(2012) X6 E71 40d Battery Specs / Replacement

[max]

Hi team

It’s been a little while but I have found my way back here…..I hope all Xdrivers are well

Anybody any thoughts on this battery for a pretty loaded X40d https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/bosch/s5a15/
Is it worth going for a genuine BMW replacement?

The car doesn’t cover many miles (mainly local) and the Increased Battery Discharge has flagged a few times, particularly when it’s extra cold. I think the battery is likely to be coming towards the end of its life. Is the battery I’ve linked overkill or are specs in line with what’s required?

Many thanks
Max

[Alan Gunn]

Looks just the job to me.
Good firm to buy from as well.

[X5Sport]

X6 battery is an 019 format, AGM type.

Needs to be coded when changed due to the Intelligent Battery Systrm.

I have one of these: https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/yuasa/ybx9019/

Been on for some years (more than 5) but now nearing end of life. If you are doing short journeys then you’ll need a battery conditioner of some sort. I have to recharge the E46 and E71 every few weeks if not being used. It takes around 20 miles just to put the starting charge back in.

[Leslie]

Id take the cover off and see whats fitted now might not even be an Agm battery best to check first and if you are not using it much it really does benefit from a battery top up regularly with a smart charger

[max]

X6 battery is an 019 format, AGM type.

Needs to be coded when changed due to the Intelligent Battery Systrm.

Interesting, both 019 and 020 show up as fitment options, thus me looking at the 020 option I linked - I’ll try and look up what the difference between the 019 and 020 figment is.

I might also as Leslie has suggested get the covers off and have a look what’s fitted in there, I’m sure it’s still the factory battery.

I was trying to work out if it was worth going for a higher spec battery with higher CCA and Capacity

[X5Sport]

The 019 is the standard OEM fitment with AGM chemistry. Not all capacities and CCA are supported by the IBS system. It’s not a major issue as it just means the battery charge aging system will be slightly out. Mine had a 90Ah OEM AGM but now has a 95Ah 850A CCA. The nearest coding step was 92Ah (BMW switched to that in 2019). It’s never been an issue.

019 to 020 format will only be a minor measurement difference. 40mm longer. Everything else is the same.

As long as you get it coded within a short time of replacing it, all will be fine. If it’s left ‘as was’ the IBS will assume an old battery and charge accordingly. That won’t do the battery any good long term.

At least the X6 battery is easier to change than the E53 X5 was!

[Alan Gunn]

E53 battery change is a major task.
Never had a car with a hidden battery before i got this lol.

[max]

Don’t remind me of the fun and games of where the battery is in the E53 is

Great info X5Sport - so in essence the IBS system taps out at 92Ah irrespective of how much higher the battery might be….is there a maximum for the CCA?

[X5Sport]

I haven’t seen anything about CCA in the App that I use. I think that’s really only important when the air temps are way down - such as a Swedish winter. The starter only draws about 180A anyway. These cars do draw a lot just with the ignition in. I measured about 70A once on the X6! To me it feels like how many times it will crank after a failed start before turning its toes up and refusing to play!

[max]

So I did a quick check to see which battery I already have in place and interestingly it is a 105Ah with 950 CCAs. Measuring the length also takes it close to the 393mm listed for the Bosch S5 A15 that I linked in my OP. You can just make out the manufacture date on the negative terminal, so I’m quite happy this is the original battery from factory - just a but surprised X5Sport your 40d came with a 90Ah from factory.

Our X6 is pretty much every option including the rear TV, so I wonder if that contributes to having a higher capacity battery from factory?
I’ll try and find a VIN checking service to see if it lists a higher spec battery in the spec list, incase this helps anybody with this query in the future

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[X5Sport]

That might be the answer. I have fewer options. I’ve got a towbar fitted and that added bigger fans, but not the full fat 3.5T towing capacity. That shows up by having an added set of vents in the left side front fog light trim (if you have a towbar!).

Having checked against the week using your battery manu date, RealOEM lists four for your year, 70, 90, 92 and 105A. Must be options controlled at a guess. The 105Ah only begun in 10/2011. For mine it’s 70, 90 or 92Ah. Both of ours have the same 230A alternator (fitted if 4-zone climate option).

Yours has lasted very well though. 6 years is the average

Every day is a school day

[max]

Everyday is a school day Spec list shows it as 105Ah - it must be the spec options which determine which battery you have from new. Hopefully coding will have a simple new replacement with the same capacities option.

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I might get a battery price from BMW just for the

[X5Sport]

I would imagine it will do given it’s an official change. I know Carly (the OBD2 reader I use) can code the battery so it should contain all the later changes. I think mine is heading for EOL so I may have a closer look. I’ve had to replace the ODB2 plug in module for Carly this month as my original version doesn’t fully support newer coding options. When I’ve got a few mins I’ll see what it shows

[max]

Quick update on this, even though a Ctek battery recondition cycle seemed to have topped the battery back up to full, I decided to bite the bullet and get the Bosch S5A15 (020). At 30 odd kg’s I was not going to risk my back, so I took it over to my regular local garage I use and trust - 20 mins later all swopped and coded to confirm a replacement of the same specs had been put in place. I can certainly tell the difference on starting up, let’s see if this Bosch can last out 10+ years. Cheers all for the advice