E53 X5 Battery Options - A List

[TiAgX5]

Yeah, If an AGM is not used for deep cycle duty, a smart charger with disulfide cycle MUST be used every few months on the battery.

Don't do it, expect around 1/2 service life!

[Ricky Bobby]

^On that I did email Schumacher and they did say that the Deep Cycle/Maintenance Free setting on the charger I have would work fine to keep in good health

Even if it never gets on a charger, Pep Girls gives me 4 year free replacement on it if it fails - which is a few months more than I got on my last batt and lets be honest 95% of people buy a battery and it never sees a charger for its whole life besides when the car is running, lol

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

^On that I did email Schumacher and they did say that the Deep Cycle/Maintenance Free setting on the charger I have would work fine to keep in good health

Even if it never gets on a charger, Pep Girls gives me 4 year free replacement on it if it fails - which is a few months more than I got on my last batt and lets be honest 95% of people buy a battery and it never sees a charger for its whole life besides when the car is running, lol

Good to hear RB.

I would bet over 95% of the passenger vehicles on the road never have a charger hooked up prior to starting issues!

[crystalworks]

I think I'll stick with wet cell personally. Just preference.

I do use trickle chargers on the 2 cars I have here that only get driven once or twice a month though. And of course the other 3 occasionally during the odd extended (week or more) of non-driving.

[David.X5]

Home Depot started carrying Exide batteries. Picked up the Global Extreme version for $110. Bought it in June and it has a May date code. Fresh!

EXIDE GLOBAL EXTREME
Part #: L5/49X
40 Month Free Replacement Period
CCA: 900 CA: 1080
RC: 185 Ah: 107

[admranger]

Originally Posted by David.X5

Home Depot started carrying Exide batteries. Picked up the Global Extreme version for $110. Bought it in June and it has a May date code. Fresh!

EXIDE GLOBAL EXTREME
Part #: L5/49X
40 Month Free Replacement Period
CCA: 900 CA: 1080
RC: 185 Ah: 107

Do they have any that are minty fresh?

Nice score! $110 is cheap.

[ellisaudio]

I have something to offer regarding the battery swap. Hopefully this is a good place to offer what I have learned.

Generally : When swapping my 2004 E53 battery (Interstate MegaTron to DieHard AGM) I attached a 2 amp battery charger to the terminals under the hood in the firewall. I did this to maintain voltage in the electrical system. It worked !! The windows and sunroof remained calibrated and I didn't have to re-code anything.

Also, I have a 3.0l engine, but the larger 4.4l battery (size M8/49) fit just dandy. And, the larger battery was less expensive too.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by ellisaudio

The windows and sunroof remained calibrated and I didn't have to re-code anything.

I've never had calibration or re-coding issues when disconnecting/reconnecting a battery with an e53. It's electronics don't monitor battery life or the other criteria that the e60's and later did. E46/E53/E83(pre LCI) were some of the last chassis to have "dumb" battery monitoring AFAIK.

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I've never had calibration or re-coding issues when disconnecting/reconnecting a battery with an e53. It's electronics don't monitor battery life or the other criteria that the e60's and later did. E46/E53/E83(pre LCI) were some of the last chassis to have "dumb" battery monitoring AFAIK.

I failed to do the temporary charge hookup on my last battery replacement and lost all the preset radio stations, but still had the seat memory positions intact.

2002 X5 3.0 305,500 miles
2014 428i 19,700 miles

2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold 17 66,000 miles

1970 Pontiac Firebird - Under restoration

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by srmmmm

I failed to do the temporary charge hookup on my last battery replacement and lost all the preset radio stations, but still had the seat memory positions intact.

2002 X5 3.0 305,500 miles
2014 428i 19,700 miles

2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold 17 66,000 miles

1970 Pontiac Firebird - Under restoration

Oh yes, you will definitely lose radio stations. I just meant you wouldn't lose any coding selections (courtesy closing, auto locking, etc) or memory/calibrations, at least, in my experience. Should have specified.