Have heard that the Optima RedTop battery is the best on the market. At their site they do not list a size to fit a W123, specifically my 85 300D. Does anyone know if there is an Optima size that will fit the W123?

Bob
85 300D -- 157K

I think they dont make a larger group size. 123 takes group size 46 or 47 one of the two I am not sure.

How expensive are these batteries. If you dont have too many after market accessaries on your car, you might be just spending too much for no good reason.
Remember, diesel engines need power to start only, a good alternator will sufficiently provide for all other power later.

Just my 2 cents.

MVK

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One penny saved is three penny earned.

1985 300D Turbo 179,000miles

The W123 takes a group 49 battery, and I believe that an Optima battery is a few dollars more than a good group 49 battery. I thought about buying one a few years ago, but decided that it was more than I needed and just bought another group 49.

Thanks for correcting me on the Gr size.

MVK

__________________
One penny saved is three penny earned.

1985 300D Turbo 179,000miles

You want to order the reverse terminal Orange Top. This will let you install it without mods to the cables. It will be a bit smaller than the MB battery, but put a small piece of foam between the hold down and the battery and it will be nice and snug. I`ve had one for a year in my SEC.
About $129.00

John

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President Minuteman Section MBCA
www.mbca.org/minuteman

BUT, I can buy 2 group 49 batteries, each with a 7 year warranty, at Auto Zone and have some change left from $129. It fits all the MB I have and I also get a nationwide warranty and the only thing I need to get warranty service is my phone number because my warranty is in their computer.

Not so at Pep Boys. I lost my warranty papers and they would not replace a bad battery. Its easy to quess how many more batteries I'm going to buy at Pep Boys: somewhere between zip and zilch.

Walmart also has a good 1000 CA 7 year battery for $60 called the MAXX but they don't have it in a group 49. If sales papers are lost, they will honor the warranty but they go by the manufacturers date on the battery which could be months before the sale date.

There is a code on batteries which tells you the manufacture date. It is a letter and number such as D2 and stamped in the case. There may also be a paper sticker with the same code. The example above D2 stands for APR 2002. When buying a battery, you should check this code and purchase the one with the latest date so you get the freshest one.

P E H

But those batteries can leak and rot the frame structure underneath.

You can shoot an Optima with a shotgun and not only will it not leak,it will continue to work!!!

Just remeber you want a reverse terminal "ORANGE TOP" for MB`s

John

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President Minuteman Section MBCA
www.mbca.org/minuteman

What is the life span of the optima batteries, assuming you don't shoot them? What is the CA or CCA?

P E H

I agree with P E H --2 battery theory. Also as far as leaks are concerned, I would put a rubber mat under the battery tray, no matter what battery I use.

I have never had a leaking battery- touch wood- so far. Mine is a pepboys and I have a warranty card on hand.

Johnson Control makes some of the best batteries( Non fancy) in the world. They make for many stores ranging from Autozone to walmart. I would go with one of those. and get 7x2 years from them for 130 bucks.
Again if you have high power radio etc attached to your car, you want to go with optima or other fancy battery. For sole purpose of starting a normal car, regular batteries are just fine.

MVK

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One penny saved is three penny earned.

1985 300D Turbo 179,000miles

I bought an Optima for my 300E because:

1) It is made by Johnson controls.
2) It has 980 MCA/750CCA.
3) It is completely sealed, nothing to leak, no corrosion issues.
4) It has a 24 month free replacement/72 mo prorate warranty (none of my sears Die Hard deluxe batteries ever lasted more than 5 years, and the prorate meant I was just getting a 15-20% discount if I accepted being locked into another DieHard. They all lost water during the summer, and they all developed corrosion on my Acura, Toyota, Honda, and 300E.)
5) It doesn't need a vent tube for Hydrogen gas. Several C class cars caught fire and MB had a recall because of improper vent tube installation. My next battery for the C230 will be an Optima for this reason.
6) It was a good fit, even as the red top. It is smaller and lighter than the MB/Interstate/DieHard battery, and by rotating it 180 degrees the cables all reached easily. It clamped securly in place.
7) It is replacable at any Interstate dealer, which is where I purchased the battery.
8) It was only $19 more than the 72 month warranty Interstate conventional battery designed for my 300E, and that battery had 50 less CCA.
9) It will work in any position, on its side or upside down. It is reassuring to know that if I roll the car, the radio will keep working! :p

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

I can get the Optima Red Top for $99. They do not carry an Orange Top, only Red, Yellow, and Blue. Do not need battery yet, but am thinking about down the line. JCE, which group did you buy?

I've had really bad luck with Autozone batteries, both on MB any my more pedestrian cars. Out of three batteries purchased, two did not make through the first year of life. Don't know about the third - sold the car. Yes, they have a good warranty, but if you have to use it that often, I really don't want anything to do with the product.

I have an Optima orange top in my '87 wagon and it is fantastic. Never needs water, never leaks acid, spins that six cylinder diesel like crazy. Yeah, it cost ~$130, but any good battery was above a hundred. I've had enough bad experiences with 49 dollar batteries to have sworn off them. Ever try to jump start a diesel benz with a shorted battery? It's damn near impossible to get it going. Been there, done that, don't like it too much.

Clarkb7306

Mine is a red top group 34 - model SB34U. Works great. Originally it wasn't listed on their site for my w124, but I called the 800 number on the Optima site and they gave me the correct model number.

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

I'm a FIRM believer in the OPTIMA series batteries - I've had the one that is in my current car (300SD) and it has been dead and recharged many a time - still starts it on the first revolution - and here is the best part - it was in my 80 SD until the engine died! I also have been putting these batteries in the company trucks (electric plows, sanders, diesel transfer pumps, always used to jump start guest's cars....) I service because they would burn through any other battery in a few months - since the change I haven't had to change one yet! (almost 2 years now!) So keep buying your $70 batteries and $25 acid matts but I highly recommend the extra $30 for a Optima - and I am in no way connected to the company!

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1983 Mercedes 300SD
1987 Mercedes 300SDL
2001 VW Passat 2.8 AWD
2007 OM642 Jeep WK 4x4

In my opinion you can't beat the Interstate MB88 in the diesel. I think they list for $106.00, but I'm not sure,because I buy them wholesale. Interstate Battery is owned by Johnson Control,and I'll let you in on a little secret. Do you all know or for my Texas friends do ya'll know about the white batteries that come as OEM in each new MB that used to come from Varta? Well, they are now coming from Interstate. I have seen them, but I can't buy them, because I am not a franchised dealer. I have no ties to Interstate,but they put out a top quality product. To me it is not worth it to save $ 40.00 to have my wife stranded and at risk. By the same token I can't see spending an extra $40.00 for a designer battery. This is just my observation after 30 years as a professional MB mechanic. The Interstate MB88 has stood the test of time.

Peter

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