Optima Red Top battery

[0260IN5]

Does anyone has any experience with Optima Red Top 75/35 battery? I am thinking about using Optima for my next replacement... here is a link I found regarding installation of the Red Top 75/35 in a 2001 M Coupe...

http://www.ninemisfit.com/vehicles/2...ima/index.html

[BlueM3Racer]

I installed an Optima Yellow Top. Same experience as those instructions you posted. I used some foam to secure it and bought a cable from Advanced Auto Parts. It's taller than the OEM battery so I didn't use my black plastic cover on top. Between the regular plywood carpeted trunk and the Carpet trunk mat (///M embroidered one purchased at dealership) you can't tell a difference.

[Terry F.]

I use a Red Top in my roady. Raises the floor about an inch, not too bad. Battery lasts forever.

Terry

[MCoupeVet]

I installed an Optima Yellow Top. Same experience as those instructions you posted. I used some foam to secure it and bought a cable from Advanced Auto Parts. It's taller than the OEM battery so I didn't use my black plastic cover on top. Between the regular plywood carpeted trunk and the Carpet trunk mat (///M embroidered one purchased at dealership) you can't tell a difference.

I use a Red Top in my roady. Raises the floor about an inch, not too bad. Battery lasts forever.

Terry

Same here. No problems.

[0260IN5]

Thanks guys...it looks like an Optima Red Top is on order for me...

[felonious monk]

Been using a red top since 2005/6. No issues. The factory lid does fit, you just can't tighten the nuts down all the way. Tighten them just enough so nothing rattles or moves around. I'm using some high density foam blocks (the kind you find in Pelican cases). One of these days I'm going to wrap the battery and battery box in saran wrap and use high density expanding foam to make a proper one. That should take care of it for good.

[CaliAgents]

This is how I have my Optima secured: high density foam stuffed on all sides and the adjustable strap from a knee pad ^_^:



Monk - I'm not sure if the roadies use a different battery box but I wasn't able to even slightly secure the lid down after swapping in an Optima.

[Terry F.]

This is how I have my Optima secured: high density foam stuffed on all sides and the adjustable strap from a knee pad ^_^:



Monk - I'm not sure if the roadies use a different battery box but I wasn't able to even slightly secure the lid down after swapping in an Optima.

Very clean install! I need to consider someting like that. Thanks for the pic.

Terry

[0260IN5]

This is how I have my Optima secured: high density foam stuffed on all sides and the adjustable strap from a knee pad ^_^:



Monk - I'm not sure if the roadies use a different battery box but I wasn't able to even slightly secure the lid down after swapping in an Optima.

Thanks for posting the pic...thats a great set up...I think Optima Red Top is a little shorter than the Yello Top? maybe thats why the battery cover will fit over a Red Top installation?

[Terry F.]

Drew, why deep-cycle yellow top? Big audio?

Thanks,
Terry

[janikphoto]

I picked up a red top for my car recently. Not an M, just a regular Z3, but I had a similar experience as everyone else. The battery was a little taller, but I made the carpet/trunk cover work. I also added a universal battery tie down kit from pep boys and changed the stock positive cable for one slightly longer. My last red top battery lasted me five years, and was still strong when I sold the car. They are totally worth the extra money and install issues.

[CaliAgents]

Thanks for posting the pic...thats a great set up...I think Optima Red Top is a little shorter than the Yello Top? maybe thats why the battery cover will fit over a Red Top installation?

From my understanding they are the same dimensionally as long as they are both the same model (e.g. D51).

Drew, why deep-cycle yellow top? Big audio?

Thanks,
Terry

No particular reason. My oem battery was going on 6+ years which I just swapped it out for peace of mind even though the stocker had no issues. A Red Top would have sufficed given that my stereo upgrades don't need that much juice, but I grabbed the Yellow Top at Costco for the heck of it.

[felonious monk]

Monk - I'm not sure if the roadies use a different battery box but I wasn't able to even slightly secure the lid down after swapping in an Optima.

I think the two boxes/lids are the same. The difference is you have yellow top, I have red... I can still put the lid on. *shrug