What is the best bang for the buck when it comes to our cars batteries?
Would you always go Mercedes OEM?
Would you always go Mercedes OEM?
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Battery recommendations
- Thread starter Stevester 500E
- Start date
OE MB battery prices went nuts recently. I'd buy aftermarket.
Buy a Bosch battery, best battery period. My silver car sits for months at a time without so much as being started up or moved, every time I've tried to though it turns over on the first crank. Have it in the black car as well.
I did too... but after my third freak failure in the middle of warranty period (each time was shorted cell, all were "wet" lead-acid type), I've become nervous about Interstates.
Last couple Group 49 batteries that I've purchased were DieHard AGM on sale (10% off is common, 20% off is rare but they do run that sale occasionally).
Haven't seen a Bosch available locally but I guess I should see if they have an AGM available mail-order. There's an AC Delco AGM that had been on sale on Amazon for something crazy like $125 but it's back up to $180 now, with free shipping:
http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-49AGM-Professional-Automotive-Battery/dp/B006N91BLY/
I have bought Interstates for the past 8 years, and to be honest, haven't been impressed with them. They are OK, but not GREAT. They are very very over-priced, IMHO, for what they are.
Whatever battery one goes with, I'd heartily recommend going the AGM route, rather than with a "traditional" lead-acid battery.
My most recent battery purchase was an AutoZone Duralast AGM battery, which is in my 560SEC. It's a bit more than 2 years old now (purchased November 2014) and no issues whatsoever with it. My G-wagen and E500 both have Interstates. The E500 I believe is 4 years old and it's been fine. I keep it on a battery maintainer during the colder winter months.
In the future, when I need batteries, I'll plan to go with an AGM battery and just go with the best one that I can find that's on sale. Sears DieHard, AutoZone, Bosch, whatever.
Batteries, like tires, are actually manufactured by a very small number of companies, which OEM these batteries for the branded companies. That's what Hankook Tire has done - they are one of a handful of major tire manufacturers, and you would be surprised at the "name brand" tires that actually exit the loading docks of the Hankook factory in South Korea. Hankook decided about 10 years ago to start designing and making their own line of tires, in addition to continuing to make them for their "name brand" customers.
For car batteries, a significant number of them (including Interstates) are made by Johnson Controls, which serves as the OEM. I have heard that Johnson Controls also manufactures the AutoZone Duralast batteries, which cost significantly less than Interstates. I don't know if there are actual design differences between batteries marketed by different brands.
Cheers,
Gerry
Whatever battery one goes with, I'd heartily recommend going the AGM route, rather than with a "traditional" lead-acid battery.
My most recent battery purchase was an AutoZone Duralast AGM battery, which is in my 560SEC. It's a bit more than 2 years old now (purchased November 2014) and no issues whatsoever with it. My G-wagen and E500 both have Interstates. The E500 I believe is 4 years old and it's been fine. I keep it on a battery maintainer during the colder winter months.
In the future, when I need batteries, I'll plan to go with an AGM battery and just go with the best one that I can find that's on sale. Sears DieHard, AutoZone, Bosch, whatever.
Batteries, like tires, are actually manufactured by a very small number of companies, which OEM these batteries for the branded companies. That's what Hankook Tire has done - they are one of a handful of major tire manufacturers, and you would be surprised at the "name brand" tires that actually exit the loading docks of the Hankook factory in South Korea. Hankook decided about 10 years ago to start designing and making their own line of tires, in addition to continuing to make them for their "name brand" customers.
For car batteries, a significant number of them (including Interstates) are made by Johnson Controls, which serves as the OEM. I have heard that Johnson Controls also manufactures the AutoZone Duralast batteries, which cost significantly less than Interstates. I don't know if there are actual design differences between batteries marketed by different brands.
Cheers,
Gerry
I've been using Bosch batteries for a many years now and have no complaints, however, it appears that their prices have gone up considerably lately. I put on in the high miler 3 years ago and it was only $110 for a standard wet cell...looks like it's about $170 now.
As a side note, batteries typically don't like to sit unused for months at a time. If you don't drive your car often, I recommend using a smart charger like a Battery Tender or similar. (I use a Yuasa Smartshot).
If taken care of, most batteries can last 5 to 10 years, or longer.
If taken care of, most batteries can last 5 to 10 years, or longer.
Who makes the Mercedes OEM, Johnson Controls?
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before i bought my 500e...when it was in at the Mercedes dealership i worked..and it was in for faultfinding...we put a brand new Mercedes battery in the car...
And now...it seems that the battery is not doing so well...after one week of sitting..there is considerably less POWER in the battery..and even two weeks sitting..the car turns reaaally "slow " on the starter..
I have measured for parasitic draw..a "thousand" times just to make shure i do the right measure....and there aint a single abnormal draw from the battery..so i really think its the battery starting to get bad already..even after just 7 months...which i really did not think was gonna happen...
And now...it seems that the battery is not doing so well...after one week of sitting..there is considerably less POWER in the battery..and even two weeks sitting..the car turns reaaally "slow " on the starter..
I have measured for parasitic draw..a "thousand" times just to make shure i do the right measure....and there aint a single abnormal draw from the battery..so i really think its the battery starting to get bad already..even after just 7 months...which i really did not think was gonna happen...
I just got a price from AutoZone for an agm battery made by Johnson Controls, $174. Mb quoted $164 for a non agm battery.
AGM's are definitely a great way to go. I have an Optima redtop in the wagon that I installed in August 2003 at 114,000 miles (338,000 currently) and it's still going strong. The car has been used daily over the whole time for a commute that is about 30 to 45 minutes, one way. These are ideal conditions for any battery and engine too.
That said, the standard wet cell battery in my silver car is about 10 years old too but it's on the Yuasa whenever the car sits for more than a couple weeks.
EDIT: oops, just checked my records, I was mistaken about the battery in the silver car...it's only 5 years old, bought in mid-2011. The BMW has a slightly older one from 2009. Still, standard batteries can last a long time with a little care.
That said, the standard wet cell battery in my silver car is about 10 years old too but it's on the Yuasa whenever the car sits for more than a couple weeks.
EDIT: oops, just checked my records, I was mistaken about the battery in the silver car...it's only 5 years old, bought in mid-2011. The BMW has a slightly older one from 2009. Still, standard batteries can last a long time with a little care.
I recently replaced my Interstate battery with another exactly the same Interstate model.
When I purchased my car the guy had just put in a new battery. After 8-1/2 years it went dead. I thought that it lasted well enough. Also my car sits sometimes for 6 to 8 weeks with no problem starting. (So Far?) So I bought the same exact one. I'm hoping for a repeat performance.
When I purchased my car the guy had just put in a new battery. After 8-1/2 years it went dead. I thought that it lasted well enough. Also my car sits sometimes for 6 to 8 weeks with no problem starting. (So Far?) So I bought the same exact one. I'm hoping for a repeat performance.
Indeed. I bought a cheap, locally made battery for my 560SEC when I lived in Portland, during the spring of 2008 before I moved to Houston. It lasted until November of 2014 when I replaced it with the AutoZone Duralast AGM. However it still had a bit of life left in it. I could probably have gotten through the winter of 2014-2015 with it, although for the last two winters when we had cold weather it was noticeably diminished in cold-cranking power. But when a car is daily-driven, at least a couple times a week, it does wonders for the battery. That no-name Portland battery never once saw a tender/charger.
Cheers,
Gerry
Here is am interesting article on Interstate Batteries.
http://www.b4usa.com/interstate-battery/
http://www.b4usa.com/interstate-battery/
with Glen on the Bosch batteries.My experience is with lead/acid only, and our previous daily driver a 2002 Ford Focus 1.6 stationwagon, still has the original Bosch – 14 years & still cranking fine!! The temp.range at my homeplace is between +30⁰C and -20⁰C over the year and the DD is relegated outdoor parking to benefit the 036s. So 14 years is really impressing, definitely my personal best.
During winter hibernation I take out the batteries of the 036s and store them indoor. I bought a 45Ah Bosch Silver to use for storage start-ups/ move-around/ fiddling battery. Bosch Silver has a solid carry handle and a 45Ah is not so heavy. I keep it fully charged and find it as a practical thing.
As anything else is the battery prices twice here in Morepay so I haven’t pushed myself for an AGM yet, but I would likely do at some point. But aside from price, the compact Li-ion batteries are really interesting. Not so good for low temps, but low weight and deserves to be on the wish list anyway; http://press.porsche.com/news/release.php?id=510
-a-
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Gerry is correct. The MB supplier can change at any time, and may be different in different regions / cities / states / countries. A friend of mine was the manager of the local Interstate shop about 6-7 years ago, and he told me they supplied they local MB dealer batteries... they received special MB labels to apply to their Interstate batteries. I think (not 100% certain) the MB batteries were different than the standard stuff they sold; i.e. I think the local store received unique batteries from Interstate to provide to the MB dealer, and they could not sell me the MB battery direct from Interstate, inventory was closely monitored. My friend moved out of the area so I can't check with him to find out if it's the same deal today. I need to ask the dealer parts manager who supplies their batteries these days.
I have a couple of older OE MB batteries, two black AGM which IIRC were made by Varta (?), and a couple of white silver-calcium lead-acid that have no manufacturer identifiable. I need to get photos of those and add to my website.
Re: battery life, I use PulseTech PowerPulse desulfator units on most of my cars and put on trickle charger / maintainer any time the car will be parked more than 2-3 weeks. My record for a lead-acid battery was an OE MB battery (p/n 004-541-03-01) dated Aug-1999 which lasted until early 2013, when it finally died of a shorted cell. It was starting to get weak near the end (slower cranking) but was still working, pretty amazing lifespan at 13.5 years. My next two oldest are also OE MB, but the black AGM type (p/n 005-541-10-01)... one is Oct-2003, the other Apr-2005, both are still in service and working great at 12.5 / 11 years old respectively.
YMMV, etc...
I'm correct? Really? For once?
Even a stopped clock is correct twice per day...
Just a quick update. The M5 battery died very suddenly last month. It was a cheap WalMart (I think) battery I put in in 2009. Just goes to show you, even a crappy battery can last 7 to 8 years if maintained. Anyway, I replaced it with a new Bosch AGM 
Just a quick update. The M5 battery died very suddenly last month. It was a cheap WalMart (I think) battery I put in in 2009. Just goes to show you, even a crappy battery can last 7 to 8 years if maintained. Anyway, I replaced it with a new Bosch AGM
Walmart batteries are made by Johnson's control and i'm not sure if you checked out their prices recently buddy but they ain't cheap anymore. I think battery prices in general have gone up at least 40% since 2010. Given the walmart example. I bought a group 49 in 2009 for $80, I think the going rate is $120 for the same battery.
Be careful with AGM, they do have different charging characteristics and therefore require an alternator that holds a floating voltage of around 14.1 volts to keep the battery charged.
Battery prices have definitely gone up in recent years. I don't know exactly when but nowadays, a Group 49 will set you back $100+ for standard flooded, or $160-$200 for most AGM.
I have AGM in multiple cars, W124 and W210, all with alternators rated 110A through 150A and they have worked fine to keep the AGM's fully charged.
Some older MB's with smaller alternators (1980's vintage, with 65-70A units) may have issues keeping an AGM topped off... these may have had VR's with slightly lower charging voltages.
I have AGM in multiple cars, W124 and W210, all with alternators rated 110A through 150A and they have worked fine to keep the AGM's fully charged.
Some older MB's with smaller alternators (1980's vintage, with 65-70A units) may have issues keeping an AGM topped off... these may have had VR's with slightly lower charging voltages.
Try a desulfator like PowerPulse and see if the life is extended. I use these on most of my vehicles:
http://www.redsgear.com/pulsetech-powerpulse-24-volt-battery-maintenance-system-pp-24-l.html
https://www.amazon.com/Pulsetech-PowerPulse-12-Volt-Battery-Maintenance/dp/B004I6QREK
Just remember to connect a trickle charger / maintainer if the car will be parked more than 3-4 weeks, as the unit draws power from the battery.
8 years has been pretty normal battery lifetime for all my cars over years, maybe the chilly climate here in north of Europe is a benefit. My record battery lifetime is the referred car below - original battery since new - 15 years and still counting! Even with several dischargings. :idea:
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Really! The wagon battery was installed by Gerry in August 2013... it failed in less than 4 years? Ouch. That's the 3rd or 4th Interstate I've had which failed well before the rated warranty period. All flooded type, not AGM.
Fortified with all the accurate and pertinent info I always find here, having already gone to Sears (empty as a New England church, greeted with glazed looks and blank stares from the 2 employees, and ~8 batteries) and having a (80A alt) '92CE with a (Grp48 700CCA) 11 year old Interstate that wintered poorly, I today installed without drama a ("AutoCraft" from Advance Auto) Grp49 (900CCA) very well Made in Germany AGM battery.
List $190...After the counter guy entered a "special" $20-off code, and with some simple flattery, an additional "extra-special" $20-off code resulted in $150 out the door.
Car now sits a perfect 1/2" lower on it's Sportline susp, starts instantly when you put the key in, even before you turn to start, ignition buzzer makes you look for an air raid shelter, and I'm pulling in FM stations now I didn't even know existed.
Thanks gsxr et al...
List $190...After the counter guy entered a "special" $20-off code, and with some simple flattery, an additional "extra-special" $20-off code resulted in $150 out the door.
Car now sits a perfect 1/2" lower on it's Sportline susp, starts instantly when you put the key in, even before you turn to start, ignition buzzer makes you look for an air raid shelter, and I'm pulling in FM stations now I didn't even know existed.
Thanks gsxr et al...
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My two cents - NAPA AGM made by East Penn. FYI - Car Battery Price | Off-Topic Discussions
Three main battery manufacuters - East Penn, Johnson Controls (now Clarios), and EXIDE.
A thorough search on BITOG will yield an opinion primarily there that EP > Clarios > EXIDE.
Mike, I bought 2 Champion AGM batteries from Pep Boys good price and 4 year warranty. Pep Boys is being bought out by Advanced Auto so I’m not sure they still sell them.
At the time NAPA & Autozone’s AGM batteries only had a 3 year warranty.
So far all is good in my KIA and my 500E
At the time NAPA & Autozone’s AGM batteries only had a 3 year warranty.
So far all is good in my KIA and my 500E
FWIW - I went thru the same thing w Pep Boys last year. I was set to buy a Clarios Mexico Assembled Pep Boys AGM group 48 battery for my Beetle, but then PB went out of business and closed up shop.Mike, I bought 2 Champion AGM batteries from Pep Boys good price and 4 year warranty. Pep Boys is being bought out by Advanced Auto so I’m not sure they still sell them.
At the time NAPA & Autozone’s AGM batteries only had a 3 year warranty.
So far all is good in my KIA and my 500E
So that’s why I get the East Penn Napas now.
Jlaa, I figure if they make the warranty timeFWIW - I went thru the same thing w Pep Boys last year. I was set to buy a Clarios Mexico Assembled Pep Boys AGM group 48 battery for my Beetle, but then PB went out of business and closed up shop.
So that’s why I get the East Penn Napas now.
(4 years) your sh:! out of luck after that anyway. I’m sure someone else will sell the Champion batteries and honor the warranty if they go bust.
PS; I have no idea how long the AGM batteries last. My last Interstate acid battery lasted 8 years and was prorated. The AGM is flat out replaced up to 4 years. We shall see.
Thanks, Jlaa. I'll check out NAPA. We also used to have a battery shop on a side street somewhre nearby, ala alabbasi. Might check that out, too. I like to get MB batteries for our 126s but since our E420 battery hides in the trunk, I don't mind branching out.
Also don’t forget to plug the other side of the battery where there is no elbow inserted!
