A new battery should not need a charging upon purchase - in the US all batteries are stamped with a date code in the tops (melted into the plastic) so you can see when it was made - a month old is fine. Have the parts house show you the date stamp.

As for the CCA ratings, a 300CCA battery is not much of a battery. All the batteries I put in my cars range from 450CCA up to 800CCA for my diesels. 250 seems even more "weenie".

Hope that helps, you kiwi (I'm using the new terms I just learned!)!!!

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600