Battery replacement recommendation for '04 ML-350 - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

erikluca · 08-06-2008, 08:03 AM

Hello everybody, well after exactly 4 yrs. my battery is gone. Before calling the dealer and getting an outrageous price, could you give me some tips, please.
Sears International Series 975 amps (instead of the OEM 850)? Longer warranty time, higher reserve?
Suggestions and ideas much appreciated, Remember mine is an ML350 instead of 320.
Thanks a lot for your fast & positive response

**cmitch** · 08-06-2008, 11:09 AM

My original batteries lasted nearly 8 years in the ML430 and nearly 6 years in the 320. I would go for the OEM, again. Mercedes Benz Club of America membership will get you 15% off that battery, as well.

fabbrisd1 · 08-06-2008, 12:56 PM

Just note the Mecredes OEM battery is a psecial size, so although other generic batteries will fit, they will not fit as well.

The '04 year was a middling year for MB batteries, as the original battery at that time was a Bosch..now the MB batteries are made by a Intersate factory in Spain..much-mich-much betterlikr early ML's..with this battery 6-7-8 yrs life depending on area is common. Message current Mercedes battery is better than your original which lasted 4yrs...

Your price for Mercedes Roadside Assistance Replacement (which includes labor) will differ by area, in my area battery replacement on-site is $135 - which gets you on-site replacement, the new Mercedes battery (which is now one of the very best) and also the tech will reset the radio and/or anything else that needs to be recoded after the battery/power is pulled out. In essence, my are there is no added labor charge.

Good luck, keep the beat !

erikluca · 08-10-2008, 08:38 AM

Thank you guys for your input & help. Let me tell you what I finally had to do in case it might help other members in the future.

1) Mercedes Dealer asked me $195 + tax for the battery plus 1 hour for installation @ $120/hr. When to install the battery is no more that 5 minutes. So this option completely out of the picture for a total of $345.- (including taxes & fees)

2) Call Mercedes Road Assistance and the price was much better for an OEM, $225 + tax and the guy would come to my house to change it. This service is based from the same dealer I called before. Weird, isn't it. Total $247.- with tax.

3) My local Mercedes shop asked me $189 for an Interstate unit, which seems to be pretty good and the new OEM manufacturer. Problem might be that if I need a replacement or guarantee at another place I might have a future warranty problem.Total with tax and shop fees: $208.-

4) Finally, right across my office there is a SEARS who special ordered a DIE HARD International battery GROUP 49 with 805 CCA (instead of the OEM 750 CCA). Base price: $129.- installed with fees and taxes: $153.- and done while I was working so no time wasted waiting for it. Plus all over U.S. warranty coverage and more CCA than OEM. Let's see if I made the right decision at a final price of $153.-

Enjoy your weekend & thx again for your help

Gene Horr · 08-10-2008, 02:37 PM

From what I remember in the past the Sears Die-Hard and the Interstate brands were essentially the same batteries made by Johnson Controls. Just different cases.

In any case my fleet experience with both brands is that they have the longest life in high heat conditions.

**ML Precision** · 08-10-2008, 06:42 PM

I have a 3 year old Interstate and it fits and works well. No Problems.
Calling roadside is great too. They come to your house and reset everything.

Either would be a good choice.

ozcan · 08-10-2008, 08:03 PM

I had to replace my battery a month ago. The OEM battery lasted 8 years on my 2000 ML430.
Anyway I called the dealer. Their price was $135 plus tax. OEM battery puts out 635A cold crank.
I checked Auto Zone online and search results came back with Duralast 49-DL direct replacement for M-Class.
Same size length and width but about 1/2 inches short in height. Price $80 including tax. Cold crank 850Amps and cranking amps 1000Amps.
To make it short I bought Duralast. It took only 10 minutes to install. It cranks up very strong. Let's see how long this one will last.

TrekBrew · 11-27-2010, 03:15 PM

Greetings and my thanks for the previous comments.
I replaced my battery today (11/27/10) in my 2003 ML-350 and wanted to share my research and replacement experiance. This is my second replacement and the first I have perfromed on this car.
- Regarding the Autozone information - I checked battery previously mentioned in this forum (Duralast 49-DL) and their website reported it was not the correct battery for my vehicle. The battery they listed as correct is the H8-DLG. Price as of this date was $135+Sales Tax.
- Checked Sears Diehard site and was unable to locate a battery for my vehicle.
- Checked Interstate site and found MEGA-TRON PLUS - 85 MONTHS - 850 CCA Product ID MTP-93 for $136+Sales Tax.
- Called my local MB dealer and was quoted $135+Sales Tax.

Decided to go with the known item and drove to the dealer with the old battery. Removal was a bit of a chore due to to confined space and removal of surrounding components. I recommend the following sequence based on my experiance.
1. Remove rubber "bumper" along battery comparment area.
2. Remove L shaped surround piece. This will require opening a hinged plastic piece that closes over the slot that allows the Positive cable to pass through the battery compartment surround.
3. Remove the bolt at the front lower end of the battery compartment. This holds the battery mettal surround and the battery in place. You will need to lift up the back end of this piece to allow the front end tabs to be lifted from the slots holding the piece in position.
4. On the top of the battery under the restrining metal band, you will need to depress and lside a plastic piece towards the rear of the battery. This will allow the metal restraining band to be depressed a bit. THis lower end of this band can then be unhooked from a rolled rim on the plate the battery rests on. I was unable to determine how to disconnect this group of parts any further and just ended up sliding the battery out from under the restraining band once it was loose.
5. Remove the Positive cable from the battery. I also seperated the small cable bolted to the main Positive cable. Is was easier to get the Positive cable out of the way.
6. Remove the Negative cable. Very tight space constraints here!
7. Slide the battery forward a bit then angle the front of the battery up and lift the battery out. It is quite heavy! I did it in 3 steps. I also placed a heavy towel over the area in front of the battery compartment to reduce potential damage to plastic parts and scratching anything.
8. Get new battery!
9. Repeat process in reverse order except attach Negative cable first then attach Positive cable. Do this step after completing all other steps. Also note that the Negative cable must go behind the battery and not over the top or you will not be able to reattach the connection.
10. Test start car.
11. Enter MCS(Radio) security code.
12. Enjoy your car!

fabbrisd1 · 11-27-2010, 05:02 PM

After replacing the battery - go thru ALL the reset instructions in the owners manual for auxiliary systems including: steering angle sensor, windows, sunroof, and finally the MCS.

So you know, in some areas of the country MB Roadside Assistance will replace the battery at the exact same cost as counter purchase, with no added service charge for the labor/call. In my area, the installed cost is $135 + tax for the battery, no labor or call charge.

In other areas MB dealer parts prices can be higher, and some areas MB Roadside Assistance can charge a added service fee for battery replacement.

If doing a Roadside Assistance replacement the technican will do all the resets, and pull your MCS code from the MB database.

Keep the beat !

Mike's ML · 11-27-2010, 06:22 PM

Winter is coming and it's battery replacement time.
I just posted this on the 190E forum earlier today.
************************************************** *
Most Mercedes, and other European vehicles, use one of two battery sizes.
Group 49, Din size H8, En size 88L5
and
Group 48, Din size H6, En size 66L3

The Group 49 is used in the bigger vehicles like the ML's.
The Group 48 is used in the smaller sedans like our 190E's. (still a big battery)

I just replaced both my 190E and ML's battery in the last 2 months. It took me a lot of searching to figure out what battery sizes I needed. The Group 48 and 49 are European vehicle sizes. There is still a variety of specifications like CCA an AH ratings within each group. I bought a Group 48 battery from AutoZone for the 190E and a Group 49 9AGM49 AGM battery directly from the manufacturer, East Penn / Deka, for the ML.
Deka also has a 9AGM48 AGM battery if you want to spend a little extra money for the new battery technology.
************************************************** ****

Also in the future I highly recommend you remove the Negative battery cable first and install the Negative cable last.
Also as fabbrisd1 stated make sure you synchronize all the systems listed in your manual under battery replacement.
This was my 4th battery install in my two ML's. It's a lot easier the 4th time around.
Mike