Battery options

[PJL3]

Hey guys My battery has given me a bit of trouble recently so I decided its time for a new one as the battery is 5 years old The car doesn't struggle to start but the clock loses time and the on board computer gives me a orange warning showing the clock has lost time and also shows the lift for a service but the car was serviced 4 months back so I presume this is for the battery Also when you turn the car of you cant listen to the radio as the car shuts it of I presume to safe the battery Anyways Ive done a bit of reading and Ive read on a few places that the cars ecu must be told that a new battery is put in, don't know if anybody can confirm this? The bmw battery is R4200 and normal more expensive one that is acid leak proof is R1700. Anybody maybe has any suggestions on a brand? even BMW told me to get a normal non BMW one. Lastly does anybody perhaps have any suggestions on trickle chargers as the car doesn't get driven that much so a trickle charger might not be a bad idea...

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O forgot its a e92 m3

 

[graan13]

My 2 cents worth -
Not changed a battery for some time however. In past vehicles I have had Willard and SABAT and between these I would go for a Willard. They may be slightly more expensive but can vouch they last longer and seem better quality overall. In my e39 M5 I replaced the OEM with a Willard (its like a truck battery in size! - takes up the space where a spare wheel would normally go) and never had to have any reset of the ECU, however not sure on newer models?
I have had mates replacing batteries lately and they have V8's and various cars and most of them have gone for Willards and the pricing seems to range from the R1700.00 to R2200.00 mark. It seems to be a very "dealer unique price item"
Dont know too much about the other brands of batteries that are around so will refrain from commenting on those :=):

 

[Henry330i]

If you replace check out the Varta batteries. Good prices and 3 year warranty where others only have 2 at most. I've had them in most of my cars and would never use anything else.

IMO

 

[Charlie Brown]

The Varta's are tops. R4200 is mad for a battery bt the way.

 

[PJL3]

Thanks guys

 

[M3_FTW]

Thanks guys

Is your car still under MotorPLan ?

Also, you know adding a new battery to an E9x M3 the car needs to be programmed to know about the new battery. Strange but true

 

[Liquid Ice]

Thanks guys

Also, you know adding a new battery to an E9x M3 the car needs to be programmed to know about the new battery. Strange but true

Not true. Voltage and current ratings are the same wether from a 2yr old willard or a 2month old sabat.

 

[M3_FTW]

Thanks guys

Also, you know adding a new battery to an E9x M3 the car needs to be programmed to know about the new battery. Strange but true

Not true. Voltage and current ratings are the same wether from a 2yr old willard or a 2month old sabat.

Really ?

 

[PJL3]

Hey guys I can confirm this Don't know if it is necessary to have this done but my dealer advised me to bring in the car. I live in a relative small town so my battery options are a bit limited Got a Raylite battery from our local battery center at R1600. BMW quoted me R4200 for a new one The Raylite looks identical and I mean like in identical Size, color, shape .If you were to cover the BMW sticker on the original battery you wont be able to tell the difference as it has the same writing in the same script on top of the battery, Critically specs are also identical. Afterwards took the car to BMW and they did what they called and "energy recalibration" basically telling the car there was a new battery in. The guy at the battery center told me BMW brings in all their clients cars and they fit that raylite batteries to all of them. So yeah again I don't know if it is necessary but just for peace of mind I had it done Cost is about R500 and it takes about 45min. Thanks for everyone's help :thumbs: