Battery replacement in E46

[stevesuk]

Hi guys,

Just replaced the battery in my E46 330 Ci today, as it kept going flat - even after charging, and only being left for a few days after a long motorway trip. A couple of things that I hadn't realised that might be specific to batteries stored in the confined area of the boot, which I thought I'd post in case anyone else is going to do this job.

The battery has a vent tube connected to it (below the positive terminal). The replacement battery you buy should have a vent hole in a similar place to reconnect this tube to (not come across this before).

Since the battery didn't come with any instructions, I did some Googling before I started... many batteries have a vent hole at each end, and one needs covering. The Bosch battery I bought had a plastic bung attached to one of the terminal covers, that you snap off and fit. Seems many people don't realise this until long after throwing the covers away in the bin

Anyway, other than that, I found it surprisingly straight forward - only took 5 minutes to fit it, and that included setting the clock afterwards.

Would recommend the Bosch S4 Battery 096 as being an identical match in terms of fittings/dimensions to the original OEM battery (mine had managed 10 years, which is pretty good).

Cheers,

Steve.

[Ozone]

Thanks Steve, handy to know, mine is 9 years old so i'll probably be doing this too before long.

[Sticks.]

Thanks, useful to know.

[billzeebub]

Mine is 12 years old in the E36, and it failed for the first time recently. I was checking out the Bosch batteries in Halfords yesterday so that is very useful to know, thanks

[stevesuk]

billzeebub said:

Mine is 12 years old in the E36, and it failed for the first time recently. I was checking out the Bosch batteries in Halfords yesterday so that is very useful to know, thanks

Got my Bosch battery from Eurocarparts for ~ £80. Needed it urgently, so had to reserve and pay/collect. However, if you're happy to order online, there are some 25% discount codes about. Not sure if I can post the code here, but if you Google you'll find it.

[steve_n]

25% doesn't work on the batteries but 'battery15' does and you get 15% off.

[Quinten]

I recently changed my (E39 M5) OEM battery for a Bosch (from ECP with 15% off!) but although I knew about the pipe construction, I haven't paid any attention at all to it when I fitted the new one. Think I'll revisit mine this weekend and check... But obviously I do not have the red or black cover anymore :/

[billzeebub]

stevesuk said:

billzeebub said:

Mine is 12 years old in the E36, and it failed for the first time recently. I was checking out the Bosch batteries in Halfords yesterday so that is very useful to know, thanks

Got my Bosch battery from Eurocarparts for ~ £80. Needed it urgently, so had to reserve and pay/collect. However, if you're happy to order online, there are some 25% discount codes about. Not sure if I can post the code here, but if you Google you'll find it.

thanks again