Bosch S5 warranty (Batteries again sorry !)

[mikem]

Anyone had to rely on the warranty for replacement ?

Fitted in Jan '13 and the recent Cold weather is really hammering it. Leave the car sitting for 1 day and if the Aux heater is used before starting it just about has enough juice to start it but brings up all kinds of warnings and thinks it's -40C outside. If you let go of the key mid crank to try again, forget it - it's dead.

Battery megastore have an Alphaline Ultra High performance (still not AGM) but increased to 105 aH / 880 CCA for £81.50 delivered, has anyone tried these ? I'm tempted to order one rather than remove and go on a 45 mile round trip to argue the toss at ECP, who'll prob just test my existing battery with a volt meter and declare it fine.

Alternatively has anyone fitted an AGM battery to their E53 ? Are there any benefits on a non stop-start car or draw backs if the alternator isn't geared for them ??

[X5Sport]

AGM batteries are the OEM fit.  Hence the alternator output being at 14.4V.  Fitting non-AGM batteries can result in the battery being damaged by the over-voltage charging. 

Have you tried charging the battery fully and then see how it does?  It takes a minimum of 20 minutes running to put just one starting charge back in.  And that's with no lights, heaters, screen heater, seat heaters etc in use as that just increases the time needed to put it back.

Richard

[mikem]

Thanks Richard, E53 wasn't AGM from factory just ordinary Calcium (sealed) battery.

I believe AGM was standard on E70.

[X5Sport]

Calcium = AGM normally.  Or at least that's what the on line info I have read says... :noexpression:

Richard

[mikem]

No definitely not Richard unfortunately Calcium just means it's a sealed battery.

Unless it specifically says AGM it's not, I guess the biggest giveaway is price, AGMs in this size are £140+ For the very cheapest, the Bosch equivalent (S6 is ~ £180) but only comes with a 3yr warranty !

ECP have been pretty good, they rang back this morning and my local branch had an S5 in stock so they've exchanged it for me with balance of the original 5yr warranty carried over.

[X5Sport]

It seems different references and manufacturers say/build different things....and the Wiki I read a few weeks back said Calcium = AGM.  It seems as you say, it might, or it might not depending on whether it's Calcium/Calcium, or Calcium/Silver, or...... :blink: :blink: ???

Richard

[storminmike]

[quote="mikem"]
No definitely not Richard unfortunately Calcium just means it's a sealed battery.

Unless it specifically says AGM it's not, I guess the biggest giveaway is price, AGMs in this size are £140+ For the very cheapest, the Bosch equivalent (S6 is ~ £180) but only comes with a 3yr warranty !

ECP have been pretty good, they rang back this morning and my local branch had an S5 in stock so they've exchanged it for me with balance of the original 5yr warranty carried over.
[/quote]

...can I pop in here please?

The wife's car has a bosch s5 from ECP back in Jan 2013. Whilst doing some radio work I had the multi meter on the pwer leads and it was over 13v when the engine was running. When stopped it was low 11vs and it doesn't seem as spritely as the one in my car (which I have never changed)

It had been stood a few days and doesn't ever go too far in one go, 5 miles at tops

Not sure if it's a bit bad but how did you get ECP to swap yours.....just take it on trust?

[mikem]

Hi Mike, when fully charged it should be showing over 14V whilst running and over 13V when off.

Funnily enough mine was also purchased in Jan '13. I rang the customer services No and they emailed me a copy of the original receipt - just told me to go to my local branch and they'll swap it over after testing (I made sure it was totally flat and that they had a new one in stock first).

[Dan Alex]

We're heading towards -25 C apparently here, this evening, or the day after....I'll provide some feedback with regard to the battery S5 or S6, can't remember right now...but the situation is rather brownish i suspect

[Dan Alex]

[quote="mikem"]
Thanks Richard, E53 wasn't AGM from factory just ordinary Calcium (sealed) battery.

I believe AGM was standard on E70.
[/quote]

Mine's E53- fitted with AGM (black battery) is reckon twas an option of some sort (now, S5 or S6, don't remember what i've fitted in there) 2013 something...

[storminmike]

[quote="mikem"]
Hi Mike, when fully charged it should be showing over 14V whilst running and over 13V when off.

Funnily enough mine was also purchased in Jan '13. I rang the customer services No and they emailed me a copy of the original receipt - just told me to go to my local branch and they'll swap it over after testing (I made sure it was totally flat and that they had a new one in stock first).
[/quote]

Ever the one to keep receipts I have mine to hand in my "BMW Pelican Folder" aka known as the book of big Bills. I have one for each car. It also has the receipts for clips and widgets from BMW parts bin purchase but enough of that.

Thanks for the background.....i'll check it again this week.....probably pop the bonnet and leave it a while the  throw the meter at the under bonnet terminals