Ten year battery change?

51315

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W247 AMG B200 (2020), A160 (2009) CLK270 (2005) SL230 Pagoda (1964, long gone)
So, on my CLK 270, bought in 2015, the battery was from new and 10 yrs old, all working fine but I decided to change it. Now on my just bought W169 A160, 10 yrs old and battery working fine (again 10 yrs from new.) Should I change it or will it tell me itself (gently I hope) when it needs changing? Mileage only 12k.
If it was yours would you change it?

And, last pic, the underside of the battery carpet lid. Anyone any idea of what it all means? Delivery was June 30 2009. Thanks.

IMG_0787 5.JPG IMG_0789 5.JPG IMG_0791 4.JPG
 

Wighty

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W211/E320cdi/2009 and CLK200k 2009
So, on my CLK 270, bought in 2015, the battery was from new and 10 yrs old, all working fine but I decided to change it. Now on my just bought W169 A160, 10 yrs old and battery working fine (again 10 yrs from new.) Should I change it or will it tell me itself (gently I hope) when it needs changing? Mileage only 12k.
If it was yours would you change it?

And, last pic, the underside of the battery carpet lid. Anyone any idea of what it all means? Delivery was June 30 2009. Thanks.

View attachment 48174 View attachment 48175 View attachment 48176
Just been through the same decision with my CLK and its 10 year old battery , it was showing 12.1v at start up and seemed to be taking an extra turn to start up .
Decided that as MB's hate low voltage , and modern batteries sometimes just fail without warning . I decided to get a new one from MB Grangemouth (with forum discount and delivery £110) Paid £130 for my E class battery from Grangemouth last year .
 

daibevan

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W203 C200 Kompressor Elegance SE 2006 Tanzanite Blue with cream interior
It will just fail. When is the gamble. Mine was still going strong at 12 years, but voltage in the morning was getting lower and lower. On my previous car at 11 years perfect one day, completely dead and non rechargeable the next. If you want to risk it you may get another 5 years, or another 5 minutes.
 

LostKiwi

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'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
I changed my E class battery at 15 years. It was still starting the car just fine but I chickened out and used the battery that came out of my r129 (I tested it with my battery tester and it was deemed good).
 

John Laidlaw

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I’m weird I change mine at 5, just not worth the hassle for the sake of £150 or so....
 

brianbrian

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w124 250D, SL129-deisel
I have known people to have a battery for 10 years, you can test a old battery say tomorrow, all O.K. Week later dead as a do do or, dead as a door nail.
 

joderest

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the battery in the Mini was 10 years old, it was down on voltage but started car fine, only thing that ceased to work was stop/start. Changed it last month, for a yusaf (thing that is how its spelt) turns over quicker, but as temp low, stop /start still inactive (dont really care !!!)
I only changed it as had the clutch done, and thought whilst they were there, why not.
 

kid-jensen

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If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

There'll be plenty of other things to spend you money on..

Get yourself one of those Lithium emergency starter batteries and keep it in the car for the day when the battery eventually dies. That way, you're not stranded. It's cheaper than a new battery and is likely to last longer (though it's a bit early to say for sure)

When the car gets sold, move it on to the next one. In the mean-time it's always available for other family members, neighbours etc.
 

Wighty

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If you intend to keep the car for a few years you will be changing it anyway so why not change it now .
You hear some horror stories on here about battery failure and the owners not being able to get in the car to get to the battery . If you don't change it at least make sure that your emergency key and all the locks are working and lubed
 

d215yq

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Not sure if it's the same in UK but here there is a company that does 24/7 delivery of new batteries to wherever you are nationwide within 3h. Their prices are 120 inc delivery + optional fitting for a generic battery of correct aH/amps. Given the best I could get in a shop was 90 for a generic battery and 200 for a "merc spec" one it's not really a big deal to just wait until stranded and then get one brought to the car!

Here with the hot temperatures batteries last even less than the UK and all the shops tell you to replace them at 4 yrs. Mine's over 4 years old, has been drained twice by a faulty alternator but still works so won't be changing it. If keeping the car a long time even less reason to change it regularly - you might end up changing it 3x instead of once.
 

Botus

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BWM bike ones are fine till they just die at 5 to 7 years, I don't think the Merc std fit AGM ones are built like that at all

on another forum another guy with an odyssey replacement (like mine died at 5 years) and is trying the AGM top up trick, he too found his was dryer than a desert. Mine seems to have perked up on the bike, good as new and my 13 year old merc one is better than its 4 year old replacement. If its AGM slip some water in it, I think you'll get another 5 years no issues
 

LostKiwi

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BWM bike ones are fine till they just die at 5 to 7 years, I don't think the Merc std fit AGM ones are built like that at all

on another forum another guy with an odyssey replacement (like mine died at 5 years) and is trying the AGM top up trick, he too found his was dryer than a desert. Mine seems to have perked up on the bike, good as new and my 13 year old merc one is better than its 4 year old replacement. If its AGM slip some water in it, I think you'll get another 5 years no issues
Not all MBs have AGM. Neither my 129 or 210 do.
The one in the 210 was replaced this year. It was made in 2003.
 

sonic

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I have had 5 MB since 2002, the first 3 replaced at 90K, 115K, & 120K miles. Didn't change any of the batteries, or have any problems with them. The current 2 are coming up to 8 & 9 years old, still with the original batteries.
 

John Laidlaw

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Still stunned at all the discussion around c£150 every 5 years! £30 a year against possible stranding if/when a battery suddenly dies which seems commonplace , I know what I choose - cars can suck your money up in far more interesting ways than that....:p
 

LostKiwi

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Still stunned at all the discussion around c£150 every 5 years! £30 a year against possible stranding if/when a battery suddenly dies which seems commonplace , I know what I choose - cars can suck your money up in far more interesting ways than that....:p
Will you be changing your battery in your current car when it's 5 years old John? ;)
 

LostKiwi

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Surprised it has a separate starter battery. Many hybrids use the main battery.
 

John Laidlaw

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Surprised it has a separate starter battery. Many hybrids use the main battery.
Indeed, but the good news is that it is conditioned by the high voltage battery pack automatically so as long as it’s plugged in and 80% plus charged it’s under almost no load
 

Blobcat

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Indeed, but the good news is that it is conditioned by the high voltage battery pack automatically so as long as it’s plugged in and 80% plus charged it’s under almost no load
Fingers crossed...:eek:
 


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