BMW 5 Series E60 (2003-2010) – batteries


Choosing the right battery for the BMW 5 Series E60 (2003-2010) depends on several factors, such as engine type, the presence of the Start-Stop system, and the recommended capacity and cranking power. For petrol versions with the Start-Stop system, like the 520i, AGM batteries with a capacity of 80-82 Ah and a cranking current of 800 A are recommended. Example suitable models include Bosch S5A 11, Exide EK800, or Varta F21.

If your vehicle doesn’t have the Start-Stop system, like in the 525i and 530i models, AGM batteries with a similar capacity of 80-82 Ah and a cranking current of 800 A are also recommended. Suitable models include Bosch S5A 11, Exide EK820, or Lucas LF115. AGM batteries are more efficient and durable than traditional lead-acid batteries.

For larger petrol engines, like the 540i, batteries with a capacity of 95-110 Ah are recommended, and the manufacturer allows for both AGM and lead-acid batteries. Example models for this are Bosch S50 15, Exide EK950, or Varta G14. It’s a good idea to check which type of battery is currently installed in your car and use the same.

For diesel models like the 530d or 535d, batteries with a capacity of 95-110 Ah are also suggested. Here, both AGM and lead-acid batteries are recommended, such as Exide EB1100, Bosch S5A 13, or Varta G14. For more advanced models like the 530d xDrive, AGM batteries are preferable due to their ability to handle heavy loads and frequent charging cycles.

Interestingly, AGM batteries are more resistant to deep discharges and are suitable for vehicles with a lot of onboard electronics, which is important in modern cars. It’s worth regularly checking the battery’s condition, especially in vehicles with the Start-Stop system, as they tend to wear out faster.

BMW 5 Series in version E60 was produced in the years 2003 – 2010. The following table presents information about batteries that match each of the engines available on the market.

Basic parameters of batteries suitable for BMW 5 Series (2003-2010):

LayoutTerminal typesBase hold-down
0 – positive on the right side1B13

BMW 5 Series E60 – petrol engines:
  • 520 i

ModelCapacity and CCADimensions (LxWxH)Price
Bosch S5
S50 11
85 Ah
800 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Exide Excell
EB800
80 Ah
640 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Exide Premium
EA900
90 Ah
720 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Varta Blue Dynamic
F16
80 Ah
740 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Varta Silver Dynamic
F19
85 Ah
800 A
315x175x190 mmMore
For the BMW 5 Series E60 with a 520 i gasoline engine, we choose batteries with dimensions of 315x175x190 mm, whose capacity exceeds 77 Ah. The weakest of these is the battery Exide Excell EB800 which capacity is 80 Ah and Cold Cranking Amps is 640 A. The most powerful battery is Exide Premium EA900 of a capacity 90Ah and Cold Cranking Amps: 720 A. All batteries compatible with the 520 i engine have a B13 mount.

BMW 5 Series E60 – petrol engines:
  • 520 i – with Start-Stop
  • 525 i xDrive
  • 530 i xDrive

ModelCapacity and CCADimensions (LxWxH)Price
Bosch S5 AGM
S5A 11
80 Ah
800 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Exide AGM
EK800
80 Ah
800 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Exide AGM
EK820
82 Ah
800 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Halfords Advanced
AGM 115
80 Ah
800 A
317x175x190 mmMore
Lucas Fusion AGM
LF115
80 Ah
800 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Varta Silver Dynamic AGM
F21
80 Ah
800 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Only some of the above petrol engines of the BMW 5 Series E60 have a Start-Stop system; however, AGM technology batteries should be used in this case. Let’s choose batteries with the dimensions: 315x175x190 mm or 317x175x190 mm. The parameters of these batteries are at least 80 Ah of a capacity and 800 A CCA (Cold Cranking Amps). All of the above motors have a base hold-down B13.

BMW 5 Series E60 – petrol engines:
  • 523 i
  • 525 i
  • 525 xi
  • 530 i
  • 530 xi
  • 540 i (L6 3.0L)

ModelCapacity and CCADimensions (LxWxH)Price
Bosch S4
S40 13
95 Ah
800 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Bosch S5
S50 13
100 Ah
830 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Exide Excell
EB950
95 Ah
800 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Exide Premium
EA1000
100 Ah
900 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Halfords Standard
HCB 019
95 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Varta Blue Dynamic
G3
95 Ah
800 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Varta Silver Dynamic
H3
100 Ah
830 A
353x175x190 mmMore
For the 523 i, 525 i, 525 xi petrol engines and others from the above list, we select batteries measuring 352x175x190 mm or 353x175x190 mm with a capacity exceeding 92 Ah. The weakest of these is the battery Bosch S4 S40 13 which capacity is 95 Ah and Cold Cranking Amps is 800 A. The most powerful battery is Exide Premium EA1000 of a capacity 100Ah and Cold Cranking Amps: 900 A. All of the above motors have a base hold-down B13.

BMW 5 Series E60 – petrol engines:
  • 540 i
  • 545 i
  • 550 i
  • M

ModelCapacity and CCADimensions (LxWxH)Price
Bosch S5 AGM
S5A 13
95 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Bosch S5
S50 15
110 Ah
920 A
393x175x190 mmMore
Exide AGM
EK950
95 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Exide AGM
EK960
96 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Exide Excell
EB1100
110 Ah
850 A
392x175x190 mmMore
Halfords Advanced
AGM 019
95 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Lucas Fusion AGM
LF017
95 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Lucas Premium
LP020
110 Ah
920 A
393x175x190 mmMore
Varta Silver Dynamic AGM
G14
95 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Varta Silver Dynamic
I1
110 Ah
920 A
393x175x190 mmMore
For the 540 i, 545 i, 550 i petrol engines and others from the above list, we select batteries measuring 353x175x190 mm, 392x175x190 mm or 393x175x190 mm with a capacity exceeding 92 Ah. 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 E60 – diesel engines:
  • 520 d

ModelCapacity and CCADimensions (LxWxH)Price
Bosch S5
S50 11
85 Ah
800 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Exide Excell
EB800
80 Ah
640 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Exide Premium
EA900
90 Ah
720 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Varta Blue Dynamic
F16
80 Ah
740 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Varta Silver Dynamic
F19
85 Ah
800 A
315x175x190 mmMore
The BMW 5 Series E60 with a 520 d diesel engine should be compatible with batteries of dimensions 315x175x190 mm, with a minimum capacity of 77 Ah. The most basic battery of this set is Exide Excell EB800 of a capacity 80Ah and 640A Cold Cranking Amps, the battery with the biggest capacity is Exide Premium EA900 of a capacity 90 Ah, having 720A Cold Cranking Amps. All batteries compatible with the 520 d engine have a B13 mount.

BMW 5 Series E60 – diesel engines:
  • 520 d – with Start-Stop

ModelCapacity and CCADimensions (LxWxH)Price
Bosch S5 AGM
S5A 11
80 Ah
800 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Exide AGM
EK800
80 Ah
800 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Exide AGM
EK820
82 Ah
800 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Halfords Advanced
AGM 115
80 Ah
800 A
317x175x190 mmMore
Lucas Fusion AGM
LF115
80 Ah
800 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Varta Silver Dynamic AGM
F21
80 Ah
800 A
315x175x190 mmMore
Owning a BMW 5 Series E60 with a 520 d engine and Start-Stop system means there is a need to use more expensive batteries made with AGM technology. Dimensions of matching batteries differ slightly depending on the manufacturer and are 315x175x190 mm or 317x175x190 mm. The parameters of these batteries are at least 80 Ah of a capacity and 800 A CCA (Cold Cranking Amps). All batteries compatible with the 520 d engine have a B13 mount.

BMW 5 Series E60 – diesel engines:
  • 525 d xDrive

ModelCapacity and CCADimensions (LxWxH)Price
Bosch S5 AGM
S5A 13
95 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Exide AGM
EK950
95 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Exide AGM
EK960
96 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Halfords Advanced
AGM 019
95 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Lucas Fusion AGM
LF017
95 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Varta Silver Dynamic AGM
G14
95 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
The BMW 5 Series E60 with a 525 d xDrive diesel engine should be compatible with batteries of dimensions 353x175x190 mm, with a minimum capacity of 92 Ah. The most basic battery of this set is Bosch S5 AGM S5A 13 of a capacity 95Ah and 850A Cold Cranking Amps, the battery with the biggest capacity is Exide AGM EK960 of a capacity 96 Ah, having 850A Cold Cranking Amps. All batteries compatible with the 525 d xDrive engine have a B13 mount.

BMW 5 Series E60 – diesel engines:
  • 525 d
  • 525 xd
  • 530 d
  • 530 d xDrive
  • 530 xd
  • 535 d

ModelCapacity and CCADimensions (LxWxH)Price
Bosch S5 AGM
S5A 13
95 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Bosch S5
S50 15
110 Ah
920 A
393x175x190 mmMore
Exide AGM
EK950
95 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Exide AGM
EK960
96 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Exide Excell
EB1100
110 Ah
850 A
392x175x190 mmMore
Halfords Advanced
AGM 019
95 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Lucas Fusion AGM
LF017
95 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Lucas Premium
LP020
110 Ah
920 A
393x175x190 mmMore
Varta Silver Dynamic AGM
G14
95 Ah
850 A
353x175x190 mmMore
Varta Silver Dynamic
I1
110 Ah
920 A
393x175x190 mmMore
The BMW 5 Series E60 with diesel engines 525 d, 525 xd, 530 d, and the others mentioned above, should be equipped with a battery sized 353x175x190 mm, 392x175x190 mm or 393x175x190 mm, with a minimum capacity of 92 Ah. 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.
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!

See also information about other cars of this manufacturer

BMW 1 Series E81, E87 (2003-2012) battery
BMW 1 Series E82 (Coupe) (2007-2013) battery
BMW 1 Series F20, F21 (2011-) battery
BMW 2 Series F22 Coupe (2013-) battery
BMW 2 Series F45 Active Tourer (2014-) battery
BMW 3 Series E30 (1985-1991) battery
BMW 3 Series E36 (1990-1998) battery
BMW 3 Series E46 (1998-2005) battery
BMW 3 Series E90 (2005-2011) battery
BMW 3 Series F30 (2011-) battery
BMW 4 Series F32 Coupe (2013-) battery
BMW 4 Series F36 Gran Coupe (2014-) battery
BMW 5 Series E34 (1988-1996) battery
BMW 5 Series E39 (1996-2003) battery
BMW 5 Series F10 (2010-2017) battery
BMW 6 Series E63 (2002-2010) battery
BMW 6 Series F06 Gran Coupe (2010-) battery
BMW 6 Series F13 Coupe (2010-) battery
BMW 7 Series E32 (1986-1994) battery
BMW 7 Series E38 (1994-2001) battery
BMW 7 Series E65, E66 (2001-2008) battery
BMW 7 Series F01, F02, F03, F04 (2008-2015) battery
BMW X1 E84 (2009-2015) battery
BMW X1 F48 (2015-2022) battery
BMW X2 (2018-) battery
BMW X3 E83 (2003-2010) battery
BMW X3 F25 (2010-2017) battery
BMW X4 F26 (2014-) battery
BMW X5 E53 (1999-2006) battery
BMW X5 E70 (2006-2013) battery
BMW X5 F15 (2013-) battery
BMW X6 E71, E72 (2008-2014) battery
BMW X6 II (F16) (2014-2019) battery
BMW X7 G07 (2019-) battery
BMW Z3 E36 (1996-2002) battery
BMW Z4 E85, E86 (2002-2009) battery
BMW Z4 E89 (2009-2016) battery


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