lidistick 70 Report post Posted August 10, 2012 Hi guys, The E39 still has the original BMW battery. It's 11 years old and is having the occasional difficulty with cold mornings. I've sat it on the trickle charger overnight and it's come right but I do wonder if it's close to the end of its life. AA have quoted a price for a 3662 battery for $275. I can't find an equivalent in repco or super cheap. Any recommendations? Is the AA battery ok? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2132 Report post Posted August 10, 2012 Hi guys, The E39 still has the original BMW battery. It's 11 years old and is having the occasional difficulty with cold mornings. I've sat it on the trickle charger overnight and it's come right but I do wonder if it's close to the end of its life. AA have quoted a price for a 3662 battery for $275. I can't find an equivalent in repco or super cheap. Any recommendations? Is the AA battery ok? 11 years is pretty good for a bmw battery, especially in a 5er. what chemical is the battery made from e.g. calcium, nickel etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blonky 2 Report post Posted August 10, 2012 You would be looking for a DIN55 or DIN66 battery - usually around $200-$300 for a proper one Don't go buying a $120 Supercheapauto one that will crap out after a year; AA have been good in my experience or pick from one of the other major brands Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted August 10, 2012 You would be looking for a DIN55 or DIN66 battery - usually around $200-$300 for a proper one Don't go buying a $120 Supercheapauto one that will crap out after a year; AA have been good in my experience or pick from one of the other major brands Wrong on both counts for battery. Way too small! It is a DIN 88 or 92 (the 88/92 depending on brand) Marcus I Don't know the AA conversion equivelent number to ones above as to whether the number you quote is comparable. You need to compare apples with apples though. I also don't overly rate AA batteries, that said, none we get here are the quality of the OEM Varta Personally I would recommend HCB Endurant as a good replacement. Can help if you wish. 10/11/12 years is about the norm for OEM batteries, mine was 11, as have been a few others I have been involved with. I took a 14 yr old out of an E36 a couple of years back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted August 10, 2012 i got a hella for the e34 .I think i inquired about a din 66 but after looking at some info he had and then checkin the owners manual i got a bigger one.I left the park lights on all day once and it still started! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blonky 2 Report post Posted August 11, 2012 Wrong on both counts for battery. Way too small! It is a DIN 88 or 92 (the 88/92 depending on brand) Marcus I Don't know the AA conversion equivelent number to ones above as to whether the number you quote is comparable. You need to compare apples with apples though. I also don't overly rate AA batteries, that said, none we get here are the quality of the OEM Varta Personally I would recommend HCB Endurant as a good replacement. Can help if you wish. 10/11/12 years is about the norm for OEM batteries, mine was 11, as have been a few others I have been involved with. I took a 14 yr old out of an E36 a couple of years back. Sorry just assumed they use the same as the 3 series, but definitely needs a DIN type battery with the flush terminals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted August 11, 2012 Sorry just assumed they use the same as the 3 series, but definitely needs a DIN type battery with the flush terminalsmy e34 had a din 66 which is nearly twice as big as most modern car battries AND it had a 25 amp hour(big motorcycle battery size) auxilary battery in the boot Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted August 11, 2012 ^^^^^ Yep correct for the E34, the high spec E39 though (& 3's for that matter) has much more electrical demand with all the bells/whistles - car draws around 5 amps on acc position. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted August 11, 2012 ^^^^^ Yep correct for the E34, the high spec E39 though (& 3's for that matter) has much more electrical demand with all the bells/whistles - car draws around 5 amps on acc position. Yes i know just saying get the recomended size! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lidistick 70 Report post Posted August 11, 2012 Hey Grant. Will take you up on the offer. Car is fine after charging overnight on the trickle charger. Pretty awesome OEM batteries tho. Cheers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
antil33t 90 Report post Posted August 13, 2012 my e34 had a din 66 which is nearly twice as big as most modern car battries AND it had a 25 amp hour(big motorcycle battery size) auxilary battery in the boot I want that Extra battery setup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2132 Report post Posted August 13, 2012 (edited) I want that Extra battery setup! I didn't know anything about that either! might be worth looking into, I have a 5 Farad capacitor (yes 5Farads lol) but more juice is always good. i have a brand new 750iL battery in my E34, was the biggest one they stocked lol, but my stereo still sucks it dry in 10 minutes when just a bit below a normal listening level. but for most stock cars would be more than ample Edited August 13, 2012 by _Ethrty-Andy_ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted August 15, 2012 (edited) I want that Extra battery setup! i dont know why or which option was the "trigger" point for the auxillary attery,it sat behind the lh boot liner,looking into the boot. The cars that have that option have a slightly different boot liner setup.The previous owner of my car didnt know it had an aux battery 200 KATALYSATOR - ENTFALL (no catalytctic converter) 209 LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL (25%) 226 SPORTS SUSPENSION SETTINGS 291 BMW LM SCHMIEDERAD/KREUZSPEICH (alloy wheels) 302 ALARM SYSTEM 320 MODEL DESIGNATION, DELETION (no model badge) 335 M TECHNIC SPORTPAKET (mtech body kit, front spoiler skirts,rear wing, aero rear bumper cover) 339 SATIN CHROME (matt black finish around windows instead of chrome) 401 SLIDING/VENT ROOF, ELECTRIC 458 SEAT ADJUSTMENT, ELECTRIC. F DRIVER/PASS 481 SPORT SEATS F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER 498 HEADRESTS IN REAR, MECHANIC. ADJUSTABLE 500 HEADLIGHT WASHER SYS/INTENSIVE CLEANING 534 AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING 548 SPEEDOMETER WITH KILOMETER READING 560 CO-PILOTS IN RR COMPARTMENT (reading lamps in rear ) 563 BEL.MAKE-UP SPIEGEL (make up mirrors(or lights for make up mirror) 571 BOOSTED POWER SUPPLY (140 w alternator) 676 HIFI LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM 687 RADIO PREPARATION 708 M-SPORT LEATHER STEERING WHEEL II 806 Neuseeland Ausfuehrung 847 erweiterter Kabelbaum 850 ADD FUEL TANK FILLING FOR EXPORT 925 SHIPPING PROTECTION PACKAGE you can get a humougous capacity battery which will fit tin the same space as the std battery for an e34. Edited August 15, 2012 by kiwi535 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites