Battery
- Thread starter HelloiAmHenry
- Start date
A maintenance required battery needs distilled water to be installed, most newer cars are sealed and maintenance free. A great battery is a Optima red top. They run about 130 bucks, but nice stuff. Most local auto parts stores have batteries in stock and will install them for free. Optima is a awsome battery, especially for the cold cranking amps and gel battery. Great for high ends stereos. The battery mount might have to be rigged though. My advice....go to Sears if you are not comfortable changing the battery and they will give you a diehard and install it for you. A battery for a BMW is not a rare item. Make sure you get a maintenance free battery though so you do not have to check the level. They are not worth the hastle to add the distilled water.
Quote from Optima....
BMW and Honda Applications
If you own a BMW or Honda automobile, the Optima application guide does not show a battery to fit your car because of battery size/shape issues. An Optima may fit, however -- we do sell batteries every day for applications not indicated in the book. What this means is that you'd need to measure the space you have available (including top clearance) and consult the dimensions on our home page.
If any modification to your battery tray or hold-down is required, it may be very minor. Sometimes it's as simple as leaving off a cosmetic battery cover.
Any Optima model that matches your vehicle's voltage will perform well electrically in your BMW or Honda vehicle. If you want the ability to repeatedly discharge the battery deeply (10.5v is full discharge) without shortening lifespan, then look at the deep cycle batteries. (Performance of the Blue Top batteries is identical to that of the Yellow Tops, but because Optima offers a little better warrranty on the Blue Top, we recommend them over the Yellow Top for most applications unless you need GM-style side terminals, which are not available on a Blue Top.) If you don't need deep-cycle ability, then you'll want to look at the Red Top batteries (or Orange Top, if you need reversed post orientation.)
Please note that the top terminals on Optima batteries are set about 1.5" further from the edge of the battery than on most conventional batteries -- if your existing cables will not reach, you would need to purchase longer cables from your auto parts supplier.
Hope this helps. These are NICE stuff though.....only if you want the best.
![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]")
Quote from Optima....
BMW and Honda Applications
If you own a BMW or Honda automobile, the Optima application guide does not show a battery to fit your car because of battery size/shape issues. An Optima may fit, however -- we do sell batteries every day for applications not indicated in the book. What this means is that you'd need to measure the space you have available (including top clearance) and consult the dimensions on our home page.
If any modification to your battery tray or hold-down is required, it may be very minor. Sometimes it's as simple as leaving off a cosmetic battery cover.
Any Optima model that matches your vehicle's voltage will perform well electrically in your BMW or Honda vehicle. If you want the ability to repeatedly discharge the battery deeply (10.5v is full discharge) without shortening lifespan, then look at the deep cycle batteries. (Performance of the Blue Top batteries is identical to that of the Yellow Tops, but because Optima offers a little better warrranty on the Blue Top, we recommend them over the Yellow Top for most applications unless you need GM-style side terminals, which are not available on a Blue Top.) If you don't need deep-cycle ability, then you'll want to look at the Red Top batteries (or Orange Top, if you need reversed post orientation.)
Please note that the top terminals on Optima batteries are set about 1.5" further from the edge of the battery than on most conventional batteries -- if your existing cables will not reach, you would need to purchase longer cables from your auto parts supplier.
Hope this helps. These are NICE stuff though.....only if you want the best.
Some more good info for you....hope this helps....
Need to replace that battery in your trunk? Sealed or not? Here is all the information you'll need from the very informative and talented Herman Chan. Thanks Herman!:
At 05:31 AM 10/24/2001 -0400, you wrote:
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 01:26:32 -0700
From: Herman Chan
Subject: [uuc] Re: Replacement Battery Observations
>I read several postings to avoid sealed maintenance-free batteries
>due to their higher charging requirements than their non-sealed
>counterparts.
Aside from ensuring that there are proper venting provisions for
trunk or interior installation, I don't recall seeing any convincing
caveats regarding installing a particular type of battery in any BMW,
outside of E36 convertibles which require a vibration-resistant
battery.
>So, if BMW recommends a maintenance free battery, I wonder if the "charging
>voltage" information is true. Just a datapoint. But I'm curious what other
>digesters input on this would be.
You must be referring to the article commonly circulated among the
club newsletters cautioning against maintenance-free/lead-calcium
chemistry batteries.
Prior to my recent purchase of an Interstate MTP-91 as a replacement
for my original BMW battery, I sent their tech dept. a copy of the
article and asked them to comment. I can forward a copy of their
response if you're interested.
Interstate's response allayed any concerns I might have had, and my
battery has not caused any problems in my car, which given its usage
pattern (sparingly driven with mostly short-medium duration trips)
would probably tax a battery more heavily.
The Interstate's clone, the Sears International Group 48 battery also
seems to be quite popular among E36 owners. Both are made by Johnson
Controls (Hey, Carlos!), as is the Energizer equivalent now found in
Pep Boys outlets. This battery is the most powerful Group 48/91
battery on the market, and fits most E36 models.
However, six-cylinder E36 owners might not want to give up the extra
capacity that their original Group 92 batteries have, but outside of
BMW/Douglas, I don't think anybody makes a 92 battery, so many people
install 48/91 batteries that the four's and Z3's have as standard.
Others have had success fitting some of more readily available 49/93
batteries.
My only gripe with the Interstate is that unlike the OEM Douglas
battery which has the vent port on the end adjacent to the Positive
terminal post, the Interstate's vent port is located in the middle of
the battery on the side between the posts, necessitating a vent
extension kit which the dealer should provide. With the kit's
extension tube and butt connector to hook up to the original vent
tube, the total length might only be adequate to barely reach the
body grommet, depending upon how the hose is routed. A quick run to
the store for some longer tubing to replace the original took care of
this.
>FYI, the battery for an E36 convertible uses a different battery designed
>for (per Bentley) higher vibration conditions. Interesting, why would the
>convertible have more vibrations in the battery area?
The battery in the convertible is used as a vibration damper and
rides in a moving tray. A "regular" battery that fails if used in
this application would probably have its warranty voided by the
manufacturer.
Need to replace that battery in your trunk? Sealed or not? Here is all the information you'll need from the very informative and talented Herman Chan. Thanks Herman!:
At 05:31 AM 10/24/2001 -0400, you wrote:
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 01:26:32 -0700
From: Herman Chan
Subject: [uuc] Re: Replacement Battery Observations
>I read several postings to avoid sealed maintenance-free batteries
>due to their higher charging requirements than their non-sealed
>counterparts.
Aside from ensuring that there are proper venting provisions for
trunk or interior installation, I don't recall seeing any convincing
caveats regarding installing a particular type of battery in any BMW,
outside of E36 convertibles which require a vibration-resistant
battery.
>So, if BMW recommends a maintenance free battery, I wonder if the "charging
>voltage" information is true. Just a datapoint. But I'm curious what other
>digesters input on this would be.
You must be referring to the article commonly circulated among the
club newsletters cautioning against maintenance-free/lead-calcium
chemistry batteries.
Prior to my recent purchase of an Interstate MTP-91 as a replacement
for my original BMW battery, I sent their tech dept. a copy of the
article and asked them to comment. I can forward a copy of their
response if you're interested.
Interstate's response allayed any concerns I might have had, and my
battery has not caused any problems in my car, which given its usage
pattern (sparingly driven with mostly short-medium duration trips)
would probably tax a battery more heavily.
The Interstate's clone, the Sears International Group 48 battery also
seems to be quite popular among E36 owners. Both are made by Johnson
Controls (Hey, Carlos!), as is the Energizer equivalent now found in
Pep Boys outlets. This battery is the most powerful Group 48/91
battery on the market, and fits most E36 models.
However, six-cylinder E36 owners might not want to give up the extra
capacity that their original Group 92 batteries have, but outside of
BMW/Douglas, I don't think anybody makes a 92 battery, so many people
install 48/91 batteries that the four's and Z3's have as standard.
Others have had success fitting some of more readily available 49/93
batteries.
My only gripe with the Interstate is that unlike the OEM Douglas
battery which has the vent port on the end adjacent to the Positive
terminal post, the Interstate's vent port is located in the middle of
the battery on the side between the posts, necessitating a vent
extension kit which the dealer should provide. With the kit's
extension tube and butt connector to hook up to the original vent
tube, the total length might only be adequate to barely reach the
body grommet, depending upon how the hose is routed. A quick run to
the store for some longer tubing to replace the original took care of
this.
>FYI, the battery for an E36 convertible uses a different battery designed
>for (per Bentley) higher vibration conditions. Interesting, why would the
>convertible have more vibrations in the battery area?
The battery in the convertible is used as a vibration damper and
rides in a moving tray. A "regular" battery that fails if used in
this application would probably have its warranty voided by the
manufacturer.
yea..it does.thanx =) the only problem is that in my bmw's battery compartment, there's a vent hole for the battery, because it needs to be vented since its in a concealed box, so if i do get the optima, i would have to do some modification to my vent pipe. But i called around, and they said powerstride is good, 80 dollars and it fits on to the stock vent pipe, im not looking for any stereo upgrades or anything it'll just be everyday use. Thanks tho.
Not a problem, I would suggest skipping the Optima then, they are great batteries though. Call around and have someone install it for you. MOST places....if you buy a battery will install it. Heck, I used to work at an autoparts store, I installed wiper blades and batteries all the time. If you buy the battery, have them hook you up. That way, if it does not fit.......you will not have a problem. Sucks buying a battery, getting it home....than having to take it back. Trust me, you do not want that.![[:(!]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_angry.gif "Angry [:(!]")
Just trying to help you out in the long run. The Optima will require a bit of modding though.![[;)]](/images/smilies/wink.png "Wink [;)]")
Just trying to help you out in the long run. The Optima will require a bit of modding though.
yeah, I replaced my battery this past winter. I have a 95 m3. I tried topping up the electrolyte with distilled water and that worked for like a week. then I got a cheap specific gravity tester to test it and all 6 cells were below the recomended
gravity. I luckily was able to swich mine out with a freind who's car was wrecked
if you need the gravity specs let me know and I'll post them...
Im just too lazy right now...
good luck.
gravity. I luckily was able to swich mine out with a freind who's car was wrecked
if you need the gravity specs let me know and I'll post them...
Im just too lazy right now...
good luck.
![[:)]](/images/smilies/smile.png "Smile [:)]")
I had a really hard time trying to find a battery outside of the dealer. You can buy a dry cell sealed battery, I believe the brand is Optima. These batteries do not need to be vented - they are sealed. They are expensive, but still less than the battery from the dealer and they are guaranteed for, I believe, for 7 years.
I remember reading some info on the "old" forum about batteries. A few people said that you get a battery that is exactly like the stock one except for the BMW logos directly from Douglas (if memory serves) for a lot cheaper than the dealer. People said that BMW battery is something close to $300 and I think they got the Douglas for something close to $100, I don't remember if it was $120 or $80.