Big car, big battery
The BMW M6 has been replaced by the new M8 Competition, however, there are still quite a number of these listed for sale on AutoTrader for very low prices when compared with the car that has replaced it. Under the bonnet of the M6 is a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox that sends an enormous amount of power and torque to the rear wheels.
The M6 was sold new in coupe, cabriolet and Gran Coupe guises, known internally as the F12, F13 and F06 respectively. Since these products have been on sale since 2012, the pre-owned examples available may require some routine maintenance. Since it is recommended that every three to four years a vehicle’s battery be replaced, the average M6 listed for sale will likely be overdue having its battery replaced, if it has not had it replaced already.
Most BMW products, particularly those with large engines up front and with many complex electronic components have a rather large group 94R, 49(vehicles with Start/Stop) batteries which can be located in the boot. These batteries can be expensive to replace at the agents, so we have come up with a list of how to go about replacing the battery yourself.
Related: 3 extras you should retrofit on a used BMW 6 Series
You will need:
- A new battery sourced from a reputable battery outlet that will match the specification that your vehicle requires.
- A Phillips head screwdriver
- A socket wrench with a 10mm head
- Gloves to avoid potential contact with battery acid
- Safety glasses
- A battery tender which is used to provide power to the car while the old battery is disconnected and the new battery is connected
Step-by-step guide
1.Open the boot of your M6
2.Lift the boot carpet using the handle which will reveal the battery
3.Loosen and remove the bolts that clamp down the steel bracket over the battery
4.Place your battery tender on the terminals as this may help prevent a full vehicle reset when the battery is disconnected
5.Remove the negative battery cable which is usually black with a negative sign on it
6.Remove the positive battery cable, which is usually red, with a positive sign on it
7.Lift the battery from the vehicle and remember that it is a heavy item
8.If necessary, clean the battery cables with baking soda and a wire brush
9.Place the new battery in the tray
10.Reconnect the new battery using a reverse order of the steps used to remove it
If you do not have a battery tender, a vehicle as complex as an M6 may require the battery to be registered with the vehicle. This is possible with various mobile applications such as Carly which require an OBD 2 adapter.
It is always best to consult your vehicle's owner manual should you require further information
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