Battery Replacement

[jsturdiv]

Have 2004 X3 3.0 and I need a new battery. What does a new OEM one cost? Cheaper alternative? Have replaced brakes, tires, wipers and now a battery. Not bad for 5 years and 50,000 miles. No other repair costs. Thanks

[floydr]

If the X3 uses the same battery (likely), then the duralast 49dl is
the inexpensive replacement. OEM usually costs much more.

[Bill]

piece of cake. I bought an autolite battery at schucks. I want to say it's a fitment 49.

I had to modify the vent tubes slightly, but it wasn't a big deal.

good luck!

[macnut]

Yes, a standard Group 49 will fit, but you may have to ask for the vent kit that is meant to come with it.
And you may need to be innovative with an adapter to connect up your existing vent tube.

A better choice, at about twice the price, is an Interstate MTP-H6 as this is made to European spec. size rather than N. American spec. as in the Group 49.

Approx. 11" x 7' x 7", 750 CCA, 70 Ah with the posts and vent in exactly the required position.

These may be available in a white case, so look very similar to the original.
Except they will not have the "magic eye" but serviceable caps instead - much better.
(A low-maintenance battery rather than a maintenance-free.)

From a dealer, you might get the same battery with a BMW decal on it, instead of an Interstate one, at a higher price still.

You might also be able to find a suitable white-cased Werker (was Douglas Battery) or a Deka from East Penn., both closer in price to a Duralast.

You have to know a bit more than the Autozone parts-counter guy, because he will look up X3 in their book, and might say, "dealer only part".

[floydr]

We've already gone over all this stuff over on the E46 forum, if you had bothered to search it as I suggested. The Duralast 49DL comes with a vent tube that fits EXACTLY, you need to remove the plastic spacer in the battery tray - the 49dl fits EXACTLY after that removal, and you need a small piece of 3/8" plywood (or other wood) under the tie-down strap.

The Duralast is cheaper than any alternative ($89.95 is less than 1/2 the MTP-H6's list price of $215.) Which you would ALSO know if you had bothered to search on the E46 forum. I know I'm being a bit a of a bother to you on this, but this forum is for SHARING information, and although you're sharing, you're not paying attention to previous experience. There's more than 5 years of posting on this subject on the E46 forum. Don't ignore it.

[jsturdiv]

Did not ignore you at all. I did search the site. Appears there are all sorts of alternatives to the expensive BMW battery. Thank you for your input.

[floydr]

I'm glad you were able to find the info you needed.

[Ayon]

Just got a Maxx 49 Battery from Walmart, free installation with vent, they made sure i didnt loose power so i wouldn't need to reset my electronics cd player etc....

total cost was around 80 dollars! 3 year replacement, BMW dealer wanted $390 to replace it or 250 for just the battery. I hope it gives good service, but my original BMW battery only lasted me 4 years, so I guess at the Dealer price i could get over 12 years worth of batteries.

Anyways, i hope this one keeps its charge for atleast 3 years! Ill be happy!

[johnwharperbmw]

I am curious. I have a 2004 X3 E83 2.5i and was researching batteries. It has been suggested by some to research the E46 site for answers first. How does one know that the comments on E45 apply to E83?

[macnut]

Although E46 owners invariably find an Autozone Group 49 battery is a good fit,
it appears this is not always the case on the E83.

Quote another forum (permission not sought):
I purchased a Duralast 49-DL.
It was a more complicated install than expected and that was disappointing to me given so much feedback that it was a drop in.
First I noticed the vent is in the center back top of the battery...right where the metal strap goes to hold down the battery.
Second, the battery was a bit deeper with larger flanges at the bottom so you could not use the bolt.
I had to use my dremel and trim this flange in front and back so I could just barely make it fit.
I added a wooden shim to the back strap so that it would not crush the vent tube. Still makes me nervous as I cannot verify it has good vent.
Once it was installed, the final issue is the battery terminal.
The positive terminal was no issues (except the plastic cover didnt fit) but the negative terminal must be smaller.
I tighten the cable as much as possible, but it still spins on the terminal. I could probably wiggle it off if I spent some time. Is there a way to help this?
Quite surprising since I thought this was a drop in. I would have paid a bit more to get the H6 version mentioned above if I had known.

[codog2]

Does the Everstart Group 49 fit the x3? I went to Walmart and played with their electronic selector and group 48 came up.

I bought it and have noticed the battery is much less wider than the existing battery. It also has less cca (700 versus 725)

should I bring it back for the group 49?

[Unregistered]

I just had the mechanic replace the battery in my 2007 X3, he felt the Interstate battery was sufficient. He is a european specialist mechanic. The start was sluggish with the old battery, but no other real issues. Now with the brand new interstate replacement, the sunroof wont open with one touch, the door locks are random with close and open. Even with the door lock its acting up. Two mornings I have gone out and the clock was reset. Sound like I need him to replace the battery...is OEM the only/best way to go? Any input on this???

[jayb]

Sounds like the problem is not the battery but perhaps the alternator, unless you got a bad battery.

[Unregistered]

I just had the mechanic replace the battery in my 2007 X3, he felt the Interstate battery was sufficient. He is a european specialist mechanic. The start was sluggish with the old battery, but no other real issues. Now with the brand new interstate replacement, the sunroof wont open with one touch, the door locks are random with close and open. Even with the door lock its acting up. Two mornings I have gone out and the clock was reset. Sound like I need him to replace the battery...is OEM the only/best way to go? Any input on this???

Hey, did you ever get this fixed? My dealership told me $400 to replace the battery in my 07 X3...um, no thanks if I can find a less expensive option! Was it your battery or alternator?