The 7 year old Bosch battery in my E 300 D just went bad. Lost a cell. I carried it back to Pep Boys and said, I need another just like this. The warranty was 8 years, so I got $14 credit, BUT the battery was $179. I bought the old one 7 years ago for $99.

I think I have it figured out. The parts stores SAY they install batteries free, but if you go to Walmart or a battery outlet, the prices will be 25 to 40 percent cheaper, so in fact they are charging for the free installation.

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'97 E 300 D

Battery prices across the board have gone up. I've found that shopping clubs such as B.J's, Costco and Sams Club generally have the best pricing on batteries.

You are renting your battery..... and once they had ' recycling fees' and such.... they are expensive... I am afraid to find out how much my Diesel Ford tractor battery will cost to replace...

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Lead scrap all gets shipped to China these days, so material costs are up.

I have been buying Deka batteries through my friend who owns a store and they are less across the board.

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

lead scrap gets fed to chickens,and beef we buy from china at wal mart

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

Which if I remember right, are made by EastPenn battery, which are made in the USA. 4 factories in the us, 1 in Iowa, 2 in Pennsylvania, and 1 in Rhode island.

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.

I just bought a new battery for the motor scooter and yes, they come precharged these days. The scooter battery was AGM but I'm pretty sure that applies to all of them.

Dan

I've been stuck on MB batteries for the past few cycles. $135 with a 2 year warranty.

It's easier for me to buy one every so many years without a warranty than hunt down a decent brand. (I might have purchased Bosch, but the only place around here that sells it is Pep Boys and having worked there I vowed never to step foot or spend a dime in that store again).

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Onus probandi incumbit ei qui dicit, non ei qui negat

I recondition w123/w126/w124/w140/r107/r129/ steering boxes!


1984 300D "Elsa" odo reset 6/2011 147k
1983 300TD "Mitzi" ~268k OM603 powered
1995 E300 "Adelheid" 262k [Sold]

I am not convinced of the AGM yet at my auto stores...they have a higher cost and lesser warranty. Seems silly at this point. My batteries come from Autozone, same style sold at other places.

AZ is good to me and easy to find in my area.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

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.

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

Surprised the warranty period is so short.

The battery I have just revived, was bought 6 years ago at Canadian Tire. It came with 3 years full free exchange warranty plus another 6 years of prorated warranty based on the price of an equivalent replacement. In my case, I would get 3/9 (33.3%) off the list price of a new battery.

This appears to have changed and they now offer 4 or 5 years free replacement on their mid and top level batteries. But getting warranties honored can be hit or miss.

My 6 yr old battery cost C$119.99. The nearest replacement would be C$189.99 and the Ultra AGM top of line C$239.99 )on sale for $219.99 today!)

Wow - those are hefty prices! US$135 (C$180) would be a good price here for a quality battery.

Part of our problem in Canada may be that the batteries are mostly imported and likely priced in US$.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

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.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

It also doesn't help that it's winter. Best time to jack up prices of batteries.

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k