Mike - I personally use only M-B batteries, as they tend to have a
consistent 5 year (+/-) life, and don't cost significantly more than brand
"X", when I drop across the border to Delaware (no sales tax) and get the
typical 10% MBCA discount. And I like to display the car at club car shows,
and the M-B battery just "looks" right!
I have only heard good things about the Optima, including almost double the
life, but that is hearsay. And the local M-B indy shops push Interstate
batteries, but then that is a common indy shop battery for many.
As far as who actually makes M-B batteries, I suspect it varies just as
Sears, where they have periodic low-bidder contracts. I've seen M-B
batteries with "made in Germany", "made in Spain", "Varta", and "Exide"
markings over the last 15 years. My recommendation is buy what makes you
comfortable, but think seriously about replacing any battery approaching 5
years in age, no matter how well is seems to work or who you think may have
actually manufactured it!
Werner
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Canfield" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 9:13 AM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] Fun in the cold this morning
I will disagree about the Optima Red Top. I have used these batteries for
heavy winching applications offroad and they do not hold up well at all in
comparison to the NAPA(read Exide) Orbital. If you are going to go with a
gel type the NAPA brand is way better than the Optima of any color.
That's
not from reading specs, that's from being left stranded from failed
batteries.
Now, as far as quality batteries go do a bit of research on who makes the
best batteries for solar banks and other life dependant systems......You
will find Johnson Control at or very near the top of the
list.......Believe
it or not......Wally World batteries are built by Johnson Control and have
an EXCELLENT service record as long as you buy the top of the line MAXX
model for heavy winching or diesel cranking.
Who makes the battery for MB?
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: "Werner Fehlauer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 8:36 AM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] Fun in the cold this morning
Levi - if you won't go $100 (with the club discount) for a M-B battery at
the dealer, then the oft recommended batteries for our Diesels is the
Interstate brand, and particularly the Optima (more expensive, but
reportedly last a lot longer) Red Top. Looking for reliable service in a
Diesel, from a $40 battery is wishful thinking, IMO.
If the current battery is more than 4 years old, it is questionable that
it
will perform adequately. Remember that a Diesel not only requires lots
of
Amps to do the glow cycle, but that the engine itself draws a lot of
current
because of a compression ratio that is twice that of gassers. You are
using
Mobil 1/Delvac 1, of course??
Werner
