Battery prices have gone crazy - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

leathermang · #16 12-20-2016, 07:37 PM

If anyone buys a battery ( or anything else where a warranty might need to be proved ) TAKE A PICTURE OF the RECEIPT immediately.... and file it in a couple of places..
the paper , usually heat imprinted , will not show what was printed on it... in a couple of years... maybe shorter than that...
ALSO.... check out this warning about handling that paper.... so take a picture and get rid of the actual paper...

BPA chemical may lurk in cash register receipts - CBS News

dude99 · #17 12-20-2016, 07:52 PM

I can't believe how cheap batteries are in the states! In canada a Mercedes battery is close to $300. The deka I put on my last MB was around $250.

leathermang · #18 12-20-2016, 07:55 PM

dude99 That was play money....

spock505 · #19 12-20-2016, 07:59 PM

May be it's down to the popularity of leccy cars taking our batteries, lol.

I would recommend using a permanent connection desulphator too, mine has only just given up well after its sell by date.

Battery Desulfators

Rogviler · #20 12-20-2016, 08:53 PM

It's strange to me because the whole reason it's impossible to get rid of a CRT TV or monitor these days is because a ton of them have flooded the recycling market since the wide adoption of LCDs, making the huge pile of lead in them worthless. So I can't imagine it's the cost of lead. Perhaps the cost of recycling it later on...

Most likely it's the same reason a huge bag of Lay's only has a handful of chips in it and a candy bar costs $1.50.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spock505

May be it's down to the popularity of leccy cars taking our batteries, lol.

I know this is just an offhand joke, but electric cars use lithium-ion batteries for anyone actually thinking that's the reason.

And that's going to be a whole other issue, unfortunately. We'll never win, just lose less.

-Rog

ESchwab · #21 12-20-2016, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay_bob

Definitely try the dealer. The car does need a special sealed batttery since it is located under the seat. I seem to remember getting one for somewhere around $125. That way you will get exactly what is required for your car.

I have a '98 E300 turbo diesel. I bought a battery for it from an MB dealer a year ago. It is not sealed. Instead, it is vented; there is a nipple on one side of it, and that is attached to a small diameter hose or tube that goes down under the car below the rear seat. The battery I bought appears to be identical to the one I replaced. That battery had been in the car two months short of nine years.

I got a better price from the MB dealer ($170) than were quoted by Sears, Auto Zone, and another auto parts chain (can't remember the name). The auto parts stores wanted $190; sears, $225.

dieseldiehard · #22 12-20-2016, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

It might have a little something to do with this.
Just be happy you don't own one of those 12,000 contaminated homes, or that the lead isn't in your family members blood.

Holy Smoke! what a travesty
And it was always well known that Exide batteries had the shortest life.
Last Bosch battery I bought is starting to show weakness but its cold and I glowed the GP's twice so maybe its not as bad as I think.
DDH

spock505 · #23 12-21-2016, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogviler

I know this is just an offhand joke, but electric cars use lithium-ion batteries for anyone actually thinking that's the reason.

And that's going to be a whole other issue, unfortunately. We'll never win, just lose less.

-Rog

Yup, Lion super efficient batteries, I remember buying one of the first out for my Motorola Microtac, it was something crazy like $800 ..

Lots of wind farms and off grid folks also using batteries for storage, might be another reason but as already mentioned recycling is another big cost.

That Exide story is truly awful.

oldsinner111 · #24 12-21-2016, 06:04 AM

the problem is wages have not kept up with inflation.We need a Reagan to raise the wages,then inact a price freeze on all goods

yuke · #25 12-21-2016, 09:43 AM

I think your talking about Jimmy Carter that put the price freeze on not Regan all he did was break all the unions in this country and made it worse for the middle class person. Lets not get into politics the trickle down theory did not trickle down except for the crumbs.

Mxfrank · #26 12-21-2016, 10:09 AM

I'll make one comment, not political but historical. It was Richard Nixon who experimented with wage and price controls.

Nixon Imposes Wage and Price Controls

ROLLGUY · #27 12-22-2016, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry12345

Try to locate a company that sells so called new seconds. It may be they will be really good in some areas and perhaps less so in others.

I have a suspicion that batteries in store stock today are pre charged. With a date on them. When they hit a certain amount of time on the shelf they may be cycled to these seconds stores.

Remember in todays world large chains may only pay for merchandise on their shelves when it actually sells. Perhaps insisting on certain freshness thresh holds.

Perhaps that is why locally we are hearing good words about the local seconds seller. Average car batteries there are about 40.00. This may be up a little since that is based on information a year or so ago.

The larger ones I have not heard about the price personally. I also do not know the warranty provisions if any. He will also give you about ten dollars for any additional dud you bring in.

My local battery place has 2 year group 49 "seconds" for $49 out the door. I have been buying them for years, and they typically last about 3 years. I have probably purchased about a dozen since I have had the 'Benz hobby.

benzguy300 · #28 12-22-2016, 02:20 PM

Where is your battery place ? Rollguy I need to buy one

Desert Panther · #29 12-22-2016, 04:37 PM

I know this isn't the same exact car, but not that far off either. Dont they both use a Group 49 battery? I typically use batteries from Autozone for all my vehicles. They are made by Johnson Controls, which manufactures batteries for many companies and also OEM's as well. The last battery in my 123 lasted exactly 5 years to the month, and it was the mid-range one they sell. This time I bought their top of the line one & will see how that one compares. As of about 2½ yrs ago, I've kept all of my vehicles plugged in via quick disconnect terminals, to a battery pulse-charger/maintainer/desulfater. I find it really makes a difference in the battery's overall longevity. Frequently a vehicle will sit for 6 -8 weeks at a time without being started, so it's kind of a necessity for my circumstances. The two OEM batteries in my Dodge Cummins diesel pickup lasted exactly 7 yrs 4 months, and of those, only the last 2½ years were connected to a battery maintainer. Those batteries were Johnson Controls too.

When I brought the new Group 49 battery home last month from autozone, it was supposedly fully charged. When I connected it to my maintainer, it was only showing 25% charge!!! I let it sit on the maintainer for 2 days until its charge was complete, before installing it. I was amazed how well the car starts with a new battery! Really made a noticeable difference, even though it still started with the old one, just took longer.

ROLLGUY · #30 12-22-2016, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benzguy300

Where is your battery place ? Rollguy I need to buy one

Battery Mart in Apple Valley CA