I know o.e M-B batteries are white/clear- I have used another brand, though, in the past, which was also white- I think it might have been Autolite? Does anyone have any advice for locating an o.e.-looking white battery for my 84 300TD? Thanks.

I am thinking that the group 49 Interstate batteries are white or grey.

My last battery was an Interstate but it only lasted 3.5 years. Isn't that an awfully short life? I just replaced it the other day with a Sears International group 49. It cost about $100 and if this one also lasts only 3 or 4 years, I'll be happy.

Was there something wrong with my Interstate? I wish I had kept my receipt so that I could capitalize on the 72-month warrenty.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

I just checked the records for my 300TD, apparently it had a new battery a little over two years ago- even if it's a cheapie, it should last longer than that, shouldn't it? The starter and alternator are recent, so shouldn't have anything to do with it.

From what I have been told, batteries in diesels tend to not last much more than 3-4 years. The Intestate battery that came with my car was bad, so I replaced it with a Diehard which was bad, but I kept on using it for 16 months before I had it replaced for free with current Diehard which hasn't given me any problems so far. I will be upset if this battery goes bad in the next few months.

Interstate has a very good advertising and marketing campaign, but the batteries are of average quality at best.

Sears is not the best, but probably better than most. Because of convenience I use Sears in my MB's. In an American car, or something with a standard size 24 type battery, I will use a Delco every time. They are probably the best built batteries on the automotive market. They have been for probably fifty years.

I use a Delco in my farm truck because it gets started, driven about a half mile and turned off. This is about the toughest life there is for a battery (not to mention the engine) A Delco has always proven far superior in this application.

I have never seen a Delco in the "International" sizes, so I just go to Sears when an MB needs a battery.

Good luck,

I had a Delco 1000 amp , 84 month battery in my wife's Buick. After 26 months it started leaking at the positive post. The only good thing was that Discount Auto Parts only charged me $5 to replace it.

I have seen brand new batteries go dead in less than a month. This is usually caused by a cracked plate that shifts and then contacts the plate next to it and it shorts. This is often caused from overtightenign the hold down. Remember it is a hold down not a clamp down. Also, after time the jolting and vibrations will cause a plate to crack. Be sure to get one with a good warrenty. I usually get diehards or interstates.

thebern

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1982 240D 313,000 (4 speed)
1984 300CD 172,483
1985 German Shepherd Dog -Lacey- R.I.P.11/04/05

Hood Stars, Wrist Crowns and Obsession Dobs

I've been doing a little research-

Does anyone have any experience with Optima brand batteries? They look to be quite good.

I have an Optima 'red top'.
I have only had it since February, but it has been a very good one!
7-year warranty, $120.00
I did take it back once thinking that it was bad. They tested it and said that it seemed fine, but replaced it anyway. Turned out to be a corroded connection. (oops)
I do not think they make them in the group 49 size, but I got one that has 950 CCA (the guy tested it and it actually read 1080CCA) and laid it on its side. That is the benefit of the optima. They cannot leak. And they do not require any maintainance!

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Current: '91 300TE 4MATIC 317k and climbing...
Former:
'81 300TD Wagon 168K "Tank"
'83 240D 216K 4spd manual "Da Bear" (aka best car ever)

"Never sweat the petty things...
and never pet the sweaty things."

http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/ Thought you might find this interesting..... or not. Click the third one down. I think it's been posted here before.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

You can buy a group 49 battery at Auto Zone for $60 with a 72 month warranty which they base on the selling price not some fictitiuous higher price. You don't need the warranty or sales slip because they register the warranty in their computer. There is an Auto Zone almost anywhere you go.

I won't buy another battery at PEP Boys because they wouldn't honor their warranty when I couldn't find the sales slip.

Most car batteries are made by 2 or 3 companies no matter what name is on them so there isn't too much difference between them.
I was in an Exide warehouse and they were putting different labels on the Exide made batteries: Pep Boys, Kmart, Firestone, ETC.

P E H