BMW 3 Touring (F31)
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Car battery by model
With Start-Stop, the BMW 3 Series (F30/F31, 2011-2019) almost always takes a battery like the Varta A6: AGM, 80 Ah and 800 A, in case size L4. Depending on the engine, it can also take the Varta A5 (AGM, 95 Ah); the table shows the battery for each engine.
- 2011-2019
- 27 engines
- AGM
- Case L4
Check with your number plateWe show you only the batteries that fit your exact version.
Recommended batteries for the BMW 3 Series F30/F31
For Start-Stop versions
AGM 80 Ah · 800 A (EN)
Case L4 · 315 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Recommended for 24 of 27 engines
See price and specs Varta A6BMW 3 Series F30/F31 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316 dB47 D20 A, N47 D20 C | 85 kW (116 hp) | 2012-2019 | Diesel | Varta A5AGM · 95 Ah · 850 A · L5 · + right |
| 316 iN13 B16 A | 100 kW (136 hp) | 2012-2016 | Petrol | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 318 dB47 D20 A, N47 D20 C | 100-110 kW (136-150 hp) | 2012-2019 | Diesel | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 318 d xDriveB47 D20 A, N47 D20 C | 105-110 kW (143-150 hp) | 2013-2018 | Diesel | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 318 iB38 B15 A | 100 kW (136 hp) | 2015-2019 | Petrol | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 320 dB47 D20 A, N47 D20 C | 120-147 kW (163-200 hp) | 2011-2019 | Diesel | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + rightVarta A5AGM · 95 Ah · 850 A · L5 · + right |
| 320 d xDriveB47 D20 A, N47 D20 C | 120-147 kW (163-200 hp) | 2012-2019 | Diesel | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 320 iB48 B20 A, N13 B16 A, N20 B20 A, N20 B20 B, N20 B20 D | 120-135 kW (163-184 hp) | from 2012 | Petrol | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 320 i xDriveB48 B20 A, N20 B20 A, N20 B20 B | 120-135 kW (163-184 hp) | 2012-2019 | Petrol | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 325 dB47 D20 B, N47 D20 D | 155-165 kW (211-224 hp) | 2013-2018 | Diesel | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 328 iN20 B20 A, N20 B20 C, N26 B20 A | 180 kW (245 hp) | 2011-2018 | Petrol | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 328 i xDriveN20 B20 A, N26 B20 A | 180 kW (245 hp) | 2012-2016 | Petrol | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 328iN20 B20 A | 160 kW (218 hp) | 2011-2015 | Petrol | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 330 dN57 D30 A | 190-210 kW (258-286 hp) | 2012-2019 | Diesel | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 330 d M Performance Power Kit xDriveN57 D30 A | 210 kW (286 hp) | 2013-2019 | Diesel | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 330 d xDriveN57 D30 A | 190-210 kW (258-286 hp) | 2013-2019 | Diesel | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 330 eB48 B20 A | 135-185 kW (184-252 hp) | from 2015 | Plug-in hybrid | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 330 iB46 B20 B, B48 B20 A, B48 B20 B | 185 kW (252 hp) | 2015-2019 | Petrol | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 330 i xDriveB46 B20 B, B48 B20 A, B48 B20 B | 185 kW (252 hp) | 2015-2019 | Petrol | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 335 d xDriveN57 D30 B | 230 kW (313 hp) | 2013-2019 | Diesel | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 335 iN55 B30 A | 225-250 kW (306-340 hp) | 2011-2015 | Petrol | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 335 i xDriveN55 B30 A | 225-250 kW (306-340 hp) | 2012-2015 | Petrol | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 340 iB58 B30 A | 240-265 kW (326-360 hp) | 2015-2019 | Petrol | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| 340 i xDriveB58 B30 A | 240-265 kW (326-360 hp) | 2015-2019 | Petrol | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| ActiveHybridN55 B30 A | 225-250 kW (306-340 hp) | from 2012 | Hybrid | Varta A6AGM · 80 Ah · 800 A · L4 · + right |
| M3S55 B30 A | 317 kW (431 hp) | 2014-2018 | Petrol | — |
| M3 CompetitionS55 B30 A | 331 kW (450 hp) | 2016-2018 | Petrol | — |
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 F30/F31
On the F30 saloon and the F31 Touring, every engine with data takes a Start-Stop-ready AGM battery, including the 330e plug-in hybrid (12 V battery). Almost all of them use an 80 Ah, 800 A AGM in an L4 case; some versions of the 316d and 320d take a 95 Ah AGM in an L5 case. As a BMW with intelligent battery management, the new battery is registered with a diagnostic tool.
- Model fact: the BMW 3 Series F30/F31 mainly uses case sizes L4 (315 × 175 × 190 mm) and L5 (353 × 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: 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 (F30/F31, 2011-2019) take?
With Start-Stop, the BMW 3 Series (F30/F31, 2011-2019) almost always takes a battery like the Varta A6: AGM, 80 Ah and 800 A, in case size L4. Depending on the engine, it can also take the Varta A5 (AGM, 95 Ah); 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 F30/F31 uses these case sizes: L4 (315 × 175 × 190 mm) and L5 (353 × 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 3 Series F30/F31?
Yes, it is one of the recommended batteries for the BMW 3 Series F30/F31 with the 316 i, 318 d, 318 d xDrive, 318 i, 320 d and 320 d xDrive engines (24 of the 27 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).
Updated: · Source: battery application data by engine (KType TecDoc), the same data our number plate search uses, plus the datasheet of each battery.