Would someone with a E53 do me a massive favour?

[james8whippy]

Hey Guys,

Need a favour

I need to measure my battery bay but I can't get to it as there is a full up LPG tank on top of it at moment and weighs an absolute ton.

I need to know the maximum length I could fit in there.

At the moment I have the Bosch S5 and my local battery shop tells me its:

Length (mm) - 353
Width (mm) - 175
Total Height (mm) - 190

The Varta battery I want to order is:

Length (mm) - 393
Width (mm) - 175
Total Height (mm) - 190

So only slightly longer and I remember I have a slight bit of room in the Length but I don't think I could use the battery bracket to screw it in as it would go past that whole for the 10mm screw pole thingy but the LPG tank should stop it from moving anyway.

The battery shop won't order it until I can confirm it will fit as they can't send it back if its too big.

So if someone would be so kind get me the measurements I would really appreciate it

Thanks!
James

[DougieV8]

Hi James, just checked mine as can see a bit around my LPG tank - I have a 353 battery, at the left hand side at top there is around 35mm gap, cannot see right hand side but from memory more that side as secured there.
But remember there are ledges at bottom.

From memory the sides slope in a bit though so box narrower at bottom - I am sure a 393 would fit but would want a secure strap over top or such. You dont want the terminals bouncing off the tank!

[awj85]

hi james
sorry i can't help you as i am i the same situation with my lpg tank in the wheel well; however i am curious as to why you want rid of the S5 as i have recently (well January 2013) had one of these fitted to replace the original from March 2000 as the cca was very poor.

[james8whippy]

Thanks Dougie really appreciate you checking for me. I agree I think the 393 would probably fit so I will tell the shop it will fit and get it ordered. Your right I will need to make some strap/bracket to hold it in place to stop it from bouncing around.

awj85 - No problem thanks anyway! I think the S5 is probably a good battery for a standard X5. I've just bought a high powered amp and subwoofer so I need all the power I can get in that small battery space. I did originally look at the S6 but i've found a slightly more powerful battery. The shop tells me Bosch and Varta are made in the same factory and just have different stickers on them.

The Varta I'm looking at is the H15 105Ah AGM model -  http://www.varta-automotive.com/en-gb/products/start-stop/start-stop-plus/605-901-095

The S5 has 90Ah and 720CCA whereas this Varta has 105Ah and 950CCA and plus its a AGM so should be better suited for my needs.

Thanks
James

[Horizon]

My  Bosch S5 battery was 100 Ah it's the019

[james8whippy]

Oh really I didn't realise they did higher Ah models of the S5. The previous owner obviously went for the cheaper option on mine

[Horizon]

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/acces ... &0&cc5_996

I think the S4 is 90Ah, this is off Euro car parts, not sure if its for the X5 or not, I got mine from elsewhere
Ignore the link above, clicked on the wrong one

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_5 ... a87&000020

[james8whippy]

Oh so there is a S5 100Ah didn't know that!

My battery in the car is a Bosch BMW branded the part number is 61 21 8 381 78 it's white instead of silver but I am pretty sure its the S5 though I think... either way I know its cream crackered

[DougieV8]

Just checked my records - I got a 800CCA 100Ah battery for mine early 2012 - £76.50 delivered via ebay

[Lummox]

James.

I have just installed the same varta battery you are talking about and you will have to modify the base of the battery box in the car. There are two little bits of plastic that you will have to cut off. As for securing then that is another matter. There isn't room for the original securing bolt but the battery is such a snug fit that there is no movement. I just put mineput some some spacers in under the triangular framework that goes over the battery and wedged a peice of thin mdf above the battery and then sat the lpg tank down onto it. Snug as hell but no movement anywhere.

Lummox

[james8whippy]

Thats not a bad deal then Dougie!

Lummox thanks for confirming that particular model will fit at least I can now order it in confidence even if it does need some modifications to the battery box which should be now problem.

What's your first impressions of the Varta ?

[Lummox]

Absolutely fantastic mate. I haven't had any fault codes on the car since fitting it, the car starts a lot better now and I don't know if it's wishful thinking but the engine seems smoother and it seems to be a lot more punchy now when pulling away quickly. No complaints at all.

Craig

[james8whippy]

You've sold it to me Thanks again!