qsilver ... thanks for your detailed reply. I didn't know about the IBS previously. Very interesting.

As you predicted, my late-model 2006 X5 does not have an IBS on its negative battery cable.

cheers
Dave

:thumbup: Glad I could help. :)

bumping an oldish thread. I'm a little confused, because I've seen specs for an H7, H8, H9, 49 and 94R for our cars. I've got a 3.0. I want the biggest baddest battery possible.

according to the first few threads, its the Deka that is shown in the first thread.

This is no more confusing than buying tires for you vehicle. Yes, it's daunting because all the offerings...but when you narrow down what you want/need compared to how much you want to spend, versus the environment and conditions you use your vehicle...and compare that to the 49/H8 or 95/H9 batteries and their specs/warranty/price in your local area...it shouldn't be that difficult to decide.

You should have been able to tell from those previous threads that the 95R/H9 is the "biggest" battery (not neccesarily the baddest or best, though)...and from their...the choice between if its a lead-acid battery or an AGM battery...can tilt your decision one way or the other, too.

Know what the following specs mean & how they should affect your decision based on where you live (cold/hot/temperate climate), where you park (garage/street), and if you require extra reserves due to additional electronics installed:

1. Ah (amp hour)
2. RC (reserve capacity)
3. CC (cranking amps)
4. CCC (cold cranking amps)

Also know the difference between a LEAD-ACID battery & an AGM (absorbant glass mat) battery.


Any 95R/H9 aftermarket battery is usually the biggest & most expensive battery besides the BMW branded battery you get from a dealer....and that's because it has the most plates inside, and usually has the highest amp hour rating (90Ah or 100Ah). The CA (cranking amps) and CCA (cold cranking amps) may very battery size to battery size...but the Ah (amp hour) & RC (reserve capacity) are generally higher on the 95R/H9 battery.

The AGM version (absorbent glass mat) will also have higher Reserve Capacity & Amp Hour ratings...so you could possibly look at the 49 H8 AGM battery as an alterantive to a 95R/H9 lead-acid battery.

The best thing to do is...arm yourself with the class size battery that you know fits (the 49/H8 & 95/H9)...then shop your local area to see what's available, and the costs & specs & warranty for those batteries. Availability can vary by location.

The 94/H7 & 48/H6 batteries usually have lesser specs than the 49/H8 & 95/H9 batteries as well as slightly smaller battery case size...that is why (over the last decade) I've always recommended the 49/H8/95/H9 as replacements.

Below are pics (again) that show this:

http://bimmerboard.com/members/q/ori...ry%20Specs.jpg-http://bimmerboard.com/members/q/ori...ry%20Specs.jpg

well, I got a bosch H8 from pep boys, was about 140 OTD with a 20% discount purchasing online.

900 CCA + 185 reserve

Good timing as the battery literally crapped out in the parking lot as i was changing out a light bulb. probably had the doors open for 10 minutes. I was able to shut it down just long enough to get it to crank so I could get it home. Easy swap, and she's starting like a champ again.

anyone try the motormaster eliminator lead acid battery with 4 yr warranty?

I know everyone thinks I'm pushing it, but my batt is 5 months shy of being 10 years old and it still runs strong.
should procure something soon tho, just to be safe I guess.

That battery of your is now out side in the cold thinking "That bastard is thinking of getting rid of me. I will show him and die..............":nanana:

I just installed one of these in my 4.4 for $165 OTD, MEGA-TRON PLUS 49/H8 AUTOMOTIVE BATTERY SIX-YEAR PERFORMANCE 730 CCA, 910 CA. 100 Ah. It has a 6yr performance warranty and 30mnth free replacement. It does have the vent tube hole which fit perfectly. I didn't want to go with an Econo Battery for this one. Lets see how long it lasts.