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View Full Version : Battery status. Going to buy a new one.


Alpinewhite
05-31-2007, 09:04 AM
Hi All,

Yesterday in the afternoon car didnt start again; only clicks. I looked at the battery and its a BMW battery - there is some white growth on the sides. I am not able to see any date markings. I checked the history from my PO and there is no Battery changes for the past 12 years!!! Is it possible? Unless the dealer changed it before preowned-certifying it in 2000. Even then it is >6 years old.

I am going to bite the bullet and change the battery. What do you guys recomend for a 95 530i? Some one said Bosch. I am taking it to BJs/COSTCO here for a Battery change. any suggestions?

Thanks
Arun
Ross
05-31-2007, 09:25 AM
I'd say >6 years is pretty good testimony for OEM. Price is likey commensurate.
As much as it kills me to send you to Auto zone, their batteries are well regarded.
Tiger
05-31-2007, 09:29 AM
Autozone... yes.
Alpinewhite
05-31-2007, 10:22 AM
Can I install the new battery off the shelf or do I have to charge it before. I guess I am going for AutoZone Duralast 49 DL battery.

Thanks
Arun
RallyD
05-31-2007, 10:37 AM
they are ready to go
Tiger
05-31-2007, 10:51 AM
Yep, just install it. Ready to go.
Alpinewhite
05-31-2007, 01:20 PM
The AutoZone battery is a group 49 battery my car has a group 93 battery. In other words the one in the car is bigger than the AutoZone one. Do I need to do anything special to make the AutoZone one fit in my 530i?

Thanks
Arun
Tiger
05-31-2007, 02:33 PM
The car is supposed to have Group 49, so the cable is designed for Group 49. Nothing has to be done.
Alpinewhite
06-01-2007, 10:41 AM
Hi All,

I changed the old OE battery with AutoZone DuraLast 49 DL. The new one is almost identical dimensionally with the old one (It is tad taller but I could fit it with no problem). And the the vent in the new one was in the center, exactly where the hold down clamp was. So the clamp is pushing the the vent tube a little. Did any one else have this same problem. Jeff, How did you manage the vent tube in your 530?

Thanks
Arun
Evan
06-01-2007, 12:51 PM
there should be an elbow and tube supplied with your battery to reroute the vent
Tiger
06-01-2007, 12:58 PM
Right... they give you a kit with angle and a tube and a splice to your original vent tube. No problem on mine 540i.
Alpinewhite
06-01-2007, 02:44 PM
I used the angle and a step down tube that came with the battery to connect it to the OE vent tube. The problem is in my car the hold down clamp for the battery comes exactly in the center where the vent angle is attached. This kind of depresses the angle tube a little.

Thanks
Arun
Tiger
06-01-2007, 02:54 PM
Never had an issue... Don't worry about it.
Shankster
06-01-2007, 05:25 PM
I used the angle and a step down tube that came with the battery to connect it to the OE vent tube. The problem is in my car the hold down clamp for the battery comes exactly in the center where the vent angle is attached. This kind of depresses the angle tube a little.

Thanks
Arun

Had the same. Try this. Leave vent tube off and try bolting the hold down clamp. It most likely will not thread cleanly. Wiggle the battery around until you can line things up just right. Then attach vent tube and clamp down. It then cleared alright.