G12 - Anyone find a 105AH battery?

[JellyStyle]

Autozone only sells the H9, 100AH and bimmercode only offers 90 and 105AH for battery registrations. Specifically to the G12 LCI, does anyone know which one to use? Its mixed information in other forums..

I want to replace all my BMW batteries with the Autozones 3 years, and I often replace then right before the 3 years is up, and keep the process going, but not sure how to register the main battery, and then the aux battery under the hood.

Bmmercode only shows an update for battery, and not select which battery, has anyone registered their AUX battery with bimmercode? and if so, which battery size did you select for a 100AH, 105? So weird that folks don't make a 105AH anymore, only BMW or random places.

ALso any of the batteries at O-Reilly or Autozone also do not have Vent Tubes, everyone just leaves them off? or is this BMW's way of overpaying for their batteries.

[Qsilver7]

First, did you call your local BMW dealership’s PARTS department to get a price quote for the 105AH BMW battery? I replaced mine in Jan/2023 and my local dealer sold it for $236. With my BMW CCA discount and core charge return…I was out the door for $227.

The only aftermarket 105AH AGM battery I cold find locally was one sold at Batteries Plus…but it was also the most expensive of all the 100AH & 105AH batteries…at over $300+.

In regard to the AH coding in Bimmercode…if your battery’s exact AH rating is not listed…simply select the rating that is closest to the battery you’re installing. A 100AH battery can use the 105AH coding. A 90AH/92AH/95AH can use the 90AH coding selection.

In regard to the vent tube…you pull the little black elbow out of your old battery and reuse it along with the car’s gray vent tube. Sometimes (like in my case) the BMW battery came with both a new little black elbow and an additional plug to insert into the vent hole on the other side of the battery. If you go aftermarket battery, they usually have a knock-off plug built into one of the battery posts covers. So don’t throw your covers away until you’ve remove the plug to insert into the other vent hole in your battery.



If you’re aux battery doesn’t have an IBS on its negative battery cable….then it doesn’t need to be registered. If it does have an IBS (intelligent battery sensor), then when you open your BIMMERLINK app to register the new replacement battery, the app should see it/recognize it and offer you a selection for registration. The aux battery in my f06 didn't have an IBS so it didn’t need to be registered when replaced. It is managed by the PCU (power control unit).

Just an FYI for those that don’t know…CODING & REGISTRATION are two different things. You only need to code a battery if you change its type and/or size. In the scenario where you’re installing a new battery and your old one was a 105AH AGM battery and you replace it with a 100AH AGM battery…then you don’t need to code the battery change because they are basically the same type and size. BUT…you will need to REGISTER the new battery.

In the pics below you can see the car’s (gray) vent tube and the old little black elbow that facilitates connecting the vent tube to the battery…I didn’t need to use the new black elbow that came attached in a little plastic baggy…but I did have to use the new additional plug (it was black just like the elbow piece) to insert into the other vent hole on the opposite side of the battery. This prevents any off gasses from the battery from filling the enclosed battery compartment. Any off gasses are carried to the exterior of the car through the gray vent tube.

[JellyStyle]

Thanks mate, you're the best.
What does a IBS (intelligent battery sensor) look like on the AUX battery?

To be clear, the active steering battery is the small Lawn Mover battery next to the rear big H9 in the rear trunk., The AUX is the one H5 under the hood, right?

Once you let me know on the IBS, then I can get to town on the venting and plugs if need be. Thanks

Joe

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by JellyStyle

Thanks mate, you're the best.
What does a IBS (intelligent battery sensor) look like on the AUX battery?

To be clear, the active steering battery is the small Lawn Mover battery next to the rear big H9 in the rear trunk., The AUX is the one H5 under the hood, right?

Once you let me know on the IBS, then I can get to town on the venting and plugs if need be. Thanks

Joe

You can have multiple aux batteries. Depending on how the vehicle is optioned, you could have one in the back near the larger main 12 volt battery…as well as one in the engine bay. The aux batteries can also be the same type (AGM) or a combination….one Lithium and one AGM.



The IBS is very simple…but is attached to the negative battery cable…see info below:

[JellyStyle]

Thanks mate. I will look and also see what BImmerlink comes up with when I connect.

[Qsilver7]

If the app doesn't see the auxiliary batteries...then you won't need to worry about registering them. They are being "handled" by either a PCU or other control module.

[JellyStyle]

anyone looking for the 105AH, this is what my dealer said they have plenty in stock, maybe BMW makes them again..

61-21-5-A40-E33

[Raimo5]

That is really odd. Is that a US specific scenario only, because in Europe, we can get 105Ah original battery as well as other manufacturers.

BMW - 61217604808
Bosch - 0 092 S5A 150
Centra - CK1050
Exide - EK1050
Varta - 605901095D852

All 105Ah and good quality batteries.

ISTA allows for registration of battery capacities other than 92Ah or 105Ah.

[JellyStyle]

Originally Posted by Raimo5

That is really odd. Is that a US specific scenario only, because in Europe, we can get 105Ah original battery as well as other manufacturers.

BMW - 61217604808
Bosch - 0 092 S5A 150
Centra - CK1050
Exide - EK1050
Varta - 605901095D852

All 105Ah and good quality batteries.

ISTA allows for registration of battery capacities other than 92Ah or 105Ah.

Great to have those but we cannot get any of those in the USA. I'd love to get the Bosch, that comes with a 4yr warranty too, getting it replaced would be a miracle, since I have to buy and ship from the UK. ha
About 500 USD to get this bad boy. https://www.ebay.com/itm/133956519391?

[Raimo5]

I wonder why 105Ah batteries are not available there.

And yeah, buying one from abroad would be so expensive that it's better to get one from BMW.

[JellyStyle]

Originally Posted by Raimo5

I wonder why 105Ah batteries are not available there.

And yeah, buying one from abroad would be so expensive that it's better to get one from BMW.

BMW USA only warranty batteries for 2 years. if one can get their hands on the Bosch, is 5 years, just makes no sense at all. And our cars do eat batteries, I have replaced them every 3-4 years religiously even with registration and keeping topped off. Probably why BMW has them as 2 year only warranty haha

[Raimo5]

F series tend to eat batteries, but I haven't heard of any noticeable issues with G series. My 2016 has original factory batteries installed and in very healthy condition. When I first got the car, I also wanted to replace both batteries initially, as my experience also shows degradation around 3 - 4 years. But when I actually drove the car, analyzed the batteries and got to know its sophisticated energy management system, I decided against it.

[JellyStyle]

Originally Posted by Raimo5

F series tend to eat batteries, but I haven't heard of any noticeable issues with G series. My 2016 has original factory batteries installed and in very healthy condition.

My G Series already had the AUX battery (the little one) replaced by BMW last year, its a 2020. I have not seen the main battery or the under hood show any signs..yet..

[Raimo5]

Originally Posted by JellyStyle

My G Series already had the AUX battery (the little one) replaced by BMW last year, its a 2020. I have not seen the main battery or the under hood show any signs..yet..

Yikes! That sure is short service life. Did they specify the cause of failure, or just chucked it down to general wear and tear?

[JellyStyle]

Originally Posted by Raimo5

Yikes! That sure is short service life. Did they specify the cause of failure, or just chucked it down to general wear and tear?

bunch of errors on the steering controls, and when running test plan, battery voltage was not high enough, replaced battery per plan, issues went away. I have never seen BMW batteries in the USA last that long, hence why they only come with a 2 year warranty after purchase (excluding if you have the car under factory warranty)..

My F02 killed batteries every 3 years on the dot, I am seeing folks replace them in the G Series, other threads on the fact that no one in the USA has the 105AH , well some dealers do, others cant obtain them and aside from dealer, there is not a 105AH on the USA market, only 100AH.

[Qsilver7]

As mentioned in my previous post…if you have a Batteries Plus store in your vicinity….they sell a 105AH battery. But again, they charge almost $100 more than my local BMW dealership for their Duracell 95R/H9 battery class size.

It only cost me $227 at my local BMW delership’s parts department for the BMW branded 105AH battery.

[M_Bimmer]

Well replaced my 105Ah battery for $208 from my local dealership.....not sure why it's marked as Jan '24 as the production date....it's still Dec '23.

Next will be the 60Ah battery in the engine bay, which is a PITA to extract. Requires the wiper arms to be removed, the cowling trim, and removal of the mono-strut...for another $197.

[Qsilver7]

At least you know it’s a fresh battery! And great price…was that without any discounts? If so, perhaps Bidenomics has kicked in on car batteries.