aficionado

Hi,

A few days ago my '98 E320 refused to start. I could guess that it had to do with the battery because the lights were really dim. This happened at home and I have another car so I didn't worry too much about it, and last night I charged it through an electrical charger. This morning I started it, and it started up fine but after work it behaved the same as few days before, but it started. So, I took the car to the local Napa auto parts store and got the battery checked out. Their tester measured the battery at 432 CCA and 12.95V, and the NAPA person said that their system recommends a new battery that does 690 CCA. So, given that context I have some questions.

1. Given the difference in CCA I am assuming that the battery does need to be changed. Are there are other factors that affect CCA?
2. The person at Napa suggested an Exide battery which costs $101.99+tax. Is this a good suggestion or are there better options?
3. Looking underneath the back seat it seems that the battery might be fairly easy to change but all the wires connected to one terminal are what make me a little nervous. Is it easy to change the battery assuming that I have the codes for the radio? I have changed the spark plugs before but never attempted a battery change.
4. I have noticed posts on this forum that suggest going with the Mercedes roadside assistance and letting them change it. Would you suggest doing that?

Thanks!

JAMES L BARNES

Go with the Mercedes battery. Road Side assistance will save you $.

ohlord

insane?Mercedes battery,are you one one of the people that lets the dealer install a 880 buck mass air sensor?Exide,sams club,shop around.79-89 bucks just make sure it is the right class battery,with the vent tube.Look at gregs210 post on benzworld.org w210 section about batteries.Road side will run you at min 150 or more,if you can do spark plugs on the benz,changing the battery could be done in your sleep.Greg even has the plan for a nine volt battery hook up,so you dont lose the radio codes and window sync.
get er done
ohlord
"GOT CODES?"

aficionado

Thanks for the info, ohlord. Luckily I have a Sams club in town and I have a membership so I will be checking that out today. For other people thinking about changing batteries here is the link to the post by gregs210.

RobertG

Going the Mercedes roadside assistance gives you the comfort of not having to go anywhere, they come to the car wherever it is and you only buy the battery oem, that belongs in there ,the road call and labor is free.
It's all a personal preference which route you go.

aficionado

I guess I am going to still at least check out how much it costs at the local Sams club. If it's close to $100 then I might just go with the MB roadside service. I don't think Sams Club will have a database of which batteries fit which car so what type of battery should I specifically ask for?

RobertG

I know that BJ's carries most common type batteries, none for Benz, not sure about Sam's club's stock.

aficionado

Does anyone know which group battery does a 1998 E320 (non-4MATIC) take? Based on the size the OEM one in there seems like a group 49 but so far I have only seen references to group 48 on the net. Any ideas?

azurE430

if you get a aftermarket battery make sure you get one with screw in maintenance caps instead of the snap in covers. original MB batteries are designed to be inside the cabin of your car in case of a accident. suppose to even be upside down without leaking battery fluid. that's why I paid the extra and got OEM.