My 63 had a stroke
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 80
Likes: 6
From: Perth Australia
2013 ML 350 Bluetec
My 63 had a stroke
I'll give you the short version.
Car battery failed, had it started by the automobile club but halfway home every alarm know to man came up, and the car went into limp home, lost the gauges, and managed to pull over before it cut out completely. Had it flat bedded on a truck home but it took 40 mins to get it off, gearbox locked in park and steering locked as well.
Alternator and battery are U/S, but this is the best part, new alternator $800Aus, new battery $900Aus, WTF? Must be made of unobtanium!
Waiting on alternator ex Singapore, probably looking at $3K with service
Still love my car though, brings a smile every time I turn it over..........
Car battery failed, had it started by the automobile club but halfway home every alarm know to man came up, and the car went into limp home, lost the gauges, and managed to pull over before it cut out completely. Had it flat bedded on a truck home but it took 40 mins to get it off, gearbox locked in park and steering locked as well.
Alternator and battery are U/S, but this is the best part, new alternator $800Aus, new battery $900Aus, WTF? Must be made of unobtanium!
Waiting on alternator ex Singapore, probably looking at $3K with service
Still love my car though, brings a smile every time I turn it over..........
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 637
Likes: 3
From: queensland australia
2009 C 63
I'll give you the short version.
Car battery failed, had it started by the automobile club but halfway home every alarm know to man came up, and the car went into limp home, lost the gauges, and managed to pull over before it cut out completely. Had it flat bedded on a truck home but it took 40 mins to get it off, gearbox locked in park and steering locked as well.
Alternator and battery are U/S, but this is the best part, new alternator $800Aus, new battery $900Aus, WTF? Must be made of unobtanium!
Waiting on alternator ex Singapore, probably looking at $3K with service
Still love my car though, brings a smile every time I turn it over..........
Car battery failed, had it started by the automobile club but halfway home every alarm know to man came up, and the car went into limp home, lost the gauges, and managed to pull over before it cut out completely. Had it flat bedded on a truck home but it took 40 mins to get it off, gearbox locked in park and steering locked as well.
Alternator and battery are U/S, but this is the best part, new alternator $800Aus, new battery $900Aus, WTF? Must be made of unobtanium!
Waiting on alternator ex Singapore, probably looking at $3K with service
Still love my car though, brings a smile every time I turn it over..........
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2017 Mini Cooper S Clubman ALL4 - British Racing Green
Also.. All the wildlife and bugs in Australia can kill you 
Also, regular interstate battery won't fit, you would need to modify the bracket slightly I believe. I cars have a weird shaped battery.
Also, regular interstate battery won't fit, you would need to modify the bracket slightly I believe. I cars have a weird shaped battery.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Is there any chance that the voltage regulator is a normal wear part like it is on the earlier cars? On my CLK, it wears out about every 75K miles. This link explains how to do it on a CLK. I don't see that part listed for our '09 C, so there's a good chance it's not.
Whenever an alternator itself (or starters) have failed on me, I've taken them to an electronics rebuilder. It takes them about an hour and the cost is under $100 (US naturally). The advantage to having a rebuilder do "my alternator" versus buying one at a chain store (Pep Boys, Kragen, O'Reily, etc.) is that the chain stores farm out the work to the lowest bidder. The lowest bidder fixes what's wrong, rather than installing a complete rebuild kit (regulator, brushes, rectifier, bearing).
Whenever an alternator itself (or starters) have failed on me, I've taken them to an electronics rebuilder. It takes them about an hour and the cost is under $100 (US naturally). The advantage to having a rebuilder do "my alternator" versus buying one at a chain store (Pep Boys, Kragen, O'Reily, etc.) is that the chain stores farm out the work to the lowest bidder. The lowest bidder fixes what's wrong, rather than installing a complete rebuild kit (regulator, brushes, rectifier, bearing).
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,704
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From: Denham Springs,LA
'12 C63 Black Series, '12 ML350 BlueTech
You are literally out of luck! Having that battery and alternator failing at the same time? Didn't you have some warning telling you the battery was about to give up?
Like the car was struggling to start from time to time. It could have bee an indicator
Like the car was struggling to start from time to time. It could have bee an indicator
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,556
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From: Canada
07 E63 + 07 CLK63CAB
08 car, probably the voltage regulator is at fault but the 6 year old battery was not far behind. Also probably why the regulator went out.
Last edited by Critter; Aug 20, 2014 at 09:33 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,556
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From: Canada
07 E63 + 07 CLK63CAB
Yes this is true, but as stated the 6 year old battery would be running on borrowed time. For those that get mega years out of a battery, congratulations, but with power hog cars stable voltage is necessary. Old battery is like a giant resister, hard on the alternator and hard on the starter.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,296
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From: Texas
10 C six trizzle
any signs of this going happen.... hmmmm 2008 car, most likely built in 2007 on original battery makes it 7yrs old that's the sign. a battery for our cars in u.s. is like 280$ from the dealer fyi
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Arizona
2011 C63
EDIT: doing some more research, looks like the C63 has a slightly larger AGM battery than the C300. However searching for group 49 AGM batteries online I have found them ranging from $135 for a Sears Diehard to $200 for a Bosch AGM at Pep Boys. Autozone and O'Reilly were $175 and $185 respectively.
If I had to get a battery right now I'd definitely get the Sears Diehard for $135.
Of course, one important thing to consider is replacing it when you travel, so I always select a battery that is available everywhere. I may stick with Mercedes Roadside Assistance just for that reason as long as the battery is under $200.
Last edited by glennhl; Aug 21, 2014 at 12:23 AM.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Texas
10 C six trizzle
yes they are different batteries - good edit. I cant lie though, the oem ones do hold up pretty good. I've seen the agm ones last 10yrs in some cases still trouble free. I think it just depends on how frequently its driven and the software for the battery management system not over charging it.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 609
Likes: 38
From: Arizona
2011 C63
yes they are different batteries - good edit. I cant lie though, the oem ones do hold up pretty good. I've seen the agm ones last 10yrs in some cases still trouble free. I think it just depends on how frequently its driven and the software for the battery management system not over charging it.
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Joined: Aug 2009
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C63 AMG
EDIT: doing some more research, looks like the C63 has a slightly larger AGM battery than the C300. However searching for group 49 AGM batteries online I have found them ranging from $135 for a Sears Diehard to $200 for a Bosch AGM at Pep Boys. Autozone and O'Reilly were $175 and $185 respectively.
If I had to get a battery right now I'd definitely get the Sears Diehard for $135.
If I had to get a battery right now I'd definitely get the Sears Diehard for $135.
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Canada
07 E63 + 07 CLK63CAB
In Canada a 10 year old anything battery is most likely being used as a door stop for at least 3 years. Extreme heat as well as extreme cold effect the life of any battery. Anything after 5years is borrowed time and most likely is causing further issues with the electrical/electronics of the car. Think of a watch battery, they say replace every year, you do not then one day time stops. Usually a car battery will fail at the most inopportune time.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Houston, Texas - USA
2009 C63 AMG
Probably, the C Class and most MB's have longer than average battery life because its in the trunk away from the heat of the engine. Here in Houston, my other cars might need replacing after 2-3 years because its so hot, even after you turn your car off. So I can see the battery lasting 6 years in the C63. I'm still on my original and I bought the car in the fall of 08.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,296
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From: Texas
10 C six trizzle
The normal non amg c-class's have the batteries under the hood under the cabin air intake but this is where the ecu is on our cars. I think it really has more to do with the crazy battery management. They will intentionally discharge the battery not using the alternator to an extent. Then whenever coasting or braking it will turn the alternator back on to aid in recharging without using fuel. Also special relays that open up to prevent battery draining from certain accessories. I've never had much luck with optima's. The bluetop marine ones are supposed to be the best. I also believe interstate is involved with supplying the benz batteries. If your trying to save weight id go with a lithium ion battery to not sacrifice power output, but those are going to run you a good 1k$-3k$. the sls black series comes with one from the factory to shave off about 40lbs. The LI batteries are also supposed to last close 10yrs when properly maintainted.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 80
Likes: 6
From: Perth Australia
2013 ML 350 Bluetec
Thanks for all the replies guys appreciate it.
Car is still in hospital, alternator needs to come from Singapore
Obviously the battery is unique in shape, long and relatively thin (compared to normal). I didn't get much warning, battery alarm came up, I parked the car to go get a coffee, came out and no joy it was dead.
Pretty good run for a battery 6 years, being in the boot helps heaps.
Perhaps the cells contain unobtanium, pretty rare stuff!
Car is still in hospital, alternator needs to come from Singapore
Obviously the battery is unique in shape, long and relatively thin (compared to normal). I didn't get much warning, battery alarm came up, I parked the car to go get a coffee, came out and no joy it was dead.
Pretty good run for a battery 6 years, being in the boot helps heaps.
Perhaps the cells contain unobtanium, pretty rare stuff!
