'95 C280 I'll skip the 'grief with mechanic'
part.... battery pronounced dead.
Original OEM. Five year life span?
Sound O.K.?
I checked the electrolyte level of cells
and two were just below the 'L' shaped
silver metal inside the cell.
The others were just above the
'L' shaped foot. I figured this
thing was the marker for water level.
There was fine halo of brown
dry chemical around the caps.
End of road for battery or end of road for the mechanic?
(the latter is a done deal)
Thanx.

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1979 300D
133K miles
1989 300SE
1995 C280

Seven plus years from my OEM before it died (1993 - 2000). I thought that was long - my experience has been maybe five with American-built cars.

Battery life also depends on climate. I would love to get 5 years on a battery here in Florida. I am happy with 3.

That's right, heat is the killer. I have seen batteries last up to 11 years in a colder climate. However, they only have about 15% of normal cranking power on some cold (-35 deg F) days.

5 years is about average. I have yet to see a battery with a warranty longer than 5 years. You got your money's worth.

------------------
Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

At dealer(retail service center) we see well maintained batteries going 5-6 years, but 3-4 is the norm. Replacements are DOMESTIC made & go about the same with regular service. Underhood batteries don't last as long.

------------------
MERCEDES BENZ MASTER GUILD TECHNICIAN (6 TIMES)
ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN
27 YEARS DEALER M.B. Shopforeman
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA racecar

Thanks for all your replies.
I was aware that original batteries that come with domestics usually last 5 yrs.
You are correct that factors
play into lifespan. Climate here is temperate.
The five years service so far
sits o.k. with me now although
I expected more from an OEM
Benz battery.
No problemo.
FYI for the readers : the C280
has the battery in the trunk.

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1979 300D
133K miles
1989 300SE
1995 C280

i also have a '95 c280 and i'm also from the bay area....i just replaced my battery about a month ago...so i guess the 5yr lifetime of the oem battery is normal....same car, same area and replaced the battery at about the same time......what a koinky dinky...=)

i also have a '95 c280 and i'm also from the bay area....i just replaced my battery about a month ago...so i guess the 5yr lifetime of the oem battery is normal....same car, same area and replaced the battery at about the same time......what a koinky dinky...=)

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RICKY PANELO
1995 C280 [AMG]
1993 190E 2.6 [CARLSSON]
1991 VW GTI

Must be a virus

Thanks for your reply. it helps.

------------------
1979 300D
133K miles
1989 300SE
1995 C280

Well back in Oct 2000, I had the OEM replaced with an Interstate battery.
That battery died this evening and I replaced it pronto soon after with another Interstate battery from Wheel Works (then brought it down there to have the tires rotated !).

So, it lasted about 8 yrs 6 mo., alot better than the OEM !!

for the archives .

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD