87 300E-optima battery a good choice? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lizem100 · #1 10-09-2006, 02:28 PM

My battery is MB brand, diesel sized and 6 yrs old. Getting a little weak. Does anyone have much experience with Optima?

dieseldiehard · #2 10-09-2006, 02:42 PM

I saw an Optima Red Top battery in a 300D, group 49 same as the 300E I believe. It was not the same size so the OE hold down clamps won't work so you will need to make some fancy brackets or something to hold it in or it will tip over.
Personally I would go with a lead acid like an Interstate or the real McCoy, a Benz Battery (looks nice but co$t$ more) Eventually they all wear out.
An Interstate has a warranty that is good anywhere if you need it but in 99% of the cases (junk batteries excepted) the battery is never defective its always the charging circuit that fails.
DDH

jcyuhn · #3 10-09-2006, 02:48 PM

The Optima is a very good battery and fits in the 124 just fine. It's not the same size as the MB battery, but the stock hold down works just fine - the battery is the same depth as the stock battery, but much narrower and perhaps a bit taller. I had one in my diesel 124 and it spun the om603 like a toy motor. Oh, you need the reverse terminal red top (used to be the orange top) model.

Downside is they have gotten unreasonably expensive. My gasser 124 needed a battery just a few weeks ago. The optima is $170 locally, and I called a number of places. I decided to purchase the MB battery from the local dealer for $118. Optima is not worth the premium, IMHO.

- JimY

sokoloff · #4 10-09-2006, 03:46 PM

I bought the red top with reversed terminals for my 210 chassis diesel about a year ago. Cost me $129 delivered to me door the next day. I'd do it again.

Len

dieseldiehard · #5 10-09-2006, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcyuhn

The Optima is a very good battery and fits in the 124 just fine. It's not the same size as the MB battery, but the stock hold down works just fine - the battery is the same depth as the stock battery, but much narrower and perhaps a bit taller. I had one in my diesel 124 and it spun the om603 like a toy motor. Oh, you need the reverse terminal red top (used to be the orange top) model.

Downside is they have gotten unreasonably expensive. My gasser 124 needed a battery just a few weeks ago. The optima is $170 locally, and I called a number of places. I decided to purchase the MB battery from the local dealer for $118. Optima is not worth the premium, IMHO.

- JimY

Interesting, I guess they had one more suitable for the hold down clamps than the one I saw.
Incidentally I believe I saw Optima batteries at Costco recently but didn't give them a close look

lizem100 · #6 10-09-2006, 04:25 PM

Sam's club $101. Benz Dealer battery $93 with MB club discount, $113 without.
The negative pole is outboard on the 300E. Can't one just turn the battery around if the poles are not usually arranged?

jcyuhn · #7 10-09-2006, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizem100

Can't one just turn the battery around if the poles are not usually arranged?

Yes, I've heard of this being done. It moves the posts more toward the back of the battery, so the cables barely reach. Tight fit, but it can be done. Just get the reverse terminal Optima and everything fits like stock.

- JimY

neanderthal · #8 10-10-2006, 02:01 AM

i bought an optima red top for $100 from costco a few years ago.

no problems all that time.

and much better cranking power than a standard battery. much much better.

mpolli · #9 10-10-2006, 12:47 PM

I am very interested to hear about the club discount at the dealer. Do many dealers do that? What club? As far as the battery I would get the dealer battery. I have never had a nicer cleaner battery than the dealer battery I have. I seem to remember reading somewhere the Optima cell concept is basically a gimmick. I don't know how it measured up in Consumer Reports testing though.

Mike

POS · #10 10-10-2006, 02:50 PM

Optima or Interstate - don't buy any others.

BadBenz94 · #11 10-10-2006, 03:23 PM

I had a red top Optima battery in my E320 and loved it. Has a "no questions asked" warranty too for the first 2 years? Too whats important is that it is sealed. On the W124s you have a major wiring harness running right underneath the battery and if the battery begins to leak without you knowing it, it will be big $$$.

Chris

danwatt · #12 10-10-2006, 08:28 PM

I've worked in a parts store for two years. From what I've seen, the dealer batteries don't last very long at all. Longest lasting batterys are usually Interstates. We sell Exides, which have about 4-6 year average. I've seen batteries last for ten years, and some that only last for two weeks. Just make sure you get a good warranty.

mpolli · #13 10-10-2006, 10:23 PM

I have read here before that the dealer battery and the Optima are both made by Interstate. Does anyone know anything about that?

Mike

dieseldiehard · #14 10-24-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpolli

I have read here before that the dealer battery and the Optima are both made by Interstate. Does anyone know anything about that?

Mike

The dealer (MB) battery I have was made in Spain. I think MB is above using Interstate Batteries what you want to know is it made by Johnson Controls. If not and not a dealer battery, walk away.