BMW battery lasts 15 years

[Bob Kontak]

Yesterday replaced a BMW battery in an 08 328i. An E93 for the BMW numbering snobs. Also must add this - N51B30A. Yak!

Silly amout of time for this noob to replace and then register the battery.

However, fifth week and eighth year of the 2000's was stamped on the battery. Factory installed. Dang.

[masraum]

Very impressive! I think I've seen 7-8 years, but that's about it, and not common.

[javadog]

I got 13 years out of an original Porsche battery in my ‘86 930, before I dropped it off at a body shop to get a little touch/up work done on the rocker panels and they managed to kill it.

[stevej37]

I had 13 years on an Optima red top and it was still working fine. I didn't want to take any chances for more years, so I bought another red top.

That one lasted less than 3 years.

[pwd72s]

Impressive...does "sealed" mean AGM?

[manbridge 74]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I had 13 years on an Optima red top and it was still working fine. I didn't want to take any chances for more years, so I bought another red top.

That one lasted less than 3 years.

Yes, the first Optima’s were excellent. Made in Denver CO, I had red top last around 15 years, multiple discharges and below zero winters. The later, outsourced to other country Optima’s were garbage.

[Baz]

Also from the "They don't make 'em like they used to!" category.....the Kenmore microwave I bought used in 1990......is still working perfect 33 years later.

Analog......only two controls plus an open door lever.

Man those were the good old days!

[Bill Douglas]

Varta batteries.

You can buy a Varta battery as a replacement. It's probably a Varta with a BMW sticker on it.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Varta batteries.

They still have the original battery at advance auto. I'm going to go look for that brand name on it.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by javadog

I got 13 years out of an original Porsche battery in my ‘86 930, before I dropped it off at a body shop to get a little touch/up work done on the rocker panels and they managed to kill it.

I know the old Turbo batteries were monstrous in size. This one was huge..

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

I know the old Turbo batteries were monstrous in size. This one was huge..

There were two sizes of battery available in that era. The optional one was about a third bigger, if I recall correctly. That’s the one I had.

[GH85Carrera]

I replaced the battery in my wife’s 2017 Macan. The computer said it was at 65% and summer is coming. I did not want the call for help when it failed. So proactively I replaced it.
The exact same battery that my 85 911 uses. In the Macan I had to use the part number of the old Varta, the serial number I changed a digit from the old battery, and then punched in the amps and type (AGM) and everything worked.
The dealership wanted $750 just for the battery, I bought an Interstate battery for $280.

[Tobra]

Battery that came in my Integra lasted about 2 years, first replacement lasted 12

[pwd72s]

Might be worth buying a battery tester...the new styles that read resistance?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7A4diHowjs&ab_channel=BradleysGarage

[epbrown]

My sister called me wanting to know why the battery in her Focus was no longer holding a charge; turned out it was 12 years old. Then we have this long debate because she wants to replace the original battery with a cheap "reconditioned" battery with 6-month warranty.

[GH85Carrera]

Geezer voice on: Why back in the day, batteries just got weaker and weaker, and gave a ton of warning before they died. Now days they are fine one start, and minutes later totally just a big paper wight" End geezer voice.

I hate battery issues. A battery usually picks a very inconvenient time and place to die. When my batteries get to be 7 years old, I replace them regardless of current condition. Just like tires. Only I have never had a problem with my tires lasting 7 years as I tend to do too many autocrosses in the 911, and the El Camino gets driven enough to wear them out. My wife's Macan is a 2017 and on has 22,000 miles and the tires are not even worn down much, but they get replaced next year.