BMW e61 08 LCI AGM or wet battery help non auto stop start?

[alechb]

Ok so first post here I have an 2008 e61 LCI and the iDrive tells me the battery needs changing. Battery serial number S:61217555285. The question Is this an AGM or normal wet unit?

Top photo is of my battery which has no AGM markings second picture is of unit for sale with same serial number but clearly does have AGM markings. Both are same CCA and Amperage etc. I think my current battery, which is original from new (yes nearly 10 years old) might not be AGM as car does not have 'auto' stop start, just normal stop start button once key is in. Also if I put my Reg into battery buying sites, results give more after market non-AGM ones, but some are AGM - all rather confusing!

If mine is non-AGM, how can two batteries with same serial number be different? Also if my is not AGM and I buy an AGM one I imagine I will need to get the computer programmed to know what do with charging etc?

Thank you in advance for help - I am most grateful![url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/Y5KenOjn[/url]

[bigdom]

Standard is non agm. You could empty your wallet and put one in, it would make no difference. The coding is to change how it charges a new vs old battery, not the difference between wet cells and glass matted ones.

[alechb]

Thanks Bigdom, I was happy with old battery and figured I'd replace like for like so sealed standard battery not AGM is good news, as it will save a bit! Now just got to find the 'like' model.

Still don't quite get how same component (numbers) have different tech inside?

[bigdom]

Euro carparts or similar. Just make sure you have it coded to the car.

[eliot]

bigdom said:

Standard is non agm. You could empty your wallet and put one in, it would make no difference. The coding is to change how it charges a new vs old battery, not the difference between wet cells and glass matted ones.

Not what i read - they changed in 2004:
http://www.bmwlogicseven.com/?p=3788

[alechb]

So it might be that my old 2008 is actually AGM but not labeled on the cover as such? This could explains why it has the same serial number as one (lower above ) with labeled AGM / perhaps they didn't bother writing it on the older units but now do?

[alechb]

It also might explain why it has lasted so long near on 10 years.

[helix402]

Your car has an agm battery fitted from the factory and should have one. A new battery should be registered to the car using diagnostic equipment. If you change the battery size (amp age/current) this too needs logging to the car.

[helix402]

You can register it yourself with Carly for BMW app and dongle:

http://support.mycarly.com/knowledge-base/you-woul...

[Mr Whippy]

Slightly related.

Pretty sure my 04 Z4 was AGM but I just threw in a Bosch silver, it was the one down from AGM but the best 'normal' one.

Will mine be ok? Won't need coding etc? Seems fine so far.

[helix402]

I don’t think an 04 Z4 had an AGM battery. It was based the E46 which never had ibs, so you should be fine with your new battery.