Hello fellow bimmerphiliacs;
I hope all is well. As always, I am in need of help and sage advice.
The batteries in my '97 850CI are dead. I did not drive it over the winter, and now I have to jump it each time. It will restart within the same day again, but will not do so the following day.
I am at the point where the original battery needs to be replaced. The local BMW dealership is asking $186 per battery.
Is there a place where I can get new BMW batteries cheaper? I would prefer to stay with a BMW poroduct.
Also, would anyone recommend (from experience), another brand and where I could get it?
I would appreciate any input/advice/suggestion.

Thank You

Interstate MTP-93 the way to go. Remember to replace both of them...Used by many owners here. Beats the BMW prices anytime.
You can find them at your local SAM's (about $90 each) if you have one, or search for other local places.

*exactly what he said

I am going to pick up 2 of them MTP-93 today but the cheapest I found in Los Angeles area is $129.

I am going to pick up 2 of them MTP-93 today but the cheapest I found in Los Angeles area is $129.

Interstate MTP-93 the way to go. Remember to replace both of them...Used by many owners here. Beats the BMW prices anytime.
You can find them at your local SAM's (about $90 each) if you have one, or search for other local places.


What is your opinion on Diehard International 49? They are about $140 per battery?

Anybody tried optima yellow tops? looking in to it

What I have been able to find thus far, is as follows:

1) The batteries sold by BMW dealers are not actual factory ones installed at production, which were made by VARTA. The batteries sold by BMW dealers in North America, are manufactured by Exide with a BMW label.

2) MTP-93s are made by Johnson Controls which manufactures DieHard/Interstate/Duralast batteries. JC now owns VARTA.

3) It seems that two companies have essentially cornered the market around the batteries that we need. It is uncanny as to how the Diehard Group 49 battery is basically the same price as Interstate MTP-93 ($139 vs. $135). By the way, I could not find any MTP-93s cheaper than this.

4) BatteriesPlus sells their 93Li product for $110, and it is manufactured by Eastpenn Deka. Their 49Li product is the same price.

The Autozone brand batteries I have are actually Bosch IIRC. Great price, 850cca and comes with the venting tubes. Way cheaper than the competition too.

MTP-93's
Optima's

Both work great for me, 3.5 years on the optima's already...

before you go and splash the cash did you see if there could be any service to the batteries?
Over night slow charge adding distilled water.....

i got one of them 25LBS batterys

I got the Bosch 49-850Bs at Peb Boys for $110 each, but this was in Delaware (no sales tax). Very happy with them so far. They have the vent holes ready to fit the factory tubes exactly.

I got the Bosch 49-850Bs at Peb Boys for $110 each, but this was in Delaware (no sales tax). Very happy with them so far. They have the vent holes ready to fit the factory tubes exactly.

I think those are the same as the Autozone ones I have. They were something like $80 each.

not that I care, but what's the flavor of light weight batteries people enjoy using?

Diehard Interstate=Nuffsaid.

not that I care, but what's the flavor of light weight batteries people enjoy using?

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_10001_10002_10683_-1_10365
iwent with the braille
http://www.jegs.com/i/Braille+Auto/147/B3121/10002/-1
this brand the odessy was also an option.
Huge weight loss

before you go and splash the cash did you see if there could be any service to the batteries?
Over night slow charge adding distilled water.....

i got one of them 25LBS batterys

Thanks for the advice. What is your suggestion for a charger, and the process of charging? Adding distilled water?

Be doing yourself a favor if you just buy new batteries, Lots of problems are eliminated with a good "SET", fwiw!

Best charger I've owned is the CTEK 3600. If buying new batteries, charge them fully PRIOR to initial install or they will never reach maximum charge-holding potential

+1
My car is taking a hit from my CTEK right now but it's far too purdy in LA today, So, It's coming off........:buttrock

I have contacted a company that sells the Ctek-7002 for about $100. My questions now is the appropriate manner in which I should charge the dead batteries.
Do I remove them both from the car and slow charge them? Do I need to check and repleneish fluids and/or electrolytes in the battery? How do I check them, and replace them? Where can I get the electrolytes, and directions for doing so?
Is there a site for all this info?
Lastly, do I still use these chargers after I either get the batteries charged or new batteries? Are you charging your batteries continually throughout? I assume that you are not removing them.

Have you ever replaced the batteries or know when they were last replaced? It's one of the few things you don't wanna half step with.

MTP-93's
Optima's

Both work great for me, 3.5 years on the optima's already...
8s,

Are you running Red or Yellow optimas?

Eli

I have Yellow Eli, They pay off when i over extend my Audio with the engine not running, They keep 3 audio amps and all the electric E31 Gremlins in check thus far.

http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Service_a_Car_Battery-Battery-F2225.html
Just look around a bit it is easy to do and you can chalk it up as experince