Which battery?

[Cloggy Saint]

Yet again I have to replace the battery in my touring. The last 2 I've bought have been Bosch S5008 which have lasted no more than a couple of years (combination of very little use and crap smart chargers). My local motor factor recommends Yuasa but they have very poor ratings on trustpilot, what are people's recommendations?

[DanThe]

Varta E11 is what id recommend, 4 year warranty

Bosch batteries are rubbish

[Cloggy Saint]

Cheers Dan, they're a decent price on ebay. I guess I can ignore the 'this part doesn't fit your car' stuff?

[flybynite]

Varta E11 is what id recommend, 4 year warranty
Bosch batteries are rubbish

I always tend to use Varta because they are generally cheaper than the Bosch, but they are made in the same factory by the same people and have been since they were bought by Johnson (now Brookfield) in 2002.

Yet again I have to replace the battery in my touring. The last 2 I've bought have been Bosch S5008 which have lasted no more than a couple of years (combination of very little use and crap smart chargers). My local motor factor recommends Yuasa but they have very poor ratings on trustpilot, what are people's recommendations?

I would guess that whatever you are doing that is knackering the Bosch will knacker the Varta the same, but I would still use the Varta as I don’t think there is a better battery. Things just ain’t made like they used to be.

If you know you are going to knacker it, might be worth just getting the cheapest (have you tried Tayna?)

What charger are you using? The Cteks I use seem to work well but standing is hard on any battery

[ocde30]

Fitted a Varta D24 to my 318 a few months ago and I'm very happy with it - I know only time and lack of use will tell. Online service and price from Battery Megastore was excellent.

[martauto]

I have two for the Baur, a Bosch and a "Pro-Bat" the later being over five years old and both are still going strong but I do disconnect when I know it wont be used for a while.
The Pro-Bat has sat in the boot for nearly a year now and is still strong and will start the car .

Mart.

[twenty]

Forget Varta, Bosch etc. Have you tried BMW?
The BMW ones are the real deal. Best thing is that they don't cost a lot more but much better quality and longivity.
If you do decide to go for non BMW, then best option is Exide premium - cheaper than Bosch, Varta etc. but just as good if not better.

[reggid]

get one from dealer, last two (2) Exide OE ive had have gone basically 10 years

[DanThe]

There are a couple of reasons I wouldn't buy from the dealer,
They like to bend you over the counter
The warranty is not worth the paper it is written on

[30316]

Over the past 20 years so of my personal experience, I have found that batteries from BMW main dealers did not last very long. The best battery for long life I have found Varta to be unbeatable with Bosch a little worse. In my three cars I have found they last an average of at least 10 years and in one case about 15 years!

[Satan]

Is the battery still under warranty?

[Cloggy Saint]

Is the battery still under warranty?

Not sure, probably as I've only had it 2 years but I can't really blame the battery as it's demise is mainly down to lack of use. A new Varta arrived today so I'll hook it up and get a decent smart charger and see how it goes.

[paultv]

Useful explanation about lead acid batteries:

https://www.victronenergy.com/live/drafts:battery_life

Paul

[Cloggy Saint]

Ok, so I bought and fitted the Varta and buggered my back in the process. Five weeks later I can walk again, go to start the car and the battery is completely flat. Is it normal for a new battery to die without use within this time or do i have a drain? I did check for a drain when the previous battery kept dying but nothing registered.

[paultv]

Check daft things like boot lights and glove box - make sure they are off - or pull the bulbs to see if any affect the discharge - sure should register but maybe intermittent.

Just a thought,

Paul

[Cloggy Saint]

I've already been over it with a fine toothed comb and there's nothing obvious going on . Worryingly, I've got 3 chargers and none of them are doing the job. Either all 3 are knackered (unlikely) or the battery is already beyond help, which seems equally unlikely considering it's new.