replacement starter battery

B8 S4
#1

They’re selling these for $1500 on Amazon Prime, which is a very good price. This is the same battery that Alpina uses in the B3 (they use the i48CE and below is the spec for an i49CE which is just a slightly larger footprint). This is essentially a lifetime battery, meaning the car should go to the junkyard with it. It should perform as good or better than lead acid in almost all situations, with the exception of negative temperatures.

Weight 14.4lbs / 6.5kg [OEM is 55-60 pounds]
Length 13.9" / 353mm [OEM is 15.4" / 393mm]
Width 6.8" / 173mm [same as OEM]
Height 7.7" / 195mm [same as OEM]
Pulse (hot) cranking amps: 2020 [OEM is 900 cold]
Ah: 38
Lithium Amp Hours Equivalent: 114 [OEM is 110]

https://www.braillebattery.com/index.php/braille/product_batteries/i49cx

#2

WOW that Is a great price. Look at that weight to. When you think about it. You need to maybe change the battery in the car maybe 3 times in the life of the car. So that’s 450 after tax maybe 500 so your spending 1000 to loose 40 lbs but also get a great battery with a warranty like that. Still seems like a lot but you also get a lot.

#3

Lifetime battery? Wow didn’t realise such a thing existed. Thanks for sharing westwest.

Am I right in thinking tat this is lead free?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0091QRORQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1417213841&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40

#4

Lifetime meaning if the battery is well maintained I would assume…?

#5

40 lb savings, I like it!!!

#6

From what I got it is lead free. I would like to know how the warranty works on this.

#7

this is what the website says

Lithium Warranty & Conditions

Race Winning Lithium Technology Designed for the Enthusiast and the Professional and are tuned for maximum output and performance. All of Braille’s lithium products are DOT approved and offer a 1 year FREE replacement warranty and up to an additional 2 year pro-rated warranty depending on model. Warranty may be void if battery is used “out of spec” or beyond intended use range. Talk to a Braille specialist to ensure that model is approved for your application.

#8

I know this isn’t in the same league, but I’ve been running this little 5lb lithium battery for over a year now and it impresses me. Every time I test the battery it shows 1000ca’s. I’ve let my car sit for two or more weeks and it has no problem starting the car. It’s crazy to me to have this little 5lb battery starting my 4.2 v8. Granted I live in an area that doesn’t see very cold winters. I would bet it could handle it though.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005FIUMOG/ref=pe_385040_30332200_pe_309540_26725410_item

#9

OK, let me get this straight. You have put this in your car and have been using it for all purposes? I wonder if it will work in an S4. Also, I wonder if taking it to the drag strip and using it only there, re-installing the stock battery at the end of the session is feasible? Could save 50 lbs perhaps? Thanks.

#10

Correct, I run it in my daily driver B6 S4. The description on amazon is wrong, but it’s actually the right battery. I doubt you would even have a need to re-install your boat anchor battery, this little 5lb battery is that good.

#11

This is a little bit more about that battery that I posted on AZ last year. Nothing much, just has a few pics and such. Also, further along in that thread someone picked up one with good things to say.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/564189-Anyone-running-a-lithium-ion-battery-Thoughts-experience?p=9168883&viewfull=1#post9168883

#12

Have some conflicting info from what westwest posted.

According to document I have our battery is only 380A and 80Ah not 110 as he stated

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/04/d956fcc1c8b76062b70f53d3eb3cac96.jpg

#13

http://www.audiworld.com/forums/s4-b8-platform-discussion-134/our-s4-battery-2781194/

#14

Hmmmm, I wonder why the conflicting numbers.

I wonder if they use different batteries depending on climate? Which wouldn’t make sense unless they go by country, since a car in Michigan could end up in Florida, and vice versa.

Thoughts?

#15

i have a picture of the label off a battery i pulled out of my s4, it says 12v 520A 110Ah on it.

#16

I know the document I posted is listed as “Germany” and 2008, so maybe it is now invalid. I would trust label on battery itself, obviously.

#17

This will work in an S4.
Probably good for drag race use.
For road course duty, I recommend against it, as it adversely affects weight distribution (makes the car more nose heavy).

West actually inspired me to make a post about this some time ago XD
http://dreamingin302ci.blogspot.ca/2014/11/weight-distribution.html

#18

This battery allegedly takes a bunch of strain off of the motor (alternator) since it holds a charge so well. It takes only 20% of the energy draw to charge it than a lead-acid does.

If you’re worried about ballasting the rear, keep a full tank of gas and leave the spare tire in the back. Or ask your copilot to sit in the back seat :slight_smile:

#19

Is installing it in the stock battery box an issue, securing it and connecting the cables? Thanks

#20

From another forum, the M5board:

[quote]Did you find out that you needed anything else? The battery should have standard terminals included, so you shouldn’t need anything additional.

There is no doubt that taking that much weight off the car is a good thing. The only downside is capacity with a smaller battery. For a daily driver, it will work just fine. Just make sure that if the car is going to sit for more than a week to put a charger on it!! That is the compromise with a smaller, lighter AGM battery!!

The only way you can go real light, have more capacity and better electrical performance is with one of their lithium batteries. The new BMW Aplina B3 GT3 is sold with the Braille Lithium battery as an option. All of the DTM (German Touring) cars have Braille lithium batteries, as well. Besides the weight savings, there is a noticeable improvement in hot starting, engine management performance and less HP draw from the alternator due to efficient charging (lithium charges 5 times faster than AGM). The full size lithium batteries (S models) have more capacity than the OE battery, so the car can sit for months without a charger and still start the vehicle. Life span is 7-10 years with lithium.

There is an exact model (in size) to the B3121 you bought, the ML30C, which is only 9 lbs and has nearly triple the capacity of the B3121 and will last up to 5 times longer.

The direct drop-in unit that Alpina is putting in the car is the I48CX, which is only 10 lbs, making it a 53 pound savings!

Braille Battery is located in Florida and you can call & talk to Gary if you have any questions. He handles the racing and OE stuff there.
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