E53 X5 Battery Options - A List

[dkl]

Originally Posted by RenaissanceMan

Hey folks, quick question regarding batteries for my 2005 E53 3.0i. RealOEM shows part numbers for both 80ah and 90ah versions. How do I know which spec is correct for my X? I don't know what was installed in it originally from the factory unfortunately. Thanks! I'm reading it is not good to use a lower ah than what was recommended and used by the factory. There is an AutoCraft in it now that lasted 6 years but I can't find an ah spec for it. Only the CCA, which is 800. Thanks in advance-

The I6 (3.0i) uses the H7 while the V8 (4.4i/4.6iS/4.8iS) use the H8. I like the safety net of the higher Ah battery, especially when my car has been sitting quite often now - so I went with the H8. Been using the AGM H8 on my last 2 batteries and I'm happy with it.

Originally Posted by Effduration

I would give Exide at Home depot a try except when I went to look for one several months ago I had to go to 4 diff stores and when I finally found one it had a date stamp of more than a year old. The home depot people tell me the Exide battery rack is filled directly by the Exide rep and they never know when he is coming.

Maybe it's better now.

I Like Walmart for their Ever Maxx batteries.

Agreed. That was the main reason I went with the Walmart AGM on my recent replacement. We shall see if that was a good idea

[oldskewel]

I have an H8 (Champion H8-900CHAGM) in my 2001 3.0i.

I had really wanted to put as big as possible in there, specifically an H9 so I'd be able to swap for debugging purposes with an H9 that my Cayenne can use. After I concluded the H9 would not fit in my X5 (I got in there and measured, looked, thought about what I could do with some Dremel tool work on the plastic, etc.), I decided on H8s for both the X5 and the Cayenne.

So I would ignore anything about CA, CCA, etc. Get an AGM of the biggest size that will fit, and for my 2001 3.0i at least, that was an H8 (that is a spec on the dimensions of the battery).





BTW, the Champion brand is made by Johnson Control (they have a new name following sale of the company a couple of years ago) and is the PepBoys store brand.

Warranty and easy use of that warranty with local store availability (e.g., vs. buying from Amazon) for a test and free swap is a big factor - so PepBoys, Home Depot, Costco, etc. are all good choices there.

[cn90]

I don't know who BMW uses as mfg for their battery now, but when the E53 left factory many moons ago, EXIDE was the supplier...

I really like EXIDE bc the quality is great and I can find it at Home Depot easily (search for availability first)...

The Walmart battery (Everstart ? sp) is made by Exide recently...

Here is a photo of the original BMW E53 battery, you can clearly see the word Exide on it...

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[nick325xit 5spd]

If you've got a Costco membership, their pricing and warranty for Interstate batteries is fantastic. Dead battery under warranty? Just return it and buy a new one with the refund. No hassle. No testing. Too bad that the X5 is the one oddball in the collection (aside from my truck) that doesn't take an H6.

[Jungerishere]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

NUTS, well it seems as if my comment about having a battery that was 5 months short of 10 years old was tempting fate as my batt has now crapped out after just 15 mins with the vehicle off

That's a long life for a battery but doesn't beat 13 years form my original BMW battery in my M3. I think it latest that long because I have it attached to battery maintainer most of the time.

Anyone have experience or comment on AGM batteries?

[StephenVA]

Clockwork,
Yep, that poor old battery heard your sorry ass dissing it, turned up it's nose, puked some electrolytes and sent it self to the graveyard in the big battery yard. Or was it purely a random cold Winter's death? All will be reviled at the end of our own lives.
In the meantime, time to buy a replacement and say good buy to its good for nothing but scrap ass.
Buy the biggest one you can find with the largest CCA (rated at zero degrees), reserve amps, fits our big SAVs, that has a good review and you can find it up north. Or just come to the USA for a "visit"and just happen to need a battery on the trip. Save yourself a few dollars in the process.
Come down to Wash DC to see the sights, and I will assist. Plus I will help you wash and wax her in my heated garage. A X5 family member in need is a buddy!

[Clockwork]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

Clockwork,
Yep, that poor old battery heard your sorry ass dissing it, turned up it's nose, puked some electrolytes and sent it self to the graveyard in the big battery yard. Or was it purely a random cold Winter's death? All will be reviled at the end of our own lives.
In the meantime, time to buy a replacement and say good buy to its good for nothing but scrap ass.
Buy the biggest one you can find with the largest CCA (rated at zero degrees), reserve amps, fits our big SAVs, that has a good review and you can find it up north. Or just come to the USA for a "visit"and just happen to need a battery on the trip. Save yourself a few dollars in the process.
Come down to Wash DC to see the sights, and I will assist. Plus I will help you wash and wax her in my heated garage. A X5 family member in need is a buddy!

StephenVA, I VERY MUCH appreciate the offer and would like to take you up on that some day. my fiancé and I would LOVE to see D.C. sometime and I do love driving my x....

I couldnt have asked for a better place for the batt to die tho. I was parked in my garage for the night and just decided to see why my GROM unit skips (yes like a damn CD in a '90s cd player) everytime I hit a small bump. And as I was playing the batt died after 15 mins of playing. So I just conected it to the 3300 and drove off like a champ this morning.

as an FYI, the MTP-95R does not physically fit in the 4.4i's battery tub unless you make changes to the tub and battery base.

[StephenVA]

Congrats on the solution.
The Wash DC area is great place to visit with Spring time and the Fall being the best. Summer can be hot and humid at times but that is why AC was invented. The City is easy to get around as the main areas are all in walking distance from each other commonly referred to as "The Mall". Museums, Capitol Building, Congress, White House, etc. If you would like a tour of the Pentagon just ask me when you are in the area.

This area has a lot of car enthusiasts and there are more than a few of us who get together most weekends. There are lots of early morning Sat (6 am) activity at a cars and coffee just up the river at Katie's in Great Falls, VA. There are more than a few head turners and big buck $$ cars to keep your interest. Here is the link for more info: Katie's Cars & Coffee - Great Falls - #1 Cars & Coffee in the DMV