Flat Battery Woes… AGAIN!

[markben]

So: 3 weeks ago the 6 year-old RAC005 branded / Yuasa 100 Ah battery on my W220 died at the start of the cold snap and I had a replacement fitted by my local Halfords Autocentre (previously National Tyres & Autocare). Fair enough I thought, after 6 years & 40k miles?

The new battery: Halfords Silver HSB019 'Starter', £140 fitted with a 2 year guarantee. In the meantime I’ve driven the car daily for 8-10 miles during the daytime (without lights / wipers etc) to keep it charged-up during the cold snap. I’m careful with batteries...

But today: the ‘new’ (3 week old) battery was absolutely dead. Couldn’t even unlock the car with the remote key, and so a rescue callout scheduled for tomorrow morning via my Motor Insurers. Phoned Halfords Autocentre manager in advance and he has offered to replace it under warranty... assuming it’s a ‘bad’ one after he tests it.

I’ve never had battery problems on the car for any other reason (e.g. mysterious battery drains / leaving ancillaries switched on by mistake etc).

My Question(s): Has anyone here had a similar experience with Halfords’ own brand batteries? Is the 'new' Halfords one the correct spec for my W220 S 320 cdi? Or should I just put it down to bad luck?

Many thanks all

Mark B

 

[Blobcat]

I wouldn’t use a Halfords battery or their service centres either.

 

[DSK]

Yes using standard spec replacements have always surprised me with how crap they are dying at the worst moment despite the car being well used. Worst was a Lion from ecp that died within about 6 weeks. Another was from Motaquip that died after about 1.5 years.

As a result I tend buy the most powerful such as a Bosch S5 versus the lower power and smaller options.


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[ajlsl600]

How is it a replacement battery NEVER lasts as long as origional yet they are alledgely the same spec at purchase...

 

[markben]

How is it a replacement battery NEVER lasts as long as origional yet they are alledgely the same spec at purchase...

I think the term 'allegedly' might be relevant here..?

 

[markben]

Yes using standard spec replacements have always surprised me with how crap they are dying at the worst moment despite the car being well used. Worst was a Lion from ecp that died within about 6 weeks. Another was from Motaquip that died after about 1.5 years.

As a result I tend buy the most powerful such as a Bosch S5 versus the lower power and smaller options.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Interesting to know, thanks. It makes me wonder whether 'Fast Fit / budget' batteries are as good as OEM spec (as with tyres - even if 'recommended') ?

 

[DSK]

How is it a replacement battery NEVER lasts as long as origional yet they are alledgely the same spec at purchase...

Agree. Must be the the way they got spec’d for original supply compared to replacement quality.


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[rf065]

How is it a replacement battery NEVER lasts as long as origional yet they are alledgely the same spec at purchase...

Something has changed with batteries in the last few years, I don't recall ever replacing a battery in all the years I've been driving.
Despite that, my SLC ( both main and aux) & C Class both needed new AGM batteries at only 4 years old. The stop/start was always switched off on both of them so that can be discounted as a cause.
Wife and daughter both recently purchased cars, both under 3 years old with low mileage, still under original warranty, and both required new batteries as they were only putting out 11.95v & 12.2v respectively.
I fear for anyone buying an electric car as a long time proposition! Note, these were all OEM batteries fitted from new, Bosch in the MB's.

 

[mioba]

W220 were the start of an era of electric hungry cars.
Halfords is good for one thing only - the advance tools.
My W220 (2004) is on its second battery - MB batteries are top notch.

If I was you. Get a MB battery and your money back from Halfords.

 

[mioba]

Interesting to know, thanks. It makes me wonder whether 'Fast Fit / budget' batteries are as good as OEM spec (as with tyres - even if 'recommended') ?

The proofs in the pudding and the fast fit answers the question.

 

[markben]

Something has changed with batteries in the last few years, I don't recall ever replacing a battery in all the years I've been driving.
Despite that, my SLC ( both main and aux) & C Class both needed new AGM batteries at only 4 years old. The stop/start was always switched off on both of them so that can be discounted as a cause.
Wife and daughter both recently purchased cars, both under 3 years old with low mileage, still under original warranty, and both required new batteries as they were only putting out 11.95v & 12.2v respectively.
I fear for anyone buying an electric car as a long time proposition!

Thanks Russ, and I tend to agree about battery specs changing (for the worse - esp with 'budget' versions?). W220s have hugely complex & 'power demanding' electrics and my latest experience tends to support the idea that a quick-fix to get me on the move again with a budget 'Halfords' battery was probably a mistake. . Bur we'll see tomorrow after I go back to Halfords...

 

[markben]

W220 were the start of an era of electric hungry cars.
Halfords is good for one thing only - the advance tools.
My W220 (2004) is on its second battery - MB batteries are top notch.

If I was you. Get a MB battery and your money back from Halfords.

You read my thoughts - thanks! . Well, I'll give them a second chance tomorrow (the manager - previously National Tyres & AutoCare is very helpful): but if their battery fails again soon I'll be on the case. To be continued...

 

[mioba]

Good luck. Keep us posted!

 

[rf065]

Thanks Russ, and I tend to agree about battery specs changing (for the worse - esp with 'budget' versions?). W220s have hugely complex & 'power demanding' electrics and my latest experience tends to support the idea that a quick-fix to get me on the move again with a budget 'Halfords' battery was probably a mistake. . Bur we'll see tomorrow after I go back to Halfords...

Yes, but both my MB batteries were Bosch or Varta, top of the range and still replaced at 4 years old.

 

[sonic]

Buy Bosch or Varta batteries, Halfords batteries have a questionable reliability,

 

[ajlsl600]

I fit origional specc bosch batts or varta. But I still say the ones retailed to us are not the same as supplied to the car makers. Wud love to see a proper analysis of the two..

 

[markben]

Thanks ALL for your quick & helpful replies.. so far!

Ok: having done some more research I now understand the TECHNICAL / CHEMICAL differences between traditional FLA (Flooded Lead Acid) batteries and the more sophisticated AGM (Absorbant Glass Mat) versions. And I'm pleased to say that my Headache is clearing now after a glass of the Red Stuff...

In my case: on a W220 with a high Current Draw to power numerous electronics, it does seem that a 'budget?' FLA battery probably isn't as reliable-an -option in the long term as an OEM AGM one. Or even for 3 weeks in cold weather..? .

So a Friendly (but Serious - technically) chat with the Halfords manager tomorrow and I'll let you know the outcome. Fingers crossed...

 

[AMGeed]

Halfords branded batteries are manufactured by Yuasa.
Yuasa are considered a top brand.
Batteries always let you down when you least expect it, but given the opportunity I'd buy a Mercedes branded battery from the main dealer (or commercial sales for a better price) I just think they last longer, just like the OE tyres on a new car.

 

[markben]

Halfords branded batteries are manufactured by Yuasa.
Yuasa are considered a top brand.
Batteries always let you down when you least expect it, but given the opportunity I'd buy a Mercedes branded battery from the main dealer (or commercial sales for a better price) I just think they last longer, just like the OE tyres on a new car.

Thanks and that's interesting to know (Halfords brand = Yuasa?). The previous 6 year-old battery was Yuasa so maybe.. just maybe?.. I've just been unlucky with the latest replacement? The Halfords manager did admit that, once in a while, they unknowingly fit a 'bad' battery and then replace it under warranty. More tomorrow after my chat with him and hopefully mobile again

 

[AMGeed]

I only found out the connection between Halfords and Yuasa when I needed a battery at short notice. The manager at the branch told me.
I bought a Yuasa mainly because I'd read they were good quality and secondly mine came with a 5yr guarantee.

Also

Halfords Leisure Batteries | The Motorhome Fun Club.​

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk › forum › threads



11 Nov 2020 — Having spent many years as a Halfords manager many moons ago, you are correct that they are branded Yuasa batteries.

HALFORDS TAKES A POSITIVE LEAD ON START/STOP ...​

https://news.cision.com › halfords › halfords-takes-a-po...



1 Oct — Halfords stop/start batteries are made by Yuasa and priced at £174.98 including fitting for the 096 AGM* and £199.98 for the 019 AGM