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Best Battery

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 1:06 pm
by A Blair
I am having the car converted to LPG this month. One of the issues of conversion is that the battery is under the LPG tank. Reading all the blurb on battery I cannot tell how old it is. So I am going to replace it. I have a CTEK which i plug in via the cigar lighter. This keeps the battery fresh and disguises its condition.
So my question to the forum is.
What experiences have you had with a new battery.
All comments welcome.
Any good recommendations. 

Re: Best Battery

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 1:31 pm
by X5Sport
The standard battery type is usually an AGM (Absobed Glass Mat) type - but not always - so it will be worth identifying whether or not you have one of those or a conventional ‘wet’ lead-acid type.

Varta batteries are popular and seem OK.

Bosch ‘Silver’ series are also popular, though there was a spate of premature failures a couple of years back.

Exide are generally good, and a few on here use them with no issues that I can remember.

I think some members are using Yuasa batteries too.  A brand well known to motorcyclists and generally OK I think.

Re: Best Battery

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:05 pm
by X5-D-Sport
I managed to squeeze a Varta 1000 Crank Amp battery in mine... fills the space tightly, & the starts are absolutely instant... and nothing less.
I also found that all the spurious error messages ceased when this was installed too.

Now. the only thing in my X5 with errors is my wife lol... ha ha

Best Battery

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 6:32 pm
by A Blair
Thanks X5 your a gent.
X5-D Sport Salisbury. 

Re: Best Battery

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 7:56 pm
by X5-D-Sport
If the rear of my car was empty & it was not pissing down with rain, I would gladly get the battery details for you Sir,

Very simply, if its 1000 Crank Amps or very close, I'd simply get the BIGGEST BATTERY that will fit in the hole, like I did.... job done Sir.  :-)

Re: Best Battery

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 8:30 pm
by Colin
this is what i installed ,  great battery Image

Re: Best Battery

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 9:30 pm
by henrym3
And don't forget Halfords are now offering a lifetime warranty battery 

Re: Best Battery

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2018 9:42 pm
by X5Sport
[quote="henrym3"]
And don't forget Halfords are now offering a lifetime warranty battery
[/quote]

Are they also in Antwerp?

Best Battery

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 6:02 pm
by A Blair
Hi
Thanks guys,
I now have a good idea of what battery to buy. I am working in Antwerp and live in Scotland. A TRFC fan by birth. Antwerp is a  nice city if anyone ever wants a tour or a passing beer. The car sailed through it's mot today with an advisary on a brake pipe.
Chuffed considering it was a dog 12 month ago. Still lots to do and enjoying it. Forum has been a tremendous help as its my first V8 and X5.
Thanks. 

Re: Best Battery

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 1:22 am
by lezmtaylor
Just a small point, make sure that flexible pipes are used in the installation, if you have to lift the lpg tank later on solid wall pipe will crack (I found out the hard way)
Also get the largest tank possible, as I have the sliding boot floor was able to fit a 95litre  Stako donut tank.
Also consider fitting a battery isolator ( see jeegnash post and my remarks).

Lez

Re: Best Battery

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 4:50 pm
by A Blair
Thanks for the pointers,
I will ask for the flexible pipes and isolator. Both make sense and will not add a great cost. Car is on the last week of the month so lots of time.
Some tasteful mods you have on the car too. I was wondering if you posted details of the mods up anywhere.
This month and next month its LPG / Battery / Rear sub frame bushes / coolant reservoir and PDC sensors.
After that I would like to look at adding a few mods. 

Re: Best Battery

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2018 3:22 pm
by A Blair
New Battery fitted. Big difference.
I have been reading about battery reset when the battery is replaced. Does anybody know if this is applicable to the E53? I can find battery reset for everything after the E53, the E70 for instance.

Re: Best Battery

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2018 4:43 pm
by X5Sport
E53 not necessary as it doesn’t have the IBS.

A lot of things are far easier on that generation X5.

Re: Best Battery

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2018 6:42 pm
by A Blair
Cheers X5 Sport

Re: Best Battery

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2018 7:44 pm
by Colin
What battery did you go for in the end