E46 M3 - New Battery

[jaedba2604]

Hi,

Yesterday I thought i'd better recharge the battery on my M3 as it's been sat unused for about 4 months. Hooked it up to the charger and it wouldn't charge (got one of those 'top of the range' halfords chargers that will allow a trickle charge - unfortunately it won't charge if the voltage is below 6v), anyway, jumped it from another car, left it running and managed to get enough charge in the battery to facilitate the charger.

left on overnight, thought i'd go for a drive this morning to clear the cobwebs, and there was only 11.5v showing on the charger, and it wouldn't start again.

two things:
1) will there be any damage or rectification i need to do (better not be, it's only a flat battery!), and
2) i'm guessing i need a new battery, does anyone have any recommendations please?

thanks v much

[E30M3SE]

All should be fine.

Bosch S5, from either Euro car parts or Car parts 4 less, depending on how quickly you want it, if you want it really quickly, as in today, then Halfords but be prepared to pay more for it.


Car parts 4 Less

ECP

Halfords

[jaedba2604]

thanks.

local car parts shop, normally pretty good, has varta 4 year guarantee at c£80, anyone had any experience of these?

[E30M3SE]

Varta will be alright.

[The Restorer]

I remember reading that the lighter battery in the CSL is the same battery as the Mini. Check this link or details...

Replacement battery

[Buzzmeister]

I replaced the original battery with the Bosch S5(?). It is a smaller battery and was not retained well by the batter clamp. I expect to have to look at this before the next MOT.

[jaedba2604]

Buzzmeister said:

I replaced the original battery with the Bosch S5(?). It is a smaller battery and was not retained well by the batter clamp. I expect to have to look at this before the next MOT.

haha, brilliant, this is what i have on order...can you not just screw down that plate onto it?

[E30M3SE]

jaedba2604 said:

haha, brilliant, this is what i have on order...can you not just screw down that plate onto it?

You should be able to, as pointed out in a post above csl's run a smaller battery but use the same clamp down system adjust accordingly.

[thegreengoblet]

E30M3SE said:

You should be able to, as pointed out in a post above csl's run a smaller battery but use the same clamp down system adjust accordingly.

The clamp wouldn't hold my replacement bosch. The battery is a good 3 inches shorter than the OEM and the clamp plate is only an inch or so. Ended up wedging a large block of wood down the other end. not ideal.

[jaedba2604]

thegreengoblet said:

E30M3SE said:

You should be able to, as pointed out in a post above csl's run a smaller battery but use the same clamp down system adjust accordingly.

The clamp wouldn't hold my replacement bosch. The battery is a good 3 inches shorter than the OEM and the clamp plate is only an inch or so. Ended up wedging a large block of wood down the other end. not ideal.

i think there must be two different clamps, one with a long threaded bolt that goes down the side of the battery and clamps by the lip at the bottom, and another, like mine, which i think is what's referred to above, with a plate that goes over the top of the battery and then a clamp that adjusts to hold it in place. so altho the bosch is a shorter battery it fits fine, cos the depth is the important dimension, not the length.

the bosch fitted fine in mine, the only query i would have, is how essential is the breather tube? the little pipe that goes into the battery is missing in mine, the tube's there, just no way of connecting it to the battery...

lastly, the courier who delivered it, yodel...not a courier that's suitable for anyone with a full time job, only deliver 9-5 mon - fri, and the scope for collecting it yourself is sketchy at best, as they appear to have about 5 depots in the UK...anyway, off topic and rant over.

[E30M3SE]

jaedba2604 said:

i think there must be two different clamps, one with a long threaded bolt that goes down the side of the battery and clamps by the lip at the bottom, and another, like mine, which i think is what's referred to above, with a plate that goes over the top of the battery and then a clamp that adjusts to hold it in place. so altho the bosch is a shorter battery it fits fine, cos the depth is the important dimension, not the length.

the bosch fitted fine in mine, the only query i would have, is how essential is the breather tube? the little pipe that goes into the battery is missing in mine, the tube's there, just no way of connecting it to the battery...

lastly, the courier who delivered it, yodel...not a courier that's suitable for anyone with a full time job, only deliver 9-5 mon - fri, and the scope for collecting it yourself is sketchy at best, as they appear to have about 5 depots in the UK...anyway, off topic and rant over.

When the battery is in the boot, or under the rear seat as it is in some cars, VERY essential. When being charged batteries can give off gases, hydrogen and oxygen, you don't really want a boot or cabin full of these.

[jaedba2604]

E30M3SE said:

jaedba2604 said:

i think there must be two different clamps, one with a long threaded bolt that goes down the side of the battery and clamps by the lip at the bottom, and another, like mine, which i think is what's referred to above, with a plate that goes over the top of the battery and then a clamp that adjusts to hold it in place. so altho the bosch is a shorter battery it fits fine, cos the depth is the important dimension, not the length.

the bosch fitted fine in mine, the only query i would have, is how essential is the breather tube? the little pipe that goes into the battery is missing in mine, the tube's there, just no way of connecting it to the battery...

lastly, the courier who delivered it, yodel...not a courier that's suitable for anyone with a full time job, only deliver 9-5 mon - fri, and the scope for collecting it yourself is sketchy at best, as they appear to have about 5 depots in the UK...anyway, off topic and rant over.

When the battery is in the boot, or under the rear seat as it is in some cars, VERY essential. When being charged batteries can give off gases, hydrogen and oxygen, you don't really want a boot or cabin full of these.

thanks...are the little connector pipes available for purchase anywhere? probably £15 from BMW

[E30M3SE]

I would not have thought they are that much, the bit that connects into the side of the battery (the elbow), tube and lower grommet are probably a couple of £'s at most.

drop BMwminiparts a line or Cotswold BMW.

[jaedba2604]

bmw part number 61211377835 if anyone else is missing it...apparently can corrode you boot floor if not fitted...given this and the apparent sub frame issue you may well find you arrive at work one morning without half your car. but don't believe everything you read on US forums...

[thegreengoblet]

jaedba2604 said:

i think there must be two different clamps, one with a long threaded bolt that goes down the side of the battery and clamps by the lip at the bottom...

That's the one... pain in the backside tbh! Wonder if I can retrofit the other type of clamp?

jaedba2604 said:

the only query i would have, is how essential is the breather tube? the little pipe that goes into the battery is missing in mine, the tube's there, just no way of connecting it to the battery...

It's a must have as others have pointed out.