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-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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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></o>
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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></o>
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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></o>
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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></o>
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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></o>
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Duralast 49-DL: $85-97. 850 CCA approx dimensions: 13-7/8" x ? x 7" 46 lbs.<o></o>
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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></o>
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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></o>
<o> </o>
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></o>
<o> </o>
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.
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-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
<o></o>
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></o>
<o></o>
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></o>
<o> </o>
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></o>
<o></o>
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></o>
<o></o>
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></o>
<o> </o>
Duralast 49-DL: $85-97. 850 CCA approx dimensions: 13-7/8" x ? x 7" 46 lbs.<o></o>
<o> </o>
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></o>
<o> </o>
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></o>
<o> </o>
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></o>
<o> </o>
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.