FYI Car Battery Price

[vatc5637]

After 10 years of my ownership (undetermined number with PO), I needed to replace the battery in my '93 500E. With Costco as my base ($177 Group 49 (H8) Interstate AGM), I checked all of the usual suspects and bought one from my local Advance A/P store, which was selling an Autocraft (made by Johnson Controls) H8 AGM Platinum battery for $160 ($200 list minus $40 [20% online purchase discount without having to sign up for anything; 25% off if you signed up for their email/rewards program]). They would have installed the battery for free, but I declined, preferring to do that myself and on my own schedule.

 

[gerryvz]

Did you check the recent thread on Pep Boys and their sale on Champion AGM batteries? That's what I'm using and they've been great. I guess you already bought the Autocraft, though, right?

FYI - Advance Auto Sale- Autocraft Group 49 Battery 900 CCA | Parts for Sale

$153.14 (15% off plus $25 coupon off future $50 min. purchase), includes $18 core charge. No affiliation, online only.

www.500eboard.co

 

[RicardoD]

What do the official Mercedes batteries go for? For the concours win for @Jlaa ?

 

[Jlaa]

What do the official Mercedes batteries go for? For the concours win for @Jlaa ?

Haha, I’ll never win a concours like @Kip or @captruff .... but the owner previous to the previous owner did put in an official MB battery and it is still going strong!

 

[RicardoD]

I see $213 at mboemparts.com , though it would be more than that. I hate opening that cover in the trunk and seeing my interstate battery. But not yet at $213 of hate.

 

[LWB250]

Mercedes batteries used to be very reasonably priced until about a year or two ago. Since then they've gone up considerably. I suspect they were being sold as a loss leader to get you in the door, possibly?

I bought my last AGM for my 98 S210 at Advance last October. It replaced an MB branded AGM battery from 2008! With all the spiffs at Advance I could get I think I was able to whittle it down to around $140 or thereabouts. Good thing, too, as it died on me after five months, but they replaced it for free. I don't blame the battery, as I had some issues with parasitic loads that were causing it to get discharged almost daily down to nothing. I suspect that may have done a number on it.

Dan

 

[kwontumspeed]

I see $213 at mboemparts.com , though it would be more than that. I hate opening that cover in the trunk and seeing my interstate battery. But not yet at $213 of hate.

Is it just me or does $213 sound totally reasonable for the price of the label?

 

[vatc5637]

Did you check the recent thread on Pep Boys and their sale on Champion AGM batteries? That's what I'm using and they've been great. I guess you already bought the Autocraft, though, right?

FYI - Advance Auto Sale- Autocraft Group 49 Battery 900 CCA | Parts for Sale

$153.14 (15% off plus $25 coupon off future $50 min. purchase), includes $18 core charge. No affiliation, online only.

www.500eboard.co

Somehow missed that thread. Oh well, looks like it cost me $10 to save 30 minutes of driving time.

 

[RicardoD]

They ship batteries or is this a dealer pickup only item? I like the local thing so I can exchange out for my old one. Although having a extra battery around to diagnose 12v electronic stuff might be handy, but it is a bit of a boat anchor in the garage.

 

[Kip]

Haha, I’ll never win a concours like @Kip or @captruff .... but the owner previous to the previous owner did put in an official MB battery and it is still going strong!

I seem to remember all of us drooling over your car. It's stunning!

 

[alabbasi]

I get my group 49 for $35 at the scratch and dent section of the local battery store. They're given 3 month warranties but seem to last as long as any other battery so it's been a long time since I dropped $150 on a battery.

AGM batteries have different charging characteristics. I know that on my S55, you have to go into the computer using a scan tool to tell it that you're using a flooded cell vs AGM battery.

 

[gsxr]

Mercedes batteries used to be very reasonably priced until about a year or two ago. Since then they've gone up considerably. I suspect they were being sold as a loss leader to get you in the door, possibly?

Actually, I think it was 5-6 years ago when the MB battery prices went from reasonable to stupid (like $300+ list), and as a bonus they jacked up dealer cost so the dealers made almost no profit on them. I recall the dealer parts guys telling me about this.

Prices have dropped, I don't know when this happened, but a Genuine Mercedes Group 49 AMG battery is now p/n 001-982-82-08 and $257 MSRP, discount ~$215 or so. Not sure if Naperville will ship these or not.

More battery info here: https://www.500eboard.co/forums/wiki/?title=Group-49-battery-information-for-400E-500E

I get my group 49 for $35 at the scratch and dent section of the local battery store. They're given 3 month warranties but seem to last as long as any other battery so it's been a long time since I dropped $150 on a battery.

Consider yourself lucky. There is nothing like that where I live, and I suspect the same applies to most forum members. No PepBoys here either, best I can find is ~$170 for a new AGM locally.

On the bright side, they *usually* last 8-10 years with a PulseTech Power Pulse desulfation unit, and trickle charging when in storage.

 

[alabbasi]

You'll be lucky to get 4 years out of a battery in Texas. The heat kills them pretty quickly.

 

[gerryvz]

You'll be lucky to get 4 years out of a battery in Texas. The heat kills them pretty quickly.

Indeed -- my cars went through batteries like crazy in Texas. Probably got half the life that I have seen from batteries when I lived in Portland, and here in Maryland.

 

[kwontumspeed]

Even if Naperville shipped it, seeing how they have packed some of my other parts there's close to zero chance that battery would survive...

 

[gsxr]

Has *anyone* tried a desulfation unit like PowerPulse on a Texas battery to see if they still die like clockwork at 4 years? Bueller?

 

[alabbasi]

My viking charger (HF brand) has a recondition button for sulfated batteries It worked a couple of times, but most recently I tried it on a 10 year old aston martin battery and it failed. In went $35 econopower battery . Good as new

 

[gsxr]

A charger with recondition function is not the same as the PulseTech unit. Trickle chargers with continuous desulfation can be helpful, but only work when connected & charging. The PowerPulse mounts permanently in the vehicle and works 24x7.

 

[JC220]

A charger with recondition function is not the same as the PulseTech unit. Trickle chargers with continuous desulfation can be helpful, but only work when connected & charging. The PowerPulse mounts permanently in the vehicle and works 24x7.

And it works 60% of the time, every time too?

 

[gsxr]

And it works 60% of the time, every time too?

Yup, sounds about right!

Collections

PulseTech

www.pulsetech.net

 

[LWB250]

I have one (PowerPulse) on my S210 wagon, the one where the battery puked prematurely. In fairness, it's almost certain that was a result of the almost daily complete discharges, too. The replacement has been doing just fine.

Dan

 

[RicardoD]

As usual whenever my wife goes to use my E500 something happens. Last time with check engine light due to a broken rubber connector to the EGR valve. This time dead battery. Car has been sitting a lot. It have a 2006 Interstate battery in the car and I hate looking at it.

Can you mail order an MB battery (Yes I want an MB battery) or is that a local pickup item only. MBOEMparts has it for $218 but $73 shipping (+ two wiper blades).

 

[Jlaa]

As usual whenever my wife goes to use my E500 something happens. Last time with check engine light due to a broken rubber connector to the EGR valve. This time dead battery. Car has been sitting a lot. It have a 2006 Interstate battery in the car and I hate looking at it.

Can you mail order an MB battery (Yes I want an MB battery) or is that a local pickup item only. MBOEMparts has it for $218 but $73 shipping (+ two wiper blades).

I don't know the answer to your question. However I have been ordering from SFbenzparts.com lately. It is a 75 minute drive for you to SF Benz, but they often end up cheaper for me than MBoemparts.com because they are local and don't charge shipping fees .... meaning they allow me to locally pick up. In particular, Megan in parts is very helpful. Which part number are you using?

 

[gerryvz]

I think MB of Stevens Creek has a web site offering discounted parts (like Naperville, etc.). Maybe you could set up somethign with them to pick it up local (no shipping) but for the Internet part cost.

Last couple of batteries I've gotten have been Bosch AGM units from Pep Boys, on sale.

 

[RicardoD]

I didn't dive into EPC and trusted Dave's P/N number listed above: 001-982-82-08

 

[RicardoD]

I think MB of Stevens Creek has a web site offering discounted parts (like Naperville, etc.). Maybe you could set up somethign with them to pick it up local (no shipping) but for the Internet part cost.

Last couple of batteries I've gotten have been Bosch AGM units from Pep Boys, on sale.

Thanks Gerry, $257 for local pickup only at Stevens Creek. Plus my local California sales tax!

 

[Jlaa]

Thanks Gerry, $257 for local pickup only at Stevens Creek. Plus my local California sales tax!

Awesome so you got the silver / gel-cell one? May I trouble you to take a picture of it when you receive it? Many thanks.

 

[RicardoD]

Jlaa yes I will take a photo of my concours winning battery & battery compartment when I pick this over priced bit of out dated heavy technology thing up.

 

[gerryvz]

Did they also add the environmental impact fee for CA for old battery disposal, in addition to the sales tax? And any CARB fees as for sulfate and acid emissions from the battery over its lifetime?

 

[gsxr]

As usual whenever my wife goes to use my E500 something happens. Last time with check engine light due to a broken rubber connector to the EGR valve. This time dead battery. Car has been sitting a lot. It have a 2006 Interstate battery in the car and I hate looking at it.

Ricardo, do you mean the old Interstate battery was FIFTEEN years old? Was it AGM or wet/flooded?

 

[RicardoD]

On second inspection I believe this is a 2015 battery, purchase just before I took ownership of the vehicle. Here is a photo.

When I hooked up my charger it said it was 57% charged but wouldn't turn over my starter. I just charge it up. It says 6 year performance and it just made it 6 years!

 

[Jlaa]

On second inspection I believe this is a 2015 battery, purchase just before I took ownership of the vehicle. Here is a photo.

When I hooked up my charger it said it was 57% charged but wouldn't turn over my starter. I just charge it up. It says 6 year performance and it just made it 6 years!

View attachment 131802

Hi @RicardoD .... did this AGM battery work? Thanks.

 

[RicardoD]

I charged up battery and it is fine. i need to put battery on a maintainper when I don’t drive it so much, but probably due for a new battery soon

 

[RicardoD]

@Jlaa here is the picture of the battery you requested. I had the dealer change it out when I got an alignment done so I only have the after install picture. Wish I could have gotten one prior to the install. But now my battery compartment looks right.

 

[Jlaa]

My battery was about to give up the ghost as it was sllllloooooooowwwwwww cranking this weekend in Pescadero.

I decided not to get an MB battery because (a) I’m not a badge whore like @RicardoD (just kidding man!) and I like East Penn assembled in USA batteries.

I believe above: 001-982-33-08 is a Johnson Controls battery because of the case design and the Made in Mexico label.

NAPA sources their AGM batteries from EP and with $20 coupon code GET20 their AGM group 49 battery is $195 plus taxes and core charge.

It took me forever to get this thing in the car until I realized someone prior to me had channeled his inner Heman and cranked the securing bolt on the negative terminal with so much force that the bolt turned into a V shape and terminal clamp had to be pried open w/ hammer and chisel as it would not fit over the new battery’s terminal.

Anyways, good stuff, and I reattached the vent tube on the AGM battery just because.

 

[gsxr]

Jlaa, is the crank speed back to zingy? If not, the next culprit is the starter. If you have an optical tach you can measure cranking RPM. I've been meaning to see if SDS will show RPM when cranking or not, if so, that would be nifty.

 

[Jlaa]

Jlaa, is the crank speed back to zingy? If not, the next culprit is the starter. ...

Thanks! It ZZZZZZIIINGGGGSSS now!

 

[alabbasi]

I still get my H8 batteries for $35. I'm a Happy chappy

 

[TerryA]

I I remember correctly I paid around $160.00 for a Champion AGM battery from Pep Boys last year. Has a 4 year warranty. So far it’s been good.

Note after being there for 40 years that Pep Boys location is now gone. It’s supposed to become an Advanced Auto Store.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

I still get my H8 batteries for $35. I'm a Happy chappy

So how does one become a VIP "insider of @alabbasi batteries plus plus" source?

 

[alabbasi]

So how does one become a VIP "insider of @alabbasi batteries plus plus" source?

There's a battery dealer near my shop. They get blemished batteries or returns that they can't retail at full price so they sell them for $35 to 'trade' with a 3 month warranty. They're the same Green and White batteries except with no stickers. I may buy 10 / year from them for my various cars. They look brand spanking new and if they last less than a year, it's because some of my cars eat batteries if i leave them sitting for too long. Especially the newer ones with lots and lots of comuters.

 

[Jlaa]

I I remember correctly I paid around $160.00 for a Champion AGM battery from Pep Boys last year. Has a 4 year warranty. So far it’s been good.

Note after being there for 40 years that Pep Boys location is now gone. It’s supposed to become an Advanced Auto Store.

Hi @TerryA - Did you ever figure out why the lid above your battery would not close all the way? I recall you were wondering if there was some problem with the battery tray that you refinished causing additional height.

 

[kwontumspeed]

That's pretty good for that Napa AGM. Think I'll pick one up this weekend, as I have a dead 49 in my storage for the core.
Also remember that Napa also takes AAA discount on a lot of their stocked items.

 

[TerryA]

I

I must really be losing it! I don't remember that? It's helI to get old BUT it must be true if Jlaa remembers it.

Anyway, all is well

 

[Jlaa]

I must really be losing it! I don't remember that? It's helI to get old BUT it must be true if Jlaa remembers it.

Anyway, all is well

Ah - this was the resolution - your battery was sitting on the front lip of the tray, thus making it too high (and then you fixed it)
Anyways, thinking about the corrosion you saw on your tray 2 years ago, I wonder if this was because one of the vent ports was not plugged?

I remember you had one of the battery vent ports attached to a vent tube .... but I don't know if you had the other vent port plugged up.

When I took out my flooded lead acid battery, I noted no corrosion whatsoever (I last checked in 2017 I think it was) --- I attribute this to the fact that I had a vent tube hooked up AND I had the other vent port on the other side of the battery plugged up.

Regardless, I think this is moot now because we are all using AGM batteries now?

 

[a777fan]

Ah - this was the resolution - your battery was sitting on the front lip of the tray, thus making it too high (and then you fixed it)
Anyways, thinking about the corrosion you saw on your tray 2 years ago, I wonder if this was because one of the vent ports was not plugged?

I remember you had one of the battery vent ports attached to a vent tube .... but I don't know if you had the other vent port plugged up.

When I took out my flooded lead acid battery, I noted no corrosion whatsoever (I last checked in 2017 I think it was) --- I attribute this to the fact that I had a vent tube hooked up AND I had the other vent port on the other side of the battery plugged up.

Regardless, I think this is moot now because we are all using AGM batteries now?

So... no need to vent AGM batteries?

I get confused since most of them that I see still have the 'ports' for venting that I feel weird leaving exposed!!!

 

[nocfn]

My AGM has a vent tube, just for Shi** and Giggles...

 

[RicardoD]

My MB battery was made in Mexico! I see the sticker now on my beautiful MB battery, or rather my MB sticker placed on top of my Johnson Control's battery.

 

[TerryA]

My AGM has a vent tube, just for Shi** and Giggles...

So does mine

 

[gsxr]

Doesn't hurt to vent AGM. I'm not certain if they release less volume of gasses, or none, vs wet/flooded designs.