Change Car Battery BMW 5-Series

Change Car Battery

Very easy 0h30–0h45 ~50–75£
Estimated time 0h30–0h45
Estimated labour cost ~50–75£
Difficulty Very easy
Vehicles
5-Series 1987-1997 6
  • 520i Petrol (M20B20M)
  • 525i Petrol (M20B25M)
  • 525i, -ix Petrol (M50B25)
  • 530i Petrol (M30B30M)
  • 535i Petrol (M30B35M)
  • 535i Petrol (M30B35M)
5-Series 1996-2004 20
  • 520d Diesel (M47D20 (204D1))
  • 520i Petrol (M52B20TU (206S4))
  • 520i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20 (206S3))
  • 520i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20TU (206S4))
  • 520i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B22 (226S1))
  • 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B25 (256S3))
  • 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B25TU (256S4))
  • 525d Diesel (M57D25 (256D1))
  • 525i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B25 (256S5))
  • 525td Diesel (M51D25 (256T1))
  • 525tds Diesel (M51D25 (256T1))
  • 528i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B28 (286S1))
  • 528i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B28TU (286S2))
  • 530d Diesel (M57D30 (306D1))
  • 530d Diesel (M57D30 (306D1))
  • 530i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B30 (306S3))
  • 535i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M62B35 (358S1))
  • 535i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M62B35TU (358S2))
  • 540i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M62B44 (448S1))
  • M5 Petrol (S62B50 (508S1))
5-Series 2003-2011 30
  • 520d Diesel (M47D20T2)
  • 520d Diesel (N47D20A)
  • 520d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 520i (120/125 kW) Petrol (N43B20A)
  • 520i Petrol (M54B22)
  • 520i Petrol (N46B20B)
  • 523i Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N53B25A)
  • 525d Diesel (M57D25TU)
  • 525d Diesel (M57D25TU)
  • 525d Diesel (M57D30 (306D3))
  • 525d, Xd Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 525i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B25)
  • 525i, Xi LPG,Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 525i, Xi Petrol (N53B30A)
  • 530d Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 530d Diesel (M57D30TU)
  • 530d, Xd Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 530d, Xd Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 530i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B30)
  • 530i, Xi LPG,Petrol (N52B30A)
  • 530i, Xi Petrol (N52B30A)
  • 530i, Xi Petrol (N53B30A)
  • 535d Diesel (M57D30T2TOP)
  • 535d Diesel (M57D30TUTOP)
  • 540i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N62B40A)
  • 545i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N62B44A)
  • 550i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N62B48B)
  • M5, -LPG LPG,Petrol (S85B50A)
5-Series 2009-2017 35
  • 518d Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 518d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 520d Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 520d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 520d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 520d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 520d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 520d,-xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 520i Petrol (N20B16A)
  • 520i Petrol (N20B20A)
  • 520i Petrol (N20B20B)
  • 520i Petrol (N20B20D)
  • 523i Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 523i Petrol (N53B30A)
  • 525d Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 525d Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 525d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20D)
  • 528i Petrol (N52B30A)
  • 528i Petrol (N53B30A)
  • 528i, -xDrive Petrol (N20B20A)
  • 530d, -xDrive Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 530d, -xDrive Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 530d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 530i Petrol (N52B30A)
  • 530i Petrol (N53B30A)
  • 535d Diesel (N57D30B)
  • 535d, -xDrive Diesel (N57D30B)
  • 535i, -xDrive M Performance Petrol (N55B30A)
  • 535i, -xDrive Petrol (N55B30A)
  • 550i, -xDrive Petrol (N63B44A)
  • 550i, -xDrive Petrol (N63B44B)
  • M5 30 Jahre Petrol (S63B44B)
  • M5 Petrol (S63B44B)
  • M5 Petrol (S63B44B)
  • M550d xDrive Diesel (N57D30C)
5-Series 2017-2025 26
  • 520d, -mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1)
  • 520d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 520d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 520e Electricity,Petrol (B48B20A+GC1)
  • 520i M Performance Petrol (B48B20A)
  • 520i Petrol (B48B16A)
  • 520i Petrol (B48B20A)
  • 520i Petrol (B48B20B)
  • 520i Petrol (B48B20B)
  • 525d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 530d, -xDrive Diesel (B57D30A)
  • 530e iPerformance Electricity,Petrol (B48B20A+GC1)
  • 530e, -xDrive Electricity,Petrol (B48B20A+GC1)
  • 530i, -xDrive Petrol (B48B20B)
  • 540d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B)
  • 540d, -xDrive Diesel (B57D30B)
  • 540i mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Petrol (B58B30C)
  • 540i xDrive Petrol (B58B30C)
  • 540i, -xDrive M Performance Petrol (B58B30A)
  • 540i, -xDrive Petrol (B58B30A)
  • 545e, -xDrive Petrol (B58B30C+GC1)
  • M5 Competition Petrol (S63B44B)
  • M5 Petrol (S63B44B)
  • M550d xDrive Diesel (B57D30C)
  • M550i xDrive Petrol (N63B44C)
  • M550i xDrive Petrol (N63B44D)

What is the role of the battery in a BMW 5-Series?

The battery is primarily used to start the engine and to power electrical equipment when the engine is off. When the engine is running, the alternator provides the energy needed by the various electrical systems. During this operating phase, the battery stores electrical energy in chemical form. This energy is released as electrical current when the engine is switched off again.

What are the different types of BMW 5-Series battery?

There are three main types of lead/acid battery:

  • Open battery: Designed for older vehicles with reduced electrical/electronic equipment and without Stop and Start. Requires regular electrolyte level checks.
  • EFB battery (Enhanced Flooded Battery): An improved open battery with reduced water loss. Suitable for simple Stop and Start systems. Maintenance-free.
  • AGM battery (Absorbent Glass Mat): Sealed battery with excellent charge/discharge and vibration resistance. Suitable for Stop and Start with regenerative braking. Maintenance-free.

When should you change your BMW 5-Series battery?

The battery is a wear part that should be changed at the first signs of weakness (difficulty starting). The vehicle maintenance plan rarely specifies periodic replacement. Battery life depends on usage conditions, battery type, and vehicle condition. Average life is about 5 years.

How to choose your BMW 5-Series battery?

For replacement, obtain a battery with the same specifications as the old one: voltage (12V), dimensions, battery type (AGM), storage capacity in Ah, starting current in A, terminal positions. You can fit a battery with slightly higher capacity and starting current. AGM vehicles must use AGM replacements.

How to change your BMW 5-Series battery without data loss?

To avoid resetting systems and losing vehicle data (radio, clock, settings), use an electronic memory saver (maintains 12V in the electrical circuit while replacing the battery). Connect it to battery cables, accessory socket, or diagnostic socket before disconnecting. Available from €10; prefer a version protected against reversed connections and short circuits.

Is it difficult to change the BMW 5-Series battery?

Battery replacement presents no particular difficulty unless elements obstruct access (fuse board, engine management ECU). Difficulty level 1/5: technically very easy. The step-by-step method covers: switch off ignition and all consumers, connect memory saver, remove obstructions, disconnect terminals (negative first), remove battery, clean tray and terminals, fit new battery, reconnect (positive first), check systems and reset as needed.

View all compatible products →
View your 5-Series maintenance plan (keep the 5-Series token) →

6 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
5-Series 1981-1988 1981-1988 518 Petrol (M10B18), 518i Petrol (M10B18), 520i Petrol (M20B20), 520i Petrol (M20B20), 524td Diesel (M21D24), 525e Petrol (M20B27), 525i Petrol (M30B25), 528i Petrol (M30B28), 535i Petrol (M30B34), M5 Petrol (S38B35) Diesel, Petrol
5-Series 1987-1997 1987-1997 520i Petrol (M20B20M), 525i Petrol (M20B25M), 525i, -ix Petrol (M50B25), 530i Petrol (M30B30M), 535i Petrol (M30B35M), 535i Petrol (M30B35M) Petrol
5-Series 1996-2004 1996-2004 520d Diesel (M47D20 (204D1)), 520i Petrol (M52B20TU (206S4)), 520i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20 (206S3)), 520i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20TU (206S4)), 520i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B22 (226S1)), 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B25 (256S3)), 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B25TU (256S4)), 525d Diesel (… Diesel, LPG, Petrol
5-Series 2003-2011 2003-2011 520d Diesel (M47D20T2), 520d Diesel (N47D20A), 520d Diesel (N47D20C), 520i (120/125 kW) Petrol (N43B20A), 520i Petrol (M54B22), 520i Petrol (N46B20B), 523i Petrol (N52B25A), 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N52B25A), 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N53B25A), 525d Diesel (M57D25TU), 525d Diesel (M5… Diesel, LPG, Petrol
5-Series 2009-2017 2009-2017 518d Diesel (B47D20A), 518d Diesel (N47D20C), 520d Diesel (B47D20A), 520d Diesel (N47D20C), 520d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C), 520d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (B47D20A), 520d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N47D20C), 520d,-xDrive Diesel (B47D20A), 520i Petrol (N20B16A), 520i Petr… Diesel, Petrol
5-Series 2017-2025 2017-2025 518d Diesel (B47D20B), 518d, -mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B), 520d, -mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 520d, -mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 520d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A), 520d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20B), 520e Electricity,Petrol (B48B20A+GC1), 520i… 48V (MHEV), Diesel, Electricity, Petrol

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View the service schedule for your 5-Series →