BMW Battery Options - 2021 Edition

[nyc_dude]

It is a nightmare to figure out the correct battery to install in your BMW E9X M3. It turns out that BMW changes battery designs and part nos. every few years, so they are common across as many models as possible. The need to recode and register batteries in BMWs adds further complications.

BMW Dealerships were charging $500 for a battery replacement. The cost is about $250 for the latest OEM 92AH battery and $200 for battery coding and registration.

When BMW added the Start/Stop feature to newer BMW E9X M3s that caused a switch to AGM batteries. Some BMW dealerships began installing 105AH batteries (vs 90AH Non-AGM and 92 AH AGM batteries) in some BMW M3s in for service. The 105AH AGM batteries were used in larger 5-6-7 Series and X3/X4-X5/X6 models.

Back in 2013, BMW introduced a 92AH/850 CCA AGM battery that is fine for our E9X M3s. It replaced a non-AGM 90AH/720 CCA battery. When you search realoem.com for BMW models before 2012, you will see lots of older batteries with capacities from 70-92AH in both non-AGM and AGM variants. Switch to a 2013 E92 LCI M3 after May and boom...the 92AH AGM battery with the 812 p/n appears.

The other problem for older BMWs is that the DME has to contain your installed battery option in order to recode it properly. The battery options are only 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 AH Non-AGM and AGM. I don't think there is really a custom battery option, so 92 AH and 105 AH aren't listed. Use the nearest lower or higher capacity (use 90AH for a 92 AH battery). But if you own a newer X3 or X5, you might see a 105AH option. ISTA SW at a BMW dealership might be able to work this magic.

East Penn (EP) makes the BMW OEM batteries.
Notice the Group 49/H8 92AH/850 CCA battery on this product sheet.

https://www.eastpennmanufacturing.co...Flyer-1737.pdf

01 61212353812 EP AGM Battery 92AH/850 CCA
01 61212353814 EP AGM Battery 105AH/950 CCA

BMW might have superseded the prior 812/814 p/n's with these p/n's very recently.

01 61215A40E29 EP AGM Battery 92AH/850 CCA (CONFIRMED)
01 61215A40E33 EP AGM Battery 105AH/950 CCA

https://www.bmwpartspros.com/oem-par...10-61215a40e29 (812 Superseded)
https://shop.bmw.ca/p/103810146/61215A40E33.html Thank you Canada!! #TheStraightPipes
Yeah, the 105 AH battery is cheaper than the 92AH battery.
Look for 20-25% off at GetBMWParts in MD and BMWPartsPros in SoCal.

Google the p/n to see photos of the labels on eBay.

Bosch makes a 92AH/850 CCA AGM battery, S6588B (S6 series)
RockAuto

Odyssey makes a Group 49 H8 battery 94AH 950 CCA. Good website with deals. Delivery nationwide. NAPA and FCP Euro sells them.

The physical size is H8/Group 49, almost 14" long and weighs 58 lbs.

Most batteries have a 3-5 year pro-rated warranty. BMW and other battery brands do not.

You might get hit with a core charge from $18-35-55.

Since you might be installing a non-standard battery in your BMW, you need to both recode and register the battery. Any BMW Indy Shop can do it. Both these apps are available on iOS and now Android.

- Bimmercode to recode to change Lead Acid to AGM and Capacity in AH.
- Bimmerlink to register the battery (New Battery - records mileage which is battery age 0, so the alternator charges
differently over the years/mileage as the battery degrades).

TIP: The red plastic power distribution block has 3 bolts (10/13 mm), so it comes apart to make it easy to slide the 60 lb battery in and out. 7 total bolts, two clips, 3 electrical connectors, and one vent hose, twice.

I will learn more when I pick up and install a new battery, OEM or aftermarket. I have to do a battery replacement for a BMW F30 335i, which uses the same 92AH battery.


Cheers

[nyc_dude]

The Master

Cheers

[nyc_dude]

Lithium Battery option by AntiGravity Batteries.

Yeah, don't do this...

https://antigravitybatteries.com/

Size is a smaller Group 48/H6 at 40 or 60AH...select AGM.

Size option for a larger Group 94R/H7 at 40 or 60 or 80 AH...select AGM.

Not for extreme cold weather applications. Maybe 60/80 AH Capacity works in cold weather.


Cheers

[derbo]

Originally Posted by nyc_dude

Lithium Battery option by AntiGravity Batteries.

Yeah, don't do this...

https://antigravitybatteries.com/

Size is a smaller Group 48/H6 at 40 or 60AH...select AGM.

Size option for a larger Group 94R/H7 at 40 or 60 or 80 AH...select AGM.

Not for extreme cold weather applications. Maybe 60/80 AH Capacity works in cold weather.


Cheers

Why don't do this?

[nyc_dude]

Matt didn't watch any YouTube videos on how to remove the BMW battery first, so he had to start and stop, because there are so many bolts and connectors. Pretty funny, since it is so easy once you know how.

Lithium Batteries are cool, but 3x-4x more expensive.


Cheers

[derbo]

Originally Posted by nyc_dude

Matt didn't watch any YouTube videos on how to remove the BMW battery first, so he had to start and stop, because there are so many bolts and connectors. Pretty funny, since it is so easy once you know how.

Lithium Batteries are cool, but 3x-4x more expensive.


Cheers

Ahh. I wasn't clear if you meant don't do lithium..as it contradicted picking an option after the video.

LiPO4 batteries are neat as they last 3-5x longer so it may equal the same value long term.