Has anyone tried the Costco battery?

__________________
Brian
87 300Dturbo 180K #14 head still running R-12 SOLD 12/2017
02 F350 Powerstroke 180K
05 Chevy Express 1 ton w/Royal Utility box 120K
08 Infiniti FX-35 40K
15 Golf Sportwagen TDI 35K
10 Sprinter 3500 chassis with a Class A Winnebago on it. 56K

I just go to Wally World and get what ever the book calls for for the vehicle.
I get about 4 to 5 years of use out of the Wally World battery and I can't ask for much better. I used to be a dyed in the wool high end battery kind of guy till a AC Delco battery 2 years old left me looking for a jump on vacation. I walked about a block away and got a battery for my car at Wally World and that thing lasted almost 6 years. So I have used them ever since.

I've not seen a group 49 or H8/H9 battery at any Costco I've been to. If you have them, well, lucky you and I'd definitely consider it.

I've had poor luck with Wally World batteries.

__________________
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)

Just go back to pg 3 starting with #31 and you'll get a lot of info!

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

I read many battery reviews before buying 3 batteries a few months ago for various cars. Autozone seemed to get the fewest poor reviews, plus I feel loyal since their Valdosta, GA store helped me out on a road trip 24 years ago with a loaner battery. I put their H8 Gold Top in my 85 300D. Their Group 49 battery is more "correct", but (as I recall) it was 10 lbs heavier, $40 more, and had less CCA. I don't think they had the Platinum AGM version then, or I probably would have bought that. I use a Battery Mat in all my cars to neutralize drips. With that extra thickness, the hold-down nuts couldn't quite reach the short studs on the battery tray, so I bought long coupler nuts at Ace and turned a snout to fit thru the clamp hole and reach the stud. I chucked the couplers in my bench drill press and used a file.

I have an Interstate in the 300 SD and a Diehard in the 240D. Both have ten years on them. I have a Costco/Kirkland battery in my Alfa 164 that is at least 7 years old. None of these cars are driven every day or see the salty wonderland that is winter in Chicago. The batteries themselves are all pretty heavy and large in size, BUT I religiously use Battery Tenders whenever I'm not driving them, summer or winter. I also check the acid levels twice a year. The battery in the Alfa is decent size, Group 31, similar in size to the Mercedes.

__________________
1977 240D
1981 300SD

The '06 E320 CDI is registering a; 'Low Battery' indicator at start-up, so it's time to replace it's main battery.
The MB battery in it is 4 +/- years old.

I think I'll go with a Sears DieHard Advanced Gold AGM Battery - Group 49 for $143.99 / plus tax this time around.
It shows an application online for the CDI as Model #50749 | Sears Item # 02850749000 an 850 CCA G49.
Full replacement for 36 months.

The MB dealer is quite a bit further than my nearest Sears Automotive Center.

The MB 'white' battery replacement for the CDI is $202.00 plus tax, as an FYI.

The MB white battery is good, but IMO if a battery is under the seat or in the trunk, AGM is the right choice. It is nice that all the major parts stores are now selling 49/H8 AGM batteries and the prices are dropping. Id have a look at the Advance auto ones too, because they are around $181 and they often offer a $50 off $125 coupon...

__________________
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)

X2, I was going to say (Interstate, Optima, Bosch, Or OEM Mercedes)
The Mercedes Batt. is the cheapest of the bunch price wise Not sure about quality yet, Just bought one a couple months ago, They are a 6 year batt. I believe with a 2 year free replacment, ask me 3-4 years from now if they are good.

__________________
Live simply so others can simply live



07 E350 sport Wife's Daily
01 E320 sport My Daily
00 C230 Kompressor Our back up (new Arrival)

87 300D Turbo my Daily for 8 yrs. Selling to neighbor

82 GMC Jimmy (K5) 6.2 Diesel (my Wheeler)
73 Roadrunner 340ci My very first car, still own it

I highly doubt that the MB is the cheapest of all, and why scrimp and get a 93 when you can get a group 49 with a lot more capacity.

Interstate, bosch, and most other flood batteries (non-AGM) are made by Johnson controls and are very similar to one another. AGM batteries are a different story, optima has gone down the tubes, but I'd consider the freshest locally available group 49 battery I could find.

__________________
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)

The Exide battery in my 220D lasted for over 9 years before I decided to replace it. Replaced it with a Sears Diehard (Johnson Controls) 900CCA battery.

Related topic data
Battery for your Diesel

.

__________________
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.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

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

https://www.boldegoist.com/

Which Optima do you use in your MB diesel, and what is the CCA of the Optima?

Not sure why one would buy an optima when you can get good group 49 AGM batteries, and there are a ton of good flooded ones...

The Optimas are around 720CCA and 44 Ah, while a grp 49 AGM is more like 850CCA and 110 Ah.

The grp 49 AGM can support higher sustained cranking for far longer. Dont go with an Optima.

__________________
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)

My Q as why he uses Optima in an MB diesel was specifically addressed to/for DavidLee.