X5 Battery for the winter... Advice please??

[jungle7895]

Hi, Recently I have had some starting problems (Other post) and have found out that my battery is now around 5 years old.... Time to replace!

Anyone recomend any brands? Models? CCA?

Anyone had any problems with certain brands etc??

I live out in the sticks and x5 stays outside all the time and will get very cold so im looking for the best battery I can get? also if it doesnt start I could be stuck at home etc... I dont mind spending a bit extra on this as im planning to keep for a fair few years yet...

Im thinking the higher CCA the better??

Any advice welcome....

[ake53]

I bought a bosch from pepboys, that's compatible.
medium crank/load level.

It worked fine. No problems. But than again I was always monitoring battery usage.
Tried not to have lights in the car on when not needed. radio on too long. etc.
it really helps save the battery. good luck.

[jungle7895]

Thanks! Yes have been looking at bosch they seem to be a brand BMW recomend using

[Qsilver7]

I live out in the sticks and x5 stays outside all the time and will get very cold so im looking for the best battery I can get? also if it doesnt start I could be stuck at home etc... I dont mind spending a bit extra on this as im planning to keep for a fair few years yet...

Im thinking the higher CCA the better??

Any advice welcome....

A good fresh battery is great...but the best thing you can do is either drive the vehicle frequently so as the battery can stay charged...or find a way to keep the battery charged with perhaps a solar charger or if you have power near by...connect a float charger or battery maintainer. You can use the battery jump start locations in the engine bay to maintain the battery....there's no need to lift up the rear floor to connect directly to the battery posts.

Every day the car isn't started/driven, the battery will deplete...if the battery is allowed to get into a state of deep discharge, then it damages the battery.

If purchasing a new battery...look for 2 specific battery class sizes. The 49/H8 or 95R/H9 batteries are what works for our applications.

The 95/H9 batteries usually cost more money and are usually slightly longer...but some 49/H8 batteries have higher specs.

This isn't a difficult thing to do or shop for when you know what you need to shop for. You can easily compare specs by just checking out a battery brand or retailers web site. If speaking with a customer rep/sales clerk...then ask what are the:

1. RC (reserve capacity)
2. CCA (cold cranking amps)
3. CA (cranking amps)
4. AH (amp hour)

Usually 2 or more of the specs above are listed somewhere on the battery.


Most batteries in the USA are made by approx 3 manufacturers....there may be some small "boutique" battery makers but they are far and few between. For the most part, Johnson Controls & Exide are the largest battery mfg's and make most of the battery brands sold in the USA.


Prices can vary greatly for the same battery specs, and battery made by the same mfg, but branded differently. So again, the choice is yours to make as far as how much you want to spend and if a "brand name" makes you more comfortable.



Also consider the warranty period and how easy it would be to take advantage of the warranty if needed. Many H8 & H9 batteries have 3 yr free replacement and a 5-7 yr pro-rated warranty. Some places (like AutoZone) put your info into a national database...and your name and warranty can be pulled up at any of their locations nationwide (just an example, not an endorsement).


Here's an example...this summer I was in Batteries Plus to get a new battery for my electric trimmer. While they were installing it, I walked over to the automotive batteries to see what they had to offer. They now sell theer 49/H8 & 95/H9 batteries under the Duracell brand name (used to be Werker years ago, then Rayovac...but now its Duracell):

[srmmmm]

I put in AutoZone's best one three years ago. Granted, I bought the battery for the V8 engine instead of the one listed for the I6 to get the higher rating, but it has worked fine and had the best warranty for the price at the time.

2002 X5 3.0 243,000 miles
2004 325i 108,000 miles

[neilrmp]

I used advance auto gold series on my 2008 x5 4.8i and I am pretty happy with it.


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