I, also, have had excellent service out of Johnson Controls made batteries in several different sized cars. They were OEM in Toyota Camry for several years.

__________________
Paul 1987 300 SDL; 2000 ML; '69 MGB; '68 VW Fastback

By request.


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__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
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Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/

Since this is back I will recommend the MB dealer battery. Its a reasonable price and it has been great so far in my 240D.

The cheapest Wal-Mart battery will be "great" for the first 2-3 years.

It's not a battery evaluation until seven have elapsed. Then you can claim "great" if you still have it and it can start the engine at 20F.

Most of the stuff you get at Walmart, costs less, because it IS less. It's usually cheap quality items, from China. The US is sending all their money to China, while we're losing jobs here. If the trend continues, America won't be earning the money, to buy the inferior products, that China produces!

So where possible, BUY AMERICAN. I'd rather you buy clothing made in Bangladesh than China.

But Walmart had the best price on a battery, by far. Not sure where they're made, I assume the USA due to the weight of shipping a battery would make it less feasible to import them from abroad. Batteries elsewhere were about $140. Walmart's was $80 or so, and has been working fine for probably 3 years for me so far.

Unless the price is cheap. Then buy from China:



LOL.

... 3 years ago, wally had decent priced batteries... now they are same as everybody else. however, IF you swap them every 3 years forfree, it doesn't matter...
their free replacement has me comming back for more every 3 years...

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Go to walmart and buy the cheapest china made bathroom scales. Take it over to the automotive section of the store and weigh the battery that fits your car. Write down the weight. Leave with the scales and go to the dealer and weigh their battery, weigh an Interstate battery... Buy the one that weighs the most since it will have heavier plates.

Toss the scales in the trash since they will be worn out at this point.

I run an interstate battery on my w116 300sd but I've been told that the best battery for my car is made by BOSCH. Bosch batteries are also good for cars that are not daily driven. I believe Kent from mercedes source has also recommended them

I've been running Autozone batteries for a couple decades or so now. I have had very good luck.

last summer I had two of the big diesel batteries for the 123s go bad. I checked and both were 10 years old on a 7 year guarantee.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

If you compare your 10 year old autozone battery to a new autozone battery you'll find that the new one will be much lighter. Last time I picked up an autozone group 49 battery, I was surprised how light it was. Needless to say I did not buy one.

Does Optima make a battery that fit the 123 diesels?

__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

Walmart batteries are made by Johnson Controls. They been the sole supplier since 2010.

About Us | Johnson Controls Inc.



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__________________
1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

That doesn't mean that there are no differences in the alloys, plate mass and sizing, etc.

Ive not had good luck with WM batteries.

Advance auto silver line is the best value going. Don't know if it fits, but they also sell an H9 battery which is a tad bit larger than a 49, has serviceable filler ports, and more CCA and RC because of its size/mass, not tricks on the plates.

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

OE or Bosch (which is OEM). Got my Bosch at pep boys for $110 or so.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Well, yes, they will fit, but when I checked them out @ AutoZone several years ago, their best CCA battery was 650 IIRC. The MB diesels are going to need the 750 CCA, as a minimum.

-IF, I am correct on the above info., which I may not be. Pls correct me if I am wrong, folks. I'm here to learn, TOO!