[Shark]

Looks to me like any Group 49 AGM battery of at least 850 CCA should fit. Varta says their replacement battery (in Europe) is 175mm wide, 353 mm long and 190 mm high, and that seems to match up to Group 49 battery dimensions. They are relatively easy to find in the $200-$250 range.

Although the guy who made the video recommends using an OEM battery, I'm thinking perhaps an OEM battery is not really needed based on my experience registering a new battery in our X5.

Easy to understand why the battery AH capacity, type (AGM or not), and age would affect the charging strategy. But the serial number and part number? I doubt it. I'm thinking those fields are there to assist someone later working on the car what the history of the battery changes are, and to be able to confirm that the current battery was actually registered.

Anyone know for sure?

 

[jeffbtx]

Although the guy who made the video recommends using an OEM battery, I'm thinking perhaps an OEM battery is not really needed based on my experience registering a new battery in our X5.

Easy to understand why the battery AH capacity, type (AGM or not), and age would affect the charging strategy. But the serial number and part number? I doubt it. I'm thinking those fields are there to assist someone later working on the car what the history of the battery changes are, and to be able to confirm that the current battery was actually registered.

Anyone know for sure?

I guess you could always use the part number and serial number from the video.

 

[iconoclast]

Thanks for the video, Shark!

Hopefully as people replace their batteries, they will post here & tell us what brand/type & price they paid & if they had their Porsche dealer do it, what they paid.
I posted earlier all the specs from my original Varta battery. As mentioned in this thread, Varta does not sell in the USA.

FWIW, I recently (11-2017) replaced my 2000 Jaguar XJ8 lead acid battery with an AGM battery. I bought it at Pep Boys locally. It won't be the right size for the Macan but to give you an idea of costs, specs:

Bosch Premium Battery
Part #: 49-850BAGM| SKU: 838838
$164.99 (after their online promo coupon)

CCA 850
Amp Hour 90
Group Size H8/L5/49
Battery Type AGM
Cold Cranking Amps 850

detailed specs on the web page
https://www.pepboys.com/product/det...roduct/details/838838/00633/2000/JAGUAR/XJ-8/0/V8-3996%204.0L%20DOHC?quantity=1

So I think ~ $200 might be a fair price for a new Macan AGM battery. If a mechanic with the proper scan tool "registers" the new battery for you? Maybe an additional $50?

That may be wishful thinking though. Maybe Indy mechanics will not know how to do it? Maybe Porsche will charge $350-500?

I have never paid anyone to replace a battery for any of my cars but may need to do it with this one. It s/b so easy!

Removing the sub (which still looks fairy easy) makes this the most difficult battery replacement I've seen.

I'm still wondering, if you can trick the car into never "knowing" that the battery has been replaced. By using the CTEK charger -- which remains hooked up... either at the battery terminal cables or maybe at the under the hood jump start terminals or even from the power socket inside the car! If this works it may only work if the replacement battery has the exact same Ah, CCA, etc. IDK. (I’m suggesting using the CTEK instead of using another 12V battery bc I don’t have extra automotive batteries sitting around

To give an example, on my old computer, I used to have to re-pair the wireless mouse with the receiver, whenever changing batteries.
This was a pain & involved timing when I pressed button A vs pressing button B, etc. I experimented & found an easy work-a-round.

I simply brought the mouse to the other end of the house, out of range, swapped batteries & returned it to the computer, back in range. Then, instead of reporting a dead battery the computer now just reported 100% charge & no need to jump through all the normal hoops to re-pair the 2! I did this for years w/o issue.

 

[1oldf]

Had my 23 month old 17s with 8500 miles battery replaced today. And it was NOT under warranty do to not driving 6000 miles a year and no trickle charge used.

part (958-611-092-21)/labor. The dealer charge 671.00 with a 20% coupon.

On my to do list today is to buy a trickle charger. Any idea what trickle charger should I buy.

Thanks

 

[jeffbtx]

Thanks for the video, Shark!

Hopefully as people replace their batteries, they will post here & tell us what brand/type & price they paid & if they had their Porsche dealer do it, what they paid.
I posted earlier all the specs from my original Varta battery. As mentioned in this thread, Varta does not sell in the USA.

FWIW, I recently (11-2017) replaced my 2000 Jaguar XJ8 lead acid battery with an AGM battery. I bought it at Pep Boys locally. It won't be the right size for the Macan but to give you an idea of costs, specs:

Bosch Premium Battery
Part #: 49-850BAGM| SKU: 838838
$164.99 (after their online promo coupon)

CCA 850
Amp Hour 90
Group Size H8/L5/49
Battery Type AGM
Cold Cranking Amps 850

detailed specs on the web page
https://www.pepboys.com/product/det...roduct/details/838838/00633/2000/JAGUAR/XJ-8/0/V8-3996%204.0L%20DOHC?quantity=1

So I think ~ $200 might be a fair price for a new Macan AGM battery. If a mechanic with the proper scan tool "registers" the new battery for you? Maybe an additional $50?

That may be wishful thinking though. Maybe Indy mechanics will not know how to do it? Maybe Porsche will charge $350-500?

I have never paid anyone to replace a battery for any of my cars but may need to do it with this one. It s/b so easy!

Removing the sub (which still looks fairy easy) makes this the most difficult battery replacement I've seen.

I'm still wondering, if you can trick the car into never "knowing" that the battery has been replaced. By using the CTEK charger -- which remains hooked up... either at the battery terminal cables or maybe at the under the hood jump start terminals or even from the power socket inside the car! If this works it may only work if the replacement battery has the exact same Ah, CCA, etc. IDK. (I’m suggesting using the CTEK instead of using another 12V battery bc I don’t have extra automotive batteries sitting around

To give an example, on my old computer, I used to have to re-pair the wireless mouse with the receiver, whenever changing batteries.
This was a pain & involved timing when I pressed button A vs pressing button B, etc. I experimented & found an easy work-a-round.

I simply brought the mouse to the other end of the house, out of range, swapped batteries & returned it to the computer, back in range. Then, instead of reporting a dead battery the computer now just reported 100% charge & no need to jump through all the normal hoops to re-pair the 2! I did this for years w/o issue.

The Bosch AGM battery from Pep Boys is a great deal for a really good battery with a warranty much better than what Porsche offers. The correct size for the Macan is the H7. The H8 you put in your Jag has same W and H dimensions but it is about 1.5 inches longer than the H7. Thanks for the info.

BTW, for degree of replacement difficulty, check out the Cayenne battery, neatly tucked under the driver's seat.

 

[Shark]

The correct size for the Macan is the H7. The H8 you put in your Jag has same W and H dimensions but it is about 1.5 inches longer than the H7.

I'm curious why you would suggest an H7 rather than H8 (which it appears is the same battery as the Group 49 battery I suggested).

Looks to me like the H8 is the exact same dimensions as the OEM Varta (13.9 inches long), whereas the H7 you suggested is only 12.43 inches long.

Or is the answer simply that either one will fit and work fine?

 

[Shark]

FWIW, I recently (11-2017) replaced my 2000 Jaguar XJ8 lead acid battery with an AGM battery. I bought it at Pep Boys locally. It won't be the right size for the Macan but to give you an idea of costs, specs:

Bosch Premium Battery
Part #: 49-850BAGM| SKU: 838838
$164.99 (after their online promo coupon)

CCA 850
Amp Hour 90
Group Size H8/L5/49
Battery Type AGM
Cold Cranking Amps 850

detailed specs on the web page
https://www.pepboys.com/product/details/838838/00633/2000/JAGUAR/XJ-8/0/V8-3996%25204.0L%2520DOHC?quantity=1.

Isn't the battery you bought the exact same size of the OEM Varta in our Macans?

 

[Shark]

Any idea what trickle charger should I buy.

I bought a CTEK MUS 4.3 as it has a mode for charging AGM batteries. Currently $61.54 on Amazon.

 

[Shark]

If a mechanic with the proper scan tool "registers" the new battery for you? Maybe an additional $50?

When I had to replace the battery in our X5 I did it myself and then brought it to an indy who is a European specialist to have the new battery registered. $50 is exactly what he charged me. I don't think it took him more than 10 minutes.

 

[jeffbtx]

I'm curious why you would suggest an H7 rather than H8 (which it appears is the same battery as the Group 49 battery I suggested).

Looks to me like the H8 is the exact same dimensions as the OEM Varta (13.9 inches long), whereas the H7 you suggested is only 12.43 inches long.

Or is the answer simply that either one will fit and work fine?

You're correct - I mixed up the groups 48 (H7) and 49 (H8). My 996 and 997 have the H7 as OEM size but an H8 will fit. I'm sure the H7 would fit in the Macan but I'd use the correct size H8. Sorry for confusing the issue. Do you know what the retail is for the Varta? The Bosch still seems like a great deal plus the warranty.

 

[Shark]

You're correct - I mixed up the groups 48 (H7) and 49 (H8). My 996 and 997 have the H7 as OEM size but an H8 will fit. I'm sure the H7 would fit in the Macan but I'd use the correct size H8. Sorry for confusing the issue. Do you know what the retail is for the Varta? The Bosch still seems like a great deal plus the warranty.

As Iconoclast has said before, I don't think Varta sells automotive batteries here in the U.S. (although maybe you can buy one from a Porsche dealer, but if that's the case I would not bother asking the price

Advance Auto Parts sells an Autocraft H8 AGM for $189.99, and it seems like every time I go on their website I'm offered a 20% discount, so that would bring the price to $151.99. But it only has a 3 year full replacement warranty, whereas the Bosch at Pep Boys has 4 years.

 

[iconoclast]

Isn't the battery you bought the exact same size of the OEM Varta in our Macans?

IDK

I was measuring that battery vs. my old Jaguar Interstate Battery & the dimensions were slightly different & my main concern was the Bosch was~ ½" higher. But, I tested the space & mounting & figured it will fit & I'd be able to secure it under the trunk floor in my Jag. It did end up fitting.

So b4 I would buy a new battery for my Macan I would measure the exact dimensions of my existing Varta + see how much extra space (if any) I had (for L, W & H). If the new brand would fit then I'd want to check to see if it had any differences with a lip or some other feature of the OEM that helped it fit securely in the Macan space that perhaps the new brand lacked.

One thing re the Bosch, it is only 90 Ah vs. the OEM Varta which has 92Ah.
Somehow I like the idea of moving up in Ah, CCA, warranty but, not down
Probably not a big deal if only 2 Ah & everything else is right.
I'm not sure what the CCA are on my Varta
As I posted from the label:
7P0915 105C

AGM 12V 92 Ah
520A DIN
850A EN/SAE/GS
BEM Code
7P ∅ 151 ∅ 5C
JCB25 ∅7 ∅11179
*2 ∅5 JCB 2F71179 ∅*

IDK if "850A" = CCA.

Cold Cranking Amps is different vs:Cranking Amps
CCA is a lower #.

The Bosch has 1020 CA but only 850 CCA.

And then there is the reserve capacity in minutes to consider.

 

[jeffbtx]

The use of international battery group sizes was supposed to take the size guesswork out of all this. The Varta BCI Group 49 should be the same size as the Bosch BCI Group 49 and in fact they are - 353mm x 175mm x 190mm. Many of the US batteries are manufactured by the same company (controlled or owned by Johnson Controls?) - I'd be curious to see how the Autozone AGM has a slightly higher CCA than the Bosch AGM - maybe just marketing hype?

 

[TBoy]

So has anyone replaced the battery in the car themselves without updating the battery information in the car? I would like to know what happens. I bet that after some period of time the car will report that a new battery is needed, similar to the oil change reminder. Can anyone confirm this.

 

[Shark]

So has anyone replaced the battery in the car themselves without updating the battery information in the car? I would like to know what happens. I bet that after some period of time the car will report that a new battery is needed, similar to the oil change reminder. Can anyone confirm this.

Based on much discussion over on the BMW forums and according to the indy in our town that registered the new battery for me in our X5, a new battery's charging needs are different versus a battery that's toward the end of it's life. So if you don't let the car know that you've replaced the battery (as well as the battery capacity and AGM or not), it thinks it's still charging the old battery, and the new battery will not be charged in an optimal manner which will greatly reduce its life. I can't recall if it's because the new battery is going to tend to be overcharged or undercharged, but it was one of the two.

 

[jeffbtx]

Based on much discussion over on the BMW forums and according to the indy in our town that registered the new battery for me in our X5, a new battery's charging needs are different versus a battery that's toward the end of it's life. So if you don't let the car know that you've replaced the battery (as well as the battery capacity and AGM or not), it thinks it's still charging the old battery, and the new battery will not be charged in an optimal manner which will greatly reduce its life. I can't recall if it's because the new battery is going to tend to be overcharged or undercharged, but it was one of the two.

And I imagine there are fuel economy implications too since the alternator may be working too hard if the car doesn't know what battery is being charged. Amazing how EPA gets invovled in everything now.

 

[Shark]

And I imagine there are fuel economy implications too since the alternator may be working too hard if the car doesn't know what battery is being charged. Amazing how EPA gets invovled in everything now.

you might find this article interesting:

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cu...car-culture/buying-maintenance/a25710/enginerdy-strange-connections-bmw-n63-v8/

We own one of them, and luckily we are only on our third battery after seven years and 70,000 miles, and plenty of use of a battery tender.

 

[iconoclast]

I asked my Porsche SA today if it's true that after battery replacement it has to be registered with the computer and was told yes.
I asked the cost & was told they had not yet replaced any Macan batteries but if it is the same as Cayenne, ~ $650!

I expressed dismay at the high-cost since new AGM batteries can be purchased for between $150 and $250. I asked if I bought & installed my own new AGM battery, could I bring it to Porsche & pay ½ hour labor to have them register it?


YES, assuming it is a correct battery with the serial #, etc.

When the time comes, depending on what I read on this forum, I may try to do something like that. However, if I walked in with a Bosch battery or Interstate, bc it would not be the exact battery that Porsche uses from their parts department, they may balk and say it can't be done or they won't do it.

Maybe I'll see what batteries the local Porsche parts department carries and what they charge for it. Although it'll probably be at least double what I can get elsewhere, defeating the whole purpose!

So, if I can buy a good AGM battery for $200 and pay Porsche $50 dollars to install it… that sure beats $650. But, if I have to buy one from their parts department for $500, what's the point vs. just biting the bullet and having them do the whole thing?


I just looked it up @ Gaudin Porsche Las Vegas
958-611-105-21 105 AMP HOUR List price $687.06, Price $443.57

Also list another battery with no price & a ∅ where price s/b:
958-611-92-21 92 AMP HOUR

My guess is they now use 105 Ah vs the OEM 92 Ah so maybe so should we.


https://www.gaudinporscheparts.com/...ts/2016/porsche/macan/turbo-trim/3-6l-v6-gas-engine/electrical-cat/battery-scat

 

[Shark]

Iconoclast, so the dealer said they only charge $50 to register your battery? I would have guessed it to be double that.

Why not just have it registered by an indy? We know from the video I posted that PIWIS is not required.

 

[iconoclast]

I'm not certain that Porsche will register a battery I installed for $50 or ½ hr. labor charge despite what my SA said. If I was sure a specific Indy shop near me could do it correctly, I would go there. Maybe I will.

IDK how I will know if that "registration" was done correctly, not done at all or done incorrectly.