Interstate reconditoned battery....wonder how long it will last - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shertex · #1 01-25-2014, 08:38 AM

The Mercedes branded battery in my 91 300D last exactly 6-1/2 years. Not bad, but nothing to write home about either. In my close to five years of ownership I've been meticulous about water level, etc....

Bought an Interstate reconditioned battery for $40....first time I've done this. I'll be interested to see how long it lasts. I figure anything over three years or so makes it a good deal.

Anyone have any experience with reconditioned Interstates?

lorainfurniture · #2 01-25-2014, 09:32 AM

I have bought them years ago. I remember having to exchange one under warranty but otherwise they Are very good batteries.

shertex · #3 01-25-2014, 09:49 AM

Although I did learn that a recon sold by Interstate is not necessarily an Interstate battery.....so we'll see.

tangofox007 · #4 01-25-2014, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Although I did learn that a recon sold by Interstate is not necessarily an Interstate battery.....so we'll see.

The only thing that makes a battery "Interstate" is the label. It's all about marketing; Interstate doesn't manufacture batteries.

POS · #5 01-25-2014, 10:38 AM

I've always used them and project to get 5 years out of them. I'll be surprised if you get 2 from a reconditioned battery. Then again, I never skimp on auto parts - no reason to.

1991300SEL · #6 01-25-2014, 11:12 AM

Perhaps veering off a bit, I happened to notice in this sites parts catalog for my MB(see UID) a slew of "rebuilt" Bosch batteries. Many were for battery groups other than what my MB uses. With that said, I found one near the bottom of the list that sells here for $282 and change! Again - a "rebuilt" battery.

I wonder if there's a difference between "rebuilt" and "reconditioned" ?

barry12345 · #7 01-25-2014, 11:41 AM

Either term used needs a better explanation. Reconditioned to me means the battery has seen service. So does rebuilt but this again implies some cells where at least swapped.

Since I suspect neither is economical or practical to do today. I wonder if the case looks new they are just seconds. Seconds are those batteries at the end of production that just do not give rated capacity on testing

I suspect. There is one other term used that I cannot remember as well. Since some retailers or suppliers add the electrolyte and perhaps they sit on the shelf too long is another source I suspect.

Most batteries that are pre charged have a date it was done on them locally. It may be in code even. Fresher batteries may be at the rear of the gravity racks or at least I always look for the date tags and take the newest label if pre charged. I actually like dry charged batteries the best. That is those the elyctrolyte is not added till the time of sale. Just not done around here anymore. Sitting on a shelf in too laonf af a charged condition impacts their life I suspect in some way or another.

ROLLGUY · #8 01-25-2014, 11:45 AM

I once bought a truck (Ford Ranger) from a friend that was 7 years old when I got it, and the battery lasted me another year before it went dead. That battery lasted EIGHT YEARS! The previous owner had the truck dealer serviced and told me that the battery was the original one from when the truck was new. I would like to get another battery like that, but it might have been a fluke that it lasted that long. I now buy batteries at my local battery store. They have the group 49 "factory second" for about $40 out the door. They have a 1 year warranty, but typically last at least a couple years. But, compared to the price of a name brand 49 at Walmart, Costco, or Autozone ($140+), it is a good deal. I have that same $40 battery in 3 out of the 4 drivers I have, and am very happy with their value. I see no need to pay $140+ for a battery, even if it does last 5+ years.

mike-81-240d · #9 01-25-2014, 03:11 PM

The battery in my parents old '94 e320 was still going at 11 years. My dad decided to replace it before they traded in the car...

Diesel911 · #10 01-25-2014, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

The only thing that makes a battery "Interstate" is the label. It's all about marketing; Interstate doesn't manufacture batteries.

Indeed. Back in the 1970s I had a temp Job at the local Globe Union Battery Factory.

As the Batteries came down the Conveyer you saw all kinds of labels on them; including Sears Die Hard.

I did not seen one Label that had Globe Union on it.

barry12345 · #11 01-26-2014, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I once bought a truck (Ford Ranger) from a friend that was 7 years old when I got it, and the battery lasted me another year before it went dead. That battery lasted EIGHT YEARS! The previous owner had the truck dealer serviced and told me that the battery was the original one from when the truck was new. I would like to get another battery like that, but it might have been a fluke that it lasted that long. I now buy batteries at my local battery store. They have the group 49 "factory second" for about $40 out the door. They have a 1 year warranty, but typically last at least a couple years. But, compared to the price of a name brand 49 at Walmart, Costco, or Autozone ($140+), it is a good deal. I have that same $40 battery in 3 out of the 4 drivers I have, and am very happy with their value. I see no need to pay $140+ for a battery, even if it does last 5+ years.

No reason a second cannot last at least almost as long as the 140.00 variety. So much depends on why it is a second though.

nelbur · #12 01-26-2014, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I once bought a truck (Ford Ranger) from a friend that was 7 years old when I got it, and the battery lasted me another year before it went dead. That battery lasted EIGHT YEARS! The previous owner had the truck dealer serviced and told me that the battery was the original one from when the truck was new. I would like to get another battery like that, but it might have been a fluke that it lasted that long.

I doubt that that was a fluke. The older Motorcraft batteries lasted a long time. The original battery in my Ford Bronco lasted at least that long. They are expensive however. The original battery in my E 300 D lasted 12 years and was still starting the car, but it was peeing acid onto my garage floor out of the vent tube.

JamesDean · #13 01-27-2014, 11:30 AM

We just had to replace the Interstate battery in the one 300SD. It was 7 years old. Not too bad of a life.

jay_bob · #14 01-27-2014, 11:37 AM

Just keep in mind that any vehicle that takes a battery inside the passenger compartment needs to be an AGM type for safety reasons.

AGMs are also a good idea for the older models with the battery under the hood. AGMs do not spew electrolyte vapors like standard batteries. This is why most older cars have their battery trays eaten by rust.

shertex · #15 01-28-2014, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay_bob

Just keep in mind that any vehicle that takes a battery inside the passenger compartment needs to be an AGM type for safety reasons.

AGMs are also a good idea for the older models with the battery under the hood. AGMs do not spew electrolyte vapors like standard batteries. This is why most older cars have their battery trays eaten by rust.

That is my plan with my 98. Jay Bob, any particular recommendations, specs/brands to look for? I see a Diehard for about $170....perhaps that's as good as any.