Battery Install...6 Yr Old OEM Swapped Out

[motordavid]

I'm with Weasel...
and the only reason not to hook up the vent tube is if one had an AGM type batt, (usually with no vent tube/hole),
but I don't recall seeing one of those for X5 use.
GL, mD

[dkl]

Originally Posted by motordavid

I'm with Weasel...
and the only reason not to hook up the vent tube is if one had an AGM type batt, (usually with no vent tube/hole),
but I don't recall seeing one of those for X5 use.
GL, mD

+1
I can't imagine that toxic fumes can be very good for your health either

[Quicksilver]

Well...... Finally "Switched out my oem 6 yr + old battery today"
Gave a look at Motor David's work and gave it a go.

Since it died in my garage I first decided to give AAA a shot but reneged
on the deal. $146.00 plus tax for a battery that was probably going
to be just fine But somehow i just wasn't comfortable with the process.
Besides before I let someone else start talking stuff apart to get
to the battery I thought "hey you need to know about this yourself".

Turns out that with the AAA discount at the dealer it was a few dollars
more and no doubts about the fit and compatibility. So far all systems
are a go.

[motordavid]

markreg,
I have not had that specific batt 'in hand', so I don't know it.
The AZ ad for that batt says:
"BEST IN CLASS VENT CAPS are engineered to be safer and reduce leakage and corrosion."

And, it also states in the fine print specs:
" Battery is vented to outside of vehicle."

So, you or they skipped that vent hole app, or it isn't readily apparent, or that batt is using cap vent system vs a vent tube.
Not an EE or CE, but some would get excited with not having a vent tube vs. cap venting to interior atmosphere, with that
'atmosphere' being your trunk...some would think it a trifle.

I would crawl in and look again for a potential vent tube hole, and Weasel or some of the other knowledgeable tech people may have an opin.
GL, mD

[Weasel]

If I remember right the vent opening for the duralast may be in the center of the back of the top, but a bigger hole that requires an extension hose and adapter to hook it up. But I have seen them properly vented in the past through the shop.

[markreg]

Thanks guys! I'll definitely take a look this weekend and will update.

[dkl]

My current AZ duralast does have vent holes on both sides (if I recalled). I pulled the cap off the OEM battery and reuse it on the duralast to plug up the unused side.

[mfiver]

To anyone considering an aftermarket battery, but is worried about fit, performance, vent tube etc.....

If you have a part #61 21 8 381 762 (as I do in my 2004) the dealer list price for the battery is $144. (not including installation, of course). If they are asking more, try a different dealer, it may be much higher due to "matrix pricing" or part number substitution.

Or you can buy the OEM for $115 if you live near one of these BMW dealers:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...?siteid=214760
getBMWparts.com

No need to worry about aftermarket at these prices..

[EKS PYB]

I also did mine just a couple of months ago. I have an '04 and it has been 6 years. I read about an earlier post some years ago about this place in So Cal (BREA to be exact) look for Batteries Plus that sells batteries that fit perfectly to the tee and sure enough when I called the day before, to make sure they had it and there was a few on their shelves. The manager's name is Scott and he even installed it at the back of the shop for me at no charge. Just google it and use the store locator.

I have the 3.0 Inline 6 so the Item Number is SLI94RH7. As you can see on the pics attached, it is completely a match when it comes to size, height and vents available. I believe I paid $120 for it plus tax of course and it even had a $10 rebate at the time I bought it.

[phil47]

After reading this thread I had the battery and charging system checked at my local dealer fully expecting that after 6 years and 40,000 miles the battery would be "tired". They responded that it checked out just fine and no need to replace. I haven't suffered any symptoms or problems with my existing battery. It has never had to be recharged from dead, my X is typically kept in a heated garage and is driven almost every day.

I'd appreciate any opinions on whether I should I just ride it out another year or spend the $300 to have a OE battery "pre-emptively" installed?