Duralast Battery

[tomsawyer]

Hey Everyone - I know batteries have been discussed in other threads but I think it may be time for me to get a new battery and wanted your opinion on Duralast. A long time ago 2 separate BMW techs said when it comes to the battery, don't fool around, get it from the dealer. But with my X5, being an 05, I really don't want to spend $300 on a battery.

Any suggestions/opinions are welcomed!

Thanks

[smokeyyank]

Just get a AGM battery. I put in a duralast no issues. I think that's silly they say you need a battery from the dealer.

[Crowz]

For the last couple of years I have used walmart batteries in my bmw's. I had used autozone duralast batteries before that. The biggest problem with either the duralast or the walmart ones seems to be if you ever let them drain down to far. That shortens any batteries lifespan but it really bothers the duralast or the walmart ones. The factory battery didn't seem to be effected as much.

My x5 has a interstate mega-tron or something like that in it now. Its pretty weak but I think it has been abused by the previous owner and I have had it run down twice from the Bluetooth module.

My next battery will be a deka intimidator. Seems to be the best out there from my research.

[semcoinc]

I went with this Sam's Club Duracell AGM battery earlier this year when replacing an 8 year old OEM battery

https://www.samsclub.com/sams/auto-g...lp:product:1:1



Specifications:

20 amp hour rate:92
Battery electrolyte composition: Glass Mat
Battery end type: Top post
Battery purpose: Starting lighting instrumentation
BCI group size: 49
CA at 32 degrees F: 975
CCA at 0 degrees F: 850
DIN code:H8/L5
Freight class: 65
Polarity: Right positive
Reserve capacity: 170
Terminal type: DIN
Volts: 12

So far I am pleased and the warranty can be serviced at any Sam's Club

Mike

[ChiefRider]

Batteries are a crapshoot.

Walmart batteries have tested well in consumer testing. I have used many with no bad results.

My own X5 came with a reportedly recent OEM battery. Testing showed a dead cell. I replaced it with an Interstate, which I have also had good luck with.

[motordavid]

IIRC, 3 or 4 companies in the US make all of the batts under different brand names...
Each 'brand' may spec slightly differing parameters, but batt mfg/'science' isn't exactly new or exotice when it comes to standard car batts.

Fwiw, the last two batts I have put into our '01, (6 and 6+ years apart respectively), have been Duralast 'gold' from our local AZ joint.

They have all run well. I do put them on a Batt Tender for a day or more before installing as most batts sitting on a shelf may not be up to snuff.

Pick your size, pick your 'brand', slow charge before install if possible, and install carefully.
GL, mD

[bcredliner]

I use Duralast Gold. Had one fail shortly after install but replacement has been working fine. Replaced at no charge, no questions asked. Be sure specs are at least as good as BMW battery.

[Crowz]

These days the only real difference is the purity of the lead used in making the battery. Cheap batteries have very lower % of lead in the plates compared to high end batteries. The really expensive ones (normally used in stereo competitions more than most general auto use aka cranking) have 98 to 99% pure lead in the plates. These are not cheap usually in the $300 plus range. The dealerships batteries may be $300 but that's their inflated prices for a $100 battery. If they sold the high end ones it would probably cost $900 from the dealership

Also as mentioned for general over the counter batteries there aren't but 3 manufacturers and they put different stickers on them depending on who is selling the battery (autozone, walmart, etc)

Deka seems to make the higher end of the over the counter products from my research. Johnson Controls makes a good battery too its just not rated as high ah wise as the deka ones and the deka batteries seem to last longer.

I use walmart deep cycle marine batteries for instance to power my house. I have 32 of those all connected together for the house.

[srmmmm]

OEM lasted 7 years, AZ Duralast Gold lasted 7 years, now on second AZ Duralast Gold.

2002 X5 3.0 331,000 miles

[Qsilver7]

Shop for a 49/H8 battery...it should have the specs you need to operate your e53 X5 with not problem.

As others' mentioned...you'll mostly run into a battery brand made by one of 3 battery manufacturers for the USA market. The specs can vary slightly...but where one may be a bit more in one spec, it may a bit less in another spec...overall making the batteries pretty similar.

The e53 can also use a "wet" (lead acid) battery or an AGM battery. You'll probably find that the AGM battery costs approx $20-$50 more...but either way...again, look for the 49/H8 battery class size.

You can see the Duracell 49/H8 AGM battery semcoinc posted in his reply above. Back in 2015...I got the "wet" Duracell 49/H8 battery from Sams...and you can see in the East Penn battery chart below...what the specs are for the wet/lead acid & AGM batteries are. Duracell brand batteries are made by East Penn/Deka. The Autozone's, Advanced Auto's, and Walmart 49/H8 batteries are made by Johnson Controls. And you'll also run across batteries made by Exide (BMW, Bosch...to name a couple):