Battery Advice

[BMW Newbie]

Hi Beemers

I need to replace the battery of my E90 320i LCI. SMG qoute me about R3700 for original battery with registration. They suggested that I do not go for other batteries like Sabat/Willard. I got a qoute from Battery Centre for R1900 for battery only(not sure what brand) and from Willard R1300.

Do I have to go with SMG and the original battery, is there no other good option for me with a better price???
Why can I not go with another brand of the same size/voltage?
Any great places in Cape Town that can assit me???

Thanks:ty:

 

[Sheldon13]

Hi buddy

I have the same car and put in an aftermarket Willard.
There was no need for battery registration as well on mine.

 

[BMW Newbie]

Hi buddy

I have the same car and put in an aftermarket Willard.
There was no need for battery registration as well on mine.

Hi...

That's good to know thank you... even tho SMG suggested a aftermarket battery will not last long and when they(SMG) did give me a quote they quoted me for battery registration also.

 

[Twinz]

I had good experiences with Exide and willard. Choose the same voltage & Ah as your current battery and no coding will be needed.

 

[BMW Newbie]

I had good experiences with Exide and willard. Choose the same voltage & Ah as your current battery and no coding will be needed.

Twinz, I did also read something like that somewhere. If I may ask, how long did your drive like that and did it in anyway affect other stuff like the OBC or alternator. I'm seriously considering going this route, I just wanna make sure that the battery dont need coding like you mentioned,because then it will either "undercharge or overcharge" if coding is needed and it's not done. That will eventually affect the life span of the battery... Weighing my options without wasting money unnecessary, if you know what I mean.:fencelook:

 

[kilotango]

I had good experiences with Exide and willard. Choose the same voltage & Ah as your current battery and no coding will be needed.

Twinz, I did also read something like that somewhere. If I may ask, how long did your drive like that and did it in anyway affect other stuff like the OBC or alternator. I'm seriously considering going this route, I just wanna make sure that the battery dont need coding like you mentioned,because then it will either "undercharge or overcharge" if coding is needed and it's not done. That will eventually affect the life span of the battery... Weighing my options without wasting money unnecessary, if you know what I mean.:fencelook:

unless your car is still on warranty or motor plan, dont let them convince that you need a factory battery, you really dont. as long as the battery is the correct spec/capacity, you should be fine.

if you do want to register the battery, just ask here on the forum as there will be someone nearby with INPA. they can code the battery for you. takes like 5 mins at most.

 

[Twinz]

In full agreement with Kilotango:thumbs:
I got 3 BMWs running with non Bmw batteries and no issues with them.
The 335 battery i replaced with an Exide a year ago and i coded it because the original battery was an 80Ah and i replaced it with a 100ah.