BMW Battery: Choosing The Right Option

Cheryl B
Dec 19, 2020

When looking up a battery for your BMW, you might have to find the part number from a BMW dealership, then cross it if you want an aftermarket battery. Many of the OEM batteries do not have a group size notation.

What is the best battery for a BMW?

The BMW uses a lead-acid battery. You have two types to choose from: Gel or absorbent glass mat (AGM). The manufacturer recommends that you replace the OEM battery with an OEM AGM battery. 

Black BMW Logo

Most of the BMW models use either advanced or performance batteries. The advanced battery is for vehicles with many electronics, while performance batteries are for custom vehicles with aftermarket mods.

Why BMW Has Three Different Batteries

Most BMW vehicles allow you to choose from a standard, advanced battery, or a performance battery. The manufacturer recommends using the performance battery if you have more standard and optional equipment and if you add additional accessories.

Use the standard battery for BMW models with basic option packages. The part numbers for standard batteries are 61212353803, 61212353804, and 61212353806.

The advanced battery is for those BMW models that have more power options. The part numbers are 61212353808, 61212353810, 61212353811, and 61212353813.

Finally, BMW also offers a performance battery for those BMW models with more power and more vehicle options, custom configurations, and specifications. The part number for the performance battery is 61212353812.

Absorbent Glass Mat, Gel, Lithium-Ion, or Lead-Acid?

How to choose the right bmw battery - Vehicle History

The absorbent glass mat (AGM) and gel batteries are lead-acid batteries and work the same as the old-style lead-acid batteries. However, the interior is different in that the material that contains the chemicals is different.

Most BMW models use AGM batteries as they allow for faster charging and more power. Newer BMW models also have a computer system for the battery, which requires you to register the battery so that the computer knows you installed a new battery.

A new battery discharges slower than an older battery that has been used for a year, three years, or even four to five years.

BMW Battery Group and Aftermarket Batteries

When you look up a BMW battery, in most cases, you need to have the part number. BMW USA does not refer to a Group number, but instead, it gives you a part number – no doubt to make it more difficult to buy an aftermarket battery.

However, most aftermarket places are able to cross the part number to the proper Grouping. The Group number defines the size of the battery and the location of the terminals. If you choose to go with an aftermarket battery, make sure it is an AGM battery with at least the minimum cold-cranking amps.

That being said, we do recommend that you use an OEM when replacing the battery if you have a newer Beemer using their advanced charging system.

Models that Use the Performance Battery Part #61212353812

Various model years use different batteries. This is a partial list of models that use the performance battery.

  • Sedans: 535i, 323i, 325xi, 328i, 335i, 550i, 550iX, M5, 528iX, 535i, 328d, 320i, 320iX, 750iL, 745i, 750Li
  • Coupes: 135i, M Coupe, 335i, 328xi, M3, 650iX, 228i, 228iX, 428i, 430i, 435i, M2
  • Other: X3, 325xi wagon, 328i wagon, X4 M40iX, 528i wagon, X5, X6
  • Convertibles: 128i, 135i, 328i, 650i, M235iX, M240iX, 430iX, 435iX, 440iX

Models that Use the Advanced Battery

This is a partial list of BMW vehicles that use the various advanced batteries.

  • The 2016 through 2019 BMW X1 with sDrive28i or xDrive 28i uses Part #61212353813 or Part #61212353811
  • The Z8 convertible, X5, 545i, 550i, 528i, 535i, and 128i coupe use Part #61212353810 or Part #61212353808

Models that Use the Standard Battery

The part numbers for the standard battery are 61212353803, 61212353804, and 61212353806. The following vehicles use one of these standard batteries: 128i, 135i, 228i, 230i, 320i, 323i, 325i, 328i, 330Ci, 330e, 330i, X3, 750iL, and 330xi wagon.

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Peter M. Light skyjag002v@aol.com on March 24, 2023
2015 X5 has two batteries. One that is used for starting and the other for the electronics.
Great information!
avatar Cheryl B
Cheryl and her husband owned a repair shop from 1994 until he retired in 2007. She also worked as a paralegal and writer since 2004. She uses her management skills, automotive experience, and paralegal experience to write for several publications.
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