Where did you see that? Want to check my battery age, out of interest
Left my merc parked for 2 weeks and returned to find ABS & ESP lights ON
- Thread starter Moody321
- Start date
Where did you see that? Want to check my battery age, out of interest
Petrol Pete
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
Stamped on the battery post
35 = week 35
04 = 2004
Simples.
35 = week 35
04 = 2004
Simples.
Gbrowncls55
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Assuming the alternator is charging it will be the main battery. The " battery protection" warning after a day standing or in cold weather is a sign of weakness.
Moody321
New Member
I'm checking battery prices (in case charging solution did not pay off) and found that there is a substantial price difference between an AGM battery and the normal one. I think the AGM is for vehicles with start/stop feature. Which is not included in my car, and I have no idea why they installed an AGM battery in the first place!
I found this one for 85 pounds (non AGM) Link or Link2
The AGM battery is 144 Pounds Link which is almost twice the price
What would
Gbrowncls55
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Mercedes fitted them (AGM) as standard at that time but have I believe relented in recent years on many models.
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I sold my 2006 car in 2017 with the original MB battery (made by Varta) still in perfect working condition.
Based on my experience, if I had to buy a new battery, I would not hesitate to buy another MB battery.
Based on my experience, if I had to buy a new battery, I would not hesitate to buy another MB battery.
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AGM Batteries often fitted to non stop/start models. The original AGM lasted 14 years , why would you not fit another? These cars are power hungry but you pays your money and takes your chance as they say.
AGM for me but if you cannot afford one then anything likely to be better than your current original
AGM for me but if you cannot afford one then anything likely to be better than your current original
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Johnson Controls do not make the MB batteries available under their Varta and Bosch retail brands.
I.e., the batteries sold as Varta/Bosch have different spec to the MB-branded Varta batteries.
I don't know what the actual differences are, but that fact that the MB-branded Varta battery lasted 14 years does not imply that a different (no-MB) Varta battery will last the same.
Said that, both Varta and Bosch make good batteries, and you can even opt to buy the battery with extended warranty cover (5 years).
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The original battery on my Oct 2004 C Class wouldn't start the car the other day - hadn't used it for 2-3 weeks, but it's often left for that long and never had an issue before.
AA man's battery tester produced similar figures to the above and it said "replace battery". There were a couple of graphs on there and the AA man said its failure was very marginal, which he was gobsmacked about in view of the battery's age. Covered under the AA breakdown warranty - mine had the optional extra capacity (100Ah, I think) battery and replaced with same size Bosch S5.
What you can find with the MB Varta batteries is they are made in different sizes to other makes,if you do intend to change the battery in the engine compartment where size may be very important best measure the old battery before buying a new one the battery in the boot is not so size important.
Petrol Pete
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
Whatever MB ask the battery makers to do must be working. My 2006 135000 mile C55 is still on its original battery. I topped it up a few months ago, that's how old it is , it's not sealed !
This car has stood for up to four weeks at a time parked outside at various airports in all weathers and temperatures and not once has it refused to start.
It is a very analogue car and is thankfully devoid of this ridiculous stop/start function that curses most modern cars these days.
I would add that even though it's a big V8 my guess is that it needs less 'cranking' power to get started than a much smaller high compression diesel engine. I have said on here in the past, it's shocking (see what I did there..) to hear of so many breakdowns on modern relatively new cars due to battery failure. I doubt it's just MB though.
Did I hear somewhere that MB are in the future releasing a car with 48 Volt electrical system ?? or did I dream that (weird dream if I did )
This car has stood for up to four weeks at a time parked outside at various airports in all weathers and temperatures and not once has it refused to start.
It is a very analogue car and is thankfully devoid of this ridiculous stop/start function that curses most modern cars these days.
I would add that even though it's a big V8 my guess is that it needs less 'cranking' power to get started than a much smaller high compression diesel engine. I have said on here in the past, it's shocking (see what I did there..) to hear of so many breakdowns on modern relatively new cars due to battery failure. I doubt it's just MB though.
Did I hear somewhere that MB are in the future releasing a car with 48 Volt electrical system ?? or did I dream that (weird dream if I did )
Petrol Pete
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
Iv just googled it...it wasn't a dream. !! Too busy to read up on it today , I have to get my Xmas shopping done before the pub opens at 12 o'clock.
That gives me 45 minutes...loads of time.
MikeInWimbledon
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Not wishing to be disrespectful to either the AA or RAC, but the retailer margin on new battery sale is probably about 40%.
While the Rescue services do a great job, they earn commission from flogging you stuff.
A battery may be old, but they are made to last these days and are made to survive heavy use (short runs, heavy battery drain etc.etc.). Think of those poor cars living in Scotland or Denmark where the winter is long, dark, and cold.
While the Rescue services do a great job, they earn commission from flogging you stuff.
A battery may be old, but they are made to last these days and are made to survive heavy use (short runs, heavy battery drain etc.etc.). Think of those poor cars living in Scotland or Denmark where the winter is long, dark, and cold.
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The AA man did put on his best offended face when I asked if it ever says anything other than "replace battery". It only cost me the excess (and that reminds me, I haven't paid yet as it was the day O2 data was down). I think list on the battery was £160 but I presume the usual ECP discounts are available and the AA probably get more off than that. Batteries don't last for ever, but mine probably had less cycles than many as it often goes weeks unused.
I was glad to get it changed by someone else too - W203's are notorious for having issues after battery changes.
To be fair, they did turn out (sounded like the same patrolman) when daughter's car had a flat battery after an interior light got left on and battery on her car showed as OK.
Last edited:
- Joined
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Mine was just the same until a few weeks ago. I think a few shortish runs and then leaving it a longer time than usual conspired to cause it to fail. It wasn't even a cold day.
Petrol Pete
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
Oh yes, I am sure mine will go the same way now I have tempted fate !
Moody321
New Member
The only reason is the price. How much do you think an original, non AGM, Varta battery would last?
HITECH
Active Member
When I worked offshore away for 3 weeks at a time. I would get the ESP/ABS, alternator faulty visit workshop alerts on the dash when I returned. Some times after driving it for a day it would go away. Sometimes I would just stick it on charge the 1st night back. That was like 4 years ago. The alternator is not faulty, the esp is not faulty, the abs is not faulty and the battery was also not faulty or worn. Winter months these problems are extremely common if the car is going to sit in freezing conditions for any length of time or days/weeks at a time. I still have the car with the same battery and its never given me a single problem since with power-charging-holding charge. I also dont fill it up at the garage now like I used to lol
