Battery help please

[jdrrco]

Hello experts

My CLS500SB (4.7 V8 TT) is in need of a new battery. As it's still on the original one after 10 years and 81k miles, I don't begrudge getting a new one and a good one, but I'm getting mixed messages as to the right one.

The one in the car is a MB branded Varta, part no A0009822108, which seems to equate to a Bosch S5A11. However, when I put my reg no into battery sales websites, they say it should have a S5A13. I want to go with Bosch, because the reviews I've seen all say they are the best if you do mostly short journeys and leave the car unused regularly, which in my new-found semi-retirement is now the case.

Perhaps I should add that I have front and rear dashcams running when the car is parked in case that influences the answers.

Please could someone advise which is the right battery for me?

Many thanks in anticipation.

 

[Trickythemerc]

I have just fitted a Varta Enhanced Flooded EFB they are better suited to short journey use.

 

[190]

Simple answer is don't trust battery retailer's websites.

Go to the battery manufacturers web site and see what they recommend for your car. That's what I did after finding several retailers websites couldn't agree on the correct battery. Varta's web site came up with the right one which I then bought at the best price from one of the retailers.

 

[AMGeed]

^ Good advice. Tayna are a good retailer, but often show the incorrect battery.

 

[jdrrco]

Simple answer is don't trust battery retailer's websites.

Go to the battery manufacturers web site and see what they recommend for your car. That's what I did after finding several retailers websites couldn't agree on the correct battery. Varta's web site came up with the right one which I then bought at the best price from one of the retailers.

Aha! Confusion resolved. But not thanks to any websites - manufacturers or otherwise. The manufacturers websites also state that the S5A13 is the right battery. However, I just noticed that the S5A13 is 353mm wide and the S5A11 is 315mm wide. Went out to the car with a tape measure and the current OEM battery (A0009822108) is 315mm and there's no way a 353mm one would fit.

So all the retailers and manufacturers websites are wrong and a S5A11 has been duly ordered. All a bit of a faff, but at least I now have peace of mind that it's the right one.

Thanks for all your comments and help.

 

[grober]

Varta [Part of Johnson controls-american conglomerate] used to make a lot of the top line Bosch batteries-and go for an outlet with a high throput to avoid a long shelf life

 

[jdrrco]

Varta [Part of Johnson controls-american conglomerate] used to make a lot of the top line Bosch batteries-and go for an outlet with a high throput to avoid a long shelf life

Varta make the MB-branded batteries too, yet Varta-branded and MB-branded have 3 year warranties, while the Bosch-branded ones have a 5 year warranty.

 

[Petrol Pete]

I have ordered more than a few batteries over the years and I ALWAYS physically measure whats in there before ordering.....got caught out once. never again.

 

[jdrrco]

I have ordered more than a few batteries over the years and I ALWAYS physically measure whats in there before ordering.....got caught out once. never again.

So will I in future!

 

[Skd884]

Get a £ from MB.

 

[jdrrco]

Get a £ from MB.

Why would I want a quote for a battery I don't want at double the price I have already paid?!

 

[Scooby_Doo]

Eurocarparts website comes up with an S5 008 which is 780amp & 77ah and is 278mm long. What bollo**s.

 

[grober]

Varta make the MB-branded batteries too, yet Varta-branded and MB-branded have 3 year warranties, while the Bosch-branded ones have a 5 year warranty.

CHECK THE SMALL PRINT ON THE WARRANTY--many are not complete "new for old" replacement but have a "remaining warranty life" credit replacement format?

 

[tonysmb]

Some of them also have minimum annual mileage clauses in the small print.

 

[merc estate]

I had a varta last 13 years, don't mess around get a varta, your one was 10 years old, check out mb prices they can be quite good.

 

[ray_hennig]

when I put my reg no into battery sales websites

I would avoid doing that as many aftermarket parts websites are less than 100% accurate. Use the MB part number to cross-refer to aftermarket equivalents, if you do not wish to buy from MB.

RayH

 

[Skd884]

Why would I want a quote for a battery I don't want at double the price I have already paid?!

They last 15 years.

 

[gurpz]

Might also be a good idea to replace the smaller backup battery in the boot also.

 

[alabbasi]

I'm pretty sure that this is a H6 battery (otherwise called Group 48) in the US.

H6 batteries measure 278mm long by 175mm wide by 190mm high

Some list it as a H7 (Group 94R) which is 315mm long by 175mm wide by 190mm high

If it's longer than 315mm long, it would be a H8 or Group 49 which is 345mm long.

I don't know what the European codes are but from a chart that I found online, it looks like a H8 could be an 086 or 096. Take measurements and you'll know.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Mobilo (Mercedes breakdown assistance) replaced a battery for me some years ago and the price was only single-digit pounds more than online prices of quality after market batteries. The big bonus was that they fitted it there and then on my driveway and at no extra cost.

I also bought one from the main dealer, and that was the same. If I remember we right it cost £10 more but they fitted it there and then for no extra charge whilst my wife waited. Being under the driver’s seat meant that it wasn’t a quick job either.