Battery Replacement

Hello All,
Recently I've been getting the low battery icon show up and the car has been starting weak. Today it struggled to start and it totally died. I tried to restart and the battery was very weak. I 'm assuming that I need a battery and does it have to be a BMW battery? If not does anyone have any recommendations as far as name brands ( Walmart MAXX-H8, Sears,Pep Boys etc..) Also can I install it or will I run into resetting issues with the car?
Thank you for your time and help!

Blake

If there is a thread already posted please direct me to it.

You can basically install a battery from anywhere these days. Make sure you get the correct group battery, & have it registered by someone who has the correct software. Any BMW dealer or an Indy that has the correct software can do this for you. Cost for BMW might be between 100 to 150 dollars. You might find an Indy to do it for as low as 50 dollars. You have a choice of battery types, AGM or lead cell. Either one will do a good job!

Good Luck!

You can replace the battery with an non OEM battery, however there are a number of things to consider when doing so:

1. You must ""register" the replacement battery. it can be done by the dealer, or an independent specialist with AutoLogic software or a specialist with Dealer software callled DIS or ISTA. If you do not register the new battery the power management module in the car will not charge the new battery properly & will kill the battery prematurely.

2. The e63 has been fitted with an AGM type battery, this is a deep cycle battery using Absorbed Glass Mat technology, so you need to check if yours has an AGM or regular Lead Acid battery. It is far simpler to replace like for like. If you need to switch from AGM to regular you need to make software changes in the car. I don't know how a dealer would do it but I know using BMW factory software you need to change the value Klasse_Batterie , e.g 80ah_agm to 80ah. You also need to update the VO (Vehicle Order).

3. There are many different Ah (Ampere hour) ratings of batteries that can be fitted to the e63, from memory, 80Ah, 90Ah, 110Ah are potentially fitted (both AGM & regular), depending on the amount of electrical options, engine size & body style (coupe v vert). So you need to check this too. Again if you are deviating from original you need to update the software parameter Klasse_Batterie as above.

As for where to get a battery, not sure. Hope this info helps.

Any local auto parts store might have, or can get one , the same day. I bought one from O'reilly's around 3 months ago for 125.00. It has a 6 year warranty on it The cheapest you will get one from BMW, will probably be 225.00 if they know you. The battery is very easy in a 6 series to change. Putting a jump box on the battery connectors, will help to save all settings. This is not necessary, but it helps to make sure that all settings stay the same.

Thank you guys for your help. I will wait till Monday to check what Indy shops has the software to install new battery. So my understanding is as long as the battery has the right ampage (AGM) programing the car to recognize the battery is all to be done.

Blake

There is only one way to prevent battery failures and issues with these cars, especially those drivers who do not do longer journeys continuously and that is every weekend connect the car battery to a Ctek battery tender and trickle charge. There are loads of threads on how this is done, once into it, it becomes very easy, especially if the Ctek has a hard wired connector.....

Ps you guys!!! I no longer have the Z4, Long story only had it 6 months and sold it because of BMW's attitude and approach and now have Mercedes E class convertible!!!
Still think this is the best forum ever and hope you guys still don't mind the odd voice of experience now and again???
Still believe the 6 is the best car ever!!!!!!

BMW does not have an attitude, they just don't care!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I bought one at Advance Auto parts for $190 tax included. Its Made in gemany and looks exactly as the BMW onw only its black. Very easy to install.

Hey Kev,
How is that battery working out for you from Advanceautoparts? Did it have the vent port on the side?

Blake

Hello All,
Has anyone or do you reccommend batteries from Walmart,Sears,Autozone,Pepboys and Advanceautoparts? Everyone of these stores claims their batterie is as good as OEM battery in 6series. Please chime in because I do not want to the dealer that money and I do have a indy to register it for me.

Blake

Originally Posted by blakedanatural

Hello All,
Has anyone or do you reccommend batteries from Walmart,Sears,Autozone,Pepboys and Advanceautoparts? Everyone of these stores claims their batterie is as good as OEM battery in 6series. Please chime in because I do not want to the dealer that money and I do have a indy to register it for me.

Blake

Hey Blake. I have NCSExpert and DIS running and I'm not far from you. I could match the battery to the car in the CAS module and reset the timer in DIS. I believe that is all that is required to register the new battery.

Ok that sounds great! Which one of the batteries would you reccommend because I haven't bought one yet?

Blake

Originally Posted by blakedanatural

Ok that sounds great! Which one of the batteries would you reccommend because I haven't bought one yet?

Blake

Check what is fitted to yours & either go the same or a greater rating. There is no real advantage in going bigger though. It should be written on the battery itself.

OT: I drove pretty near to where not of you live back in August of this year when I drove from Washington DC to Philadelphia.

I don't think that it really matters where you buy it, I believe that the same company probably built them all. They all pretty much have a specific house name for their company. If you buy parts from one parts store more, you are likely to get a better price from them. Yes you can negotiate the price if you ask! If you don't ask for a better price, you probably want get one. Like I said earlier in this post, I got mine for 125.00 from O'Reilly's, with a 6 year warranty. The 1st 3 years are not prorated, the last 3 are.


Good Luck!

I had one put in my car by the dealer. It is an 80ah AGM battery.

Ranter - If you're ever driving through again, give me some notice and I'll buy you a drink.

Hello All,
I got the battery from advanceautoparts and my 6er is cranking again.

Originally Posted by blakedanatural

Hello All,
I got the battery from advanceautoparts and my 6er is cranking again.

You need to take it somewhere that can register the battery to the car, or it will be toast shortly!

You can stop by SouthBay BMW (CA) to get "turbo charged" battery deal (battery + register) with 2 years warranty for $875 + tax.

Big balls!

Originally Posted by reytran

You can stop by SouthBay BMW (CA) to get "turbo charged" battery deal (battery + register) with 2 years warranty for $875 + tax.