Err... Help... Time For A New Battery?

[Kern47]

I'm waiting for a jump start atm so I'll be brief.

Driving along. Red battery light, followed by amber tyre pressure, abs, brake light etc.

Pulled over and RPM gauge and speedo stuck (not moving) but engine started 'throbbing'/hunting.

Turned off and back on again, cockpit blacked out, tried driving and then car started to die. Pulled over and tried to start again and got symptoms similar to what I'd find with a flat battery.

Based off of that info, would you say a new battery is the way to go? And is the following link definitely the correct one? As I need my car to travel for Christmas next week.

https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/p/bosch-s5-car-battery-027-5-year-guarantee-444770278

Any help MUCH appreciated.

 

[firebobby]

Battery and possibly the alternator

 

[brillomaster]

Sounds like alternator to me. A duff battery will make a car hard to start, but once started, the alternator keeps it running. Sounds like alternator packed in, then when battery voltage dropped, all systems start shutting down.

 

[Gjm91]

If it turns out to be the battery - try tanya batteries instead of Car parts for less - that battery you posted is £76 with postage from tanya.- hope you get the issue sorted. Just about to order a new battery for My E89 as strange things starting to happen with mine -

 

[Kern47]

Yeah when I actually thought about it while jumo starting, I suddenly realised it was probably alternator more than the battery... Limped it into a car park and awaiting the RAC :headbang:

If it turns out to be the battery - try tanya batteries instead of Car parts for less - that battery you posted is £76 with postage from tanya.- hope you get the issue sorted. Just about to order a new battery for My E89 as strange things starting to happen with mine -

Cheers for that info though!

 

[brillomaster]

When my alternator packed in, aa lent me a donor battery, which is good for about 40 miles at a steady cruise before you run out of electricity again!

Whereabouts you based? SAC in coventry refurbed my alternator for a reasonable price, but problem was getting the car to them. Assuming rac get you and car home, youll need to properly trickle charge the battery and refit before attempting to go anywhere!

 

[Kern47]

When my alternator packed in, aa lent me a donor battery, which is good for about 40 miles at a steady cruise before you run out of electricity again!

Whereabouts you based? SAC in coventry refurbed my alternator for a reasonable price, but problem was getting the car to them. Assuming rac get you and car home, youll need to properly trickle charge the battery and refit before attempting to go anywhere!

Yeah that's exactly what they did. Got the car home now so that's one thing.

I need the car for Christmas travel, so can anyone help point me in the direction of a reasonably priced alternator for the M?

 

[Kern47]

https://m.buycarparts.co.uk/bmw/z4-e85/19908/10450/alternator?sort_supplier%5B%5D=30

Anyone any experience or reasons not to have a punt on one of those cheaper ones?

Quite a range in prices there, do any of those brands set off alarm bells for anyone?

Cheers guys

 

[Kern47]

Just been looking at some of the above alternators. Some seem to have charge voltage of 12V and some are 14V. Also the belt pulleys are sometimes a different diameter.

Are they important considerations? Or just different design and wont make much difference?

I basically just need to know that whatever I get will fit and work. Whether it lasts me 1 year or 10 doesn't matter too much this time of year, especially with just one week to get it fitted and the car running again

 

[AndyBeech]

OE is Valeo i believe. Not sure about the other makes but buy cheap by twice. Personally would bite the bullet but other makes may well be fine.
Don’t know why the Z4 alternator is so expensive, should share the same part as the M3 S54 but curiously doesn’t