[sspade]

Sorry guys- I've done some research and still coming up short when trying to find "the right" replacement battery for my 2016 320i which will be 8 years old in a few weeks.

With temps dropping into the single digits the past week or so... I've noticed some sluggish starts and one near scare event, but eventually started. Currently parking on the tender most nights of the week to get by but I know Im on borrowed time with several months of winter ahead.

I'm looking to find a battery with the exact same specs (or one with the closest specs possible, worst case). Very happy with the performance given my use case... which was not exactly gentle although far from abusive.


61 21 7 641 038

90 ampere-hour w/ 900 cold cranking amps.

[ppointer]

I have had poor luck at Sam's Club. For whatever reason I only get a few years out of theirs.

So, here is what will be an unpopular opinion -- my longest-lasting batteries come straight from the BMW stealership. There, I said it.

[DanG]

Remember that you need to program a new battery on your BMW. You cannot just replace it.

[Rafichicago]

Back in the day I had 545i. I replaced its battery with suitable from Walmart. It lasted 7 years and was less than half the price of the dealer priced one. I did put it in and did not get it registered. Worked like supposed to. Never had a problem. Just my experience. Your milage may vary.

[ctcarbonari]

Originally Posted by ppointer

I have had poor luck at Sam's Club. For whatever reason I only get a few years out of theirs.

So, here is what will be an unpopular opinion -- my longest-lasting batteries come straight from the BMW stealership. There, I said it.

+1 for the Stealerhip Batteries. At least around here, and for the 105 Ah battery, it's competively priced (cheaper than some, slightly more than others) & you'll get the plug and vent tube. Not sure if the same is true for the lower Ah ratings.

In any regard, the OP may not want to make the drive thru the Gorge into Portland just for a battery. I think the part# on the battery he is referencing has been discontinued and superceeded by a new part# (92 Ah).

Here's a link to a post asking the same question:
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1716261

Would be worth a phone call to the Dealer and I'm sure they could clear it up.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Rafichicago

Back in the day I had 545i. I replaced its battery with suitable from Walmart. It lasted 7 years and was less than half the price of the dealer priced one. I did put it in and did not get it registered. Worked like supposed to. Never had a problem. Just my experience. Your milage may vary.

Bingo!! Wally World is good enough in this case. Just be sure you choose the right size and group. And get it registered, either at an indy or with your own software.

[Rafichicago]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Bingo!! Wally World is good enough in this case. Just be sure you choose the right size and group. And get it registered, either at an indy or with your own software.

No idea how would it work with newer car but that’s how that worked back in the day in this case. Bmw tends to be quite sensitive to improper voltage levels. It can cause various errors. However the key is to choose proper battery with just the right specs. No rocket science there. However you will see better batteries to last longer in general. Still. Half the price is no brainer.

[KMP259]

East Penn….(Deka) AGM

[jsjaime]

I changed my battery last week. Got it from the dealership as I wasn't satisfied with what I was finding online and, as someone said above, it was well in the range of the other options. They will charge you an extra 20 bucks as a deposit to make sure you bring the old battery back, but I bought the battery in October and took it back last week.

My F30 is a 2013 model built in 2012 and it still had the original battery (bought it a few months ago), which also convinced me of getting OEM. The original battery was 90Ah, the new one 92Ah. I programmed it with Carly's.

[Charles B]

FCP Euro. I'm running this one, for a year now and it's perfect.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/aut...dyssey-94r-850

[Jolbex]

I dont know if you can get Varta in US but here in EU they are relatively cheap (some 250€ for 95ah SilverDynamic) and they last some 8 years

[DubaiRich]

I replaced mine with one from the dealer...their price was extremely competitive with most retailers.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by Charles B

FCP Euro. I'm running this one, for a year now and it's perfect.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/aut...dyssey-94r-850

I just put an Odyssey from FCP in my Golf R. Important to note - lifetime warranty from FCP!

[whofelt]

I always replace my oem batteries (when they go bad) with Napa branded batteries.

[ctcarbonari]

Originally Posted by KevinC

I just put an Odyssey from FCP in my Golf R. Important to note - lifetime warranty from FCP!

Even better than a Warranty - Lifetime Replacement!
That's a great deal for 'wear parts" like batteries, brake pads/discs, windshield wipers, spark plugs, engine & cabin filters, etc etc etc.

ECS Tuning (and maybe Turner?) have adopted this business model recently. They do not offer Lifetime Replacement on everything, tho, but quite a bit.

I still vote for OEM on batteries (from Dealer Parts) but that's just my personal preference. So long as you have the right capacity, have it registered and coded (if needed) then other batteries will work just fine.

[LogicalApex]

Also see if your dealership is in value service. BMW offers discounted pricing on batteries at the dealership. And their pricing includes the battery and labor as well as a 2 year warranty.

https://bmwusaservice.com/batteries

[sspade]

Thanks for all the great rec's, I knew I could count on you guys!

Before I bought online, figured I'd give the local dealer BMW Portland a shot... they confirmed the part number I quoted above is no longer valid and has been replaced with 61 21 2 353 812 as discovered by another user and suggested by ctcarbonari

Currently out of stock but expecting a delivery anytime apparently... its the most used battery replacement for modern BMW according to the parts guy. Basically $280 (+18 core) and no sales tax being in Oregon. Eventhough I live in WA, still a great deal to pop across the bridge... a perk I would not realize if I buy online.

Also shot East Penn (Deka) an email but no response. Never knew they were from the area but then again- aint been around long. I may give them a call just to see but with the dealer battery being fairly priced, might go for that one and be done with it for another 8 years.

[Flamingi]

Are batteries that expensive over the pond? I just replaced the battery of my M550d with a Exide 105Ah 950A battery, which was 150€ incl 19% vat...

[ctcarbonari]

Originally Posted by sspade

Thanks for all the great rec's, I knew I could count on you guys!

Before I bought online, figured I'd give the local dealer BMW Portland a shot... they confirmed the part number I quoted above is no longer valid and has been replaced with 61 21 2 353 812 as discovered by another user and suggested by ctcarbonari

Currently out of stock but expecting a delivery anytime apparently... its the most used battery replacement for modern BMW according to the parts guy. Basically $280 (+18 core) and no sales tax being in Oregon. Eventhough I live in WA, still a great deal to pop across the bridge... a perk I would not realize if I buy online.

Also shot East Penn (Deka) an email but no response. Never knew they were from the area but then again- aint been around long. I may give them a call just to see but with the dealer battery being fairly priced, might go for that one and be done with it for another 8 years.

Interesting...I was quoted ~$240 (+$18 core) for the 105 Ah battery (from same Dealer) about a month ago (and in stock). Supply and demand, I suppose.

Most all purchases I make >$100 I jump across the river into Oregon. Hope you're enjoying Stevenson. It's beautiful out there in the Gorge and Hwy 14 is a fun little drive!

There's a GREAT Indy Mechanic shop on 9th & Powell (a couple miles away from Portland BMW Dealer). PM me if you're interested in visiting them on your way back from battery purchase and I'll send you the contact details.

I hope you survived "Snowmagheddon" safely and everything is starting to thaw out there for you now!

[ctcarbonari]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

Also see if your dealership is in value service. BMW offers discounted pricing on batteries at the dealership. And their pricing includes the battery and labor as well as a 2 year warranty.

https://bmwusaservice.com/batteries

+1 to ^this^

Dealership value service is a good deal. Yes, the Portland location offers it (though I've never used them)

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Flamingi

Are batteries that expensive over the pond? I just replaced the battery of my M550d with a Exide 105Ah 950A battery, which was 150€ incl 19% vat...

Battery prices have gone through the roof over here in the last 5+ years!! I have no idea why. What used to be a $60 battery is now pushing $200 or more.

[4JawChuck]

Just thought I should mention that the resting voltage of some of the aftermarket AGMs are low enough to trigger the “decreased battery voltage” warning, if your going aftermarket I suggest you stick with an Optima which from my measurements has a higher cold resting voltage.


Found this out after replacing with a Canadian Tire AGM replacement, the resting voltage cold was only 0.2VDC above the trigger warning, needless to say they won’t let me upgrade as there is nothing wrong physically with the battery it just that BMW software doesn’t like it.


Something to keep in mind and a reason to buy one from BMW so you don’t have this issue.