2007/02/21 AutoZone Duralast 49-DL

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Tue Jan 9 15:11:42 PST 2007
Roger C. Pao <20070221-review.20.rpao "at sign" xoxy.net>

*&^%$#@! Car Won't Start

I need a new battery for my 2001 BMW 330i, and I don't want to pay a lot of money.

I googled for "bmw replacement battery".

I decided on the AutoZone Duralast 49-DL. It's longer, wider, has less height than the original, but it has more juice. I read it will not fit in the convertible model. Since I was stuck at home with my dead car, I asked my wife to get it. The salesperson kept telling her it was the wrong battery for my car. I told her to just buy what I asked for and ignore what the salesperson was saying.

When I had called AutoZone on the phone, the sales lady said the battery was in stock and cost $69.99 plus $10.00 core charge plus 7.75% Orange County, CA sales tax. When my wife got there, it was $79.99 instead of $69.99. The rest of the prices stayed the same.

I will attempt to return the old battery (core) tomorrow to get the $10 core charge back.

Update: I got the $10 core charge back minus the tax on it. Apparently, it is considered a service charge, so CA taxes it.

Once I turned on the car, the clock showed --:--, trip = 0, MPG = __._, and MPH = ___._. There's no way to get the old numbers back. The radio worked like normal. The car started right up. So the computer and radio look to be working normally.

Items received with the battery:

One vent tube with 90 degree elbow.
One male to male reducer / coupler.
One vent tube installation instruction sheet.

**Battery Specifications**
Part Number	Cold Cranking Amps	Cranking Amps at 32°F	Reserve Capacity	BCI Group	Weight	Warranty
BMW 61 21 8 381 749	640	765	140	49R		3 years [1]
Duralast 49-DL	850	1000	155	49	46 lbs.	7 years
Duralast Platinum H8-AGM	975	850	170	?	? lbs.	7 years?

[1] The 3 years I put down for the BMW battery is from the car's 3 year maintenance when I bought the car new. I do not know what the battery warranty is if you purchase the battery from the parts department.

2011/08/29 Update

The Duralast 49-DL died. Robert bought a Duralast Platinum 8H AGM to replace it. There is no URL for it yet so I don't have all the specs. yet. Taller so wood spacer not needed, AGM, 850 CCA, and 7 year pro-rated warranty?