Replacing Z4 coupe battery

krusty · 12-14-2015, 02:15 AM

My battery (Z4 coupe 3.0si) is in need of replacement ... and on checking with BMW, there are two main options to go with:

1. Standard white 70A (this is what the car shipped with) [ Also available as an 80A ]

2. Black AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat)

The AGM is apparently better for people who do lots of short trips (which is me). It is more expensive.
* Black requires 'registering' and re-programming.
* White one might also need registering (but not programming).

For some reason, my dealer is quoting me less for fitting the Black than the white (excluding parts), so I am thinking of going for black AGM.

Am interested to hear if anyone else has changed from standard white to AGM, and others thoughts.

uluwatu06 · 12-14-2015, 05:32 AM

Hi,

How much is BMW charging you for the battery change (including "registering") in Australia?

I was informed by BMW over here that it would cost me $1647USD in total.

krusty · 12-14-2015, 06:28 AM

Prices quoted to me:

Parts only:
======
Standard white battery: AUD$302 (70A) or AUD$350 (80A)
Black AGM battery: AUD$547

Parts with fitting:
==========
Standard white battery: AUD$550
Black AGM battery: AUD$700

Doesn't make too much sense, but that's what I was quoted.

chickdr · 12-14-2015, 09:14 AM

We are talking about an E86 coupe right? There is no "registering" if this is the case. Scam. Buy the battery at your local parts store and install it yourself. You will thank me later. I had an AGM from the factory which lasted 5yrs. I now have a regular lead acid battery(cheaper) and it has lasted over 4yrs so far. I don't see the advantage to the AGM.

KevinC · 12-14-2015, 11:36 AM

Australia? I assume it gets brutally hot there? I'd go AGM, they are more heat resistant than regular flooded batteries.

The doc is right, there is no registration required on any E86/E86 Z4(M). Simple DIY task to replace the battery.

krusty · 12-24-2015, 11:43 AM

New black AGM battery installed ...

krusty · 12-29-2015, 12:41 AM

I have been remiss in following up ... which is not such a nice tale.

After the new AGM battery was installed, on starting up again the car (for the first time after I got home), the car started making a loud GLITCH BLIP noise. The noise comes from the front (L+R) speakers in the footwell of the Z4. The engine does not need to be on ... just the ignition key turned to activate the electrics. Then, every 25 seconds, there is this really loud POP / BLIP noise from the speakers. Then it goes silent again for 25 seconds ... then BLIP. It sounds like something is shorting out. This has never happened before on the car; there has never been any electrical problems with the car, and the fact that it has now started would appear to be related to the change of the battery, or the way the battery was changed, or them jump starting the car after it was dropped off.

Took it back to to the dealer today (after they re-opened after the Boxing day long weekend), and they are going to look into it ...

polar · 12-30-2015, 04:57 AM

I also had a 25 sec pop sound from the speaker in the footwell. It only appeared when the key was turned to position 2 or the car was started and in combination with my iphone (4s) had bluetooth activated. Deactivate BT and it was gone. Strange and annoying. The issue was solved when I got a new iphone (5s) so maybe it was software related and/or bad BT-sync in my case.

12-14-2015, 02:15 AM	#1
krusty Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 291 Posts Drives: Z4 coupé Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Replacing Z4 coupe battery - standard (white) or AGM (black) My battery (Z4 coupe 3.0si) is in need of replacement ... and on checking with BMW, there are two main options to go with: 1. Standard white 70A (this is what the car shipped with) [ Also available as an 80A ] 2. Black AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) The AGM is apparently better for people who do lots of short trips (which is me). It is more expensive. * Black requires 'registering' and re-programming. * White one might also need registering (but not programming). For some reason, my dealer is quoting me less for fitting the Black than the white (excluding parts), so I am thinking of going for black AGM. Am interested to hear if anyone else has changed from standard white to AGM, and others thoughts. Last edited by krusty; 12-14-2015 at 02:28 AM..
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12-14-2015, 05:32 AM	#2
uluwatu06 Private 22 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 2021 F44 BMW M235i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Middle East iTrader: (0)	Hi, How much is BMW charging you for the battery change (including "registering") in Australia? I was informed by BMW over here that it would cost me $1647USD in total.
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12-14-2015, 06:28 AM	#3
krusty Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 291 Posts Drives: Z4 coupé Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Prices quoted to me: Parts only: ====== Standard white battery: AUD$302 (70A) or AUD$350 (80A) Black AGM battery: AUD$547 Parts with fitting: ========== Standard white battery: AUD$550 Black AGM battery: AUD$700 Doesn't make too much sense, but that's what I was quoted.
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12-14-2015, 09:14 AM	#4
chickdr Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,991 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0)	We are talking about an E86 coupe right? There is no "registering" if this is the case. Scam. Buy the battery at your local parts store and install it yourself. You will thank me later. I had an AGM from the factory which lasted 5yrs. I now have a regular lead acid battery(cheaper) and it has lasted over 4yrs so far. I don't see the advantage to the AGM.
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12-14-2015, 11:36 AM	#5
KevinC your average JAMF 3101 Rep 4,094 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	Australia? I assume it gets brutally hot there? I'd go AGM, they are more heat resistant than regular flooded batteries. The doc is right, there is no registration required on any E86/E86 Z4(M). Simple DIY task to replace the battery. __________________ '21 M2 Comp '19 Golf R
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12-24-2015, 11:43 AM	#6
krusty Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 291 Posts Drives: Z4 coupé Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	New black AGM battery installed ...
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12-29-2015, 12:41 AM	#7
krusty Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 291 Posts Drives: Z4 coupé Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	I have been remiss in following up ... which is not such a nice tale. After the new AGM battery was installed, on starting up again the car (for the first time after I got home), the car started making a loud GLITCH BLIP noise. The noise comes from the front (L+R) speakers in the footwell of the Z4. The engine does not need to be on ... just the ignition key turned to activate the electrics. Then, every 25 seconds, there is this really loud POP / BLIP noise from the speakers. Then it goes silent again for 25 seconds ... then BLIP. It sounds like something is shorting out. This has never happened before on the car; there has never been any electrical problems with the car, and the fact that it has now started would appear to be related to the change of the battery, or the way the battery was changed, or them jump starting the car after it was dropped off. Took it back to to the dealer today (after they re-opened after the Boxing day long weekend), and they are going to look into it ...
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12-30-2015, 04:57 AM	#8
polar Private 53 Rep 97 Posts Drives: Z4MC07 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: sweden iTrader: (0)	I also had a 25 sec pop sound from the speaker in the footwell. It only appeared when the key was turned to position 2 or the car was started and in combination with my iphone (4s) had bluetooth activated. Deactivate BT and it was gone. Strange and annoying. The issue was solved when I got a new iphone (5s) so maybe it was software related and/or bad BT-sync in my case.
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