R230 SL55 Batteries required

[titch]

Hi,

My SL55 has been parked for months now due to babies!

Both batteries are now shot. I was looking to replace both as I don't think they are salvageable, and I understand Varta were the original factory fits?

Below are the details:
Starter Battery: Varta 12V 35Ah 520A(EN)
Supply Battery: Varta 12V 70Ah 760A

Does this sound like original fits? If so, I can find the Supply Battery at £125 AGM (although this is not stated on the battery currently in the car), but I'm finding difficulty getting an exact match for the starter.

I've found a Varta 12V 60Ah 540A that's the same in size. Will this be okay to fit?

Feeding the need to feel that power and noise again!!:lol:

BTW: do I need any reprogramming after fitting these?

Thanks for any help!!

Titch

 

[carnut13]

You will almost certainly need reprogramming.

Place babies under supervision in a safe place. Open door and re-asimilate yourself with the SL; turn key and drive as quickly as possible ( but of course safely) until you feel the ability to laugh out loud. Stop, return to home and relax before re-entering the house and rejoining the babies

All should then function OK:lol::lol::lol:


PS Get a quote from MB, they may not be as expensive as you might think. However if they are then ask them what they propose to fit and go Google

 

[television]

They are strange things AGM batteries, I left one for 3 years uncharged off my 230 SL,,, I charged it and it has been perfect and on my CL 420 for 2 years and perfect, so do charge both up and you could be just fine.

There should be nothing on the car to program other than the roll bar and windows. You di this yourself.

The starter battery under the bonnet has had no load on it for all the time its been parked up and it should be perfect. So do try and charge the main one in the boot, it can take 20 hours with a 10 amp charger.

 

[titch]

Oh that made me laugh... I'll give MB a shout in the morning and let you know how it all goes! :lol:

 

[Alps]

about £100 for the main battery and £60 for the small one from MB

 

[titch]

Hey Malcolm,

just saw your response now as I think we were typing at the same time. I'm gonna give charging a crack before buying any batteries. Just ordered a CTEK so as soon as its in I'll post on how it all goes!!

Alps, yep the battery quotes from MB were around that price so fingers crossed I can get away with a charge up!!

 

[titch]

I know this may sound stupid, but should I leave the consumer battery wired in the car whilst charging or do I remove it? (feeling embarrassed)

 

[television]

Yes leave it connected, one thing though if the battery is dead flat the Ctec might not be able to charge it, or get it started, the other thing is it will take a long time to charge from flat, with a 10 amp charger it can take 20 hours, the starter battery will be easier to charge up as the chances are it is not flat.

 

[Aitch55]

Just been told I need to replace both batteries on my SL55.

I was getting worried as the car starts as you'd expect from cold, spins over quickly and fires up almost immediately. For the last couple of hot starts, it's been quite sluggish turning over and seems to just catch at the last moment.

Quite relieved it only needs batteries. Nice easy fix. I hope. Still, they both look original so have done well to hang on for 10 years.

I'll give the local dealer a try for replacements after reading this

 

[television]

There are many outlets for these Varta AGM batteries, my 2002 main battery is still in use on my 140, I am not sure that anyone has really needed one for the starter yet

 

[Aitch55]

Just called dealer and prices quoted are Front: £104 Rear: £95 both +VAT = £238.80

Bit more than the estimated £160

 

[television]

Go to the Varta web site and look up dealer locations, it could be worth it.

 

[Aitch55]

There are many outlets for these Varta AGM batteries, my 2002 main battery is still in use on my 140, I am not sure that anyone has really needed one for the starter yet

I had the local Inde check and he says both need replacing.

I don't have a discharge meter so can't argue.

 

[carnut13]

Have you tried your Ctek yet. It is very good at rejuvenating batteries and if you got the 5.0 version it has AGM setting

 

[Aitch55]

Go to the Varta web site and look up dealer locations, it could be worth it.

I tried the Varta site and the only battery listed is this one:

Start Stop Plus 570 901 076
Article Number: 570901076B512
Key Benefits

Specifically designed for cars with advanced Start-Stop functionality
Unrivalled cold cranking power up to 135%
3 x higher levels of cyclic endurance than conventional batteries
State-of-the-art AGM technology developed to meet OE requirements
Very high deep discharge capability
PowerFrame® technology for exceptional performance
Technical Specs at a Glance:
Voltage 12V
Capacity 70Ah
Cold Cranking Amps 760A

Tried their local stockist who also has only one battery listed but at £88 inc VAT.

Camut13: I have used the CTek in the past when the consumer battery drops voltage and the car's not being used without any problem. It takes a couple of weeks of no use for the 'consumers off line' warning to show but that very quickly goes off once the car's running.

I think my best bet is to go to the Varta stockist and get them to check the batteries and see what's what.

I took the car for a run at the weekend as I'd not used it for a couple of weeks or so. The 'consumer off line' lit up so I checked the starter battery with the engine running 12.3v Does the car's electronic wizardry divert all charging to the consumer in these circumstances?

When I returned after the run, I checked again and got 14.2 at the starter battery, engine running and 13.x with engine off. Figures I'd have expected but when I operated the starter, it was sluggish.

 

[television]

The battery specialist like Varta use far better meters than what are often used in small garages, and a wise safe move I think.

 

[carnut13]

I tried the Varta site and the only battery listed is this one:

Start Stop Plus 570 901 076
Article Number: 570901076B512
Key Benefits

Specifically designed for cars with advanced Start-Stop functionality
Unrivalled cold cranking power up to 135%
3 x higher levels of cyclic endurance than conventional batteries
State-of-the-art AGM technology developed to meet OE requirements
Very high deep discharge capability
PowerFrame® technology for exceptional performance
Technical Specs at a Glance:
Voltage 12V
Capacity 70Ah
Cold Cranking Amps 760A

Tried their local stockist who also has only one battery listed but at £88 inc VAT.

Camut13: I have used the CTek in the past when the consumer battery drops voltage and the car's not being used without any problem. It takes a couple of weeks of no use for the 'consumers off line' warning to show but that very quickly goes off once the car's running.

I think my best bet is to go to the Varta stockist and get them to check the batteries and see what's what.

I took the car for a run at the weekend as I'd not used it for a couple of weeks or so. The 'consumer off line' lit up so I checked the starter battery with the engine running 12.3v Does the car's electronic wizardry divert all charging to the consumer in these circumstances?

When I returned after the run, I checked again and got 14.2 at the starter battery, engine running and 13.x with engine off. Figures I'd have expected but when I operated the starter, it was sluggish.

Is there a chance that you have a bad earth on your starter/battery? Just a thought worth checking:lol:

 

[Mic]

Just called dealer and prices quoted are Front: £104 Rear: £95 both +VAT = £238.80

Bit more than the estimated £160

Both batteries on my SL were replace after 6.5 yrs. in the sum of £306 supplied and fitted so I would have thought £238 supplied only is probably a decent enough price 3.5 yrs. later.

Mic

 

[SL63 Mark]

Oh that made me laugh... I'll give MB a shout in the morning and let you know how it all goes! :lol:

I'll second that - I bought a new rear battery from MB for about £100 about six months ago. I would recommend MB. It's made a massive difference - no more consumers offline messages for me .

 

[Aitch55]

Both batteries on my SL were replace after 6.5 yrs. in the sum of £306 supplied and fitted so I would have thought £238 supplied only is probably a decent enough price 3.5 yrs. later.

Mic

Oh Dear! Sorry, I seem to have hijacked the thread :Oops:

I'm not quibbling about the price, or the need to replace both batteries. In fact I'm relieved that's the solution to the sluggish starting but the symptoms are not what I'd expect.

After 2-3 weeks standing idle, the starter spins up and starts the engine without hesitation. It's only when the engine's hot, after a run, that the thing struggles to turn over. Quite the reverse of 'traditional' weak/old battery failure. From what I've read, it's normal for the 'consumer off line' warning after standing idle for a couple of weeks.

I'll get both tested today and report back.