New Battery for my 525i

[danzee]

I'm not sure what your aversion to the BMW battery is.
In 160,000 miles and over 9 years, I only had to replace the battery once. The original battery went for 6 years and the replacement BMW battery has lasted over 3 years so far without a hint of trouble. Cost with the BMWCCA discount was no worse that other comparable batteries. I think the original was mase by Varta, not sure who made the second one.
Z

[Qsilver7]

which can be purchased from Batteries Plus. The only difference is that the battery case will be black instead of white.

Most who bail out of buying an OE battery do so because of the exhorbitant price the "stealers" ask for them. Now...pricing can be a subjective determiner...some (maybe like yourself) won't bat an eye at paying close to $200 for a battery. But for some of us that are more "frugal"...paying $200 for a battery which has an equivilent replacement for $125...will send us off to the non-brand battery. Remember though...we are not suggesting buying an underpowered no-name battery that will only last a few years...we are discussing batteries that have enough guts to handle the demands our cars require.

Besides, there aren't that many battery manufacturers out there...most brands are made by just a few companies. For example, Johnson Controls manufacturers about 16 batteries sold under different brand names..click the following link to see a list:Johnson Control batteries sold under their Brand Names

So I guess the "aversion" some of us have is paying $200 for a battery when a $69 Duralast 49D battery (sold by AutoZone) has the same power and even longer warranty (7 yr w/2yr free replacement)...or paying approx $125 to Batteries Plus for the same (BMW) battery except it's in a black case.

[danzee]

It's $115 from my local BMW dealer, after BMWCCA discount.
Just got a quote for a 1995 525i (like mine)
List is $144.
I wouldn't pay $200 either.

[Javier]

then I installed an "American Battery", was a brand available in Venezuela some years ago, lasted 6 years, now I have a Delco, its been there for the remaining 4+ years. May be one of those suggested brands (not available here) would have lasted the hole 12 years!!

I would never pay an extra penny for a BMW dealer supplied battery. But always take good care it is a sealed one with venting port for the rear seat location.

Javier