I guess it's that time of year for posts like this ...

For the first time ever, Bodhi has not been able to start. Cranks, does not catch, even after two full glow cycles. A couple weeks ago it was not quite this cold and it really had a hard time, cranked a long time but once it started, it was perfectly smooth. Now it's 10 degrees standing temp out, and it will not even think about starting. I was going to check all the GPs, which were perfect last winter, and relay, but it came to my attention that my battery was last replaced June 2000, and most of my driving is short trips. Somehow I suspect that may be the issue. So ...
1) Should I just replace this battery, rather than even bother testing/recharging, etc.? It seems to me after seven years I might as well throw a new one in and play it safe.
2) If I get a new one, should I get an OE, or try to cheap it out with something else?

Thanks for any opinions.

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

the engineer aka DAD would test evaluate and test again The pragmatic fisherman ( the son ) would say screw this I want it to start A new OE battery @$100 seems right to me you know what your getting and can sleep better
I dont know how many times I said but it started yesterday and he said did you get out your multimeter and battery tester

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commercial fisherman diesel in my blood in my boats trucks and Dear old Dad has had me drivin them since i got my first license in 1968
1986 300 SDL 427654
1999 Chevy Crew Cab Dually 225423
1986 300 SDL 287000 Dad's
1987 190 Turbo 158000 Mom's (my inheritance)

I just did a search on what kind of battery to get.

One camp felt that the Autozone/Duralast $60 battery with the 6 year prorated warranty was the best deal, and had good success with cold and hot starting.

Another felt that you should buy only the best, $100+, either from the dealer or an Instestate battery.

I'm going with the Autozone.

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1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K

LOL! Captain, I had to laugh ... MY dad, also an engineer, also said the same thing, or similar. He said he would test it and see if he can get a couple more years out of it ... he likes to try to get ten years out of them. Well, if I had time, a garage, and about five backup cars int he wings, I'd do stuff like that, but if I can't get this puppy to start I could end up $^&% out of luck and stranded in the parking lot of my office building at 2 a.m. in 0 degree weather.

Then again, I'm an English major ... That said, I do kind of have an engineer's mind, passed down from my dad, but I think I'm more of a hybrid between a "normal person" and an engineer.

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

My bias is that the one that's in there is OE and it has lasted almost seven years with great starting. This car started in -7 degrees last year. Then again, maybe the Autozone battery would have done the same. Seems to me it's kind of like oil choice in that everybody's got a different opinion. Ah, the neverending battle between my desire to pennypinch, and my desire to spare no expense for this vehicle I love so much ...

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

If the Autozone battery offers a CCA rating of 850 and it's got an 84 month warranty, you won't be "sparing no expense" for the OE battery. You'll simply be tossing good money out the window.

The SD has the Autozone battery for three years now. It started the 617 at 0F. recently..........no issues.

good point see brian wasnt an engineer
u know that old saying opinions are like a....oles everyone has one

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commercial fisherman diesel in my blood in my boats trucks and Dear old Dad has had me drivin them since i got my first license in 1968
1986 300 SDL 427654
1999 Chevy Crew Cab Dually 225423
1986 300 SDL 287000 Dad's
1987 190 Turbo 158000 Mom's (my inheritance)

That makes sense. I've probably thrown a lot of good money out the window over the years. Fortunately, I'm such a chronic miser the rest of the time, it balances out.

Does the AutoZone battery fit in without a hitch?

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

I put an AutoZone Duralast battery in my car about 6 months ago. It fits in perfectly, and I have had no starting problems so fat this year. It provides enough juice to start my 617 up with no worries....

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1983 Mercedes 300D
Atlanta, GA

Obviously, I've never attempted to try it on a W-124. But, I'm 99% confident that the group 49 battery will have no issues. My only concern would be the height........if anything.

So, maybe take a height measurement on the old one and compare it just before you buy it.

Any group 49 battery should fit. Keep in mind that there are only a few battery manufacturers out there. Johnson Controls makes many of the private labels ones, like Autozone's, so look for the best warranty for the price as the batteries you are comparing may very well come from the same factory.

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1987 300TD 231,000
#22, afterglow, plastic fan, euro lights, alternator upgrade, cluster housing update

I have to give Autozone credit. At first I was sceptical but after two years in the SD that battery is strong! Cranks like crazy, tons of reserve. I like it so much I bought one for my sisters car, she leaves the lights on all the time! But even after leaving the headlights on all night the car will start sometimes.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200