My 09 original battery die about 2 years ago, and I replaced it with a Deka 20 lbs battery. I noticed better handling immediately. Last week the Deka got weak and I needed the car, so I rushed to Pepboys and got a original sized Bosch agm battery. Now the car starts really good, shifting is improved but the handling is sloppy, not much traction traction in the back and the car plowed at turn in. It was much better with the lightweight battery in front. No wonder BMW put the battery in the trunk. Have you guy moved the battery to the trunk, and can you start the car with just one battery?

 

I hear ya. That's why I moved my engine to the rear.

 

How much did the oem battery weigh?

 

^^ About 40 lbs.

 

I need to find at least $80k for that conversion.

 

20 pounds makes that big of a difference

 

Placebo

 

Wow...I've never seen such delusion. The OP might as well drain everything in the window washer fluid and drain all the fluids to minimum required levels.

In fact, remove all the bolts that aren't required and you'll have at least a couple pounds weight reduction. Remove the engine splash shield since it isn't necessary. You'll have more weight reduction than just 20 pounds. Remove your leather seats and put a hollow wooden stool in place. Your car will then be a beast for sure!

 

^^^ awesome response lol

 

 

Always running the car with 1/8th a tank of fuel would make a difference. A gallon is about 6.5 lbs, running with 15 less gallons is almost 100lb weight reduction. It'd be inconvenient to stop every day or two at the gas station though.

OP, the car most likely only feels different because the ECU was likely reset when you swapped batteries. The car will re-learn your driving habits. The plow in on turn is likely in your head, otherwise your car would handle terribly anytime you had a passenger in the front seat or even set a large laptop bag in that area...

 

Check tire pressures. Low pressure would cause a heavy feeling. Check stabilizer end links to make sure they're still connected.

 

Wow, thanks for all the advice. But I know what I am doing, been there done that. My neighbor pimpled face kid just came over and lectured me what I did wrong with my car shrugs...

 

Go on a diet, cut 20 pounds, won't even have to change the car.

 

Wow. Sounds like your car would handle like an F1 racecar if you were to simply remove the passenger seat. It's about 75 lbs or so. Also sounds like it might be undriveable with a large 200 LB + person in the front so be careful you don't wreck if a big guy rides with you.

It's not that hard to relocate the battery to the rear. 15-20' of cable and a tie down. You don't need a 2nd battery.