Should I replace the battery?

[Marcozi]

I just used BimmerLink to check my battery in 2018 M240i. It said the charge is at 68%. I drove the car about 25 miles (mainly interstate). The battery is original. The car starts without hesitation regardless of the temperature.

Should I just replace it? Which brand? Odyssey?

Thanks!
Marco

 

[2010Civic]

I wouldn't if it isn't giving you issues.

 

[Kira]

Why not throw it on a charger -out of vehicle- while you're thinking about it?

What size...CCA...

 

[Escape08]

Go to any auto parts store and have the battery analyze. Their gadget will tell you if the battery needs replacement. The service is free at all major auto parts stores.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

I suspect if you pull that battery with out supplying power to your onboard computer will lose its mind.

 

[burbguy82]

A low battery will over work the alternator, IMO, and alternators really wont bring up the charge of a battery that much anyway...... 7 years on a battery is a long time these days.

 

[f355spider]

I just used BimmerLink to check my battery in 2018 M240i. It said the charge is at 68%. I drove the car about 25 miles (mainly interstate). The battery is original. The car starts without hesitation regardless of the temperature.

Should I just replace it? Which brand? Odyssey?

Thanks!
Marco

East Coast WalMarts carry AGMs made by East Penn and include a four year free replacement warranty. Pretty hard to beat combination.
Surprisingly, many (not all) BMW dealers sell oem batteries at pretty good prices. Mine sells the oem AGM for $203 with a two year free replacement warranty.

Odyssey makes a great product, I have used them. If you decide to go that route, buy it from FCP Euro and you get a lifetime replacement warranty.
I believe your car takes a Group 49/H8?
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/automotive-battery-group-49-odyssey-49-950

 

[Marcozi]

I checked FCP Euro and it comes up with several Odyssey batteries. I’ll have to figure that out.

Question: FCP Euro shows that you have to buy battery terminals along with the battery. Is that true?

Thanks!
Marco

Update: Odyssey replacement is ODP-AGM94R H7 L4.

https://www.odysseybattery.com/products/odp-agm94r-h7-l4-battery-94r-850/

 

[f355spider]

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/automotive-battery-group-94r-odyssey-94r-850

Map pricing, which precludes them from listing anything but list price. I would call FCP and see if they might offer a discount.
Dinan does the same thing with their retailers for online listings, but I have called BMW dealers and they can offer significant discounts on Dinan products over the phone.

 

[f355spider]

I suspect if you pull that battery with out supplying power to your onboard computer will lose its mind.

Actually, this is not a problem with BMWs to the best of my knowledge. At least I have never seen it mentioned on the BMW forums I am on.

 

[Donald]

Well 68% is not great.

I would pull the battery, charge it overnight and then check it in the morning with a carbon pile load tester. That is the best way to test a battery. A conductance tester (Midtronics) is good but a carbon pile load tester is better.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Actually, this is not a problem with BMWs to the best of my knowledge. At least I have never seen it mentioned on the BMW forums I am on.

Well it sure seemed to be a problem on my Grandsons X3.

 

[Chris142]

25 Miles won't fully charge it. You need a couple hundred or so .

 

[f355spider]

Well it sure seemed to be a problem on my Grandsons X3.

Good to know, but may be specific to his particular car, or something he did?
Even BMW dealers do not mention any requirement to maintain power. I'm on three G30 (2017-2023 years) BMW forums and no one replacing their batteries has reported any issues, nor mention using any method to maintain power to the car.

https://www.competitionbmw.com/how-to-replace-a-bmw-car-battery/

Nor is it mentioned in this tutorial as required: (2011-2017 X3)

 

[spasm3]

I'd want to know what the actual voltages are. Measure across the posts with the engine running, and with the engine off.

 

[Marcozi]

I ended up ordering an Odyssey battery from FCP Euro. I will dispose of the old battery at the county hazardous waste disposal site.

 

[Nukeman7]

I ended up ordering an Odyssey battery from FCP Euro. I will dispose of the old battery at the county hazardous waste disposal site.

If you recycle it at O'Reilly Auto Parts, they will give you a $10 gift card, no strings attached.

Recycle Batteries at O'Reilly

 

[Halderm]

I’d replace but make sure the charging system in the car is working properly.

 

[Marcozi]

If you recycle it at O'Reilly Auto Parts, they will give you a $10 gift card, no strings attached.

Recycle Batteries at O'Reilly

the nearest O'Reilly's is 40 minutes away.

 

[Carmudgeon]

the nearest O'Reilly's is 40 minutes away.

Autozone and AAP have similar programs.

I recently took advantage of this. Tried first at AZ, which was crazy busy, so I went down the street to ORAP. Used the credit instantly since I needed some protectant.

They do have daily redemption limits, and will only take large vehicle-sized batteries, to discourage scavengers.