# Which battery for the BMW 3 Series (E90/E91, 2004-2012)?

> BMW 3 Series E90/E91 battery: AGM 80 Ah with Start-Stop (Varta A6), conventional 80 Ah without (Varta F17). By engine and number plate.

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- **Last update**: 2026-11-10

BMW 3 (E90)

- BMW 3 Touring (E91)

[← All generations of the BMW 3 Series](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-3-series-battery)
Car battery by model
With Start-Stop, the BMW 3 Series (E90/E91, 2004-2012) usually 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.
- 2004-2012
- 28 engines
- AGM · conventional
- Case L4

[Check with your number plate](https://bateriasonline.es/en/battery-finder-plate-or-vin) We show you only the batteries that fit your exact version.

## Recommended batteries for the BMW 3 Series E90/E91

 For Start-Stop versions
[Varta A6](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-a6)
AGM 80 Ah · 800 A (EN)
Case L4 · 315 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Recommended for 9 of 28 engines
[See price and specs Varta A6 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-a6)
 For versions without Start-Stop
[Varta F17](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-f17)
conventional 80 Ah · 740 A (EN)
Case LB4 · 315 × 175 × 175 mm · + right
Recommended for 5 of 28 engines
[See price and specs Varta F17 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-f17)
 For Start-Stop versions
[Varta A7](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-a7)
AGM 70 Ah · 760 A (EN)
Case L3 · 278 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Recommended for 10 of 28 engines
[See price and specs Varta A7 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-a7)
 Equivalent to the Varta E11
[Tudor TA770](https://bateriasonline.es/en/tudor-ta770)
conventional 77 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 TA770 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/tudor-ta770)

## BMW 3 Series E90/E91 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316 dN47 D20 C | 85 kW (116 hp) | 2009-2012 | Diesel | Varta A6 AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right | Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 316 iN43 B16 A, N43 B16 AA, N45 B16 A, N45 B16 AC | 85-90 kW (115-122 hp) | 2005-2012 | Petrol | Varta A7 AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta A5 AGM · 95 Ah · 850 A · L5 · + right Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 318 dM47 D20 (204D4), N47 D20 A, N47 D20 C | 90-105 kW (122-143 hp) | 2005-2012 | Diesel | Varta A6 AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right Varta A5 AGM · 95 Ah · 850 A · L5 · + right | Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right Varta F19 conventional · 85 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 318 iN43 B20 A, N46 B20 B, N46 B20 C, N46 B20 CC, N46 B20 CD, N46 B20 E | 95-105 kW (129-143 hp) | 2005-2012 | Petrol | Varta A6 AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right Varta A5 AGM · 95 Ah · 850 A · L5 · + right Varta A7 AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right Varta E44 conventional · 77 Ah · 780 A · L3 · + right |
| 320 dM47 D20 (204D4), N47 D20 A, N47 D20 C | 110-147 kW (150-200 hp) | 2004-2012 | Diesel | Varta A6 AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right Varta A5 AGM · 95 Ah · 850 A · L5 · + right | Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 320 d ed | 120 kW (163 hp) | — | Diesel | Varta A5 AGM · 95 Ah · 850 A · L5 · + right | — |
| 320 d xDriveN47 D20 A, N47 D20 C | 120-147 kW (163-200 hp) | 2008-2012 | Diesel | Varta A6 AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right Varta A5 AGM · 95 Ah · 850 A · L5 · + right | Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 320 iN43 B20 A, N46 B20 B, N46 B20 BD, N46 B20 C, N46 B20 CB, N46 B20 CC… | 110-125 kW (150-170 hp) | 2004-2012 | Petrol | Varta A7 AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right Varta A5 AGM · 95 Ah · 850 A · L5 · + right | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right Varta A7 AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right Varta E44 conventional · 77 Ah · 780 A · L3 · + right |
| 320 siN45 B20 A | 127 kW (173 hp) | 2005-2006 | Petrol | — | Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 320 xd | 130 kW (177 hp) | — | Diesel | Varta A6 AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right | Varta F17 conventional · 80 Ah · 740 A · LB4 · + right |
| 323 iN52 B25 A, N52 B25 B, N52 B25 BE, N52 B25 BF | 130-140 kW (177-190 hp) | 2005-2011 | Petrol | Varta A7 AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 325 dM57 D30 (306D3), N57 D30 A | 145-150 kW (197-204 hp) | 2006-2012 | Diesel | Varta A6 AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right | Varta G3 conventional · 95 Ah · 800 A · L5 · + right Varta A6 AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right Varta A5 AGM · 95 Ah · 850 A · L5 · + right |
| 325 iN52 B25 A, N52 B25 AF, N52 B25 B, N52 B25 BF, N53 B30 A | 155-160 kW (211-218 hp) | 2004-2012 | Petrol | Varta A7 AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right Varta A6 AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 325 i xDriveN53 B30 A | 155-160 kW (211-218 hp) | 2008-2012 | Petrol | Varta A6 AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right Varta A6 AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 325 xiN52 B25 A, N53 B30 A | 155-160 kW (211-218 hp) | 2005-2008 | Petrol | Varta A7 AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 328 iN51 B30 A | 172-187 kW (234-254 hp) | from 2006 | Petrol | — | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 330 dM57 D30 (306D3), N57 D30 A | 155-180 kW (211-245 hp) | 2004-2012 | Diesel | — | Varta G3 conventional · 95 Ah · 800 A · L5 · + right Varta A5 AGM · 95 Ah · 850 A · L5 · + right |
| 330 d xDriveN57 D30 A | 180 kW (245 hp) | 2008-2012 | Diesel | — | Varta A5 AGM · 95 Ah · 850 A · L5 · + right |
| 330 iN52 B30 A, N52 B30 BF, N53 B30 A | 190-200 kW (258-272 hp) | 2004-2012 | Petrol | Varta A7 AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 330 i xDriveN53 B30 A | 200 kW (272 hp) | 2007-2012 | Petrol | — | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right Varta A6 AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 330 xdM57 D30 (306D3) | 170 kW (231 hp) | 2005-2012 | Diesel | — | Varta G3 conventional · 95 Ah · 800 A · L5 · + right |
| 330 xiN52 B30 A, N53 B30 A | 190-200 kW (258-272 hp) | 2005-2012 | Petrol | Varta A7 AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 335 dM57 D30 (306D5) | 210 kW (286 hp) | 2006-2012 | Diesel | — | Varta G3 conventional · 95 Ah · 800 A · L5 · + right |
| 335 iN54 B30 A, N55 B30 A | 220-240 kW (299-326 hp) | 2006-2012 | Petrol | Varta A7 AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 335 i xDriveN54 B30 A, N55 B30 A | 225-240 kW (306-326 hp) | 2008-2012 | Petrol | — | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right Varta A6 AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 335 xiN54 B30 A, N55 B30 A | 224-240 kW (305-326 hp) | 2006-2008 | Petrol | Varta A7 AGM · 70 Ah · 760 A · L3 · + right | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| M3S65 B40 A | 309 kW (420 hp) | 2007-2011 | Petrol | — | Varta A6 AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| M3 CRTS65 B44 A | 331 kW (450 hp) | 2011 | Petrol | Varta A5 AGM · 95 Ah · 850 A · L5 · + 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 3 Series E90/E91

This page covers the E90 saloon and the E91 Touring. On the 3 Series of that era the battery varies a lot with the engine and equipment: versions with Start-Stop or energy management take an AGM, almost always 80 Ah in an L4 case (some 70 Ah in an L3 or 95 Ah in an L5), and the rest take conventional batteries from 74 to 95 Ah, many of them in the low LB4 case. It is a car on which the new battery should be registered when you replace it.
- Model fact: the BMW 3 Series E90/E91 mainly uses case sizes L4 (315 × 175 × 190 mm), L3 (278 × 175 × 190 mm) and LB4 (315 × 175 × 175 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: mid-size and executive saloons keep drawing power while parked (alarm, telematics, comfort systems). If the car goes weeks without being driven, a battery maintainer will extend the life of the battery.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which battery does the BMW 3 Series (E90/E91, 2004-2012) take?

With Start-Stop, the BMW 3 Series (E90/E91, 2004-2012) usually 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 3 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 3 Series take?

Depending on the engine, the BMW 3 Series E90/E91 uses these case sizes: L4 (315 × 175 × 190 mm), L3 (278 × 175 × 190 mm) and LB4 (315 × 175 × 175 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 3 Series E90/E91?

Yes, it is one of the recommended batteries for the BMW 3 Series E90/E91 with the 316 d, 318 d, 318 i, 320 d, 320 d xDrive and 320 xd engines (12 of the 28 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 3 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).

## Other BMW 3 Series generations

- [ BMW 3 Series (G20/G21) from 2018 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-3-series-battery#gen-bmw-3-g20)
- [ BMW 3 Series (F30/F31) 2011-2019 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-3-series-f30-battery)
- [ BMW 3 Series (E46) 1997-2007 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-3-series-e46-battery)
- [ BMW 3 Series (E36) 1990-2000 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-3-series-battery#gen-bmw-3-e36)
- [ BMW 3 Series (E30) 1982-1994 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-3-series-battery#gen-bmw-3-e30)

## More information

- [BMW 3 Series battery: every generation](https://bateriasonline.es/en/bmw-3-series-battery)
- [Car battery sizes: L1-L6, LB1-LB5, B and D (Asian) cases](https://bateriasonline.es/en/car-battery-sizes-l-lb-b-d-cases)
- [Varta A7 (formerly E39): what changed and equivalents](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-a7-e39-agm-battery-equivalents)
- [Varta, Bosch, Exide and Tudor car battery equivalents table](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-bosch-exide-tudor-car-battery-equivalents)
- [Start-Stop batteries (AGM and EFB)](https://bateriasonline.es/en/start-stop-batteries-agm-efb)
- [Car batteries](https://bateriasonline.es/en/car-batteries)
- [L4 car batteries](https://bateriasonline.es/en/l4-car-batteries)
- [What battery does my car need? Guide by model](https://bateriasonline.es/en/car-battery-by-model)

Updated: 9 November 2026 · Source: battery application data by engine (KType TecDoc), the same data our number plate search uses, plus the datasheet of each battery.

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*bateriasonline.es — Batteries and accessories · 2026-11-10*