optima battery for the coupe

[steve in reno]

which red top Optima battery works for our coupe.
there is a limited amount of space above top battery posts. Or should I go to a side post?
Many of you have the optima.
Best $ , local parts places that carry the Optima?

thanks

 

[Stevehose]

I gave up on Optima batteries, my recent yellow top only lasted 2 years.

 

[steve in reno]

I gave up on Optima batteries, my recent yellow top only lasted 2 years.

There is a small number of batteries that will fit in the space we have available.
I am open to suggestions and not set on a brand.
Need number and brand.
thanks steve

 

[HB Chris]

Battery help please

I Have to put a new battery in the Polaris coupe and I would like to use a BMW battery, I will get a little discount being a member of the BMW club but I was hoping to get a recommendation for the part number if possible. Thanks, Peter

e9coupe.com

Battery height for e9

I'm looking for a new battery for my '72 3.0CS and find that many suppliers are recommending batteries that are 8" high, some 7.5" high. Measuring from my e9 battery-box's bottom panel, it looks to me that an 8"-high battery would be too tall and might interfere with the hood assembly. The...

e9coupe.com

 

[Arde]

I am using red optimas or E9, E24, E36.
On the E9 it was a bit taller that desirable but no shorts against the hood AFAIK.

I cannot opine on longevity vs. other brands, I just like the idea of no acid corrosion.

 

[Ohmess]

I too am using a red top Optima in my e9. I found a really good price over the net, delivered to my house, but I don't recall who I bought it through. I think I've had it for two years; and I regularly put it on a battery tender. I eliminated all parasitic battery drains two years ago, but remain concerned that one might pop up somewhere and I will become aware of this fact only when it kills another battery.

I know Don Lawrence is a big fan of Bosch batteries because they retain the original look. Obviously, with Triple Weber carbs and the associated changes to get those into the car, my car will never look original when you open the hood.

 

[sfdon]

“I know Don Lawrence is a big fan of Bosch batteries because they retain the original look.”

and Cheap! Don’t forget cheap!

Oreilly is 50 bucks more for an electric photon green battery!

 

[Luis A.]

There are other AGM (no acid leaks, if that's what you are seeking) batteries available bedside the Optima, with the added benefit of being the correct size/group code.

Such as this one, broadly available through Batteries Plus stores.

Duracell AGM Group 47

 

[Jellobmw]

I too gave up on Optima batteries. Mine lasted only 3 years despite being on a tender during winter months.

I've switched to an ACDelco AGM. Size is not an issue as it's in a battery box in the trunk.

 

[lip277]

I had an Optima battery in my Mustang for many years. The battery was encased to look like the OE battery from back in 1968....
It cost a TON of money but I liked the period look that it gave the car. When not driving, the car was kept on a BatteryMinder set for AGM batteries.
It lasted 16 years... just a month ago crapping out. I priced new versions of the battery I had - did NOT want to spend the $500+ they get for these new.
And... hearing the issues that Optima may have now, I just went down to NAPA and got a good old generic battery (as CR recommends for my size).
I have that on a charger now and will (I am sure) work fine...

 

[ElRey]

Perhaps do a trunk mount. I use an Odyssey battery, which has worked fine for six years. Note: don't let the battery run down or it dies deader than dead. . . ask me how I know (I leave the trickle charger connections on to remind me). The battery is 20cm by 17cm by 17.25 cm which is small. The battery has 540 cold cranking amps and does a good job starting the car.

 

[taylorcom]

I'm told the correct group size is 47. I just installed one (an Exide from Home Depot) and it seems to fit fine. It's 7.5" high. Before that, my e9 had a size 42 battery, which is shorter than the 47, and worked fine. Parts stores often recommend size 26R, which is 8" tall. I think that might be a bit tall for the small space available between the battery and the hood assembly.