reset battery with?

yes