Jim,
Legend has it that OEM Mercedes batteries are not of the highest quality, though I did buy one that lasted for 6 years and was not "tended" to in the winter. They are also expensive, as you would imagine.
The only reason to use one is if you are trying to enter a Concours where period-look or OEM accuracy is important. If you are doing it just for yourself you are going down an expensive path for a certain look that 95% of the time is simply covered up by the hood. The new OEM battery for the Pagoda is white plastic and does not resemble the original battery once delivered with the car 40 years ago.
There is a guy in Camden New Jersey, Bob Platz, of Precision Auto Works that has a well known reputation of putting together restored prize winning Mercedes, and he has re-created some vintage batteries.
Precision Auto Works
2202 Federal St
Camden, NJ 08105
Neighborhoods: Cramer Hill, Marlton
(856) 966-0080
Understand that just shipping anything like this is likely to cost a bundle, not to mention the cost of the battery itself. You'll then have to take it somewhere for additional cost, to have it charged with acid. They have to ship dry.
If you don't show your car and don't need the Concours points, an Optima gel is the way to go.
