What's the lifespan of an X5 battery?

[jeffmeucci]

I have a 2003 4.4 and I just had to replace my battery last month. It seems the consensus is about 4 to 5 years.

[Adensar]

Hello

I recently ha dsimilar problem with my 2001 X5 which has done 47000miles. Every now and again it just would not crank over when trying to start. If charged wouls start ok for up to a few weeks then randomly do ti again leaving my wife stranded a couple of times. I was told it was a faulty cell in the battery so invested in a new one from BMW for £82 (165$ish) which i did not think bad. It is very easy to exchange yourself, you only need to reset the clock afterwards, and all should be fine.

The investment is worth it because i don't get grief from the wife any more!!!

Good luck.

[gwc]

thats a good price!

I paid £105 for a Bosch at Costco.As a side note,it didn't have the vent pipe outlet as on the original,any problems?

[Adensar]

Yes the price surprised me too, that from Vines of Guilford surrey. BMW so often get slated for thier pricing but i recently had an inspection 2 service from BMW cobham all in for £446 which again for the car i thought was reasonable!!

Do you mean your battery does not have the connector for the vent tube. I believe this tube is just to vent any gases produced whilst the battery charges, but whether leaving it disconnected is a problem i could not say.

Hold out for a reply from someone with a bit more knowledge on that one!!!

Cheers

Adrian

[gwc]

Originally Posted by Adensar

Yes the price surprised me too, that from Vines of Guilford surrey. BMW so often get slated for thier pricing but i recently had an inspection 2 service from BMW cobham all in for £446 which again for the car i thought was reasonable!!

Do you mean your battery does not have the connector for the vent tube. I believe this tube is just to vent any gases produced whilst the battery charges, but whether leaving it disconnected is a problem i could not say.

Hold out for a reply from someone with a bit more knowledge on that one!!!

Cheers

Adrian

Yes,the fact my new battery has no vent pipe may suggest there is no need for it........

[jimbeattie]

I'm no engineer but: batteries vent hydrogen gas into the atmosphere, and hydrogen accumulations greater then 4% are flammable. Combine this with oxygen and an open flame and.....it can be very flammable. All batteries need to vent to get rid of the hydrogen they produce. If your battery is in the engine compartment it will vent through the cell caps and the hydrogen will dissipate in the atmosphere. The BMW has the battery inside so the gases need to be vented outside the vehicle via the vent tube. If your battery doesn't have a vent tube it's the wrong battery and the gas will damage the inside of your car and could be dangerous to occupants.

[Donegal TDI]

Originally Posted by jimbeattie

I'm no engineer but: batteries vent hydrogen gas into the atmosphere, and hydrogen accumulations greater then 4% are flammable. Combine this with oxygen and an open flame and.....it can be very flammable. All batteries need to vent to get rid of the hydrogen they produce. If your battery is in the engine compartment it will vent through the cell caps and the hydrogen will dissipate in the atmosphere. The BMW has the battery inside so the gases need to be vented outside the vehicle via the vent tube. If your battery doesn't have a vent tube it's the wrong battery and the gas will damage the inside of your car and could be dangerous to occupants.

I agree.
If you care about your vehicle, get a battery that can be vented to the exterior.
Lots of corrosive crap comes out of a battery.

[gwc]

Indeed,seems it needs venting and has holes at the top which come supplied without fittings.

[Adensar]

I would tend to agree with the other peoples views on this one althogh annoying probably a good idea to vent it just in case, as this makes sense to me!!

Good luck

[gwc]

Job done..

Funny my M3 was'nt vented