Battery

[john.mancini]

I am not impressed with the MB original equipment battery. Even my MB dealer says it's underpowered and overpriced. I can't locate a Bosch battery here in Massachusetts. What else fits?  Any suggestions?
Thanks guys.
Doc Mancini

[mdsalemi]

Doc,

That's the general consensus on the MB battery, and probably the only reason to use it is for Concours.  That being said, mine has been fine for 3 year so far, including 6-month layups in the winter w/o a trickle charger...

Do a little searching here, a lot use Interstate batteries and if money is no object there is an Optima Gel that fits.  You can find the right group sizes in a search...

[john.mancini]

Thanks Michael

[J. Huber]

I'm just a commoner... I have used a Sears Diehard battery for years. The previous one lasted a trouble-free 8 years -- only recently giving up the ghost. It was a Gold North. The new one I bought is what the guy explained was essentially the same output (CCA 670). I drive in the winter and it gets chilly here. This one is actually classified as an SUV, Truck, Van battery [:0] but fits perfectly in the tray. So shoot me.

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[graphic66]

Here is a copy of my previous battery post... I found that the Energizer battery part# e36R with 810 cranking amps and 650 CCA fits perfect. You just need to grind the lip on the bottom of the battery that is for a hold down bracket off. Whats up with the cheap flimsy metal used on the battery tray. I ordered the Mercedes OEM replacement and it was thin junk. I used my mig welder and made reinforcements for where the hooks go that hold the battery in. I also reinforced the tray where it mounts. It really just bent up when any force was applied to the battery holddown. It now is rock steady and you can't see any modification from the top.

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by graphic66

Here is a copy of my previous battery post... I found that the Energizer battery part# e36R with 810 cranking amps and 650 CCA fits perfect. You just need to grind the lip on the bottom of the battery that is for a hold down bracket off. Whats up with the cheap flimsy metal used on the battery tray. I ordered the Mercedes OEM replacement and it was thin junk. I used my mig welder and made reinforcements for where the hooks go that hold the battery in. I also reinforced the tray where it mounts. It really just bent up when any force was applied to the battery holddown. It now is rock steady and you can't see any modification from the top.

I won't attempt to argue the quality of the $125 battery hold down, but you need nearly no torque or tightening for it to work.  I've seen (and many mechanics have too) batteries that have "collapsed" under the weight of overtightened hold downs.  Just needs a bit of snugging up, that's it.

The fact that many need this hold down means it's missing; the fact that it is missing begs the question how important is it anyway?  So many do without it!

[Mike Hughes]

quote:Originally posted by J. Huber

I have used a Sears Diehard battery for years. The previous one lasted a trouble-free 8 years -- only recently giving up the ghost.

Last November was failed battery month at the Hughes Garage.  I replaced the M-B battery in the 230SL with another M-B battery (I do show the car in MBCA concours).  I replaced the original equipment batteries in my 2002 AND 1995 Isuzu 4WD vehicles and replaced the Die Hard batteries in my 1987 Jaguar, 1989 Merkur and 1954 M.G. TF.  The manager at the Sears Auto Center replaced the Jaguar and Merkur batteries under warranty but he did a double-double-take when he saw the date sticker on the M.G. battery - it was 14 years old!

[Douglas]

One friend of mine who was particularly hard to please about these kinds of details went with a plain black Exide battery with no external stickers of any kind. He bought it directly from Exide in New Jersey and won many concours with it in his engine compartment. His rationale was that it performed better than the factory battery (what battery doesnt?), was priced better (what battery isn't), and it didn't stick out like a sore thumb.

[mdsalemi]

...and then of course, there is the old Bob Platz trick of grafting a "tar-top" http://www.tartopper.com/ on top of a modern battery.  I don't know if he used the kit above, or made his own, but he did it with a winning W113 at Starfest 2004.  It didn't get any more points than the others with MB batteries (albeit new ones) but lots of people were ogling while he was snickering!

Don't forget http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/ of all places, in JonnyB's backyard of Hudson, Ohio!  They claim to have "reproduction" batteries for old Mercedes, but they were not on their website--guess you'll have to call.

[jmela]

I've had good luck with Douglas batteries in my benz. They are white in color and according to the sales guy, Douglas produce the batteries for MB. Cosmetically they seem identical, performance has been great, and 1/2 the cost of an 'official' benz battery. Might take a phone call to the company to figure out your local rep.

[KevinC]

Does anyone have experience/opinions with/of the line of Bosch batteries at Pep Boys?

[49er]

 I installed a World Source One battery (http://www.worldsourceone.com/ ) and it fitted perfectly both in the tray and top hold down bracket.

John

[Kayvan]

Any Sears Die Hard model #s that fit?