Car battery by model
It depends on the generation and on whether your BMW 1 Series has Start-Stop. With Start-Stop, the BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87 (2004-2013) almost always takes a battery like the Varta A6: AGM, 80 Ah and 800 A; without Start-Stop, the Varta F17 (conventional, 80 Ah). With Start-Stop, the BMW 1 Series F20/F21 (2011-2019) always takes a battery like the Varta A6: AGM, 80 Ah and 800 A. Below you will find all 3 generations, each with its battery.
- 3 generations
- from 2004
- 36 engines
- AGM · EFB · conventional
Check with your number plateWe show you only the batteries that fit your exact version.
BMW 1 Series generations and their battery
Newest first. If you are not sure which one you have, go by the year of manufacture or check with your number plate.
BMW 1 Series (F40)
With Start-Stop: Varta N70 EFB · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3Also: Varta N80
Without Start-Stop: Varta N80 EFB · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4Also: Varta N60
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BMW 1 (F21)
BMW 1 Series (F20/F21)
With Start-Stop: Varta A6 AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4
See the battery for each engine BMW 1 Series (F20/F21)
BMW 1 (E81) 
BMW 1 Coupe (E82)
BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E87)
With Start-Stop: Varta A6 AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4Also: Varta A7
Without Start-Stop: Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4Also: Varta E11, Varta C22
See the battery for each engine BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E87)How the BMW 1 Series battery has changed
Start-Stop becomes widespread with the BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87 (2004), and with it come AGM batteries. The most common case size is L4, but not every generation uses it: check yours before you buy.
How to tell which BMW 1 Series you have
Each generation has its own production years and model code, which you will find in the car’s documents. These are the body styles of each one:
| Generation | Years | Body styles (model code) |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 1 Series (F40) | from 2019 | BMW 1 (F40) |
| BMW 1 Series (F20/F21) | 2011-2019 | BMW 1 (F20), BMW 1 (F21) |
| BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E87) | 2004-2013 | BMW 1 (E87), BMW 1 (E81), BMW 1 Coupe (E82) |
Frequently asked questions
Which battery does the BMW 1 Series take?
It depends on the generation and on whether your BMW 1 Series has Start-Stop. With Start-Stop, the BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87 (2004-2013) almost always takes a battery like the Varta A6: AGM, 80 Ah and 800 A; without Start-Stop, the Varta F17 (conventional, 80 Ah). With Start-Stop, the BMW 1 Series F20/F21 (2011-2019) always takes a battery like the Varta A6: AGM, 80 Ah and 800 A. Below you will find all 3 generations, each with its battery.
Do all BMW 1 Series generations take the same battery?
No. The battery changes with the generation, the engine and Start-Stop: the BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E87) mostly takes the Varta A6 (AGM) and the BMW 1 Series (F40) the Varta N70 (EFB).
Since when has the BMW 1 Series had Start-Stop?
It became widespread with the BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87 (2004). Those versions need AGM; if your BMW 1 Series is older or has no Start-Stop, it takes a conventional battery.
How do I know which generation my BMW 1 Series is?
By the years of manufacture (BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E87): 2004-2013; BMW 1 Series (F20/F21): 2011-2019; BMW 1 Series (F40): from 2019) or, more easily, with your number plate: our search identifies the exact model and engine and shows you only the batteries that fit.
Updated: · Source: battery application data by engine (KType TecDoc), the same data our number plate search uses, plus the datasheet of each battery.