XSeries-forum

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?

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.

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

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

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)

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

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 ).

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!

[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.

[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!

[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?

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

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 )

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.

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

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