Help: Is this original battery? Does it need changing?

E

euphoria

Member
Hi all, had my 2004 z4 for about a week now, absolutely loving it. Apart from today...

First off I have only completed small journeys in the car...

This morning I went to unlock the car and open roof, via remote, it didn't have it... I then opened car manually, started engine and opened roof with buttons on dash, fine.
Once at my destination the roof went up and car closed and locked fine.
On return and try to open roof, again didn't want to play. This time the car did unlock via central locking however... When the roof was on its way down, it struggles and I needed to give it a little nudge to get going, very strange.

Starting the car seems ok, but these electrical faults got me thinking is the battery dead...
Here is my battery

image_zps0pbj5wun.jpg

Is this oem BMW and what is this blue stuff on it?! Any ideas guys? Is my battery shot? Logic says yes?
 
Looks like original going on the yellow markings on the terminals. If the car starts fine then I wouldn't think the battery was the issue. Is it slow in Turning over?
 
Car seems to start fine, the roof was fine yesterday? Very strange! The previous owner mentioned they had roof motor changed around a year ago too? So I'm surprised if that's gone!
 
Previous owner did leave the car standing for a couple months early this year she went traveling. I have a feeling it may have weakened the battery?
 
When I got my 2005 a couple of years ago I replaced the battery which was Bmw as peace of mind as it seemed a bit slow to turn over some times and I didn't know the history . It's only £80 for a Bosch.
I also replaced the battery on my 2007 xc90 when I got it too.
All it takes as a really cold morning or listening to the radio with the engine off, and a worn out battery will surprise you when you don't want it to.
I've sold brand new cars that sat with a flat battery for a few days and it didn't hold its charge like it should when charged. You just don't know how it's been treated in the past.

Batteries get such a pounding these days for all the electrics on car.
 
I wonder if thats a rebranded exide battery - I ask as my battery was RAC branded but looks similar to yours. It has an indicator but I've no idea if thats exide specific (http://www.racshop.co.uk/car-battery/battery-health.html). I had silliness with dropping the roof when the engine wasn't running and the occasional failure to start so I just bit the bullet and replaced it.

So does the roof work properly when the engine is running? If yes, I think I would get a ctek charger and do a charge/recondition. If it really is OEM (there should be markings on the battery to indicate the date) I'd be inclined to replace.
 
If you have a mulimeter disconnect the battery and leave it overnight then measure the voltage in the morning. Anything less than 12.35 V and I'd probably change it. The last battery I picked up was a Varta E44 - look online, very good specs.
 
Just to update, had battery and alternator checked, both working perfectly. Looks like I'm taking roof off :thumbsdown: should be an interesting learning curve! Any guides online?
 
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