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Summary of battery replacement options

173K views 194 replies 113 participants last post by  gsfent 
#1 · (Edited)
Just thought it would be a good idea to summarize the alternatives for replacing your battery. The following is a list of possibilities based on my research over the past 2 days (M5 board and internet) with the criteria being the dimensions of the battery:

BMW replacement: $225+ (through stealer). My indy is selling me one for $205 and they can be found under $200 w/BMW car club discount. Many stealers will charge well above $250 so beware. 850CCA 15-9/16" x 6-15/16" x 7-1/2" 62 lbs.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:eek:ffice:eek:ffice" /><o:p></o:p>
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Interstate H9-110VW (MTP-H9): $205. Same dimensions as BMW replacement. Just spoke to Interstate today and this battery has just recently become available for public sale (no more VW issues) but most shops and even distributors don't know that. Interstate's customer service had to call my local distributor to advise them of this. 850CCA 15-9/16" x 6-15/16" x 7-1/2" 63.9 lbs.<o:p></o:p>
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Batteries Plus Werker 95R-LI: $179. This battery has the same dimensions as the replacement. 850CCA 15-9/16" x 6-15/16" x 7-1/2" 64.5 lbs.<o:p></o:p>
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Interstate MTP-93: $125-$150. This battery is slightly smaller than the replacement; about 1" shorter length wise and .50" shorter in height. Requires that improvised spacers are used to ensure exact fit. 850CCA 14-3/8" x 6-7/8" x 7-1/5" 45.7 lbs.<o:p></o:p>
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Optima 34R: $135-150. This battery is about 5.5" shorter length wise and about .25" higher. Requires that improvised spacers are used to ensure exact fit. 800CCA 10" x 6-7/8" x 7-13/16" ? lbs.<o:p></o:p>
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Odyssey 1700: $296. This battery is about 2.5" shorter length wise and .50" shorter width wise but is same height as replacement. Requires that improvised spacers are used to ensure exact fit. 875CCA 13" x 6-1/2" x 7-1/2" 60.9 lbs. <o:p></o:p>
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Duralast 49-DL: $85-97. 850 CCA approx dimensions: 13-7/8" x ? x 7" 46 lbs.<o:p></o:p>
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Duralast 95R-DLG: $??? According to the web site this is not available, but it was at some time. Might still be available in stores. 850CCA 15-9/16" x 6-15/16" x 7-1/2" 63.9 lbs.<o:p></o:p>
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Exide Premium 49-60: $90 This battery is about 1.5" shorter than the replacement. Requires that improvised spacers are used to ensure exact fit. 850CCA 14" x 6-7/8" x 7-7/16" ? lbs.<o:p></o:p>
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Sears Die Hard 49: $130. This battery is slightly smaller than the replacement; 1.25" shorter length wise and .50" shorter in height. Requires that improvised spacers are used to ensure exact fit. 805CCA 14-5/16" x 6/7/8" x 6-7/8" 52 lbs.<o:p></o:p>
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Consequently, the only models that match the size specs of the BMW replacement are the Interstate H9-110VW (MTP-H9) and the Batteries Plus Werker 95R-LI.


There are other batteries out there that will work, but these are the ones most often discussed and appear to be the closest in size and specification to the OEM battery. With all the battery talk of late I thought this might help those in the market (or soon to be) for a new battery.
 
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#3 ·
BMW Car Club
 
#5 ·
brallie 2015 no weight battery:

http://www.brailleauto.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=17&idproduct=3

mount:
http://www.brailleauto.com/productcart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=3

This battery is awesome. I run this battery/mount and have no issues. I have left my car locked/alarm on for 3 days and started just like the oem battery. Its awesome.

Braille sent me the 11lb battery first and i had some starting issues if the car sat for a few days so make sure you get the 2015!

Today at work I left my lights on by accident. I was running late etc. When i came out I though I was screwed for sure..... she cranked right up!

Ryan
 
#28 ·
One addition: Exide also makes an exact fit replacement. 850CCA, 1000CA @ 32F. $89.99 at Consumer Auto Parts here in New England.

d-
Doug,

Which Exide battery is an 'exact fit'
:confused: The Exide 49-60 is listed as 1.5" shorter by the OP. TIA

Ray
 
#8 ·
I put in a Duralast 49-DL, its an 850CCA, 1000CA@32F.. Was something like $50-60 I think.. Just a tad narrower then stock, and the vent comes out the center vs side. Used a shop rag as a shim and all is well. Has been great so far.
Matt
 
#9 ·
OEM is incorrect.

The OE battery was Varta.
The battery that all US BMW dealers sell is NOT the original manufacturer.

Hence the BMW battery is neither 'OE' nor 'OEM'. "Replacement" is an appropriate term...

I am running the 49L Duralast. Good specs. I fabbed a 1/2" piece of plywood, with short blocks on each end to 'adapt' the battery to the larger stock size. Works. Can't see it.

Adding the specs for all choices would be great. I'll link to this in the E39 FAQ.

Thanks Justin - good thread

A
 
#11 ·
I have the Odyssey 1700. I don't care what the specs say, it is slightly taller. I got the foam to fit, but it is squeezed down. If I had to guess, I would say the difference is somewhere on the order of 1/4-1/2 inch.
Regards,
Jerry
 
#12 · (Edited)
I'm running the Batteries Plus Werker. Exact fit. Thanks for summarizing the options. With most of our cars getting to the age where they need a new battery, this is a valuable service to our members. Especially helpful is the news about the Interstate battery, as there are Interstate distributors all over the place, while the nearest Batteries Plus for us here is in Scotts Valley. :cheers:
 
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#13 · (Edited)
I installed a Duralast 49-DL today. It was $89.99 at AutoZone and I was charted $14 core. I'll get the $14 core back when I bring them my old battery. 2 year free replacement, 72 month pro-rated warranty. 850CCA.

This battery is a good size smaller then the OEM battery in terms of length from left to right across the battery (when looking at it installed). Width wise it's only slightly narrower, and the same for height. They didn't have the Duralast 95R-DLG in stock, and that battery is almost exactly the dimensions as the OEM battery. The computer showed the cost of that battery at $169.99. I wouldn't recommend spending $169.99 on a Duralast when you can buy an Interstate or Die Hard or Optima for equivalent money. The 49-DL makes sense as a cheap route.

To fit the battery, I took an old piece of 3/4" shelf board and cut it to fit the entire base of the battery box. I also knock off the corner where the vent tube is. The 3/4" board makes the Duralast 49-DL nearly identical in height to the OEM unit, just a tad higher when installed in the battery box.

To shim the battery's width (left to right movement) I taped 2 pieces of 3/8" scrap on top of 3/4" thick scrap, and then taped that to EACH side of the battery. To shim the battery's foward/back movement, I taped a single scrap of 3/8" wood. A ragged would have worked just as well.

The Duralast vent tube is in the back (facing front of the car). The tub it comes with has a 90 degree turn so you can point it to eh left towards the old tube. I took the plastic coupler off the old battery and put that in the OEM vent tube. I put the coupler that came with the Duralast 49-DL in it's vent tube. I bridged the gap with a short piece of heatshrink tubing and zip ties, because it's all I had. I'm going to replace it with a short piece of vacuum tubing.

I trimmed out a small notch in the foam piece that sits on top of the battery as it hits the Duralast 49-DL vent tube. The hard foam that covers the OEM battery doesn't fit quite that well over the Duralast, but I just compression pushed it on. When I screwed down the hard plastic battery cover, it wedged on top of the Duralast 49-DL, which provided additional securement. This thing isn't going to move ONE bit.

None of the pieces I added to make the battery fit can be easily seen.

In retrospect, I probably could have skipped all of the left/right/foward/back shimming I did, and just did the 3/4" board at the bottom of the battery box and the wedge fit with the hard foam.
 
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#14 · (Edited)
Interstate MTP-H9

I contacted Interstate with the specs and price Justin13 provided to see if they could contact my local distributors. To my surprise, they immediately responded with contact info directly for THE local Interstate Battery wholesale warehouse and they actually have the MTP-H9's in stock! I thought, cool! I then asked them the price and they wanted $307.95 which is $4.95 more than what the stealership wants for a replacement!!!!! I told the fellow that I emailed the Interstate customer rep everything including the $205 price and that he said to call up your local Interstate Battery wholesale warehouse to ordered it directly from them. Now I was quite disappointed on the price but at least because of Justin and the price he quoted, they gave me 20% off which I gladly accepted since it is an exact size match. Prices always seem to be inflated up here in Canada unfortunately.

Thanks Justin!
 
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#16 ·
I contacted Interstate with the specs and price Justin13 provided to see if they could contact my local distributors. To my surprise, they immediately responded with contact info directly for THE local Interstate Battery wholesale warehouse and they actually have the MTP-H9's in stock! I thought, cool! I then asked them the price and they wanted $307.95 which is $4.95 more than what the stealership wants for a replacement!!!!! I told the fellow that I emailed the Interstate customer rep everything including the $205 price and that he said to call up your local Interstate Battery wholesale warehouse to ordered it directly from them. Now I was quite disappointed on the price but at least because of Justin and the price he quoted, they gave me 20% off which I gladly accepted since it is an exact size match. Prices always seem to be inflated up here in Canada unfortunately.

Thanks Justin!
Thanks to commodities traders (lead shortage) the price of batteries is going up across the board. I would suggest that anyone who has not changed their battery since purchasing their Beast, at least consider buying a battery to have on stand by. Based on what has happened thus far with price increases it can't hurt and only help.
 
#17 ·
Mine has been working great so far and it is a perfect fit. It has 2 vent holes so I just taped up the one on the other side.
 
#21 · (Edited)
subscribed.

my stock battery just died last night after nearly 7 years.

dealer in newport beach wants $240 and an autostore has an interstate (MTP-H9) a little bit less, but an exide (95r/49) is available at $89 and supposedly is the same fit so i will try that one first.

edit: just installed the interstate 49-36 (costs $150) which is about 2 inches shorter in length but same width & height and roughly 10 lbs lighter. although it is a little short, the battery doesnt move with the foam & cover installed. triple aaa drivers actually carry them & will replace it with a new one if the battery ever dies. nice service.
 
#23 ·
Just wanted to add my battery replacement experience.

For a few months now I noticed the battery being low on juice to start the car sometimes. I don't drive the car everyday so I thought that was the reason. Reading what others have wrote about there battery problems made me think I had a high drain issue. Disconnected the I pod controller, no difference. Charged the battery a few times with an external charger and after a few days it would be low again. Did some more research and testing and decided to get a new battery.

I then searched the M5 Board and saw Justin13's post about batteries (thanks for the research). I called the dealership and they said about $300 for a new battery (I am in Toronto). I called an Interstate battery dealer. Same price. I then called an Interstate battery dealer in Cleveland since I was going there any ways. $130. Picked it up yesterday, got home last night and put it in. Fit is just like stock and the battery even says it was made in Germany.

If anyone wants the info I bought it from Kirk Batteries, 5300 Train Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio.

I also got a battery tender because I think lack of use is what killed my battery. It was replaced by the previous owner in July of 2005.

All the best,

Rob.

 
#24 · (Edited)
34R negative terminal post

(re: edit -- I'm dumb. Had the terminals reversed)

Installed optima 34R, have always used optimas in my cars. Only problem is GOOD GOD the alarm is loud, and went off full blast upon connecting the new battery. The old one was completely dead (hadn't driven the car in a few months). Neither key in the door nor keyfob buttons stopped the shrieking so I had to pull the battery connection (it was 1am) .. will try again this afternoon when I'm not waking the dead to figure out how to stop it (or let it play out the 30 seconds).

Wow that thing is loud.
 
#27 ·
Thanks to TMcNasty the new part# for the werker battery is: SLI95R-LI
 
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#29 · (Edited)
here's a supplier

Guys,
I almost bought a battery here because I thought mine was weak. Seems like a square deal and if you can find a store by you even better!
The site lists same battery part for 2000-2003 M5's. Price I was quoted last week I think was $169 or $179. YMMV :M5thumbs:

2003 V8 5.0L 800CCA - BMW - Car and Truck Batteries - Batteries Plus
 
#31 · (Edited)
Exide (AutoLite) 4984

I got a new battery over the weekend and within 3 days, it is dead again. Do you think I have a slow drain? Or do you think I got a bad battery? I'm getting a free replacement tonight but worried that it will die again within a few days...

Something else I noticed...that I didn't notice before. The Nav in the trunk is always on. Is this normal?

P.S.: Sorry...I don't mean to hijack this post.
 
#32 ·
I got a new battery over the weekend and within 3 days, it is dead again. Do you think I have a slow drain? Or do you think I got a bad battery? I'm getting a free replacement tonight but worried that it will die again within a few days...

Something else I noticed...that I didn't notice before. The Nav in the trunk is always on. Is this normal?

P.S.: Sorry...I don't mean to hijack this post.
My navi is on when the car is off too. So it most likely happens to a bunch of us since i've heard ith appen to many M5 owners. Is it normal? lol, dont know.
 
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