A battery, with a two year exchange warranty, that I bought at Advance Auto Parts went dead after 13 months. When I returned it to the store, I was told it would take 2 hours to test my battery and I agreed to leave it and come back in two hours. I waited the two hours and telephoned to make sure they finished testing. I was told that my battery was bad and they had another in stock to replace it. But, when I returned to the store, the clerk told me they did not have an exact replacement and I would have to come back a third time when they got one in or pay $5 for an “upgrade” even though my battery was supposed to be replaced free of charge. I reluctantly paid.

The battery I bought at Advance Auto Parts did not last long, their warranty is riddled with inconvenience and the “free” replacement is not free; I am going to shop elsewhere!

I ran into pretty much the same thing with Auto Zone awhile back. Had one of their batteries in an old Asian daily driver.

Walked in the store with a dead battery. Was told they would have to charge it up and test to see if it was bad. Told to come back in 2 hrs. Came back and was told to come back in 2 more hrs. Came back and the 3rd time was told they were about to close and that they were not done testing.

I became livid in front of the customers waiting at the counter and I suppose the employee I had been dealing with decided it might be best to give me a new battery. He did.

I emailed the Auto Zone customer service section @ their WEB site and was told someone would contact me. That never happened. I then wrote a letter to the mgr. at the area Auto Zone corp. office. I received no reply.

It would appear that Auto Zone and Advance have adopted a take-the $$-and run-attitude.

I rarely do business with any of these places anymore.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

We do it to ourselves. We search for bargains at the big box stores, putting the full service places out of business. Then we lament the lack of care and attention. You get what you pay for.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

Similar experience to mine at AutoZone. 3 yr warranty battery which went dead in Jeep Gr.Cherokee in 2 years. They replaced it with no problem. New one went dead in about a year and they questioned electrical system of the Jeep but gave me new battery. Then this one was out in about another year and they gave me grief but I had full elec system check papers from Jeep dealer showing no problems so again another new battery. These batteries are crap and I have heard this from others with same experience.

The original battery in my E420 lasted 7 years!

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95 E420 ( 76K) SOLD
85 380SE(125k)
95 SL500(72k)

I could not agree more!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. PUT IN AN INTERSTATE and spend your Saturdays doing something else.

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

The Interstate battery I put into my 88 300E in 1996 is still working well and starts the car in at or below 0 weather every morning. This was installed after three AutoZone batteries in one year. I learned my lesson.
AutoZone battery $48 plus being stranded twice and the hassle of replacing it twice $0
Interstate $97 No Hassle still working $Priceless.

After 10 years I expect it to go at any time but it will be replaced by another Interstate.

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Dave
88 300E 250K Sold
2000 C230K Totaled @104K
2003 ML320 156K Sold
2009 E350 4Matic Sport 46K Sold
2011 ML350 60K Sold
2014 GLK350 46k Sold
2012 GL450 67K
2016 E550 Cabriolet 48K

Anyone have any knowledge of installing OPTIMA red battery in 1994 E320? Is the battery too tall? (approx 8" to the top of terminals) Thanks.

1994 E320
1991 300SE

We do it to ourselves. We search for bargains at the big box stores, putting the full service places out of business. Then we lament the lack of care and attention. You get what you pay for.

Very well put. I shop at Advance but also started frequenting a localy owned foreign car parts store. I hadn't been there in years and the two guys behind the counter (who had been there for years) still remembered my name.

Here we go again. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: buy an INTERSTATE BATTERY and don't worry about it. The Interstate truck services every dealer every week. They replace the batteries that were sold and rotate the stock that needs to go back for recharging. Every Interstate battery is fresh and ready to go when it is sold. You can go into your local Kame Apart store and get the one with the latest date, but it may only be at 75% charge. I value my time, but apparently some of you don't. If someone is driving an old car and struggling to survive, my heart goes out to them, and I'll do what I can to help them, but if you're driving a late model Mercedes and can't install a decent battery, you're either a cheap bastard or driving a car out of your class. I want to save money as well as the next person, but I am willing to give up a few CDs or whatever to buy quality products. I abhor junk. Please don't get me wrong. I am not wealthy. I just prefer to spend my discretionary income on a few high quality products rather than a bunch of junk. My take on the subject is that if you save $40.00 on a POS battery, you can buy some CDs or go out to dinner. Meanwhile your neighbor is inconvenienced, because he has to give you a jump. Then your wife is stuck in the rain, because you saved $40.00. This will probably end this thread, because it usually does.

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

I just buy OE MB batterys. Besides if it ever breaks I'll just call roadside and they will bring and install another. About $120 for the battery, install free.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Advance and AutoZone are on the same level - the lowest. They hire guys who don't know diddly and sell parts that are cheap. Skip those two guys whenever you can.

I use Napa and buy Interstates - the Napa I use sells Interstates. Excellent battery, never had a premature failure.

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- Brian


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

I have some good news, you saved a bunch a money on your battery by switching to "lowcosto"...........I'm sorry just I couldn't resist…………

When purchasing cost effective items one of the unfortunate, as well as unforeseen, problems can be the time we invest trying to get something resolved if the item fails during the warranty period. My time is worth x$$$s per hour therefore I have little time to contend with some trivial cost savings when it comes to specific items, the battery is one of those items. Before purchasing a cost effective item perhaps one needs to consider how much their personal time is worth $$ In the unlikely event you to need exchange the item during the warranty period does investing more of your valuable time make cents?