94 w124 e320 battery replacement advice please

[skiier3_9]

Since the weather has gotten colder here in WI I noticed that my e320 isn't cranking quite as well as it did in the warmer weather and since I have no idea when the current battery was new (I purchased the car 03/05) I am thinking of replacing the battery. I searched the optima site and they do not list a compatible battery for this car...so I went to the interstate site and they recommend a

MTP-91 (700 CCA 85 mo. warranty)

Is this battery a good choice? or should I go with something else?

BTW: I searched the archives but couldn't find any recommendations for the m104 e320.

TIA!

[Ralph69220d]

What oil are you using? The starter sees more load when it's cold because the oil is going to be more viscous in the winter. My personal opinion (I'm in north-central Illinois now, but moving to Montana shortly) is to use a full or partial synthetic oil, something like 0-40W or 5-40W. If there is a 0 or 5-30W, that would make cranking easier. On the battery issue, you can have a 700CCA battery that is smaller or a 700CCA battery that is larger. The "larger" battery is going to give you a longer cranking period before it begins to weaken. I can't find (maybe it's still made, but I haven't found one) the full length battery for my 69 220d, so I'm going to install a second battery and run it in parallel with the "main" battery. The 220d really needs to spin for relatively fast starts, which isn't all that easy when the glow plugs are drawing 50 amp's. I'm not suggesting you should put in a second battery, but if you're having trouble starting in the Wisconsin winter, probably should first look at the soil you're using; secondly, is you're starter weak; thirdly, does the replacement battery physically fill the battery tray (if not, then I'd go with a battery that does physically fill the battery tray), as the total area of the battery plates is proportional in inversely proportional to how quickly the battery weakens during a hard start. I'm sure other's will advise you, which is good, as perhaps I'm wrong, but this is my considered opinion. Also make sure the battery terminals and cables are clean and you have a good ground at both the engine ground and the starter ground (which goes to the chassis, at least on my engine).
I forgot to say that the temperature of the battery is also a variable that make's winter starts harder.








3

[ksing44]

Originally Posted by skiier3_9

Since the weather has gotten colder here in WI I noticed that my e320 isn't cranking quite as well as it did in the warmer weather and since I have no idea when the current battery was new (I purchased the car 03/05) I am thinking of replacing the battery. I searched the optima site and they do not list a compatible battery for this car...so I went to the interstate site and they recommend a

MTP-91 (700 CCA 85 mo. warranty)

Is this battery a good choice? or should I go with something else?

BTW: I searched the archives but couldn't find any recommendations for the m104 e320.

TIA!

I like the white Mercedes battery from the dealer

Can you see it in the back left corner of the photo?

[oliverb]

Some other options:
In addition to an MB battery -
Autozone carries one for the E320 with high CCAs and a good price, about $70 with an 85 month warranty. Great buy.
Interstate makes the MTP-91 - lists for $120 or more. Got one last summer for under $100. Noticeable increase in cranking speed. Satisfied with it so far.
The best Sears, called "International" or something. Also $120 - $130 list.

[Kestas]

It appears to me the battery has a unique shape made for the vehicle. It may be used by other makes but I haven't seen it used elsewhere.

Somebody once posted that the cheapest way to replace the battery was to order road service from Mercedes (available to any MB owner, primary or secondary owner) and they'll sell it to you on the spot. Hopefully someone can chime in and confirm or deny this.

[Will_w202]

I just went through the same thing today with the C230. The battery has no intelligible date, I bought the car used with 60k in '04, and it could have very well been the original battery. Starts below 50, with the one yesterday below 30, really are a struggle. For $70 tax and all, I got an Autozone "Titanium" with 850 CCA, 36 months replacement warranty, and 84 month pro-rate replacement warranty. That's a better replacement warranty than Optima and an identical 84 month pro-rate replacement. So why spend $120 on an Optima?

[skiier3_9]

@Ralph: I'm using 0W40 Mobil 1 full synthetic so the oil should be good.

Thanks for the input. I'll give the local MB dealership a call to see how much the list on a battery is. I'll also check a local auto store or walmart (unfortunately Madison doesn't have any Autozone's)

Any batteries to avoid?

[Will_w202]

Ooops.........I meant Advance, not Autozone. My bad. MB stealer is $120, and the guy even had the balls to say "nobody else makes one that fits."

[glenmore]

I was just doing a little research for a battery for my wifes C280.

If my research is correct:

For a MTP-93, Interstate($105)=Autozone($66)=COSTCO Kirkland($55)=MB OEM($140). They all appear to be the same battery.

For DIY testing your battery, here is a good tutorial:

http://www.repairfaq.org/ELE/F_Car_Battery.html


glenmore
1991 300CE
2000 C280
1990 LS400

[neanderthal]

for what its worth i had the voltage regulator go out on my car recently. the first sign was all the warning lights coming on faintly. took it to the mechanic who tested the alternator, found it to be charging as designed.

a few days later on a long night trip the car died. when i got home i changed batteries and drove it to the mechanic where we discovered the real problem.
then i bought a new battery. in case id damaged the one in the car (optima) by driving it with low charge.

bad move. car didnt crank as easily. switched back to the optima and it cranks a lot easier. and thats not to say it cranks hard at all. i just notice that the optima seems to have more juice.

[jcyuhn]

You can use the optima battery in a 124. I've put 'em in both 124 and 210 chassis cars. Fits fine. You just need the reverse post model - used to be the orange top, but now I think they just make a 'regular' red top and a reverse post red top.

The optima isn't as wide as the standard MB group 49 (or is it 48?) battery, but it's about the same height and the depth is the same. It will fit in the battery tray just fine, and the standard MB hold downs at the foot of the battery will work fine.

- JimY

[manny]

Bought my new battery from the local M-B Dealer about 5 months ago.
$ 120.00.
Just do a little negotiating ( whining ) with the parts guy.

On another note, when I visited the " Interstate Battery " display at last years SEMA show, there was an M-B battery ( complete with the M-B Star ) on display.
I questioned the fellow about it, and he explained, yes , they DO make batterys for M-B.

[Ashman]

I use an optima in my car, fits perfect, and works great. never had an issue with it in over 3 years, even had it tested recently by my battery guy and he stated it is in tip top shape and appears to be functioning as new.

I will probably get quite a bit more out of it than any other batteries I have ever had.

It even did fine when my alternator failed I was able to drive to my mechnic with no ill effects.

And while my car was sitting there for 3 weeks when the EZL failed, the battery fired the car right up as soon as the part was changed.

Alon

[skiier3_9]

Originally Posted by jcyuhn

You can use the optima battery in a 124. I've put 'em in both 124 and 210 chassis cars. Fits fine. You just need the reverse post model - used to be the orange top, but now I think they just make a 'regular' red top and a reverse post red top.

The optima isn't as wide as the standard MB group 49 (or is it 48?) battery, but it's about the same height and the depth is the same. It will fit in the battery tray just fine, and the standard MB hold downs at the foot of the battery will work fine.

- JimY

Which optima battery fits the 124?

The only thing with using the Optima battery with the reverse terminals is that the battery cables are not long enough to reach. It is a great practice to change cables whenever you change the battery anyway, so make them longer and don't worry. Corrosion is usually the killer for batteries placing a greater load on the battery building heat in the cables. Either buy new cables or make your own every time. Just cheap insurance to ensure proper electrical operation. Even upgreades to the cheap small gauge wires for your aux items can be upgraded easily. I know the Optima guys must love me. My equipment kills batteries. I am recruiting some Hawker batteries for twice the reserve and 1200 CCA. At 100 lbs a piece, only the trunk for these monsters.