Best Battery Replacement Options

[mpower22]

I have an optima yellow top. Its the battery i use in all my vehicles. Have one in my 2008 toyota with a sound system. Installed it with the system in 2008. Have drained it dead couple of times in recent years and it still holds a full charge. 12 years. Optima makes a yellowtop for the e46. No board needed.

Ah, I see. That must be new, since 2018 or 2019.. definitely didn't exist before that. The H6 from Optima would be the new fit for this. The D35 is smaller and lighter (with smaller CCA along with it), but is served me very well unless the car was sitting for over a week. In that case it would be good to put a tender on it.

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Safety-Race-Interior/Battery-Electrical/OPTIMA-H6-BMW-DIN-Direct-Fit-Replacement-Battery.html

[EYEHAVEYOU]

Just went to the dealer and bought a new OEM one last year, came to $195 with tax FWIW.

[jk715]

Picked up a ytx30l 10 lbs for $50 during holidays. 3D printed a h7 adaptor base frame. Works fine for track /weekend car. Keep on charger when i know it’s gonna be in storage for more than a week.


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[eacmen]

The car is in storage right now. I'll snap a pic next time i go see her.

I would seriously reconsider getting the restart button if you can. Otherwise you will need a jump starter if the car sits for too long.


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Sorry it took so long. Just got the car back in the garage. Here are the pics of the bracket that was fabricated for the anti-gravity battery. Basically two L brackets and one large U bracket. Some flat aluminum bar stock and a metal brake should make easy work of this.

[Radekxpl]

Sorry it took so long. Just got the car back in the garage. Here are the pics of the bracket that was fabricated for the anti-gravity battery. Basically two L brackets and one large U bracket. Some flat aluminum bar stock and a metal brake should make easy work of this.

Good looking solution 👍, about pull a trigger on ATX-30 will need mounting solution.


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[Norocehcap]

I went with a Champion H5 for $125, slightly smaller and lighter then stock H7 and have had no problems in my weekend streetcar.

[Ghost_M3]

If its a street car with options (radio, heated seats etc) then just go for OEM equiv (H7 i believe).

If its a track car or dont have much electronic options then the CSL/Mini battery is a good ligherweight option (H5 i believe)

Beyond that is the lithium options which are big money and a pain in the butt for a weekend street car, but worth it for a track car.

I own an antigravity battery and I don't mind it for a track car I know I would hate it on a street car.


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I love the antigravity battery for my track build. Same size as oem so I didn’t need to modify the battery strap but and it’s about 6lbs

[eacmen]

Good looking solution 👍, about pull a trigger on ATX-30 will need mounting solution.


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Thanks. I’m not aware of any off the shelf brackets. I think you’re going to have to fabricate something.

I had a hard time finding battery post nuts for the charger pigtail. I got sick and tired of hooking up the tender/charger clamps to the battery terminals. I found these worked well for the motorcycle-style battery terminals and let me mount the charger pigtail to the battery permenantly:

BikeMaster Battery Bolt 6x10mm... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004C1ZRMO

[hsq]

For a street car that is driven once every 2-3 weeks, would you guys recommend the Champion H5 or H7?

Wanted to know your opinions both in terms of fitment (easiest to install and fit) and in terms of starting reliability without a trickle charger. Or if you guys recommend a better battery/set up for cars driven once every 2-3 weeks.

Below are links of the sample batteries in this thread:

https://www.pepboys.com/champion-agm-battery-group-size-h7/product/2071662

https://www.pepboys.com/champion-premium-battery-group-size-h5/product/2292762

Thanks.

[Nate047]

Just get an OPTIMA Red Top with a BimmerWorld mounting tray.

[TramRam]

I went with an H8 sized Wal-Mart Platinum Ever Start AGM & love it. The car has sat for a month and NO PROBLEM cranking! If you track the car you might be concerned about its weight. H7 is the standard size but the H8 fits into the existing bracket perfectly with no mods. It's all about what you do with your car.

[ZHPizza]

Good looking solution 👍, about pull a trigger on ATX-30 will need mounting solution.


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I actually bought some stretchy velcro straps for mine lol

Saw a guy post about that setup in an e90 and was like well shit I guess it really makes sense for holding something that light.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showpost.php?p=22107272&postcount=6

[eacmen]

I actually bought some stretchy velcro straps for mine lol

Saw a guy post about that setup in an e90 and was like well shit I guess it really makes sense for holding something that light.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showpo...72&postcount=6

I would not trust that in a wreck.

Background: We had a CSL battery in our old car with the OEM mount. Cranked down the mount and the battery was TIGHT. Passed tech at every event, even the anal ones. Got in a wreck on track and the battery still shifted and shorted to the chassis and was hot to the touch. Marshals got to it real quick so it didnt start a fire.

Keep in mind its not just about flying away, the battery can’t shift at all in a wreck.

I don’t know how lithium batteries react when shorted to ground but traditional ones its dangerous.

Personally I would reconsider this solution.

[hsq]

I went with an H8 sized Wal-Mart Platinum Ever Start AGM & love it. The car has sat for a month and NO PROBLEM cranking! If you track the car you might be concerned about its weight. H7 is the standard size but the H8 fits into the existing bracket perfectly with no mods. It's all about what you do with your car.

Like this one?: https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart...0-CCA/40647529

[ZHPizza]

I would not trust that in a wreck.

Background: We had a CSL battery in our old car with the OEM mount. Cranked down the mount and the battery was TIGHT. Passed tech at every event, even the anal ones. Got in a wreck on track and the battery still shifted and shorted to the chassis and was hot to the touch. Marshals got to it real quick so it didnt start a fire.

Keep in mind its not just about flying away, the battery can’t shift at all in a wreck.

I don’t know how lithium batteries react when shorted to ground but traditional ones its dangerous.

Personally I would reconsider this solution.

Thanks for the input! I obviously hadn't considered the potential for a short after an impact. I have some aluminum I can fabricate into a more sturdy strap like above. Appreciate it!