New battery advice, please

B

BoxClever

Member
Hi there

I just picked up a new 2003 Z4 - a 3 litre - and it cranks slowly but does start. On inspection in the boot the battery is small and not big enough for the space. I've had a few E36 and E46 convertibles and i remember one of them having a tiny battery and fitting a proper one did all kinds of good to the car.

I'm worn out and a bit grouchy about the new car, and I'm also being lazy in using the search function - apologies for this - can someone just tell me what size (dimensions and power) I need so I can buy it tomorrow? UK owner.

Thanks a lot from a somewhat stroppy 2nd Z4 owner!!
 
3 sizes fit depending on the spacer. If you have the smallest then you'd need a new spacer for the middle size.
242x175x190mm
278x175x190mm
315x175x190mm

I had a Varta E44 that lasted 6 years despite quite a few times totally flat due covid.
I got Halfords AGM115 to replace it this year.
 
Guess one could say battery issue is making you "cranky" -- been there with cars purchased.

Got mine last year from dealer, yes, a BMW battery but only because he gives best deal.

It's 11" by 7" size (in idea what class that is...am stateside) and it has 57 cold cranking amps. Trust you get it sorted, and back in good nick. Terrible things when things are out of sort.
 
Scooba_Steve said:
3 sizes fit depending on the spacer. If you have the smallest then you'd need a new spacer for the middle size.
242x175x190mm
278x175x190mm
315x175x190mm

I had a Varta E44 that lasted 6 years despite quite a few times totally flat due covid.
I got Halfords AGM115 to replace it this year.
Click to expand...

Thanks Steve. A new spacer? Make it kids english for e to understand, please. Can I just buy the AGM115 and put it straight in?


M2Driver said:
Guess one could say battery issue is making you "cranky" -- been there with cars purchased.

Got mine last year from dealer, yes, a BMW battery but only because he gives best deal.

It's 11" by 7" size (in idea what class that is...am stateside) and it has 57 cold cranking amps. Trust you get it sorted, and back in good nick. Terrible things when things are out of sort.
Click to expand...

Thanks, dude. I will call the dealer tomorrow but I'm not paying the equivalent of $4-500 for a battery I can get at ECP for around $150... I'd rather spend the savings on gin!!
 
BoxClever said:
Thanks Steve. A new spacer? Make it kids english for e to understand, please. Can I just buy the AGM115 and put it straight in?
Click to expand...
No spacer (just a plastic thing in the tray, clipped in only) means you can take the biggest. A spacer is needed for the two smaller sizes. Take yours out and look in the tray and all should become clear.

I got the Halfords AGM as it was cheap with discount, I wouldn't get it full price.
 
Scooba_Steve said:
BoxClever said:
Thanks Steve. A new spacer? Make it kids english for e to understand, please. Can I just buy the AGM115 and put it straight in?
Click to expand...
No spacer (just a plastic thing in the tray, clipped in only) means you can take the biggest. A spacer is needed for the two smaller sizes. Take yours out and look in the tray and all should become clear.

I got the Halfords AGM as it was cheap with discount, I wouldn't get it full price.
Click to expand...

Great stuff, thanks again, Steve. It's currently £157 - i'd like it cheaper but I'm ok with that really if I want it tomorrow.
 
BoxClever said:
Great stuff, thanks again, Steve. It's currently £157 - i'd like it cheaper but I'm ok with that really if I want it tomorrow.
Click to expand...
You could try same size non-AGM. Or find someone with a trade card (or join their club, not sure how much off that gets).
 
If you can wait a day or two I'd try Tayna Batteries.

I got a 70AH AGM Exide 096 from them last April for £105 delivered.
 
Interestingly when i put my car reg into Halfords site it says the 115AGM is not suitable for my car. They're lying, right??
 
Mr Tidy said:
Exide 096
Click to expand...
If he has got the smaller size then he'd need the spacer for that size.

BoxClever said:
115AGM is not suitable for my car. They're lying, right??
Click to expand...
Yes, but only because that's what's listed from new.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BT12-EUR-09-2003-E85-BMW-Z4_22i&diagId=61_1613
 
Thanks ever so much for all of your friendly input, guys, this is exactly what i need after the day I've had.

I think I will get the 115AGM tomorrow if Halfrauds will let me buy it! I just want to get it sorted ASAP. A BMW that doesn't start immediately on the key just doesn't sit right with me.
 
And when I get a few things swapped over from my 2.2 to the 3.0 I will put some pictures up so you can see my new high maintenance daily!!
 
BoxClever said:
Thanks ever so much for all of your friendly input, guys, this is exactly what i need after the day I've had.

I think I will get the 115AGM tomorrow if Halfrauds will let me buy it! I just want to get it sorted ASAP. A BMW that doesn't start immediately on the key just doesn't sit right with me.
Click to expand...

Ebay I found to have the best prices on the battery I like which is the Bosch S5. I paid half the price ECP wanted for it including their discount offer.
 
If you didn’t need it like right now, I’d go for Tanya batteries as their pricing is good and customer service is excellent. Word of warning the recommended battery for Z4 that I ordered was in fact the wrong size, but they happily swapped it over without any fuss.
 
Thanks a lot, Zeb... and others. I actually bought a Yuasa one from GSF at £100 and was the highest power available in the 278mm size. Car fires up much better and I've cleared all the codes and its running better.

But....

... pulling out of GSF and I hear an all too familiar scraping coming from behind one of the wheels on the passenger side. How many bloody BMWs have I had to fix rusting backing plates on??? Does my bloody head in. And this one is on the rear and now the handbrake isn't working... arghhhh!! So I'm dropping the car off at my local good guy indie tomorrow and keeping my 2.2 insured until I get the 3.0 back. GODDAMMIT!!!
 
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