[Check Codes]

Hi, Folks.

I wish I'd waited a week to do my battery. As some of you may know, there are now only a couple of companies in the US that manufacture batteries, so Champion, Interstate, Costco, etc. are just rebranded. While I bought an Interstate for what I thought was a great price, I happened to be in Sam's Club yesterday, and they have the EverReady or Energizer-branded battery (identical specs to the Interstate I bought and looks just like it) for under $50, with tax just over that. (And the vent-hose kit was stuck to the side of the battery...so it wouldn't have cost me irritation, frustration and another trip to the store.) That's a little more than $40 less than I paid for my Interstate, and roughly a third of what an OEM Mercedes battery will cost, of course with the latter they'll install it for you, too.

Warranty is identical between these two aftermarket brands as well, 36-month free replacement, pro-rated after than to 96 months.

It's probably obvious, but I certainly would have dropped in the EverReady had I found it first.

So my impatience (I'd looked at Costco, they don't stock them, I was stunned that Sam's did) could be your gain, at least if you have a Sam's Club near you. If yours is nearing the end of it's life (they all seem to die in the 5-7 year range, and I didn't want to be stranded even for a short while) then change your own battery (if you want tips, see the DIY I posted) and save almost $100 over the OEM batter for less than 1/2 hour's time.

Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg

 

[lkchris]

Be sure to add $35 (or whatever it is) for the membership fee.

 

[tirona]

no need for membership fee. wal-mart has exact the same battery, same price i think. also autozone carries batteries for our cars which come with the ventilation tube, for like $60.

 

[loubapache]

Autozone's Duralast Group 49 is $70 and is a good battery. I have bought three of them and the diesel wagon is hard on it. The diesel was parked outside and the battery lasted 5 years. I got a $20 credit appled to a new one but I sold the car afterwards.:crybaby2:

The one on the 1991 300E is still good after 4 years.

Costco only has the group 48 battery. The W124 and 96-97 W210 actually call for Group 48 but Goup 49 will also fit. It is $62 there and comes with the vent tube.

 

[Kajtek1]

Now you are telling us?
I paid MB roadside service $160 !!!!
But than it would probably take me about 3 hr to ask my friends to go to Sam's, buy the battery, bring it home, replace, reset everything and dispose the old battery.
$100 for 3hr savings and clean hands is not that bad deal .
Sam's is also good for golf-cart sized batteries. I have 4 of them in my motorhome. In 3 years added water once.

 

[Mercedes Benz of Florida]

JUST A REMINDER TO ALL:
The "Warranty" for the SAM'S Club battery...EXPIRES, is NULL and VOID once your Membership lapses/expires.
I bought a Battery in Sams, have the Original Receipt and a short while later I switched to Costco and BJ's.
Later on; I had battery problems. Brought it back to Sams, with the Receipt and they said NO! Store Manager said: NO
Corporate said: NO. Lesson learned HARD.
Just wanted to sprinkle some rain on this parade so you don't learn MY lesson!

 

[Kajtek1]

That's strange Charles. I bought the batteries for my motorhome on 1-day pass the Sam's send me. The warranty on deep-cycle batteries is 1 year only, so I am not worry, but nowhere they said the warranties will be null.
Than at $46 a piece, I've got my money worth a year ago.
Wonder if Costco has the same policy?

 

[Check Codes]

Now you are telling us?
I paid MB roadside service $160 !!!!
But than it would probably take me about 3 hr to ask my friends to go to Sam's, buy the battery, bring it home, replace, reset everything and dispose the old battery.
$100 for 3hr savings and clean hands is not that bad deal .
Sam's is also good for golf-cart sized batteries. I have 4 of them in my motorhome. In 3 years added water once.

Nah, nah, nah.

You drive them to Sam's, pull the battery there, take it in (so no core charge), you get the one and go and reinstall while they shop. By the time you're finished with all the resets, they're ready to go.

Actually, your "Now you are telling us?" is how I felt when I saw they had them.

As far as the MB of Florida post re: the warranty goes, if it's a Sam's branded battery that might well be the case, but EverReady is an independent company and the warranty is through them. Had that been my situation I'd have simply rejoined, got the battery swapped, and then canceled the membership, they give you a refund if you cancel. That's a bit of trouble, but even if you kept the membership it still would be about half the $150 at the dealer.

Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg

 

[Kajtek1]

Thanks Greg. What if she (my friend) will go for 3 hr shopping?
Just kidding. I might try that (or Wallmart) when the battery in sedan will go dead.

 

[Check Codes]

Thanks Greg. What if she (my friend) will go for 3 hr shopping?
Just kidding. I might try that (or Wallmart) when the battery in sedan will go dead.

Hey, Kaj, I'll take you, just let me know when.