Any experience with Bosch batteries??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jcd · #1 01-21-2003, 09:10 PM

Was thinking about getting a new battery on the way home. Leaving the lights on at work made the decision easy.

Bought a Bosch battery at Autozone. Cranked her right up. Did I buy a dog out of desperation or does Bosch, or whoever makes it, make a good battery.

JCD

Peyton300TD · #2 01-21-2003, 09:56 PM

hey im running a bosch on it's 4th year right now but it seems weak. the warranty people are a pain in the rear to deal with. thanks for reminding me to contact them AGAIN. my next battery will be an interstate. if you have any warranty information on you, do you mind passing it along?

from what i heard they were good batteries when i bought it and it was cheaper by about $50 than interstate.
cheers
eric

rmmagow · #3 01-22-2003, 01:19 PM

I've got a gigantic VARTA battery in my 123. It's is from the dealer. It's a powerhouse. Last few days the car has been very difficult to start due to cold and me not having a heater of any kind. The battery just cranks and cranks, never went dead. Weighs a ton and probably cost a ton but it's a great battery.

#4 01-22-2003, 06:26 PM

I paid $110 for a die hard "international" battery a year and a half ago.. it's more expensive because that size is for foriegn cars only (yay!). Good battery though.

Aaron · #5 01-22-2003, 08:56 PM

I had an Interstate in my old 300SD (Eduardo) for close to five years and didn't have any problems. I haven't ever had experience with Bosch batteries but I've heard good and bad things about them. I pretty much just use MB original batteries (made by either Varta or Hoppecke) and haven't had any problems yet although the one in our '99 ML320 is original (black handles) and I'm waiting for it to take a crap on us soon. Those were troublesome batteries, made in the USA by Exide if I remember right.

#6 01-22-2003, 10:26 PM

There is no advantage, I got ripped off.

jcd · #7 01-23-2003, 05:07 PM

Peyton,

I'll check on the warranty and shoot you a reply.

I did buy mine at Autozone. They had the Duralast for about $20 less, but it has fewer CCR's etc than the Bosch. In this case, I just threw $$$ at it and went for the Bosch.

The car has sat for two days as I am hopefully recovering from a killer of the stomach flu....yuk. We'll see how it spins when I "recover"

JCD

autozen · #8 01-24-2003, 10:23 AM

Still say you can't beat the quality of Interstate. When you buy a battery from places like Kame-Apart or Autozone, it's a crap shoot. They give you all kinds of warrantees, but I'd rather have a good battery. Also where ever you are, go to the nearest Interstate dealer and you are covered. I am fortunate to be a couple of miles from an Interstate distribution center. As I was picking up an MB 88 for a 240D yesterday I was eye balling the several pallots of white batteries with the MB star on each gattery. I have tried, but they won't sell me one, because I'm not an authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Interstate makes those batteries only for distribution to MB dealers.

Peter

samiam4 · #9 01-25-2003, 01:04 PM

Autozen,

MB batteries are made to Mercedes specifications. It really doesn't matter *whom* manufactures it. Really, I'm told there are 2 battery manufatures left in the USA. So, the difference is dependant on what the customer specifies. Sears, Autozone, Wallmart, Mercedes, etc...
If you're going to spend $100 why not buy a Optima. I know a several ppl that have had their batteries over 10 years(one friend going on 15 years!).
Redtop optima's at Costco are $102, plus you'll need a longer ground strap.

Michael

autozen · #10 01-26-2003, 01:04 AM

Michael,

Per your own comment, manufacturers meet specs of who places the order which is why I would not trust a battery from Costco. Costco says they are providing good value for the customer when in reality they are most concerned about share holders. Interstate batteries are the benchmark in after market batteries, and I'll stick with them. I don't have a lot of money to waste, and in my opinion buying bargain products is a waste of money. I wear Pendletons, Harris Tweed, Levis, London Fog, and J.C. Penny underwear. I have a Rowenta iron, Bosch dish washer, and Royal vacuum cleaner. I bought the Neptune series Maytag washer and drier, because I couldn't afford $3000.00 for the German units I wanted. By the way I wear a $25.00 Timex watch, because I couldn't find anything to beat it. I payed $400.00 for my blender to make smoothies each morning, because I burnt up two cheap ones. This puppy will pulverize rocks. My hobby is cooking, and my cooking pots average $125.00 each. I won't buy some designer piece of garbage that is over priced. What I'm trying to say is if you invest in a top quality product like a Mercedes, for example, the initial cost pales in the shadow of the years of incredible service. After paying $65.00 for a shirt do you know how many years you can wear a Pendleton? Again I'll say that I would rather pay a fair price for a product I can depend on than go for cheap prices and rediculous warrantee claims. Remember it costs more to make a good quality product. Is there any difference between a Mercedes and a Chevy? I noticed that MB wagons have a handle on the inside of the tailgate and Chrysler Corp minivans don't. Saves a little money during manufacture. I guess they are not really needed, because on impact the tailgate will fly open and your kids will just tumble out. Just my thoughts.

Peter

samiam4 · #11 01-26-2003, 10:36 AM

Peter,

I didn't say buy a Kirkland brand battery, I said buy an optima. You obviously are not familiar with them. They are the only new technology in batteries for many years. COSTCO just has lower markup by corporate policy than anybody else. Corporate policy is not to markup anything more than 14%.

Personally, I've had interstates and never had them last any longer than my autozone stuff. You will not get 14 years to your interstate- I probably will to my Optima. They're warrenttee program is full replacement for the first 3 years(no proration).

Interstates get hype because they let the service industry stock them for free. They only pay interstate when they sell one. So, that's why they are hyped more.

Of course you can buy it from Autoparts stores(I think Advanced sells them( or else where).

You swearing by interstates ,to me is exactly like swearing by Quakerstate dino oil for your diesel while I purchase the synthetic on the next shelf. Optima's are the new technology.

As far as products in general- I don't shop at walmart much. I buy quality items-ussually on sale. Clothing- I would never buy a $65 Pendleton shirt. That's me though- I would buy a nice REI shirt for $35 though.. of maybe a Pendleton for $30 at Norstrom's Rack. I own my Mercedes because it's safe and the seat is comfortable for my back. I know I could maintain something else cheaper, that might even last longer, but MB fits me well. They have the added advantage of the ability to find parts for older cars. No other make can you purchase a dash for a 30 year old car.

http://www.optimabatteries.com/products/index.asp

Sincerely,

Michael

95300YDT-A · #12 01-27-2003, 05:16 AM

Dear all,
I own and drive cars since 1974 now, Diesel and gaz.
Everytime a battery let me down I replaced it with a Varta.
I don't mind the price : a battery is simply to important and
after 1.500.000 km in several cars, I have to meet yet the
first problem with a Varta.
Just my $ 0,02 .

The Warden · #13 01-27-2003, 06:09 AM

I could be wrong, but I don't think that Varta batteries are sold out here in North America. Sounds cool, though

The Optimas are gel-cells, right? I can't recall ever having seen them for sale around here...does anyone know of anywhere besides Costco (I don't have a card) that sells 'em? And Michael, what CCA's was the battery rated at? I assume it's the same size as the lead-acid Group 49 units...

I bought a Diehard battery back in July and have been happy with it, although I'll admit that 6 months isn't that long for a battery.

samiam4 · #14 01-27-2003, 09:19 AM

Yes Optima's are jel-cells! Spiral technology with ultra pure lead plates(which really helps them stay charged!).

Let's see: I think Advanced Autoparts chain sells them-they have distributors listed on their website.

What else? NO it's not a group 49- it's a much smaller and lighter battery. Think it's 720 cca(?). You'd have to look at the website. For MB's you prefer getting a reversed terminal redtop. If you get a regular, you will need a longer ground cable.
This is a very popular with the W124 croud. I've got one in my old pickup which gets used every 6-12 months and it is great. My W123 is really close to getting one......

Michael

JohnM · #15 01-28-2003, 02:15 AM

FYI. Interstate, Optima, Varta....... they are all Johnson Controls Batteries made to different specs.

http://www.jci.com/bg/

This site does not list the brand names of the batteries we make, but gives you an idea of the technology.