battery replacement for 550i
#1
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Florida
My Ride: 08 BMW 550i sport
battery replacement for 550i
hello,
i have an lci 2008 550i and it seems that my battery doesn t hold charge anymore.
i have the OEM exide discontinued part # 61 21 7 591 085.
My guess is that it is a non AGM battery.
1/ So the question is can i replace it myself by the OEM AGM-92h 61 21 7 639 053 without having to reprogram it,
2/ Is there a replacement to the initial battery that is non OEM and that does not require reprogramming? i just want to avoid a trip to the dealer.
much appreciated!
Thanks!
i have an lci 2008 550i and it seems that my battery doesn t hold charge anymore.
i have the OEM exide discontinued part # 61 21 7 591 085.
My guess is that it is a non AGM battery.
1/ So the question is can i replace it myself by the OEM AGM-92h 61 21 7 639 053 without having to reprogram it,
2/ Is there a replacement to the initial battery that is non OEM and that does not require reprogramming? i just want to avoid a trip to the dealer.
much appreciated!
Thanks!
#2
Senior Members
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 3
From: UpState SC
My Ride: 2008 535i LCI with sports/premium package, Sports trans with paddle shifters, CF emblems, JB4 Software, Dinan Exhaust, Navigation, M5Tech body kit, Carbon wrap interrior trim and CIC Controller.
You might be able to get away with replacing it with something other than you have but it will most likely need to be programmed and registered. I have an 08 535 and got an exact replacement from auto zone for around 150.00 and they installed while I drank my beer and watched... Seven year warranty, fully replaced up to five. Even if you didn't register it and it prematurely failed, just go get it replaced. It sure beat spending 450.00 at the Stealer! If you stay with the same battery all you should do is register it as programming would not be needed.
#3
You can get a correct sized battery at an auto parts store. Just don't use their system. Make sure the terminals and the physical dimensions match.
Also maintain the same type of battery, either the flooded lead acid or the AGM that your car has in it now. Both are available from the Auto parts store. Just bought mine from Advanced Auto a few weeks ago (the AGM version size H8) for $124 using $50 off online coupon (do a google search for it).
You are supposed to register, but like Tony says above, saving $400+ from the dealer and many people report going many years without registering the change.
Now if you change from FLA to AGM or vice versa, that does require a coding change in the CAS module.
BMW flooded lead acid batteries are white and the new AGM ones are black. I think the size for the FLA at the auto part store is the 95R.
Also maintain the same type of battery, either the flooded lead acid or the AGM that your car has in it now. Both are available from the Auto parts store. Just bought mine from Advanced Auto a few weeks ago (the AGM version size H8) for $124 using $50 off online coupon (do a google search for it).
You are supposed to register, but like Tony says above, saving $400+ from the dealer and many people report going many years without registering the change.
Now if you change from FLA to AGM or vice versa, that does require a coding change in the CAS module.
BMW flooded lead acid batteries are white and the new AGM ones are black. I think the size for the FLA at the auto part store is the 95R.
#4
+ 1
As previous posters have stated stay with the type of battery you have. 2008 was sort of on the edge time wise of the move from FLA to AGM. If your battery has white top it is FLA. Black top is AGM.
AGM should never be charged with more than 14.7V during charging. If an AGM battery is registered, the ECM will limit charging in cold weather when the battery charge is very low to 14.7V max. If an FLA battery is registered in the ECM, the charge voltage in cold weather with a low battery can exceed 15V at times, which can damage an AGM battery.
AGM batteries will withstand deep cycling a little better than FLA, but other than that the advantages of AGM over FLA are not huge, and probably not worth the cost of registration if you have FLA now.
As previous posters have stated stay with the type of battery you have. 2008 was sort of on the edge time wise of the move from FLA to AGM. If your battery has white top it is FLA. Black top is AGM.
AGM should never be charged with more than 14.7V during charging. If an AGM battery is registered, the ECM will limit charging in cold weather when the battery charge is very low to 14.7V max. If an FLA battery is registered in the ECM, the charge voltage in cold weather with a low battery can exceed 15V at times, which can damage an AGM battery.
AGM batteries will withstand deep cycling a little better than FLA, but other than that the advantages of AGM over FLA are not huge, and probably not worth the cost of registration if you have FLA now.
Last edited by BimmerFan52; 01-14-2014 at 07:36 AM.
#5
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Florida
My Ride: 08 BMW 550i sport
ok thanks,
i do have a white top so FLA. Since i want to avoid the trip to the dealer, i might get the closest match at autozone and not register it.
i ll think about it further but now i better understand my options.
Thanks for the suggestions, very much appreciated!
Cheers,
i do have a white top so FLA. Since i want to avoid the trip to the dealer, i might get the closest match at autozone and not register it.
i ll think about it further but now i better understand my options.
Thanks for the suggestions, very much appreciated!
Cheers,
#6
Senior Members
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 3
From: UpState SC
My Ride: 2008 535i LCI with sports/premium package, Sports trans with paddle shifters, CF emblems, JB4 Software, Dinan Exhaust, Navigation, M5Tech body kit, Carbon wrap interrior trim and CIC Controller.
ok thanks,
i do have a white top so FLA. Since i want to avoid the trip to the dealer, i might get the closest match at autozone and not register it.
i ll think about it further but now i better understand my options.
Thanks for the suggestions, very much appreciated!
Cheers,
i do have a white top so FLA. Since i want to avoid the trip to the dealer, i might get the closest match at autozone and not register it.
i ll think about it further but now i better understand my options.
Thanks for the suggestions, very much appreciated!
Cheers,
#7
Thread Starter
New Members
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Florida
My Ride: 08 BMW 550i sport
Hello,
I ended up getting this one from Advance Auto Parts. It s working great so far without programming.
i ll keep the forum posted on any new developments.
The battery is AutoCraft Gold Battery, Group Size 95R, 950 CCA
Thanks for all the help folks!
Cheers,
I ended up getting this one from Advance Auto Parts. It s working great so far without programming.
i ll keep the forum posted on any new developments.
The battery is AutoCraft Gold Battery, Group Size 95R, 950 CCA
Thanks for all the help folks!
Cheers,
#8
Administrator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 102
From: Fairfield County, CT
My Ride: 530xi
Model Year: 2007
Engine: N52
Without registration, you probably won't know that you should have done it for a year or two when you start scratching your head as to why the battery only lasted as long as it did. I got 7+ years out of my last one.
#9
Members
Senior Members
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 45
From: Denver, USA
My Ride: 2006 BMW 530xi 6MT
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
I just replaced my non-AGM with the same as BMW4631 above from Advance Auto Parts:
AutoCraft Gold Battery, Group Size 95R, 950 CCA 95R/H9: Get best Battery at Advance Auto Parts
If you search Google you should be able to find a $40 off coupon for online ordering
You can register using this (look at the PDF and skip to the Register section since you aren't changing battery type or specs):
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11379622&postcount=48
Or this:
BMWLogger – Welcome to BimmerSoftware.com
Be sure and reconnect the vent tube and block the opposite end of the battery vent tube opening.
AutoCraft Gold Battery, Group Size 95R, 950 CCA 95R/H9: Get best Battery at Advance Auto Parts
If you search Google you should be able to find a $40 off coupon for online ordering
You can register using this (look at the PDF and skip to the Register section since you aren't changing battery type or specs):
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11379622&postcount=48
Or this:
BMWLogger – Welcome to BimmerSoftware.com
Be sure and reconnect the vent tube and block the opposite end of the battery vent tube opening.
#10
Exactly how battery registration is supposed to extend life is somewhat of a mystery, and I have yet to find an in-depth explanation of the age mapping algorithm and how it achieves longer life.
According to the little information out there, the ECM will charge an older battery harder than a new battery, but since undercharging is the most common reason for short battery life, updating the registration to charge the battery less (all other things being equal) seems counterintuitive.
The only area I see that makes registration critical is a move from a FLA type battery to an AGM type. AGM batteries should never be charged at a voltage higher than 14.7V. In a low ambient temperature if an FLA type battery is measured at a low state of charge, the ECM can direct the alternator output to exceed 15V. If the ECM thinks the FLA battery is still installed it could potentially drive system voltage too high in an attempt to accelerate charging.
But the main cause for short battery life is the battery sitting at less than a full charge, which leads to cell plate sulfation. Very short term sulfation is reversible when the battery reaches a full charge again, and even medium sulfation is reversible through a designed period of overcharging while controlling temperature, but if the battery sits on a short charge for extended periods the crystalline formation on plates permanently hardens and forever blocks future charging.
And other than a malfunctioning alternator or voltage regulator, or a parasitic drain from a malfunctioning power consumer in the car, a low battery charge is almost always the result of driving habits. BMWs use a huge amount of power, and a seldom used car, a car that experiences multiple short trips or a car that is driven slowly in stop and go traffic will not fully charge the battery. And the ECM in conjunction with the alternator can only work within the limits of engine speed and ambient temperature to optimize charging (excessive battery temperature when charging at high voltages causes water in the acid solution to be boiled away).
Batteries are not that expensive and whether you get two, three, five or seven years of life there is not a huge difference in annualized cost. For most people the annoyance of being stranded is a far bigger issue. By occasionally measuring your battery voltage after the car has gone to sleep (using a $5 multimeter) you will know if you are undercharging the battery and can expect a shortened battery life.
If driving habits lead to an undercharged battery, the best solution is a battery tender, which keeps the battery fully charged and prevents sulfation, but generally requires private garaging of the car. If you cannot conveniently use a battery tender, then after two years have your battery tested for free at an auto store every six months to get an early warning of impending failure and replace it before you are stranded.
According to the little information out there, the ECM will charge an older battery harder than a new battery, but since undercharging is the most common reason for short battery life, updating the registration to charge the battery less (all other things being equal) seems counterintuitive.
The only area I see that makes registration critical is a move from a FLA type battery to an AGM type. AGM batteries should never be charged at a voltage higher than 14.7V. In a low ambient temperature if an FLA type battery is measured at a low state of charge, the ECM can direct the alternator output to exceed 15V. If the ECM thinks the FLA battery is still installed it could potentially drive system voltage too high in an attempt to accelerate charging.
But the main cause for short battery life is the battery sitting at less than a full charge, which leads to cell plate sulfation. Very short term sulfation is reversible when the battery reaches a full charge again, and even medium sulfation is reversible through a designed period of overcharging while controlling temperature, but if the battery sits on a short charge for extended periods the crystalline formation on plates permanently hardens and forever blocks future charging.
And other than a malfunctioning alternator or voltage regulator, or a parasitic drain from a malfunctioning power consumer in the car, a low battery charge is almost always the result of driving habits. BMWs use a huge amount of power, and a seldom used car, a car that experiences multiple short trips or a car that is driven slowly in stop and go traffic will not fully charge the battery. And the ECM in conjunction with the alternator can only work within the limits of engine speed and ambient temperature to optimize charging (excessive battery temperature when charging at high voltages causes water in the acid solution to be boiled away).
Batteries are not that expensive and whether you get two, three, five or seven years of life there is not a huge difference in annualized cost. For most people the annoyance of being stranded is a far bigger issue. By occasionally measuring your battery voltage after the car has gone to sleep (using a $5 multimeter) you will know if you are undercharging the battery and can expect a shortened battery life.
If driving habits lead to an undercharged battery, the best solution is a battery tender, which keeps the battery fully charged and prevents sulfation, but generally requires private garaging of the car. If you cannot conveniently use a battery tender, then after two years have your battery tested for free at an auto store every six months to get an early warning of impending failure and replace it before you are stranded.