Read the thread about Optima batteries--just had a few quick questions:

1. Where do you buy them/who has the best prices?
2. What's the difference between the red top and orange top? Obviously the reversed ports are important but are there any other differences between the orange and red? Was the orange top in fact discontinued?
3. Will the SC34R work in a 1985 300 TD wagon?



Thanks much.

As long as its 1000 Cold Cranking Amps.. and it fits I think your good.. or with alike Group 49 characteristics

the optima website shows only a red top and a yellow top in their products page. And the search for "Your cars battery" shows no resaults for our cars...

You can special order the 34R at sams. Sometimes you can get lucky and find the 34R at sears - but call around very hit and miss - mostly miss.

The 34R fits my 126 chassis. I put one in my W140, battery is in the trunk on that one. I had to fab a bracket to hold it down - nice little project, but it definately not a drop in on that chassis.

__________________
~shell
As of 2/2010:
2001 CLK55 0o\=*=/o0
13.6 @ 106mph
10K mi
1984 300SD
260K mi and going and going...
97 S600
46K miles
1991 Sentra SE-R (extremely dorked with)
www.se-r.net

The yellow top is deep discharge but can also be used for starting. Best choice is you don't drive the vehicle for several weeks at a time or if you use lights etc without the engine running. Otherwise, use the red top.

__________________
Ron Schroeder
'85 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO
'83 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO
Some former WVO vehicles since ~1980:
'83 Mercedes 240D
'80 Audi 4000D
'83 ISUZU Pup
'70 SAAB 99 with Kubota diesel
'76 Honda Civic with Kubota diesel
'86 Golf
Several diesel generators
All with 2 tank WVO conversion
LI NY

Orange top is discontinued. It was the same as red top, just with reversed terminals. Now they just have regular and reverse red top.

I've used these in 124 and 210 cars, but not a 123. I probably will fit. The only dimension of concern is the height - the group 34 is about 1/2" taller than the standard group 49. So long as there is enough clearance up to the cowl/hood, you're good to go. The existing hold down will work, as the group 34 Optima is the same depth as the group 49. It's narrower, so there's open space on either end of the battery tray, but that's no big deal.

- JimY