BMW 5 Series E39 (1996-2003) - batteries

The choice of the right battery for the BMW 5 Series E39 (1996-2003) primarily depends on the engine model, fuel type, and car configuration. All engines in this model feature traditional starting systems without Start-Stop functionality, allowing for standard lead-acid batteries. However, for higher-capacity engines like the M5, AGM batteries may also be recommended.

For petrol engines like the 520i, 523i, or 528i, batteries with a capacity of 70 Ah to 78 Ah and a cold cranking current of 640 A to 780 A are ideal. Examples of compatible models include Bosch S40 08, Exide EA770, and Varta E11. Note the battery height, as certain models, like the 528i, require lower-height batteries of 175 mm.

For diesel engines such as the 525td or 530d, higher-capacity batteries are necessary, ranging from 95 Ah to 100 Ah, with a cranking current of 800 A to 900 A. Examples include Bosch S50 13, Exide EA1000, and Varta H3. Diesel engines demand more energy reserves, especially in colder climates where starting is more challenging.

For sporty versions like the M5, AGM or traditional lead-acid batteries with a capacity of 95 Ah to 110 Ah and a cranking current of up to 920 A are recommended. Examples include Bosch S5A 13, Exide EK960, and Varta G14. It’s essential to check the previously installed battery type to ensure a suitable replacement.

Interestingly, the E39 was one of the first BMW models to feature advanced energy management systems, such as monitoring the battery’s charge status. Choosing the right battery can significantly extend its lifespan.

BMW 5 Series in version E39 was produced in the years 1996 – 2003. Below we present the specifications of batteries suitable for specific engines.

Basic parameters of batteries suitable for BMW 5 Series (1996-2003):

Layout	Terminal types	Base hold-down
0 – positive on the right side	1	B13

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:
528 i

Model	Capacity and CCA	Dimensions (LxWxH)	Price
Bosch S4 S40 07	72 Ah 680 A	278x175x175 mm	More
Bosch S5 S50 07	74 Ah 750 A	278x175x175 mm	More
Exide Excell EB712	71 Ah 670 A	278x175x175 mm	More
Exide Premium EA722	72 Ah 720 A	278x175x175 mm	More
Lucas Premium LP100	72 Ah 680 A	278x175x175 mm	More
Lucas Supreme LS100	74 Ah 750 A	278x175x175 mm	More
Varta Blue Dynamic E43	72 Ah 680 A	278x175x175 mm	More
Varta Silver Dynamic E38	74 Ah 750 A	278x175x175 mm	More

For the BMW 5 Series E39 with a 528 i gasoline engine, we choose batteries with dimensions of 276x175x175 mm or 278x175x175 mm, whose capacity exceeds 71 Ah. The weakest of these is the battery Exide Excell EB712 which capacity is 71 Ah and Cold Cranking Amps is 670 A. The most powerful battery is Bosch S5 S50 07 of a capacity 74Ah and Cold Cranking Amps: 750 A. All batteries compatible with the 528 i engine have a B13 mount.

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:
520 i

Model	Capacity and CCA	Dimensions (LxWxH)	Price
Bosch S3 S30 08	70 Ah 640 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Bosch S4 S40 08	74 Ah 680 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Bosch S5 S50 08	77 Ah 780 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Exide Classic EC700	70 Ah 640 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Exide Excell EB740	74 Ah 680 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Exide Premium EA770	77 Ah 760 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Halfords Essentials HB 096	70 Ah 640 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Halfords Standard HCB 096	76 Ah 680 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Lucas Premium LP096	75 Ah 680 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Lucas Supreme LS096	78 Ah 780 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Varta Black Dynamic E13	70 Ah 640 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Varta Blue Dynamic E11	74 Ah 680 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Varta Silver Dynamic E44	77 Ah 780 A	278x175x190 mm	More

For the BMW 5 Series E39 with a 520 i gasoline engine, we choose batteries with dimensions of 276x175x190 mm or 278x175x190 mm, whose capacity exceeds 67 Ah. The weakest of these is the battery Halfords Essentials HB 096 which capacity is 70 Ah and Cold Cranking Amps is 640 A. The most powerful battery is Lucas Supreme LS096 of a capacity 78Ah and Cold Cranking Amps: 780 A. The base hold-down of the above batteries is B13.

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:
523 i
525 i

Model	Capacity and CCA	Dimensions (LxWxH)	Price
Bosch S4 S40 08	74 Ah 680 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Bosch S5 S50 08	77 Ah 780 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Exide Excell EB740	74 Ah 680 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Exide Premium EA770	77 Ah 760 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Halfords Standard HCB 096	76 Ah 680 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Lucas Premium LP096	75 Ah 680 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Lucas Supreme LS096	78 Ah 780 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Varta Blue Dynamic E11	74 Ah 680 A	278x175x190 mm	More
Varta Silver Dynamic E44	77 Ah 780 A	278x175x190 mm	More

For BMW 5 Series E39 with 523 i or 525 i petrol engines, we use batteries measuring 276x175x190 mm or 278x175x190 mm and with a capacity exceeding 71 Ah (ampere-hours). The weakest of these is the battery Varta Blue Dynamic E11 which capacity is 74 Ah and Cold Cranking Amps is 680 A. The most powerful battery is Lucas Supreme LS096 of a capacity 78Ah and Cold Cranking Amps: 780 A. All of the above motors have a base hold-down B13.

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:
530 i
535 i
540 i

Model	Capacity and CCA	Dimensions (LxWxH)	Price
Bosch S3 S30 12	88 Ah 740 A	353x175x175 mm	More
Exide Excell EB852	85 Ah 760 A	353x175x175 mm	More
Varta Black Dynamic F5	88 Ah 740 A	353x175x175 mm	More

The above three petrol engines of the BMW 5 Series E39, namely 530 i ,535 i and 540 i, will perform best with batteries of at least 82 Ah capacity. We recommend choosing higher-end battery models for cars with a large number of optional extras. The weakest of these is the battery Exide Excell EB852 which capacity is 85 Ah and Cold Cranking Amps is 760 A. The most powerful battery is Varta Black Dynamic F5 of a capacity 88Ah and Cold Cranking Amps: 740 A. The base hold-down of the above batteries is B13.

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:
M 4.9
M 5.0

Model	Capacity and CCA	Dimensions (LxWxH)	Price
Bosch S5 AGM S5A 13	95 Ah 850 A	353x175x190 mm	More
Bosch S5 S50 15	110 Ah 920 A	393x175x190 mm	More
Exide AGM EK950	95 Ah 850 A	353x175x190 mm	More
Exide AGM EK960	96 Ah 850 A	353x175x190 mm	More
Exide Excell EB1100	110 Ah 850 A	392x175x190 mm	More
Halfords Advanced AGM 019	95 Ah 850 A	353x175x190 mm	More
Lucas Fusion AGM LF017	95 Ah 850 A	353x175x190 mm	More
Lucas Premium LP020	110 Ah 920 A	393x175x190 mm	More
Varta Silver Dynamic AGM G14	95 Ah 850 A	353x175x190 mm	More
Varta Silver Dynamic I1	110 Ah 920 A	393x175x190 mm	More

For BMW 5 Series E39 with M 4.9 or M 5.0 petrol engines, we use batteries measuring 353x175x190 mm, 392x175x190 mm or 393x175x190 mm and with a capacity exceeding 92 Ah (ampere-hours). We can mount the standard battery type here or made in AGM technology. To avoid problems, You should rememeber to replace the standard battery with a standard one, EFB with EFB and AGM with AGM. All of the above motors have a base hold-down B13.

BMW 5 Series E39 – diesel engines:
525 tds

Model	Capacity and CCA	Dimensions (LxWxH)	Price
Bosch S3 S30 12	88 Ah 740 A	353x175x175 mm	More
Exide Excell EB852	85 Ah 760 A	353x175x175 mm	More
Varta Black Dynamic F5	88 Ah 740 A	353x175x175 mm	More

The BMW 5 Series E39 with a 525 tds diesel engine should be compatible with batteries of dimensions 352x175x175 mm or 353x175x175 mm, with a minimum capacity of 82 Ah. The most basic battery of this set is Exide Excell EB852 of a capacity 85Ah and 760A Cold Cranking Amps, the battery with the biggest capacity is Varta Black Dynamic F5 of a capacity 88 Ah, having 740A Cold Cranking Amps. The base hold-down of the above batteries is B13.

BMW 5 Series E39 – diesel engines:
520 d
525 d
525 td
530 d

Model	Capacity and CCA	Dimensions (LxWxH)	Price
Bosch S4 S40 13	95 Ah 800 A	353x175x190 mm	More
Bosch S5 S50 13	100 Ah 830 A	353x175x190 mm	More
Exide Excell EB950	95 Ah 800 A	353x175x190 mm	More
Exide Premium EA1000	100 Ah 900 A	353x175x190 mm	More
Halfords Standard HCB 019	95 Ah 850 A	353x175x190 mm	More
Varta Blue Dynamic G3	95 Ah 800 A	353x175x190 mm	More
Varta Silver Dynamic H3	100 Ah 830 A	353x175x190 mm	More

The BMW 5 Series E39 with diesel engines 520 d, 525 d, 525 td, and the others mentioned above, should be equipped with a battery sized 352x175x190 mm or 353x175x190 mm, with a minimum capacity of 92 Ah. The most basic battery of this set is Varta Blue Dynamic G3 of a capacity 95Ah and 800A Cold Cranking Amps, the battery with the biggest capacity is Exide Premium EA1000 of a capacity 100 Ah, having 900A Cold Cranking Amps. All of the above motors have a base hold-down B13.

If you’re still unsure which battery fits your BMW 5 Series , or if you want to help others in their selection, please send us a photo of your current battery in the comment section at the bottom of the page. You can also send the picture to contact@whatbattery.co.uk (we will place it in the comments to also help other users). Be sure to specify the car model, year, type, as well as the engine capacity and power. We’ll do our best to assist you!

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BMW 5 Series E39 (1996-2003) – batteries

Basic parameters of batteries suitable for BMW 5 Series (1996-2003):

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:
528 i

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:
520 i

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:
523 i
525 i

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:
530 i
535 i
540 i

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:
M 4.9
M 5.0

BMW 5 Series E39 – diesel engines:
525 tds

BMW 5 Series E39 – diesel engines:
520 d
525 d
525 td
530 d

See also information about other cars of this manufacturer

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BMW 5 Series E39 (1996-2003) – batteries

Basic parameters of batteries suitable for BMW 5 Series (1996-2003):

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:528 i

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:520 i

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:523 i 525 i

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:530 i 535 i 540 i

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:M 4.9 M 5.0

BMW 5 Series E39 – diesel engines:525 tds

BMW 5 Series E39 – diesel engines:520 d 525 d 525 td 530 d

See also information about other cars of this manufacturer

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:
528 i

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:
520 i

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:
523 i
525 i

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:
530 i
535 i
540 i

BMW 5 Series E39 – petrol engines:
M 4.9
M 5.0

BMW 5 Series E39 – diesel engines:
525 tds

BMW 5 Series E39 – diesel engines:
520 d
525 d
525 td
530 d