Do I really need AGM Battery?

[Caddyshk]

Originally Posted by David70

I agree, BMW doesn't make the OEM battery and it isn't a German battery. I would go by the specs and purchase a non OEM battery that is just as good and for significantly less money.

EXIDE made in Italy

[3002 tii]

Are the batteries that much more expensive at the dealer? When I look up realoem and plug in every battery p/n into sites like getbmwpartz or tischer, it comes up as less than $140

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...12&hg=61&fg=30

Granted they can't ship these but a lot of local dealers honor internet prices...

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

Are the batteries that much more expensive at the dealer? When I look up realoem and plug in every battery p/n into sites like getbmwpartz or tischer, it comes up as less than $140

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...12&hg=61&fg=30

Granted they can't ship these but a lot of local dealers honor internet prices...

Only one of the one in your list is AGM and it isn't shown as available on the Tischer site. Others there are much lower CCA than aftermarket LA options and are the same price.

[David70]

Originally Posted by Caddyshk

EXIDE made in Italy

I'm surprised. I thought there were only three manufacturers of car batteries in the U.S. with Exide being one of them. I thought it would never make sense to send a heavy battery with sulfuric acid in it from from Italy to the U.S. when Exide makes them here.

[3002 tii]

So I just picked up a new battery from Autozone, Duralast H6 AGM for $159.99. Used my fatwallet "cashback" discount as well which is 4%.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...er=319460_0_0_

Install was obviously straightforward, car started up fine, no more long cranks. I did pick up "computer memory keeper" just in case. Not sure if I really needed it or not but didn't want to chance it neither. No need to reprogram the radio, windows 1 touch up/down worked fine. I did however have to enter the time.

Compared to OEM, it felt heavier but then again at least on the 3.0si the OEM battery was rated 550 or 570 cca (don't recall).

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

".".........".... I did pick up "computer memory keeper" just in case. Not sure if I really needed it or not but didn't want to chance it neither..........

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

Something that stores all your radio codes and what not so you don't have to re-enter it. I used it when swapping batteries but I'm not sure if it worked (since I had to enter in the new date/time) or if I didn't need it to begin with.

http://www.amazon.com/Powerbuilt-648...+memory+keeper

This doesn't work on newer cars but I think I read on bimmerfest how the Z4 was probably one of the last models where it would've (since it came out in between the e46 and e90), but doubt it works for the e90.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

Something that stores all your radio codes and what not so you don't have to re-enter it. I used it when swapping batteries but I'm not sure if it worked (since I had to enter in the new date/time) or if I didn't need it to begin with.

http://www.amazon.com/Powerbuilt-648...+memory+keeper

This doesn't work on newer cars but I think I read on bimmerfest how the Z4 was probably one of the last models where it would've (since it came out in between the e46 and e90), but doubt it works for the e90.

I am sure it didn't hurt, but your radio memory was safe. The only things which need reprogramming after a battery swap are the power windows auto up/down and the clock. It sounds like it kept the windows working. I am glad you found a good AGM battery for a better price...

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

Something that stores all your radio codes and what not so you don't have to re-enter it. I used it when swapping batteries but I'm not sure if it worked (since I had to enter in the new date/time) or if I didn't need it to begin with.

http://www.amazon.com/Powerbuilt-648...+memory+keeper

This doesn't work on newer cars but I think I read on bimmerfest how the Z4 was probably one of the last models where it would've (since it came out in between the e46 and e90), but doubt it works for the e90.

I've always wondered who started this method in the first place. Placing 2 batteries (the 9V and 12V batteries) in parallel is never a good idea since the dominating battery would end up try to recharge the weaker battery. If you use a non-rechargeable type for the 9V, you know what's going to happen, right? The risk of having an exploding 9V battery making a big mess is not worth the risk, IMHO.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by XMetal

I've always wondered who started this method in the first place. Placing 2 batteries (the 9V and 12V batteries) in parallel is never a good idea since the dominating battery would end up try to recharge the weaker battery. If you use a non-rechargeable type for the 9V, you know what's going to happen, right? The risk of having an exploding 9V battery making a big mess is not worth the risk, IMHO.

Lesson learned

[rsutoratosu]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

So I just picked up a new battery from Autozone, Duralast H6 AGM for $159.99. Used my fatwallet "cashback" discount as well which is 4%.

This one has the vent hole right ?

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by rsutoratosu

This one has the vent hole right ?

Yes it does but you reuse existing tubing

[G80indy]

Here is some info I have uncovered from various sites and forums. Hope it is new to some of you. Pardon if there is redundancy.

I just replaced batteries in the rides, 93 318is, 02 330i, 06 z4MR after a 5 year interval. One died in the e46 and gave me the flashing lights/ no start symptoms. I stumbled upon a NAPA FLA with 765 CCA, which was equivalent to the OEM. Then I looked into the proper replacements for the other cars.

After much research into the AGM advantages and the primary battery manufacturers, like DEKA, Johnson Controls, Exide, etc. here are some salient points:
1. AGMs have a (lower impedance) higher power delivery rate which makes them ideal for the new start stop engines.
2. Since they are sealed they effectively recycle the hydrogen gases and recombine with oxygen to replenish the electrolyte (they don't lose water as vapor). Only when overcharged do they release gases via a high pressure valve for safety, but this does result in the battery's ultimate demise because the electrolyte balance is unrecoverably "off"
3. AGMs have a lower static discharge rate, so they are preferred for garage queens. They can be sustained, conveniently, with the same battery tenders as Flooded Lead Acid batteries, but check with the manufacturer. I know that the Griot's maintainer, Battery Tender and BMW branded tenders work A-OK, as they never exceed 14.7 volts peak charge. AGMs don't like 14.8 volts or above
4. AGMs don't mind vibration and are leak proof. A nice consideration for our trunk mounted Bimmer batteries... Motorcycle guys love them.
5. More CCA in equivalent sizes compared to LA, but not by a huge margin.
6. Since DEKA makes the AGM Super Start O'Reilly and NAPA AGM Exact Fits, they are a bargain against the OEM (BMW) AGMs. All appear to be made by DEKA....

I put the AGM in the M since it is not driven as much as the other two, and I splurge on it anyways.... I like to give it the best.
All three are on tenders, but since I ventured to replace them myself I will not dread the task of replacing them next time. I just need to track their strength with age, and not get stranded with a weak battery.
This summer heat is ridiculous in the midwest this year. Not taking any chances.

the 318is received the LA CCA700 NAPA 7548, $129.
the 330i received the LA CCA765 NAPA 7594R $181.
the z4MR received the AGM CCA760 O'Reilly 48EXTAGM $159.

hope this helps any of you on the fence. either way a fresh battery gives peace of mind

[RobMCoupe]

My battery finally going out. I am getting SLI48AGM Xtreme AGM Battery from Batteries Plus. It cost $134.99 + tax. There is a $5 discount cuopon.

[StickMon]

Indeed, the O'Reilly, AutoZone, and Batteries Plus all appear to be the same battery, as 330indy said.

[blender]

I'll link to my own thread on this topic HERE...

You can save nearly 30 pounds out of the trunk with a little research.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by Beedub

i had a porsche GT3 battery and my car fried it to death :-( after a lenghly talk with eas it seems we MUST register the smaller batteries otherwise your car charges it like its the stock unit..... i have since moved back to the stock AGM battery......

that was a very expensive lesson. By the end the car wouldnt hold charge for a day, if you remember my pics i used to have the trickle charger on, on every photo!! lol

Originally Posted by rclem05

I'll link to my own thread on this topic HERE...

You can save nearly 30 pounds out of the trunk with a little research.

did you register your battery???

I still can't figure out why some have no issue at all & others like Beedub have fried batteries.

[Silververtu]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

did you register your battery???

I still can't figure out why some have no issue at all & others like Beedub have fried batteries.

Beedub pushes too hard on his ride

[Christopher11]

Hi dear am newbie hare and nice discussion.I thought I was the only one who didn't see the fuss about about AGM batteries. If they have the same weight and same CCA being similarly reliable, I would be a fool not to take the cheaper one...

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by Christopher11

Hi dear am newbie hare and nice discussion.I thought I was the only one who didn't see the fuss about about AGM batteries. If they have the same weight and same CCA being similarly reliable, I would be a fool not to take the cheaper one...

For a given battery size and weight, AGM batteries from the same manufacturer typically have between 5 and 10% higher CCA than a flooded lead acid battery, definitely an advantage in starting the S54 engine if you drive the car in winter, as it is hard enough to start with the OEM AGM below -25°C, let alone a lower performance battery.

[shakemyhand]

Hello Everyone, I'm a newbie here, this is my very first post. I just bought my wife a 2007 Z4 Roadster for her birthday 2 days ago. This is our first BMW and its kinda scarry since we've always owned GM vehicles. I went down to the garage a little while ago and was looking at the battery, it's a white BMW battery. So, for all I know it could be the one that came with the car. Monday I'm going out to buy a battery, I think I have a good idea of what I should be looking for after reading all of the posts. So if I have it right, I should be looking for an AGM battery, is that correct? Thanks.

[doozyj]

Originally Posted by shakemyhand

Hello Everyone, I'm a newbie here, this is my very first post. I just bought my wife a 2007 Z4 Roadster for her birthday 2 days ago. This is our first BMW and its kinda scarry since we've always owned GM vehicles. I went down to the garage a little while ago and was looking at the battery, it's a white BMW battery. So, for all I know it could be the one that came with the car. Monday I'm going out to buy a battery, I think I have a good idea of what I should be looking for after reading all of the posts. So if I have it right, I should be looking for an AGM battery, is that correct? Thanks.

AGM batteries are black. White are not and are cheaper.