Difficult to Replace Battery?

Originally Posted by oc330cic

Heads up: The 49-DL didn't fit in my my 2002 330 convertible. It was 3/8" too long. Maybe the battery compartment is smaller on convertibles, but this might apply to all models. The AutoZone clerk looked up my car, and there wasn't a convertible listing, just coupes. They listed 94R-DLG as the battery to use for 2002 330 coupes, and it did fit well when I tried it.

yup... it's been mentioned a number of times in various battery threads that the convertibles require a different model from the 49-dl. I use 49-DL on my sedan. it was the first DIY for me infact... very simple, and no weird tools required.

Happy Labor Day all!

Well, I can say that on this labor day I've been performing a lot of work on my 2000 323i sedan and the battery replacement was a cinch, even did it in the parking lot of my local leucadia, ca autozone. they gave me the tools because if i just bought the battery i would have been charged a 12.00 core fee.

These are going for 84 bucks local to san diego.

anyway, very straightforward, took 10 mins. tops.

No on to the window regulators (both rear windows are out), spark plugs, cabin filter, and oil change.

thanks

Hey there,

I am having battery problems too and need to pick up a battery. Most people on this thread have a different car but I wanted to make sure that the 49-DL will fit a 2002 330i? Does the 49-DL have a place for the vent tube? Also with the 49-DL will there be a need to adjust the batter tray so it can fit?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Hey guys,

Just picked up the 49-DL tonight and the install was a snap. Car starts up like a charm.

After six years and 76,000 miles the battery started to act-up. Installed the Autozone 49-DL battery last night (perfect fit) and now she is starting without any issue.

WooHoo!!

Believe it or not I went 105K on the original battery on my 2000 323I after nearly 7 years. The OEM battery is great, but I'm sure the DL-49 will last a long time.

As for a vent tube, yes it does come with a tube and plastic adapter so that you can fit it to the vent tube of your car.

and no, you won't need to adjust the battery tray to fit it, though it is a little bigger than OEM. You'll just need to screw down the metal battery holder a little bit.

Just wanted to chime in...my battery died last week on my 2000 323i. I did a quick search here and found this tutorial. Went to Autozone, asked for the DL-49, and popped it right in. Thanks for the tip.

Originally Posted by ventivent

Just wanted to chime in...my battery died last week on my 2000 323i. I did a quick search here and found this tutorial. Went to Autozone, asked for the DL-49, and popped it right in. Thanks for the tip.

Going tomorrow morning to pick-up my Duralast DL-49: $69.99 at Autozone in Charlotte, NC. Awesome thread and thanks to those who posted.

Originally Posted by Arby1028

Going tomorrow morning to pick-up my Duralast DL-49: $69.99 at Autozone in Charlotte, NC. Awesome thread and thanks to those who posted.

Actually went last night to pick-up the battery at Autozone and install. The worst part was removing that damn plastic tray/battery cover in the trunk. Whoever designed this thing should be beaten. I'm still not sure if I re-installed the tray correctly.

When I picked-up the battery the Autozone guy asked for the make, model, etc. of my car. When I told him that I wanted the DL-49 he said it wouldn't work in my car and that the warranty on the battery wouldn't apply. I kindly said that it would work and that there must be something wrong with their computer. Left with the DL-49 battery and the warranty.

Just found out a guy at my work has a 03 330i like mine and was about to spend $400 for a battery from the dealership. He was told that his electrical system would have to be reset after changing the battery ($250) and the battery is $150.

What a bunch of crap... I took him to autozone during lunch and replace the OEM battery with the new 49-DL in the parking lot and still had time to grab lunch and be back to work...

I told him to go back to the dealer and give then H#LL.

My advisor at Creview BMW here SoCal quoted me $325 installed...takes about an hour he says

bout to do this install tomorrow, wish me luck

TO the Fanatics in san diego: I went to a 3 autozones, none had this battery?

where can i find one?!

Pepboy's Bosch battery isn't much more expensive than Autozone.

put mine in, I feel confident in myself!!

My batery died yesterday as well, but luckily my car has 47,000 miles and is still under warranty. Free replacement!!!!

If your original battery in your E46 is BMW part number 61 21 8 381 749 and you are thinking about replacing it with a Duralast 49-DL battery from Autozone like so many people do and recommend, you should be aware that it isn't a perfect drop in.

There are some modifications needed.



The first modification is that you need to remove the small white plastic block from the bottom of your battery compartment because the 49-DL battery is LONGER than the original battery.



The second modification is that you need to invent, fashion and install some sort of spacer under the center paddle clamp that holds your battery in place since the 49-DL is SHORTER than the original battery. The picture below shows an installation with a 3/4" piece of plywood under the paddle (these pics are from KeithS from www.bimmerfest.com forums).



The third modification is that you need to play around with the venting system to ensure it is hooked up correctly.

If you decide to replace the original "Group 94" battery (part number above) there is a direct drop in from Autozone - Duralast 94R-DLG. This isn't perfect either as I noticed the Cold Cranking Amps on my original BMW battery are 765 while the 94R-DLG has only 650.

On October 15, 2007 I purchased a replacement battery for my 2000 328Ci at Wal-Mart for $53.72

Here are the details of my original BMW battery:

BMW part no: 61 21 8 381 749
12 volt 80 amp hours (Ah) 640 amp
130 reserve capacity (Rc) 765 Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)
SAE group No: 94r
Vent to outside: Yes. at positive terminal end.
Length: 12.5 inches (approx)
Width: 6.9 inches (approx) - a replacement battery can be no wider.
Height: 7.5 inches (approx) - a replacement battery can be no higher.

Here are the details of the replacement battery from Wal-Mart:

Wal-Mart part no: Everstart 48-3
Manufacturer: Exide
12 volt 700 Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)
Vent to outside: Yes. at positive terminal end - same as original BMW.
Plastic cap over positive terminal interchangeable with original BMW one.
Length: 10.8 inches (approx) - will fit with no adjustments needed.
Width: 6.9 inches (approx) - same as original BMW battery.
Height: 7.0 inches (approx) - will require a 1/2 inch spacer under the paddle clamp that holds the battery in place.

do you have to remove the white plastic rubber that seat next to the original battery??? I just replaced the original battery on my 330ci with duralast 49-dl
I did not removed the white rubber and battery seat un-level.... does the battery has to be level ???

Originally Posted by shine330ci

I did not removed the white rubber and battery seat un-level.... does the battery has to be level ???

Yes. If it is not level it is unsafe for several reasons.