MB Battery - cheaper alternatives

[R Ghosh-Roy]

I have been told that instead of buying a MB "car" battery (part# A 004 541 4601 for my ML430, 2001), I should look for a MB "van" battery since the "van" version would be nearly half the price, with no difference in specs. Is this correct? rolleyes:

I need to replace the battery but would like to explore this alternative. Any suggestions/comments very welcome.

Thanks,

RG-R:

 

[anyweb]

dunno about that but i replaced my ten year old Mercedes battery with one from a 'biltema' in sweden (i live in sweden).

It cost me 50 quid and is working great

to see what batteries they offer see this link (if you need swedish translation ask me)

http://www.biltema.se/carparts/carparts_c.asp?iSecId=1192&strCarId=Mercedes

that's a whole lot of mercedes models covered !

my brake discs also come from biltema

a great shop if you ask me !

cheers

anyweb

 

[television]

There are many alternatives, You could go to halfords or any other motor factor. I would prefer an Exide or Bocsh and they make one to fit your car. regarding the size do not go over the current rating from the original.
a small fully charged battery is much more efficient than a half charged big one.
In house brand names are more often than not rebiult batteries and often suffer from high resistance cells that allow the running voltage to exceed the 13.8 volt and that is not good for our cars,too many electric boxes.
Battery spec do differ,some van batteries are made for stop start work.

Malcolm

 

[Aletank]

I have been told that instead of buying a MB "car" battery (part# A 004 541 4601 for my ML430, 2001), I should look for a MB "van" battery since the "van" version would be nearly half the price, with no difference in specs. Is this correct? rolleyes:

I need to replace the battery but would like to explore this alternative. Any suggestions/comments very welcome.

Thanks,

RG-R:

Yeah I've read this on other forums - Basically, go to a MB Commerial dealer with the part number - alot cheaper
Here we go -check out this thread http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=19895

 

[jberks]

It wouldn't surprise me, but then I wouldn't go to MB for a new battery anyway. There are loads of options at factors, halfords etc that are equally as good, and a fraction of the price. Costco is probably a good option too. At the end of the day, a decent make and same spec will give the same service.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I always look at the price/guarantee period as a rough guide to quality. If its 3 years and I think that the retailer is going to be around to honour it I'll buy the battery at the right price.

Kwik fit get my trade at the moment with their 2/3 year warranty.

 

[Myros]

I was in costco on Friday

and couldn't find the Bosch one they list for my SL. Their prices are ok though. I bought a Hoppecke for the C 280 18 months ago, exact replacement for the one that was in from the factory, £45 quid from Autobatteries in Rochdale.
You can't really go wrong with the big names like Bosch, Hella, Varta, Hoppecke, Exide, Oldham.
On the half charged front, look up how many Amp hours your alternator is rated at, and make sure the battery you buy doesn't differ too much from that.

 

[230K]

Hi

Yes i have bought a battery from MB commercial, half price and same part no. etc 100Ah for £68 inc vat although only 1 yes 1 year warranty although the car dealers battery is only 1 year warranty also.

230K

 

[R129]

From my experience if you need a battery of 72 amps or greater the type sold by commercial dealers for vitos and sprinters are the same component at half the price. The reasoning I presume is that although a superior van they are competing with things like transits so parts prices have to be comparable or the big fleet users get upset.

Although only carrying a 1 year warranty the oe batteries do seem to last around 10 years if looked after.

Also its a lot easier to get a discount out of the commercial dealers, I got a 100 amp unit for my sl for £55 all in.

This is quite possibly the only time I have recommended main dealers!

 

[R Ghosh-Roy]

Thank you

I can categorically confirm that, instead of paying £120+VAT, it is far cheaper to get the same battery (even the same part number) for £70.29 (inclusive of VAT) from the MB main "commercial van" dealer.

Thank you all for your pointers and comments.

 

[230K]

Hi

Im am glad someone has listened.

 

[Stevie A]

If you have the part number then the Van dealers can get you the part and it'll be cheaper. I posted about this last month. Secret is to find the part number and to keep a note of part numbers for stuff that needs replaced as a matter of course eg belts.

 

[philharve]

Hi All

My MB failed to start earlier this week so I called my Indie and he suggested the problem was probably a dead battery cell. This would reduce the terminal voltage of the battery to a value below which the car will not start even though there was sufficient charge remaining to crank the starter. The Indie informed me that you cannot flatten a battery of a modern MB by cranking the engine. The car will ensure sufficient charge exists to power life support systems, e.g. light and heat.

The Indie informed me that in order to get the car to start you place a good battery in parallel with the defective battery which fools the MB's onboard battery sensor into thinking the battery is OK. The sensor will then allow the starter to work. Clever stuff, when you know how!

I got the car running in a millisecond and paid a visit to the Indie who confirmed a dead battery which was probably the original (5yr old). It was replaced by a Delphi(?) and cost me GBP50 with free fitting. The Delphi came with 3yr warranty, same as MB's own offering which would have cost me GBP150 + fitting. I saved over GBP100 on this deal and the car's running fine. Starts in an instant. The original battery was probably defective for some time and the recent cold weather revealed its weakness.

What battery life do other members get? The Indie said '2 - 8yr is typical' for the MB part. Alternatives can be equally as good and a lot cheaper.

I've never heard of Delphi. Has any other member heard of them? The difference in cost is truly staggering!

REGARDS Phil

 

[television]

MB modern cars will not start when the votage drops to or below 11 volts.
Any way very pleased you are mobile again, when a battery fails just once you never know when it will do it again, a little nerve racking to say the least.

Malcolm

 

[maddog]

I replaced my Sprinter's battery last year the van is a 1998 and the battery was original so 7 years, considering i only use the van during the summer its done very well.

I replaced it with a Varta from my local motor factors i noticed the original battery didnt have the usual markings ie Type number or Amp/hr just a MB stiikcer and a part number, either way Cafco had no trouble matching it up.


TBH i dont even know where the battery is on my E class as i've never looked but dont expect i will need to for a year or two

 

[Myros]

9 and half years

out of the original Hoppecke on the C280. It let me know for ages it was poorly, but I kept going until it gave out, as I was on my way to have it replaced. Ooops. Replacement, exactly the same Hoppecke, minus MB logo, £45 + Vat from Autobatteries of Rochdale.

 

[clive williams]

TBH i dont even know where the battery is on my E class as i've never looked but dont expect i will need to for a year or two

It's under the off side rear passenger seat. Tilt forward (the catch is on the side of the seat squab) and undo/lift the panel out. The battery is the big box thing with with wires fixed to it! :lol:

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[philharve]

Clive

It struck me that putting a battery under a seat is not very clever. How are the gases given off during the charging process vented? I can't imagine fumes in the passenger compartment being acceptable from a health & safety perspective? Light up a cigarette and the results could be explosive.

Are these underseat batteries of the sealed for like variety and don't leak?

Is the battery in some kind of enclosure?

REGARDS Phil

 

[television]

Clive

It struck me that putting a battery under a seat is not very clever. How are the gases given off during the charging process vented? I can't imagine fumes in the passenger compartment being acceptable from a health & safety perspective? Light up a cigarette and the results could be explosive.

Are these underseat batteries of the sealed for like variety and don't leak?

Is the battery in some kind of enclosure?

REGARDS Phil

some of the ones that I have seen have a vented top or they are using AGM sealed for life batteries

Malcolm

 

[230K]

Hi

The battery is vented at the top with a little pipe attached to it, this plastic pipe then passes through the floor.

230K