I have a '98 E 300 Turbo Diesel and would like to know if anyone has ever been able to adapt an Optima battery to work in a similiar vehicle?

I just had an Optima red top type 34 installed in my 87 300E, 960 Cold Cranking Amps. Call the Toll Free number: 888-8OPTIMA (888-867-8462) and work your way through the menu until you talk to a real person (They have a battery selector on the web site, but it comes back with 'none available' for any of the MB models I tried.)

The helpful person asked about the type of load (if I had a competition stereo, aux driving lights, etc) and determined the right one for me. They make deep cycle and marine batteries, and list MB trucks and farm tractors, so I bet they have something for yours. The type 34 was smaller than the factory battery tray, but fit well and secure in the tray.

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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 have an optima blur top in my 1992 300ce.

Works great.

It is the battery I use in my boat. when the boat is not being used, I use the battery in my car to keep it fresh, and I keep my battery stored and on trickle charge.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

I put one in my SEC last July. It didn`t have any rust under the battery and this will keep it that way.

In my opinion it`s one of the best things you can do for your MB. Even though I lost points at a car show because it wasn`t stock.

The car sat all winter, I bearly turned the key and it started!!

John

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President Minuteman Section MBCA
www.mbca.org/minuteman

Problem with the w210 chassis is the battery is under the rear seat cushion, not under the hood in the previously typical MB location. The Optima is a group 34, while the standard battery in the 210 is a group 49. Generally the group 34 is smaller than the group 49 - so far, so good. The potential problem arises in that the group 34 is taller - 7.875" vs. 7.1875". Unlike the earlier cars, which have several inches of clearance above the battery to the hood, things are rather tight in the 210. I don't know that an Optima won't fit, but would check things out carefully before going that route.

One other note - there are only two batteries I would ever consider for the 210 - either the Optima or the stock MB battery. Because the battery is in the passenger compartment, it is vitally important that hydrogen emissions be controlled. The MB battery has provisions to vent the hydrogen outside the vehicle - it is specially designed for this application. The Optima is completely sealed and almost never releases hydrogen. I would never use a standard battery which just vents hydrogen to the atmosphere - that's looking for an explosion in the passenger compartment.

The Goup 49 battery I got for my 87 300TD from AutoZone has a vent kit (some tubings etc). The kit is taped to the side of the battery but I did not check it out. Maybe that wil fit the W210 vent design.

I have not looked at the battery in my W210 yet.

I put an Optima red top in my '96 E320 (W210) a couple months ago. The main problem is that the cable positions are reversed from the stock battery, and the optima can only be installed one way due to its height - don't even try to install it with the terminals toward the front of the car because they will make contact with the (metal!) body - but if you follow the ground cable to where it attaches to the car body and loosen or remove it, THEN connect the cable to the battery and lastly connect the cable back to the body it works fine. The cables are barely long enough, though. A better mechanic would make a new ground cable but I got by with the old one. The stock clamping system holds the Optima down fine.

-Tom

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RIP "Betsy" (Oo=*=oO)
'96 E 3 2 0 (W 2 1 0) M 1 0 4 (Totalled)
Spaces in sig so as not to screw up the SEARCH; every time someone searches for that MB they don't want my sig!

2004 Audi A8L
'98 VW Passat 1.8T 5M
'87 Alfa Romeo Milano 2.5L 5M
'67 Impala convertible, 327cid

An optima orange top (800R) is the same battery with the + and - posts reversed. Sounds as if that would have served you a bit better. I've got an orange top in my older diesel wagon and it works great. Sounds like a shoe in for the w210 diesel as well.

Mine is an orange top, also known as reverse terminal battery.

John

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President Minuteman Section MBCA
www.mbca.org/minuteman

Thanks to all of you that replied to my question about Optima batteries. After doing a bit more research, and learning that the Optima battery, all types, is about 3/8 " taller than the area available under the body frame moulding that crosses over the battery, I gave up and purchased a heavy duty battery that fit exactly like the original from a wholesaler that sells batteries made by the Caterpillar firm. They are used in all of their equipment. It has a 60 month pro rate and cost $97

I put in a Yellow Top Optima Deep-Cycle and I love it. One of the best upgrades I have done.

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1991 190E 2.3 SOLD
1972 911t 2.4 owned since 4/80 300,000+ miles SOLD
1999 C43
Merlin XLM, All Ti, 17.5lbs.

bobtaylor:
Please tell us that it is a "Gel-cell" like the Optima or at least has caps that are adaptable to the vent tube some folks have. Normal batteries vent the aforementioned explosive gas, in this case you can't allow that because the underseat area does not have adequate ventilation!

Now about this "Orange top Optima" - DOH! I can't believe optima's tech support took the time to TELEPHONE ME after I Emailed them and give me a WRONG application! Sheesh! Also, I am surprised their website doesn't list the Orange Top at all. Raspberries at them.:p :p :p

__________________
RIP "Betsy" (Oo=*=oO)
'96 E 3 2 0 (W 2 1 0) M 1 0 4 (Totalled)
Spaces in sig so as not to screw up the SEARCH; every time someone searches for that MB they don't want my sig!

2004 Audi A8L
'98 VW Passat 1.8T 5M
'87 Alfa Romeo Milano 2.5L 5M
'67 Impala convertible, 327cid