Recommended E30 Battery?

[jon-m42]

Zoners I am in need of a complete new battery I think.

Note: Car has been sitting in garage for 1 month. Took it for a long motorway drive last on the 28 October.

Had the RAC come down test the battery fired the car up after many attempts, took so long I thought my fuel pump has failed on me as the car was ticking over but just sounded as if the tank was empty even though there was a full, finally started it and left it idle for about 40 minutes, turned car off and then tried starting it again, same problem the car was ticking over but sounded as if though the fuel was not getting pumped from the back to the front, and then he gave up and said I don’t want to flood the engine ”˜although at this point I thought he had already done that’.

It’s not holding charge as far as he is concerned.
I asked him what he recommends he had no clue is direct response was ”˜any 640amp would do’.

It’s an e30 318is m42 totally standard. I have the bog standard speakers in the car with an old radio system, yes I am an oldie.

So guys what do you recommend? And or is what the RAC feller said ok?

regards
Jon

[Duke137]

A new battery is a battery at the end of the day but don't expect it to last 5 years if you buy the cheapest possible.

I have a Bosch S5 in my E30, got it through Matt (meatballs82) on here for a good price with the E30 zone trade account.

[maggspower]

Hi there Jon, you sound a little mixed up there

If you need a new battery I do believe Euro Car Pars have some deals on Bosch batterys at the moment.

Once a car is started the battery should not have any bearing on how the car is running, as the alternator takes over kicking out a pretty conatant 14.4v.

A car that sounds like the tank is empty could be one of many things, a failing fuel pump is just a possibilty. If an engine has a lack of fuel problem, it will be hard to flood it!?

The RAC man should be giving you balck and white answers, not "the battery could be goosed".

It sounds like you have a running issue, and now the battery is dead. I would have a go at charging the battery up, then try to solve the running issues, as they are more likley to be ignition, airleak, or fuel delivery problems.

HTH

[harry_p]

i agree, it sounds more than just a battery issue.

my first port of call would be to check the ignition system. when it's cold most cars will run very rich at start up and need a nice fat spark to get going. i know my m3 was a pig to start in the cold, but fine when warm, until i found the main lead from the coil to the dizzy was bad. swapped that and it was fine at all temperatures and conditions.

im not sure on the m42 setup, i believe they use two coilpacks? it could be a sign one of those is on the way out. if it doesnt get a good spark straight away it'll flood very quickly, and then take an age to start.

If you do need a battery as well, which may have contributed to the initial lack of start, i expect the standard under bonnet mounted battery on an is is something like an 075 type, and you'll get a bosch one from euro car parts for £50. shouldnt really need to go any bigger than that. cars with larger engines and the battery in the boot got larger 096 batteries, but that would be a bit overkill for an is, and probably wouldnt fit under the bonnet!

[Brianmoooore]

cars with larger engines and the battery in the boot got larger 096 batteries, but that would be a bit overkill for an is, and probably wouldnt fit under the bonnet!

096 fits under the bonnet fine. It's only 325 saloons that have the battery in the rear. Tourings and cabs have a 096 up front.
There's a bit of wiring loom on four cylinder cars that gets in the way a bit when fitting the larger battery, but once in it's fine, and the extra capacity can be useful at times.

[jon-m42]

To you all firstly thank you all for the contributions.

The RAC guy sounded unsure however he did mention that the battery is faulty. A month back when I last drove the car to be honest it drove like a dream had the occasional cold start hunting but once warm sounded fine and was running like a beauty.

First port of call for me now is to at least get some power to it with a new battery I presume as the one in there has, to be honest done me well I think a tad over 3 years now.

Guys which Bosch battery should I go for any recommendations? I know Duke137 is using the Bosh S5 which I presume is well.

And ad for the running issues guys I’m sure you are all aware of my forever running rich m42 thread”¦ I have done everything I think that is possible to resolve this without any major conversions.

Just to note down what exactly I have done:

-new ecu tried and tested no change

-blue temp sensor

- all vacuum pipes

-tried and tested different ICV’s

-tried and tested a few afm’s still no change

-changed all plugs

-rocker cover and inlet manifold gaskets brand new installed

-new throttle body

-compression tested all cylinders ”“ results were fine for all.

-finally refurbed my injectors with injector-tune on the zone.

After the injectors I must say car feels a lot more alive and has much more of a kick. I now presume it must be my HT Leads which are giving way or the coil pack itself.

its all just crazy i know but the love for e30's has been installed in me since my early 20's


many thanks
jon

[capri_rob]

Another +1 for Bosch batteries - I have one on my Touring - speak to Matt at ECP and he'll sort you out.

If the car isnt being used much invest in a Ctek battery conditioner which will keep it fully charged all the time so its always ready to go

Finally don't forget to take your old battery to your local scrap metal recyclers - worth at least £5 to weigh in !

[jon-m42]

capri_rob it seems as if Bosch is the clear winner here. I have found this on ECP website:

i have managed to find this on euro car parts:

Bosch Battery (S5 Battery 027 5 Year Guarantee)

Part Number: 444770278

Price: £86.34

Guys is this the correct one that i should be ordering or should i just contact matt assuming he will know which Bosch battery is best for the old turd?

[capri_rob]

Definately contact Matt - he will sort you out

[DanThe]

Give Matt your reg number and he will tell you which one your car is meant to have from factory, or you could request a larger one from a 325i for some extra starting power/life etc.
I also have an S5 which was about £70 odd IIRC, they were £120 last time I went into halfrauds

[jon-m42]

Thanks Guys.

DanThe you have a interesting picture there...

I shall contact Matt asap.

once again thank you all for the help and advice

regards

Jon

[DanThe]

Getting a bit repetitive now, I might change it

[jon-m42]

DanThe

if i must say so myself repetitive but beautiful lol