What size battery for a 2004 E-83 2.5i?

[EightGodzillas]

You're not going to believe this, but the local Hendrick BMW cannot tell me what battery I need to buy.

It's a 50 mile round trip for the nearest BMW dealership. I called to make sure they have a battery in stock and the lady on the phone asked me what the "ampage" was for the battery. I told her that I made the mistake of buying a non-OEM battery and I'm paying the price for it with a vast array of electrical issues. This being the case, I no longer have the OEM battery (it wasn't in there when I bought the car used) and God knows where the owner's manual is. She tried looking it up by VIN and her computer didn't have an answer.

Can someone tell me what battery I should buy for my car?

[Pelican Parts]

Hello - Your BMW X3 is equipped with a 6-cell 12-volt lead acid battery. Something like the Bosch S5 Premium will work.

[EightGodzillas]

Thanks. I appreciate the info. My concern is that I've heard from several people that my electrical problems are stemming from having an non-OEM battery. If I get one that's non-OEM and I still have problems, I won't know whether it's the battery or the car. While I'd rather just stick with the one I have or buy the Bosch, I think I need to go with the OEM to delete variables.

[Pelican Parts]

Thanks. I appreciate the info. My concern is that I've heard from several people that my electrical problems are stemming from having an non-OEM battery. If I get one that's non-OEM and I still have problems, I won't know whether it's the battery or the car. While I'd rather just stick with the one I have or buy the Bosch, I think I need to go with the OEM to delete variables.

Other members would need to confirm, but I believe Bosch is the OEM battery. The most important thing to remember is to have it registered when you get it installed - this way you won't have the possibility of power surges from non-compatible batteries.

[EightGodzillas]

You don't have to register the 2004 X3 2.5i. I tried to do the last one and they said it wasn't necessary. I've heard this from several other places as well. But hell, it's probably wrong information.

[MIKYZZ4]

Here are battery ratings for your vehicle:http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=61_1771
Personally I would choose the highest rating available-90AH 720A.
BOSCH S5 GROUP 49 BATTERY PART#S5533B

[MIKYZZ4]

BTW, OEM or non-OEM, not required or important, stable voltages provided by a reliable battery and alternator are.
the crucial factors are - proper capacity ratings are met,
Along with the proper size - expressed by battery group#.
The question about battery registration for your vehicle can be found by:
Phoning the question to a dealership service dept and confirming,
by reading the owners manual found here:https://carmanuals2.com/bmw/x3-2-5i-...s-manual-17693

[EightGodzillas]

Thank you.

[EightGodzillas]

BTW, OEM or non-OEM, not required or important, stable voltages provided by a reliable battery and alternator are.
... by reading the owners manual found here:https://www.bmwusa.com/owners-manuals.html

"The Owner's Manual cannot be displayed.
The Online Owner's Manual for this vehicle identification number (VIN) is currently not available."

Two dealerships cannot tell me what battery came in this car. They don't even know voltage ratings, only amp hours. I've spoken to four people who cannot tell me what voltage the battery should have. I asked, "What is the voltage?" and four times there was a long pause followed by "It's 70 or 90 amp hours." Well, one lady said that a battery had 520 "ampages" on it.

Meanwhile, The www.realoem.com link tells me that maybe the OEM batter isn't made anymore:

Battery from Exide (Warranty Only) 70AH 570A 1 61217586960 $183.00 ENDED
Battery from Exide (Warranty Only) 90AH 720A 1 61217586962 $210.00 ENDED
Battery Fa. Douglas (Warranty only) 70AH 570A 1 61218381738 $123.00
Battery Fa. Douglas (Warranty only) 90AH 720A 1 61218381762 $144.50


I think this battery must have had information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of Hillary Clinton because all trace of it have disappeared.

Also, the Greensboro, Best Carolina dealership said I need to measure the battery. You know, the OEM battery. They also weren't sure if I just measure LxW or LxWxD.

[MIKYZZ4]

Here are battery ratings for your vehicle:http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=61_1771
Personally I would choose the highest rating available-90AH 720A.
BOSCH S5 GROUP 49 BATTERY PART#S5533B

Here is the link:https://www.boschautoparts.com/en/au...?partId=S5533B

Btw, I have updated the link for manual, but battery info not available.
Batteries are standard 12volts.
You have the Amp-Hour ratings (70 or 90) choose the higher 90AH
You have the Cold Cranking Amperage(CCA) ratings (570 or 720) choose the higher 720A
You are overthinking the battery specs,I just provided Bosch as a good replacement option.
I obtain the replacement options directly from the battery manufacturers sites.