Optima Batteries

[IanA2]

Anyone any experience of these, are they worth the money?

Thanks

 

[jaymanek]

Bosch Bosch Bosch or Varta maybe...

 

[Ted]

What Jay said.

 

[mr. shr]

Anyone any experience of these, are they worth the money?

Thanks

How much is it?
I just bought a Bosch S5 for 75 pounds from ECP.

Is this for the Lexus? What rating does it need? Might be able to get away with an S4, which is a bit cheaper.

 

[RBYCC]

The Optima is a different cell design then the standard flooded cell type.
It uses AGM ( absorbent glass mat ) construction which cushions the cells against vibration and wear that cause a flooded cell design to break down.
They are more rugged and accept a higher charge rate and maintain higher cold cranking amps.
Depending on your application the added cost may be worth it...
They are used quite a bit in the USA in modified high performance cars and SUV's / trucks....

 

[m2287]

Yea I had an optima yellow top in an audio car I had, good stuf!

 

[davidmi]

Depends on your requirement. I have had a red version for two years (£150 or so from a 4x4 specialist) for my vintage car which gets too little running and I wanted a battery that would retain a charge well between being on trickle. No issues so far but I wouldn't bother for everyday use in normal conditions for which I favour Varta or Banner (like the handle) at less than half the price.

 

[Troon]

The Optima is a different cell design then the standard flooded cell type.
It uses AGM ( absorbent glass mat ) construction which cushions the cells against vibration and wear that cause a flooded cell design to break down.

W211 OEM batteries were AGM type up to about 2005. Several other premium OEMs are AGM too -- Porsche, Jaguar etc

 

[davidmi]

Too late to edit my post above. Just checked the battery and it is an Odyssey not an Optima. Same AGM construction and claimed benefits but I recall Optima were both more expensive and I couldn't obtain the small size Optima I needed. The best prices were quoted by 4x4 specialists at the time since the off-roaders tend to like batteries that take a hammering and can turn upside down without issue.

 

[camerafodder]

Too late to edit my post above. Just checked the battery and it is an Odyssey not an Optima. Same AGM construction and claimed benefits but I recall Optima were both more expensive and I couldn't obtain the small size Optima I needed. The best prices were quoted by 4x4 specialists at the time since the off-roaders tend to like batteries that take a hammering and can turn upside down without issue.

Bosch are good but Optima are in another league. Very tough! Their innovation is a spiral wound cell which gives exceptional reactive surface area without the need for the normal 'sponge' lead utilised in starter batteries that makes them vulnerable to sulfation during deep discharge. Not sure if Odyssey use spiral wound cells but they are generally a good quality block. As already suggested Banner are very good too. In fact Halfords own Lead Calcium blocks are pretty tough aswell.

 

[GordonTarling]

I usually judge the worth of a battery by the length of the guarantee - it's worked so far!

 

[IanA2]

I usually judge the worth of a battery by the length of the guarantee - it's worked so far!

Yes, I think Bosch and Optima both give four years, but Optima cheerfully reckon on at least double that.

 

[IanA2]

How much is it?
I just bought a Bosch S5 for 75 pounds from ECP.

Is this for the Lexus? What rating does it need? Might be able to get away with an S4, which is a bit cheaper.

It's an 069 which I think translates to S5. Bosch are certainly very good but I'm thinking Optima are a bit Bosch on steroids