averageclk320

It seems like my battery life span averages around 3 years.

myworld

Ive had my car for 5 years. I bought a new battery 2 years ago. Hope to not buy one soon.

MarcusF

I change mine every 5 years (2007, 2012, and I'm due again in '17). The batteries have never given me any indication that they were going out. It's just that I'd rather spend $125 on a new battery and never think about it. The alternative is to leave town for a couple of weeks, ride the shuttle to long term parking, AND THEN find I have to pay $125 for a battery.

jonUF02

I changed mine when it started cranking slow, about a year ago. The one in there might have been original (13 yrs old) as it was an OEM Mercedes battery, and I find it hard to believe that anyone purchases a battery from the dealer after warranty is up. I got a Bosch from Pep Boys, fits perfectly and less than $100 with coupon.

averageclk320

My car has sat for two months in my garage. It's not a daily driver. I found out the hard way. I thought about buying a battery buddy. The dealership cost here is $177.02 plus tax. They would take 10% discount off of that for being a member of Mercedes Benz Club of America. So looking roughly $160 plus tax. You think I could buy it for some other dealership for $125?

jonUF02

Wow, batteries have really gone up. The Bosch I bought at Pep Boys less than 1 year ago for about $100 (with coupon) is now listing for $177.

I found the Gold level battery at Advance Auto Parts is $155, and you can order online and pickup local with $40 off coupon code "TRT41" which comes to about $115 after core exchange. Auto parts shops will install for you if you don't feel like doing it.

You will need to look up some reset procedures on another thread after disconnecting the battery.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/a...49h8/2130012-P

averageclk320

Thanks for the 411 but I wont put anything but factory OEM battery back in.

jonUF02

Ummm... Why? It's just a battery dude. Are you saying that if you bought a flashlight that came with energizer batteries, you would never put a duracell in it? Is there any logic behind this at all, or just your superstition and need to spend more $$?

Serndipity

While it's possible to jury rig in other battery sizes, the factory specified battery size for the W208 is H8.

In addition to having the correct electrical capacity, it has the the proper dimensions/locations for the terminals, vent tube, as well as the front and rear bottom flanges to fit the clamps and securely hold it in place.

Although Walmart sells the H8 for $120 and I've read very positive comments on it, because I've experienced 8+ years of service life, I bought another OEM battery, from the MB dealer for only $20 more.

When replacing the battery, always remove the battery's negative cable first. This will isolate the battery from chassis ground.

When removing the positive cable, it's easy for the socket wrench handle to make contact with nearby chassis ground and become an 'arc' welding machine.

Likewise, when installing the battery, always connect the negative cable last.

averageclk320

I appreciate the info on saving a few bucks but I bought a Mercedes with the intentions of having to spend money on maintenance. Saving $20-$40 isn't worth buying a knock off. The car has been paid off for many years.

The reason for my thread was to find out what the average life span of an OEM battery life was. Not that it's relevant to this post but I'm having some electrical issues since I changed out my front seats. I replaced my seats with CLK55 seats (same year) and ever since I'm having some issues. The seats wiring hardness are surprisely different. I'm slowly restoring my 320 and it sits parked in my garage. I haven't driven it in 1-2 months and it was completely dead when I tried to start it. It's since then been charged up but the window controls do not work that great, I have to constantly tap the button for the window to roll up or down. Determining if my battery is good is my first step in finding out my problem. Diagnosing electrical issues can very costly if charged by the hour.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Taxman1040

The one that came in my 2006 ML just died yesterday. Ran for 8 years.

SuperChargerE55

Guys guys what are you talking about
OEM Parts saving money or getting best available parts for your MB's?
Just checking hehe.. as I understant you both have totally different opionions on cars
Ill say forget saving money & OEM parts to a certain degree, but I agree is just a battery just make sure your new battery covers requirements

Personaly I dont care saving money or OEM I want only the best, else I wait until I can afford it!
dont rush on your little baby, treat her good, treat her nice, be a gentleman and she will treat you good for many many years to come..

To reply I changed my battery 2 weeks after buy hehe, no idea if anything was wrong but I just want be sure I can start when needed. You never know on a new bought car, of course straight from the shop brandnew you should worry hehehe...

Sry couldnt help myselfe