Battery Upgrades ?

TheAllOriginal

Private
Dec 15, 2016
48
13
0
Baltimore, MD
Time for me to replace the battery, switching away from the heavy one that came with my car (big ol' 90ah that's stupid heavy). Looking for AGM lightweight OEM-like options, basically PnP. I am open to better options though.

The best option seems to be the Z4M/Mini OEM battery since firstly, it's just a shorter version than the one that comes on the 335i so it fits right in with little to no modification, and secondly, you save weight for a cheap price. The only problem is I believe it was non-AGM and to be discontinued, It's a was 55Ah rated battery which weighed around 36-38lbs. Only see the 70ah+ batteries, but may be wrong. Any ideas on the lightest OEM battery that's compatible?

The other option seems to be to go with an aftermarket battery. The only problem is most options are expensive and require some modification, like a custom bracket. Braille looks like a solid choice here. They offer three options a 21, 15, and an 11.5 lb AGM battery. The best choice for me seems to be the 21lb battery (Still a daily that uses electronics even though half gutted). The 21lb option is their most pricey option sitting at $241.49 and jumps up to a total of $411.94 with their bracket included. Although I heard that the Braille batteries are just Dekas with their terminals converted. Don't know if that holds true but, if so would make the battery less than half of the price of the Braille's one.

Open to any other recommendations you guys have, or if you have experience with any of these.
 

cloud9blue

Sergeant
Oct 17, 2017
255
190
0
Ride
09 E92 335i
You might find more answers on the M3 forums on this subject where ppl try to save as much weight as possible for road racing.
 

Rob09msport

Major
Oct 28, 2017
1,929
664
0
Monroe CT
Ride
09 335i msport le mans 18 x5
In use advance auto h8 agm as well it's big enough that Is the battery for my x5 as well so should be plenty. I'd love to wire up 120 18650s as a 4s though and have 900 cca with 90ah in light package lol
 

keyap

Lurker
Sep 2, 2017
15
5
0
Ride
N55 135i
If you go for a light weight option and are in a relatively cold climate, make sure you check out how it would cope and what's needed to keep it in good health otherwise starting after sitting for a while could prove interesting!
 
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EthanolTurbo

Specialist
May 25, 2018
73
43
0
Ride
2008 E92 335i 6MT, 2001 E39 M5
You can get a Deka and a bracket from a vendor (I forget who) for about $250 total.
 

R.G.

Lieutenant
Nov 17, 2016
668
326
0
Henderson, NV
Ride
E92 335, F10 M5
Optima red top. Something like 20lb saving. Bimmerworld makes a bracket for it
Running it for about a 1-2years and I just throw trickle charger on it during the week as it doesn't get lots of miles.

Some hate Optima now, didn't really look in to why, or don't remember what was cited as being the reason. May have to do with clubbing baby seals based on initial reactions I got for using one.

Get an M3 carbon front bumper carrier instead. Car needs to shed weight in the nose not the tail
 

9krpmrx8

Lieutenant
Nov 5, 2016
508
290
0
San Antonio, Texas
I went thru two Optima Reds in two years on my other car and one yellow on my Jeep. They were replaced under warranty but was a PIA. On my other car (Turbo RX-8) I switched to an Odyssey PC925 and never had another issue. Switched to a Diehard AGm on the Jeep and have never had another issue. My dad had an issue with a yellow as well that was only a year old so I am certain they are not what they used to be since my dad always ran them offroad and never had an issue. he too switched to a die hard AGM.
 
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Torgus

Brigadier General
Nov 6, 2016
2,671
2,194
0
Boston
Ride
ACF 6466 E92 + METH
optima are SHIT. stay the fuck away. they also fucked over hard working Americans but that is another story. Way overpriced for what they are. Buy a real quality battery and be done. again, stay the F away.
 
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TheAllOriginal

Private
Dec 15, 2016
48
13
0
Baltimore, MD
Running the Z4/cooper battery, got it new from the mini dealer. They're definitely not discontinued.
Sorry should have specified, the part number for the battery stated it was discontinued. When I looked up the available options (Z4) I did not see any with similar specs. Do you know the part number ? Anyway it also was not an AGM battery, unless they changed that.
 

ShocknAwe

Captain
Jan 24, 2018
1,472
1
729
0
Charleston, SC
Ride
N54/3 1er ///Mutt
Sorry should have specified, the part number for the battery stated it was discontinued. When I looked up the available options (Z4) I did not see any with similar specs. Do you know the part number ? Anyway it also was not an AGM battery, unless they changed that.

Just went and looked, terminal harness is sitting obnoxiously over the part number. I'll have to check my records and find the purchase receipt to get you the part number. I'll look for you when I get home tonight if I have time.

Also of note, I'd avoid the Braille and Deka batteries. They simply don't have the CCA for our cars unless you don't DD it and will charge and use, they also tend to cycle out in about a year or so of regular driving. That also said, Not sure I'd want to cut that much weight from the rear without a CF hood to match. Already removing weight by modifying exhaust and adding front weight with a huge FMIC. IF you want a super lightweight battery, I'd probably just go lithium cell.
 

DaeDoe

Lurker
Feb 22, 2017
22
13
0
Ride
08 335i coupe

Whenever this one comes out im gonna throw it in.

It says im a new member, but ive been here since the site opened. I just dont post that often.
 

TheAllOriginal

Private
Dec 15, 2016
48
13
0
Baltimore, MD
Just went and looked, terminal harness is sitting obnoxiously over the part number. I'll have to check my records and find the purchase receipt to get you the part number. I'll look for you when I get home tonight if I have time.

Also of note, I'd avoid the Braille and Deka batteries. They simply don't have the CCA for our cars unless you don't DD it and will charge and use, they also tend to cycle out in about a year or so of regular driving. That also said, Not sure I'd want to cut that much weight from the rear without a CF hood to match. Already removing weight by modifying exhaust and adding front weight with a huge FMIC. IF you want a super lightweight battery, I'd probably just go lithium cell.
Yea that was my only concern with them, too many mixed reviews on them

Whenever this one comes out im gonna throw it in.

It says im a new member, but ive been here since the site opened. I just dont post that often.
Would have been perfect but the a lil expensive for me. Believe the one I looked at was around $800
 

Torgus

Brigadier General
Nov 6, 2016
2,671
2,194
0
Boston
Ride
ACF 6466 E92 + METH
$800 is just silly for a battery.

I would be interested to know how the restart feature actually works. I am pretty sure I know how I would do it, but it would be nice to hear it from the manufacturer.