Conventional lead-acid battery vs. Absorbant Glass Mat battery

[lynns]

Here is a picture of my conventional lead-acid battery
p/n 000000002697 MB battery. MSRP $135.00 plus core plus tax. Discounted to $120.75 at Parts.com

[Thorgod]

A newer style SEALED, gel type battery. Heres a pic ................Thor

[nlehre]

I went to my dealer today and bought an MB battery. It looks just like Thorgod's, except it's white. It cost $148 + $18 core charge. I won't be able to recover the core charge since they will only take MB batteries and not other brands like the Diehard that's in the car.

[Thorgod]

OK gang, good news and bad news. First the good news, I posted a better pic of the battery label for all to read the P/N. The bad news is that I have no receipt for it. The battery was given to me by my shop foreman friend who is employed by a certain south Florida MB dealer. As I explained in other posts, its nice to have friends in the dealership. I was in there one Saturday utilizing their shop putting on 5 new Michelins and an alignment and my friend suggested that I should replace my battery with the new type. A few minutes later it was sitting on a cart waiting to be installed. He explained that any new car leaving the dealer will have a new battery in it and they are constantly cycling batteries in & out. I think you all get the picture. However I called my friends today in the parts dept. to check the price on p/n 0055411001, it is $260.00 MSRP (OUCH). Now for the other pic of the "BATTERY IN TRUNK" decal, listed in the parts dept. as a "guide sign" p/n 1405846817 list $8.25/ cost $7.01. How many of you still have this on your car??? Of all of the 129 pics posted I didn't see it on anyones. Mine was starting to curl up and lift off so I got a new one. This is probably why my friends in the parts dept. call me fusspot. Hey, if it had a clip, bracket, washer, label or something, I want it from the dealer. That'all folks. Good Luck to all,,,,,,,,,,,Thor

[lynns]

Any car battery specialists out there?

My SL has a conventional lead-acid battery p/n 000000002697 MSRP $202.00 w/ Calif tax, installed by M-B Free Roadside on the right side in the trunk.

I'm thinking of replacing my OE battery with a Deka AGM Eurpean Performance Battery for $185.00 includes ship

Supposedly the above AGM battery is the OEM equivalent of a M-B VRLA battery p/n 0055411001 at a $348.00 w/ Calif tax, installed by M-B Free Roadside or $194.35 discounted price w/o ship from Parts.com.

Please see the attached PDF.

Is an "Absorbant Glass Mat" battery also known as a "Fleece" battery?

[jhodg5ck]

I've got a few of these 'fleece' style batteries, one of my SEC's, my 300TE and I'll likeyl drop one in the SL.
I made the switch based on the advice of my tech friends @ the dealer and thus far have been More the pleased!

Jonathan

[chriswufgator]

What is the difference exactly? Does one work better? Last longer? What's the benefit?

I know you have to have one, but other than that I know nothing at all about batteries. I never even knew there was this new type you guys are talking about.

[nlehre]

When I bought my 96 SL320, it had a Diehard batter in the trunk with a vent tube. It was causing corrosion in the battery department. Some of you may remember my questions on this forum. Anyway, I removed the Diehard, got rid of the corrision and refinished the battery compartment. I installed a new MB battery from the dealer and haven't had any problems since. The compartment still looks pristine after six months. So it seems that the Mercedes sealed battery is the way to go.

[lynns]

Originally Posted by Thorgod

"BATTERY IN TRUNK" decal p/n 1405846817

Thor, would you please post a picture, from a distance, of where you located the new decal?

Parts.com price $2.25

[lynns]

Originally Posted by chriswufgator

What is the difference exactly? Does one work better? Last longer? What's the benefit?

Features of the Absorbant Glass Mat - AGM 9AGM49 Battery:

Meets OEM AGM requirements
Electrolyte absorbed by micro-porous glass separators
100% Non-Spillable - Completely Sealed
Tightly packed construction & calcium reinforced grids
Provides plenty of starting power at low temperatures
Absolutely maintaince-free
Longer battery life with hassle-free service
Superb dual purpose design for starting and deep cycle

• Greater battery Cycle capability, which means longer battery life.
• Improved cold start properties.
• Virtually no acid leakage if battery housing is damaged.
• Improved deep discharge durability.