Battery Poll

[GreatOldOne]

Guys - what batteries have you fitted? I can see from Peter & Patrick's photos, they've both opted for Bosch. It looks like a 4PN on Peter's, and something larger on Patricks. I guess Peter went for a smaller battery due to his swirl pot being up there, and I'll be in the same boat.

I know all batteries are not equal, and give a set amount of oomph to the starter when you turn the key - I read somewhere (I forget where) that the original battery in the E30 325i gave 640ish Amps. Do I not need to get a battery that gives the same output?


I can't find the specs on the 4PN, but I assume as Pete can start his engine it's fine...

[MartinClan]

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

Guys - what batteries have you fitted? I can see from Peter & Patrick's photos, they've both opted for Bosch. It looks like a 4PN on Peter's, and something larger on Patricks. I guess Peter went for a smaller battery due to his swirl pot being up there, and I'll be in the same boat.

I know all batteries are not equal, and give a set amount of oomph to the starter when you turn the key - I read somewhere (I forget where) that the original battery in the E30 325i gave 640ish Amps. Do I not need to get a battery that gives the same output?


I can't find the specs on the 4PN, but I assume as Pete can start his engine it's fine...

If you get your battery from a good supplier they should be able to tell you its rating (I think they call it the cold cranking current) As long as it can start the engine it doesn't really matter if it's less than the original unless you are going to have shed loads of electrical extras (Unlikely in the Sportster).

Probably quite a small battery will do as long as you don't plan on moving to the Arctic. I considered using a Red-top (non spilable) but tooooo expensive in the end.

I don't know if you have mounted your master cylinder fluid reservoir yet, but this may also encroach on the battery space.

Cheers

Robin

[GreatOldOne]

Yep, brake fluid res is in - I essentially followed Peter in this respect, so I have the same amount of space as he had. Hence my interest in his Bosch battery.

[Patrick]

I just used the stock battery size / rating for the 325i Touring donor car. As you can see from the photos it's Bosch Silver. The Varta ones are the same only in a different colour casing - wasn't any difference in price when I bought that one.

[limpabit]

A little tip.

You can get these Bosch batteries at Costco or maybe Makro. There both do batteries anyway. Pretty sure it's Costco's that do the Bosch ones.

[peterux]

Yup, I bought mine at Costco. I think it was only about £30, so good value.
I have had no problems and it turns the old beast over with no problem at all.
I keep it topped up with charge with one of those small trickle chargers and I thought the Bosch logo and colour scheme looked best along side the BMW engine

[GreatOldOne]

I feel a visit to Costco in MK coming on.

Thanks chaps.