BRAILLE MACHT SCHNELL RACING CARBON BATTERY (9kg)
This is my first impressions of a two part review. The text used in this review is mainly from the manufacturers website and not my own unless specifically indicated. This review is a comment on the purchase, shipping & delivery experience and the physical product itself. The second review will focuss on the installation and performance of the product and a comparison with the Mini battery. :thumbsup: There are a few reviews of the Braille batteries on other forums but not much on its actual performance in the long term, hence the reason for leaving the performance and install part for a dedicated focus. Their are also reports of users that the Braille batteries lighter than 9Kg's were not sustainable for the N54 (x35) use in the long term. So I was all the more interested to find out for myself.
My 335 has been on a diet since I bought the vehicle. I started with losing unsprung weight through the various suspension modifications including most M3 suspension bits; wheels and exhaust. But other than that there is not much to do unless the car is stripped like a race car and taking the rear and passenger seats out. For most of us this is not an option. So looking at other options make good sense. A lighter battery is certainly an option especially if weight is loss and not performance or overall weight to weight balance of the vehicle. Lighter racing front seats are also a good option but expensive. The stock BMW batteries can weigh between 20 - 26Kg. A lightweight battery is a great way to shed unwanted kg's and for track and drag use.
"Braille developed a lighter alternative (the BRAILLE MACHT SCHNELL RACING CARBON BATTERY weighing only 9kg) to provide even longer life for their line of batteries and at the same time addressing what causes batteries to fail, heat and vibrate. Braille Batteries are trusted around the World as the highest quality, most reliable batteries available."
When we first showed the battery at a recent Killarney event at the Rennzport stand, most people were curious and asked what it was...
...For them it looked funny and too small to be a serious performance, racing modification (or a battery) to have any value or impact. I can't recall one person that had commented that they have seen or heard of the Braille battery before.
I bought it purely to see if all the hype about it, is worth the modification and obviously to explore further weight gains on my car. I placed my order on 23 October 2010 and paid R6,252.05, including shipping. But the sad thing about the order was the product only arrived on 6 April 2011. More than 5 months after ordering! :shocked: I had to contact the PayPal resolution centre to put pressure on European Auto Source (EAS) to deliver the product. I also contacted EAS directly through their customer contact centre to no avail. I eventually contacted EAS through a PM on another forum to see if I would get a reply. :cursin: This seemed to work because I had a few reviews of performance products on that particular forum and no vendor wants to receive bad reviews. After all the hassle it appeared the problem was not EAS but Macht Schnell for (NOT) having shipped the order when they received it in October 2010. The matter was finally resolved and the product shipped and received by me. I am very impressed with the overall qaulity of the Macht Schnell Braille Battery :thumbsup: It was well packaged and shipped via fragile as one would expect from a top class vendor such as EAS. It also came with all the waranty paperwork; specifications of the product and installation instructions. I was pleased. :thumbsup:
Lets now have a closer look at this performance product:
Here are the main features as per Macht Schnell:
CARBON FIBER CASE
Higher engine temps equal lower battery performance. Braille's exclusive Carbon Fiber Case protects the batteries internals from high temps and provides the longest service life. Don't settle for a metal case that conducts heat, be cool.
EXCLUSIVE DUAL TERMINAL DESIGN
This feature allows the battery to be mounted in a variety of positions. It is designed to accept racing, powersports and automotive terminals vertically and horizontally.
EXCLUSIVE BRASS AUTO TERMINALS
Included with every Braille Auto Battery are patent pending high quality brass SAE terminals. Designed to distribute the electrical load into and out of the battery. Designed for high amperage, high stress use of racing and audio competitions.
SOLID TOP LEAD CONNECTORS
This design holds the internals firmly in place.
No Spill, No Corrosion, No Maintenance
Technically registered as a "sealed valve regulated" design, this patented technology completely eliminates acid spills and corrosion on terminals. This design is environmentally safe does not need filling and maintenance.
STAINLESS STEEL TERMINALS
These heli-coil design steel threads allow higher bolt torque and help keep your battery connected even in high vibration environments.
GREEN FROM START TO FINISH
Recycled lead, plastic and stainless steel ensure we'll have a future to race towards.
PERFORMANCE CERTIFIED - FULLY CHARGED
Every Braille Battery is individually tested and certified before shipping, eliminating "dead on arrival" batteries. Fully charged and ready to install at time of shipping. (I am yet to test this claim)
ENCLOSURE:
However a smaller battery footprint means it will not fit in the same location without fabricating your own mounting solution.
Macht Schnell Battery Enclosures are CNC-machined from the same aerospace 6061-T6 lightweight billet aluminum and feature a black anodized finish which is strong and non-corrosive to withstand grueling conditions while keeping your battery worry-free. Your stock BMW battery can be easily swapped at any time.
Other Features:
- Overall footprint are exact dimensions of stock BMW battery, engineered for a perfect fit
- Holds battery securely in place
- Top-mounted terminal indicator can be reversed for left/right positive terminals
- Macht Schnell logo engraved in holder
- Weighs only 1Kg
So I had time to check the Physical Specifications
Length: 16.5cm
A different perspective
Width: 12.5cm
Height (without enclosure): 17.5cm
The height of stock battery is 19cm
Minimum Weight: 9Kg
Weight with enclosure:10.1Kg
Compared with my 120d battery:
22Kg vs 9Kg
APPLICATIONS:
The Braille Carbon Race Battery is suitable for the following model applications:
2008+ e8x 1-series
2006+ e9x 3-series, including M3
CONCLUSION:
I look forward to testing this battery over the next month or so and give you feedback. I also plan to compare it with the JCW Cooper Mini battery which is also lighter than the X35 OEM battery and fits into the X35 OEM battery compartment without modifciations. Exciting :excited:
This is my first impressions of a two part review. The text used in this review is mainly from the manufacturers website and not my own unless specifically indicated. This review is a comment on the purchase, shipping & delivery experience and the physical product itself. The second review will focuss on the installation and performance of the product and a comparison with the Mini battery. :thumbsup: There are a few reviews of the Braille batteries on other forums but not much on its actual performance in the long term, hence the reason for leaving the performance and install part for a dedicated focus. Their are also reports of users that the Braille batteries lighter than 9Kg's were not sustainable for the N54 (x35) use in the long term. So I was all the more interested to find out for myself.
My 335 has been on a diet since I bought the vehicle. I started with losing unsprung weight through the various suspension modifications including most M3 suspension bits; wheels and exhaust. But other than that there is not much to do unless the car is stripped like a race car and taking the rear and passenger seats out. For most of us this is not an option. So looking at other options make good sense. A lighter battery is certainly an option especially if weight is loss and not performance or overall weight to weight balance of the vehicle. Lighter racing front seats are also a good option but expensive. The stock BMW batteries can weigh between 20 - 26Kg. A lightweight battery is a great way to shed unwanted kg's and for track and drag use.
"Braille developed a lighter alternative (the BRAILLE MACHT SCHNELL RACING CARBON BATTERY weighing only 9kg) to provide even longer life for their line of batteries and at the same time addressing what causes batteries to fail, heat and vibrate. Braille Batteries are trusted around the World as the highest quality, most reliable batteries available."
When we first showed the battery at a recent Killarney event at the Rennzport stand, most people were curious and asked what it was...
...For them it looked funny and too small to be a serious performance, racing modification (or a battery) to have any value or impact. I can't recall one person that had commented that they have seen or heard of the Braille battery before. I bought it purely to see if all the hype about it, is worth the modification and obviously to explore further weight gains on my car. I placed my order on 23 October 2010 and paid R6,252.05, including shipping. But the sad thing about the order was the product only arrived on 6 April 2011. More than 5 months after ordering! :shocked: I had to contact the PayPal resolution centre to put pressure on European Auto Source (EAS) to deliver the product. I also contacted EAS directly through their customer contact centre to no avail. I eventually contacted EAS through a PM on another forum to see if I would get a reply. :cursin: This seemed to work because I had a few reviews of performance products on that particular forum and no vendor wants to receive bad reviews. After all the hassle it appeared the problem was not EAS but Macht Schnell for (NOT) having shipped the order when they received it in October 2010. The matter was finally resolved and the product shipped and received by me. I am very impressed with the overall qaulity of the Macht Schnell Braille Battery :thumbsup: It was well packaged and shipped via fragile as one would expect from a top class vendor such as EAS. It also came with all the waranty paperwork; specifications of the product and installation instructions. I was pleased. :thumbsup:
Lets now have a closer look at this performance product:
Here are the main features as per Macht Schnell:
CARBON FIBER CASE
Higher engine temps equal lower battery performance. Braille's exclusive Carbon Fiber Case protects the batteries internals from high temps and provides the longest service life. Don't settle for a metal case that conducts heat, be cool.
EXCLUSIVE DUAL TERMINAL DESIGN
This feature allows the battery to be mounted in a variety of positions. It is designed to accept racing, powersports and automotive terminals vertically and horizontally.
EXCLUSIVE BRASS AUTO TERMINALS
Included with every Braille Auto Battery are patent pending high quality brass SAE terminals. Designed to distribute the electrical load into and out of the battery. Designed for high amperage, high stress use of racing and audio competitions.
SOLID TOP LEAD CONNECTORS
This design holds the internals firmly in place.
No Spill, No Corrosion, No Maintenance
Technically registered as a "sealed valve regulated" design, this patented technology completely eliminates acid spills and corrosion on terminals. This design is environmentally safe does not need filling and maintenance.
STAINLESS STEEL TERMINALS
These heli-coil design steel threads allow higher bolt torque and help keep your battery connected even in high vibration environments.
GREEN FROM START TO FINISH
Recycled lead, plastic and stainless steel ensure we'll have a future to race towards.
PERFORMANCE CERTIFIED - FULLY CHARGED
Every Braille Battery is individually tested and certified before shipping, eliminating "dead on arrival" batteries. Fully charged and ready to install at time of shipping. (I am yet to test this claim)
ENCLOSURE:
However a smaller battery footprint means it will not fit in the same location without fabricating your own mounting solution.
Macht Schnell Battery Enclosures are CNC-machined from the same aerospace 6061-T6 lightweight billet aluminum and feature a black anodized finish which is strong and non-corrosive to withstand grueling conditions while keeping your battery worry-free. Your stock BMW battery can be easily swapped at any time.
Other Features:
- Overall footprint are exact dimensions of stock BMW battery, engineered for a perfect fit
- Holds battery securely in place
- Top-mounted terminal indicator can be reversed for left/right positive terminals
- Macht Schnell logo engraved in holder
- Weighs only 1Kg
So I had time to check the Physical Specifications
Length: 16.5cm
A different perspective
Width: 12.5cm
Height (without enclosure): 17.5cm
The height of stock battery is 19cm
Minimum Weight: 9Kg
Weight with enclosure:10.1Kg
Compared with my 120d battery:
22Kg vs 9Kg
APPLICATIONS:
The Braille Carbon Race Battery is suitable for the following model applications:
2008+ e8x 1-series
2006+ e9x 3-series, including M3
CONCLUSION:
I look forward to testing this battery over the next month or so and give you feedback. I also plan to compare it with the JCW Cooper Mini battery which is also lighter than the X35 OEM battery and fits into the X35 OEM battery compartment without modifciations. Exciting :excited:
