Which battery?

[Redline]

I've been having increasing problems with cold starting on my car for a while now so I'm not surprised the battery is about to give up the ghost. It is the original BMW battery so at 10 years old it has done its job. It barely turned the engine over this morning and even after a long run it was still having second thoughts.

However, the current battery is rated at 80Ah, yet, all the quoted replacements are quoted mainly at 70Ah which is more than 10% less than the current one.
Should you go with the Ah rating or the CCA rating to get the best choice? Is 70+Ah ok with a higher CCA?

Prices vary from £130 up to and beyond £250 for the higher capacity batteries. As it stands out in the winter I'm tempted to pay the extra for the peace of mind.
Any advice anyone?

 

[t-tony]

For those who don't know, 70ah will give continual 70amp supply for 1 hour. CCA is cold cranking amps. For a car that stands outside I would fit a battery with at least the same CCA as the original battery. A good quality battery should have at least a 3 year or even a 4 year warranty.

Tony.

 

[Dino D]

I know BMW don't make batteries but boy do the batteries they fit to the cars last forever.
I still have a BMW battery from my Z3 now residing in a Honda - I don't think it's the first one with the car as the car is 19yrs old now but it's at least 6yrs old which is how long I've had the car. In the Honda it does only short journeys and the batterry is still fresh.

I put a Varta battery in the Z3. I'd buy a good brand from a ECP branch or similar as ordering online is fine but what if the the battery is faulty - returns are a hassle.

Talking of brands I replaced the Banner (cheap brand) battery in our Galaxy as a precaution with a Varta (it has 13 interior lights, seat heaters, 2 aircons etc and does short journeys and I don't know the age of the Banner battery).
That Banner battery has sat in the garage for 3yrs now and used as a back up when someone (not me!) leaves the lights on and flattens the battery...I've charged it a couple of times and expected it to be dead by now but still holds charge...Surprised given it's a budget battery.
For piece of mind though I'd stick with a good brand hence I tend to fit fresh batteries to any car I buy.

 

[Redline]

A stupid follow-up question. I can't find any reference to it or a card with the documentation so I presume there is no radio code to worry about. Is that right?
Not had a car without a coded radio for some time so I was simply expecting there to be a code.

 

[Grumps]

Mine is starting to loose charge within 2 to 3 weeks of being stood. It used to do 6 weeks or so when i first got the car. The battery was on when i bought it in 2012 so its at least 5 years old. Its a Bosch so i imagine wouldnt have been cheap when new. What would the advice be for my 2.8?

 

[Nifty Fifty]

I replaced my battery last year after I was having issues. I SORN over the winter and try to ensure I give the car a turn over on a weekly basis as I do not have one of those trickle chargers, however last year I did not turn the car over for a couple of months and hey presto nothing.
DEAD BATTERY !!
The battery that I had at the time was a Bosch S4 and I found an old receipt in the paperwork that came with the car (£60.00) so I would say in today's terms a budget battery, it was installed in 2012, so lasted approx 4 yrs. I replaced it with a more heavy duty one in April 2016 with a 80AH 760A YUASA SILVER premium which came with a 5 yrs guarantee standard from Andrew Page Ltd - as I do not have a trade account I paid around £110.00 incl vat. I must admit it was a little bigger than the old one and the boot carpet does now sit a little proud. AP Ltd were located next door to my works so it was more of a convenience thing as well. Ensured this winter to regularly turn the Z over every week and touch wood she starts up with no issues.
I trust this helps - but I suppose its what you want to pay.

Nifty

 

[jonco]

Further to @Nifty Fifty comments this link is for a 80AH 760A YUASA SILVER
http://www.autosessive.com/electrical-lighting-parts/car-battery

at just over a £100 with 5 year guarantee and free delivery.

 

[hard top]

What would the advice be for my 2.8?

Bosch.....
Never had to buy a new one in six years of ownership and it had been in the car a long time before I bought it.
I had let it drain when leaving the car standing for five weeks, recharged it, no problem.

 

[Shelly]

I had a new battery fitted to the Z about a month ago
It's a Bosch and I got a 5 year guarantee

 

[mwpe]

I replaced mine last year, it had been on the car since I bought it in 2008 so had done well. I replaced it with a Duracell from ECP with a 5 year guarantee. It was about £85 with the standard weekend discount.

 

[Redline]

Just looking at a Bosch S5 008 - 096 77Ah 780CCA battery with 5 year warranty - Now here's an interesting thing. ECP ask £178.99 and RAC are asking £144 next day fitted at home.

 

[Shelly]

Just looking at a Bosch S5 008 - 096 77Ah 780CCA battery with 5 year warranty - Now here's an interesting thing. ECP ask £178.99 and RAC are asking £144 next day fitted at home.

You might be able to buy it cheaper somewhere else

 

[billz]

I have only ever had to buy one battery and that was for the Z3 when we had it. The Z4 is still a baby at 9 years old

 

[mwpe]

Just looking at a Bosch S5 008 - 096 77Ah 780CCA battery with 5 year warranty - Now here's an interesting thing. ECP ask £178.99 and RAC are asking £144 next day fitted at home.

Never pay the list price from ECP, they have a different discount offer every few days.

 

[Redline]

You might be able to buy it cheaper somewhere else

It was by way of comparison - was expecting ECP to be on the money, but to get the same unit for more than £30 less and fitted at home is a revelation. Well worth anyone buying one to check the RAC price first.

 

[Redline]

Never pay the list price from ECP, they have a different discount offer every few days.

It annoys me all those offers etc. Just sell it to me at the best price. CBA chasing codes. Besides, ECP in Coventry isn't somewhere I normally go near. 25+ mile round trip and an hour or more getting there and back or stay at home and let someone else do the job. Even if they were cheaper at the counter its still more expensive all round.

 

[billz]

Try these seem cheap compared to most
https://carbatteries-online.co.uk/b...es/z-series/z4-cabriolet-models-2003-present/

 

[t-tony]

My car is 14 this year and I beleive it still as it's original battery. I will check and make sure at the weekend.

Tony.

 

[Redline]

Try these seem cheap compared to most
https://carbatteries-online.co.uk/b...es/z-series/z4-cabriolet-models-2003-present/

Great prices, but, they are over 1" longer (more powerful batteries though). They claim they're compatible but I'd need to get the tape measure out first me thinks.

 

[Redline]

My car is 14 this year and I beleive it still as it's original battery. I will check and make sure at the weekend.

Tony.

A bit like Trigger's broom Tony
You back so soon - that's just not fair