Correct Battery for 325is?

[cory58]

The replacement metal for the battery tray is available.
It's often rusted due to acid dripping.

This one is for cars before 1987 https://catuned.com/rear-battery-box...ith-all-e30-m3

The part that you're looking for is probably unavailable from BMW, so you should also look for a replacement.

https://www.facebook.com/E30garageNorway/

The expansion tank is up in the wheel well hidden by a plastic cover.

Thanks! I'm not doing a good job of describing the part. The main U-shaped bracket that supports the tray is fine. I will take a picture and post. I think I can probably fabricate something that will work, but it would be easier to buy one if available.

Cory

[reelizmpro]

All E30's front or rear battery use the same battery size which is Grp 47 (spec'd for early base models), 48 (H6) or 49 (H8) for extra power. Some places use T6 instead of H6 which is fine. You can also use other sizes provided they physically fit and have the terminals on the right side but I would stick to H6/T6 and H8 sizes, especially if the battery is under the hood because you don't want the positive terminal possibly making contact.

[Andre3127]

I fit a big marine battery in mine. Bought it used from a guy I know who runs a small repair business.

It's about as big as can physically fit in the rear battery box, and the negative strap barely reaches. But, it doesn't even flinch when trying to start.

[Staszek]

I put this in, its the size they use for the E36, but it fits in the E30 tray, I got the hold down with the extended screw, it hooks right up to the E30 vent. So far its been a great battery.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Maxx-Lead-Acid-Automotive-Battery-Group-Size-H8-12-Volt-900-CCA/16782659

[noid]

The E30 can fit a group 48 or 49 battery; there are two slots in the battery tray for the hold down to accommodate either.

Group 48 and 49 are BCI, they are now mostly sold by their DIN names : H6 and H8

All batteries come with a vent hole on at least one side of the battery, normally they are plugged, and all you do is pull the plug out.

For proper venting reference:

https://www.rtsauto.com/battery-vent...icularly-e30s/

[cory58]

Thanks! I'm not doing a good job of describing the part. The main U-shaped bracket that supports the tray is fine. I will take a picture and post. I think I can probably fabricate something that will work, but it would be easier to buy one if available.

Cory

Here are pictures of the metal plate I was trying to describe. It is sandwiched between the plastic tray and support bracket. It's what the battery hold down rod screws into. I'm guessing it's not available from BMW.

battery hold 3 by cory58f5, on Flickr
battery hold down 2 by cory58f5, on Flickr
battery hold down 1 by cory58f5, on Flickr

Thanks, Cory

[cory58]

So I also figured out the problem with the positive battery cable, thanks to the pic posted by Vincenze. The clamp has been replaced. It's straight instead of 90 degrees. There's not enough slack in the cable for the clamp to reach the post. Here's a pic with the group 91 battery from my cabrio. Should be an easy fix with correct 90-degree replacement clamp. I've never had good luck with the solder or crimp types, so hopefully I can find one that clamps onto the cable. McMaster has an interesting one with a compression fitting, but it only comes in a few sizes.

battery cable by cory58f5, on Flickr

Thanks, Cory

[Vincenze]

Here are pictures of the metal plate I was trying to describe. It is sandwiched between the plastic tray and support bracket. It's what the battery hold down rod screws into. I'm guessing it's not available from BMW.

The plate is available from BMW as part of the plastic battery tray.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...y/51711953889/

Look for partouts and ask about the plastic tray, and the cable too.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1612309969046719

[cory58]

I'm still working on a replacement positive battery cable clamp that will work. I measured the main positive battery cable and came up with approx 15.25mm (.6") diameter, including the insulation. It's tough to cross reference to an AWG size because the listed diameters are for the conductors only. Does anyone have an idea of the closest AWG size to the main positive battery cable?

Thanks, Cory

[roguetoaster]

A quick search shows that r3v says the size is "0" or 1/0 as you'll see it more often (~8.25mm conductor) as it's sometimes written, the next larger size is 2/0, or ~9.25mm, which would also likely work for an end connector. If it were 15.25mm it would 6/0 gauge, and you don't want to think about that.

[cory58]

A quick search shows that r3v says the size is "0" or 1/0 as you'll see it more often (~8.25mm conductor) as it's sometimes written, the next larger size is 2/0, or ~9.25mm, which would also likely work for an end connector. If it were 15.25mm it would 6/0 gauge, and you don't want to think about that.

Thank you! After looking at all the wire size charts, I was thinking my measurement had to be wrong, even with the thickness of the insulation.