Correct Bosch Battery

dark_stranger · Post by **dark_stranger** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 12:58 pm

I have finally replaced my faulty alternator and looking to get the car back on the road after a month of it being parked on the driveway. I suspect the alternator went due to being overworked because of a undersized battery. Therefore the next job is to get a bigger battery and looking at the Bosch S5, but on eurocarparts there are 2 types. Which is the correct one?

MJim · Post by **MJim** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 1:41 pm

Is BOSCH the best brand to go for? My Golf V5 has been given 2 BOSCH Silvers by the RAC in the past few years. The car is rarely driven which I know doesn't help, but I've not been impressed by their longevity. I only accepted another one as it was discounted and came with a 4 year warranty.

graemeX5 · Post by **graemeX5** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:26 pm

Hi I think depend on which model you have but this link may help

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/https://xdr ... 152#p16152

CondorX5 · Post by **CondorX5** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 8:10 pm

All batteries will have a shorter life if not used regularly- thats the nature of lead acid batteries. Alarm systems cause constant drain and if usage is low, the battery never tops up and gradually dies a lingering death. Thats the sad story at our place as I have several cars which are not used enough and the bosch batteries seem to die quite easily - have lost two in a short period.

RAC replaced my Xes battery with an Exidewhen I was trying to trace the recent fault, it also has a 4 year warranty. Original BMW one was still ok after 7 years and it was an alternator fault ( warranty repair luckily)

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Nov 09, 2012 12:43 pm

I put an S5 into mine. I think the number refers to the length of the warranty?

As Condor says, lack of use is a battery killer and I now use a CTEK charger/conditioner on mine in the X6, and on the E46 to keep the battery charged. Having only done 8,000 miles in 2 years, it's essential to use one IMHO.

Richard

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Fri Nov 09, 2012 1:12 pm

On my first Z, I killed the battery in 2 years due to lack of use. Got a replacement under warranty but bought 5 CTEK 3600 chargers for all cars.

They are life savers (as in battery

).

Sanj · Post by **Sanj** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 1:18 pm

Get the Bosch S4 or S5 (the numbers do mean warranty years).

Make sure it's the heavy-duty diesel one, think S4 will be 95aH and the S5 will be 100aH.

Don't forget to connect the vent tubes too!

MJim · Post by **MJim** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 1:43 pm

[quote="pvr"]
On my first Z, I killed the battery in 2 years due to lack of use. Got a replacement under warranty but bought 5 CTEK 3600 chargers for all cars.

They are life savers (as in battery

).
[/quote]

Interesting to hear - i'd been warned that lack of use was bad, but hadn't realised how bad. At least it's covered by a 4 yr warranty now! Sadly can't get a charger as only on street parking here.

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 4:40 pm

[quote="pvr"]
On my first Z, I killed the battery in 2 years due to lack of use. Got a replacement under warranty but bought 5 CTEK 3600 chargers for all cars.

They are life savers (as in battery

).
[/quote]

seriously?? blo0dy hell!! my car has done just 5000 miles in the last year!

it sits in the driveway in the week days as i don't drive to work!! its a new Bosch S5 since last year autumn but i've noticed the battery goes down to about 11.8v by fri, as teh car mostly idles!

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 3:29 pm

[quote="X5Sport"]
I put an S5 into mine. I think the number refers to the length of the warranty?

As Condor says, lack of use is a battery killer and I now use a CTEK charger/conditioner on mine in the X6, and on the E46 to keep the battery charged. Having only done 8,000 miles in 2 years, it's essential to use one IMHO.

Richard
[/quote]

is it ok to charge through the power outlet in the boot (i believe this is not switched?) or is it necessary to go to the +/- terminals in the engine bay?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 3:44 pm

BMW recommend you use the points under the bonnet only. They are directly onto the battery, not switched, just via a long cable...

. Safest route as it bypasses the car electrics completely.

You probably can use the ones in the boot as long as you're not connecting a 'boil it' type charger. You know the ones, dead to boiled alive in two minutes!! We had one in the workshop that could throw 300A at a car battery.....which got a bit warm

. That type would probably blow the fuses!!

Richard

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 9:44 am

thanks Richard, i'm thinking of the CTEK... a trickle charger really cos i don't use the car as much and this sat (after just 6 miles from the previous sat), as usual the batt had gone a bit low.

which CTEK do ppl here use?

btw, on second thought i'd use the ciggi lighter hole on the dash, to prevent mrs doing a mr bean and driving away with the charger attached through the boot

)

mikem · Post by **mikem** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 10:11 pm

I`ve got a Ctek 3600 connected permanetly to my Exige, works well on the X5 too as long as its not totally dead. Takes a couple of days to fully recover a battery of that size.

briankerrys47 · Post by **briankerrys47** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 6:43 pm

Best place to buy CETEK!! and which one for X5 4.4I 10/2003 ::)

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 11:22 pm

amazon, if you don't mind paying a tax avoider!

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