BMW 1 (E81) 
BMW 1 Coupe (E82)
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Car battery by model
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, in case size L4. Versions without Start-Stop take the Varta F17 (conventional, 80 Ah and 740 A); the table shows the battery for each engine.
- 2004-2013
- 11 engines
- AGM · conventional
- Case L4
Check with your number plateWe show you only the batteries that fit your exact version.
Recommended batteries for the BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87
For Start-Stop versions
AGM 80 Ah · 800 A (EN)
Case L4 · 315 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Recommended for 6 of 11 engines
See price and specs Varta A6
For versions without Start-Stop
conventional 80 Ah · 740 A (EN)
Case LB4 · 315 × 175 × 175 mm · + right
Recommended for 3 of 11 engines
See price and specs Varta F17
For Start-Stop versions
AGM 70 Ah · 760 A (EN)
Case L3 · 278 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Recommended for 5 of 11 engines
See price and specs Varta A7
Equivalent to the Varta A7
AGM 72 Ah · 760 A (EN)
Case L3 · 278 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Same dimensions and terminal layout, the same or higher capacity and the same or better technology
See price and specs Tudor TK720BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87 battery by engine
Each row groups the versions that share an engine. When an engine lists more than one battery, it is because the battery changes with the version or equipment: your number plate settles it.
| Engine | Power | Years | Fuel | With Start-Stop | Without Start-Stop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 116 dN47 D20 A, N47 D20 C | 66-85 kW (90-116 hp) | 2008-2011 | Diesel | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right | Varta F17conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 116 iN43 B16 AA, N43 B20 A, N45 B16 A | 85-90 kW (115-122 hp) | from 2004 | Petrol | Varta A7AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta C22conventional · 52 Ah · 470 A · L1 · + rightVarta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 118 dM47 D20 (204D4), N47 D20 A, N47 D20 C | 90-105 kW (122-143 hp) | 2004-2013 | Diesel | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right | Varta F17conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 118 iN43 B20 A, N46 B20 B | 95-125 kW (129-170 hp) | 2004-2011 | Petrol | Varta A7AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + rightVarta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + rightVarta C22conventional · 52 Ah · 470 A · L1 · + right |
| 120 dM47 D20 (204D4), N47 D20 A, N47 D20 C | 110-145 kW (150-197 hp) | 2004-2013 | Diesel | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right | Varta F17conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 120 iN43 B20 A, N46 B20 A, N46 B20 B, N46 B20 BD, N46 B20 C, N46 B20 CC… | 110-125 kW (150-170 hp) | 2004-2013 | Petrol | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + rightVarta A7AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + rightVarta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + rightVarta G3conventional · 95 Ah · 800 A · L5 · + right |
| 123 dN47 D20 B, N47 D20 D | 150 kW (204 hp) | 2007-2013 | Diesel | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right | — |
| 125 iN52 B30 A, N52 B30 B, N52 B30 BF | 160 kW (218 hp) | 2008-2013 | Petrol | Varta A7AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | — |
| 130 iN52 B30 A, N52 B30 AF, N52 B30 B, N52 B30 BF | 190-195 kW (258-265 hp) | 2005-2011 | Petrol | — | Varta D24conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + rightVarta E11conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 135 iN54 B30 A, N55 B30 A | 225-240 kW (306-326 hp) | 2007-2013 | Petrol | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right | — |
| MN54 B30 A | 250 kW (340 hp) | 2011-2012 | Petrol | Varta A7AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | — |
With Start-Stop: versions with automatic engine stop-start, or that leave the factory with an EFB or AGM battery. Ah = capacity; A = cold cranking current (EN standard); + right/+ left = side of the positive terminal. Under each engine you will find its engine codes, handy for identifying your version.
What you should know about the BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87
This page brings together the first-generation 1 Series: the E81 three-door, the E87 five-door and the E82 Coupé. Without Start-Stop, the most common battery is an 80 Ah conventional one in the low LB4 case; versions with Start-Stop or a factory-fitted AGM battery take an 80 Ah AGM in an L4 case or a 70 Ah one in an L3. As on every BMW of that era with energy management, the new battery is registered with a diagnostic tool.
- Model fact: the BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87 mainly uses case sizes L4 (315 × 175 × 190 mm), LB4 (315 × 175 × 175 mm) and L3 (278 × 175 × 190 mm). A battery of a different size will not sit securely in the car’s battery tray.
- General tip: if your car came from the factory with an AGM battery, replace it with another AGM; if it has an EFB, with an EFB or an AGM. A conventional battery in a Start-Stop car wears out much sooner and the system may stop working.
- General tip: BMWs with intelligent battery management need the new battery to be registered with a diagnostic tool; if you change capacity or technology, that has to be coded as well.
- General tip: in a compact car that mixes town and open-road driving, the battery suffers most in winter and with lots of equipment switched on (heated rear window, heated seats). If cold starts become sluggish, have it checked before it leaves you stranded.
Frequently asked questions
Which battery does the BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E87, 2004-2013) take?
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, in case size L4. Versions without Start-Stop take the Varta F17 (conventional, 80 Ah and 740 A); the table shows the battery for each engine.
Can I fit a standard battery in my BMW 1 Series with Start-Stop?
It is not recommended. If it came from the factory with an AGM battery, such as the Varta A6, the replacement should also be AGM: with an EFB or a conventional battery it wears out sooner and the Start-Stop system may stop working.
What size battery does the BMW 1 Series take?
Depending on the engine, the BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87 uses these case sizes: L4 (315 × 175 × 190 mm), LB4 (315 × 175 × 175 mm) and L3 (278 × 175 × 190 mm); dimensions are length × width × height. Also check that the positive terminal is on the same side as on your current battery.
Does the Varta A6 fit the BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87?
Yes, it is one of the recommended batteries for the BMW 1 Series E81/E82/E87 with the 116 d, 118 d, 120 d, 120 i, 123 d and 135 i engines (6 of the 11 engines in the table). For the others, check their row in the table or search by number plate.
How do I find out exactly which battery my BMW 1 Series takes?
Enter your number plate or chassis number (VIN) in our battery finder: it identifies the exact engine and shows you only the compatible batteries. You can also check the label on your current battery: capacity (Ah), cold cranking (A, EN standard) and technology (AGM, EFB or conventional).
Updated: · Source: battery application data by engine (KType TecDoc), the same data our number plate search uses, plus the datasheet of each battery.