On my newly-acquired 300SDL, I wanted to figure out how old the battery was. When I provided Interstate with the serial number, they said it was made in 2010, indicated that the "0" indicated the last digit of the year. When I asked if it could be from 2000, she said, "Oh no...it would be dead by now."

Well the PO, who got the car in 2004, assures me he has never put in a battery. So sure enough, it was made in 2000, installed some time prior to 2004. That's one tough battery!

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 154k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 172k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 142k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

They are the best batteries I have ever come across. I had one from 1996 in my 240D which lasted until 2009.

Good alternator as well. and good driver to never have run it down!

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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!

Yes, it is a bit amazing.

Interstate is a marketing firm. They don't "make" any batteries. The real question is who made the battery and what battery did they make for Interstate.

That battery has definitely more longevity than any of the previous Duralast units that I typically use and the Duralast in the SD managed to go nine years (2002-2011) before I replaced it last year. It would still start the engine but had very little reserve for any additional requirements.

Oh, I did run it down............a set of delivery valve seals will do that to you............

I didn't know that.

Its a little disappointing since I already need another battery for the 240D and was thinking about the Interstate or the MB Battery

I had two duralast from autozone that lasted ten years each. They were the seven year ones I think.

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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.

Interstate is a well regarded battery. The problem with it is the price. My guess is that you'll have to give close to $200. for a group 49 today. You can get the group 49 from AutoZone for about $110.

The Interstate will clearly go 10 years. The Duralast will definitely go eight.

Your call.

Try calling your local Interstate Distributor. I get blems from mine. Group 49's are not $200.

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1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

The "list price" is $190.

The "suggested retail price" is $157.

I'll leave it to you to figure out the dishonesty of the aforementioned figures.

About five years ago I put the Interstate battery in my W210 gasser. It has performed flawlessly, although when the dealer did one of their courtesy inspections they said it failed some part of the test. That was four years ago, but it's been fine...go figure.

A member on another forum has suggested that if you have an Interstate warehouse in your area, call them to see if they have a blem battery for your car. These are batteries with a cosmetic issue only and they still have a full warranty. However, they cost less than half of retail.

Also, if you have a Sam's club near you they sell a battery for our cars that is about 90 dollars. Specs are the same and construction and the vent kit look identical to my Interstate battery. I have two friends using them (208 & 210) who haven't had any issues.

Good luck.