Need E320 Battery - Lots of Options! Help!

[stephenson]

2002 4Matic wagon ... spec is 100 amp H8 size (DIN55?)

Options are:

- flooded or starved electrolyte where starved will never "fit" the same, but has other advantages

- 49 size in flooded - 13 15/16 x 6 7/8 x 7 12/25 - much cheaper
- MTP 93 size in flooded - 14 3/8 x 6 7/8 x 7 1/5 - more expensive
- H8 specific at the dealer or shop - same size as 49 in more cross reference books - way and unnecessarily expensive $165 plus

Very little difference in any of the CCA or CA at various temps.

I understand most of the basic physics and feel like am being sold something unnecessary with the MB stock solution - especially since starved electro batteries now pretty common?

Could I get some recommendations from folks who have been throught this recently?

Thanks!!