[deandome]

Looked for answers to these basic questions but couldn't find them (*this thread in particular seemed to come close, but danced around 'em: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210-e-class/1612822-w210-battery-4.html )

1) What size is 'better' and/or easier to find; #49 or #93? Which one is the OEM's size? And is there enough room to fit in a #95R, which is 15-9/16" long vs. 15.0" ? I just learned after helping mom get a new battery for her '97 Lexus ES300, you can't just assume the bigger box will provide more power and/or value, as the #35 was cheaper & the same # of amps (not more) than the slightly smaller alternative.

2) Are AGM batteries any 'better' than regular ones? By that, I mean do they last longer, perform better and/or do anything else to justify their price premium?

3) Has anyone been able to source a #49 or #93 at Costco and/or Sams Club recently? I don't think Costcos near me can help me, and I haven't been able to get thru to the auto dept at Sams Club on the phone.

Thanks!

 

[Kajtek1]

I believe most of those questions have been already answered about 100 times each.
The truth is that you have to shop around. What was valid a year ago very often is not valid today.
Bosch battery at PeepBoys was the best deal lately, but I had one failing 6 months after purchase.
Nothing wrong with bigger battery if you can fit it, but they originally have way more power that you might ever need in normal use.
Years ago I drove my diesel with smaller battery - recommended for gassers as that was the only size available at the time in Costco.

 

[deandome]

AGM isn't a brand; it's a technology/type of sealed battery (VRLA)...it stands for 'Absorbed Glass Mat'. The reason I ask is [email protected] AutoZone's top-tier Platinum battery is AGM, and even though it's considerably more expensive than the others, it actually has lower CCAs than the Gold one. Of course, maybe other specs/features make it worth the premium.

And while I know 93 & 49 will fit, the real question is will 95R fit or not, being that it's 9/16" longer than the other two.

Sams has a 49 in stock for $106, and so does Wal Mart, for $119. Both are 900CCA...probby the same one rebranded...right?

I believe most of those questions have been already answered about 100 times each.
The truth is that you have to shop around. What was valid a year ago very often is not valid today.
Bosch battery at PeepBoys was the best deal lately, but I had one failing 6 months after purchase.
Nothing wrong with bigger battery if you can fit it, but they originally have way more power that you might ever need in normal use.
Years ago I drove my diesel with smaller battery - recommended for gassers as that was the only size available at the time in Costco.

 

[Musikmann]

...Sams has a 49 in stock for $106, and so does Wal Mart, for $119. Both are 900CCA...probby the same one rebranded...right?

This could well be. I have heard for years very few tire companies make their own tires any more and I suspect it is the same for batteries.

 

[ddaddy]

I use 49's since they are easy to find. If the 95 is only 1 inch longer the the 49, it should fit no problem. Pull up your seat and look.

Costco had really good rated battery, unfortunately you can't get it anymore.

From reading the threads, the expensive OEM one seems to last the longest. Personally I get about 3 years out of a battery before it needs replacing.

AGM's are probably the future but I'd wait till they evolve a bit and price comes down some.

And that's my buck two ninety eight

 

[Musikmann]

Too bad we can't buy Valta in this country or can we? It looks like they are owned by Johnson Controls. My OEM battery is over 7 years old.

 

[Tubers]

Varta is that what you mean?

In the land of heat, hot and heaty hotness, I find that 3 years is about the norm for my wife's ML320 battery (under the hood), but my E430 is still using one from 2006, prior to when I purchased the car. Not being cooked by the engine is a good thing.

I've heard of folks switching to AGM batteries, and even read information about the W211 coming OEM with AGM. I have an AGM for my CPAP machine so we can go camping. I get about 4 days of 8 hour rest from a single charge. :thumbsup:

 

[Musikmann]

Varta is that what you mean?...

Sorry for the error, yes, I meant Varta.

 

[Kajtek1]

The Spanish-made factory battery on our ML320 lasted over 12 years, but we see 100F only few times a year and I don't recall truck seeing more than 130F in our travels.
3 years out of the battery? What stuff are you buying? Last time I bought a battery with less than 96 months warranty was probably over 15 years ago. Even some failed short, I got cash back on difference.

 

[shingleback]

I installed a Deka AGM battery about a year ago. The PO had replaced the original batttery and installed it without the vapour vent kit so I decided that the extra expense to eliminate the vapours altogether was worth it. It was <$200.

 

[vw1300]

Kajtek:

Like dlafever's in Arizona, batteries often only last 3 years here in Houston, at least in normal cars where the battery rides in the engine compartment. I've only had my '97 for a year so I can't comment if having it away from the heat helps, but it sure can't hurt.

Several mechanics have told me they believe that the extreme heat is much worse for a battery than cold.

 

[ddaddy]

The Spanish-made factory battery on our ML320 lasted over 12 years, but we see 100F only few times a year and I don't recall truck seeing more than 130F in our travels.
3 years out of the battery? What stuff are you buying? Last time I bought a battery with less than 96 months warranty was probably over 15 years ago. Even some failed short, I got cash back on difference.

Various over the years, pep boys, diehard, continental, . It gets really hot here sometimes. I remember my truck battery a couple years ago was fine, Parked in garage at work and it was a very hot day. Wouldn't start but security gave me a jump. Drove hwy for about 40 minutes to hometown parts store and bought battery...I was shocked the truck wouldn't start then after driving! Doesn't help with temp extremes...4 days ago we had our first freeze, 30, and yesterday it got back to 90.

I just have bad luck with batteries, always have.