My 2000 E430 Sport is now 4 years old with 33,000 miles on it. What is everyone's experience with battery life? Should I go ahead and replace it now before it goes dead? Do the factory batteries last a long time? I usually replace my factory batteries with the Interstate brand. Do they make them for our cars? How about the Optima batteries? Let me hear from everyone!

 

When you find that your battery will discharge within less than a week of not driving... you should think about changing the battery.

If you still have warranty, call up roadside and have the chump replace your battery for free. Otherwise, either Optima Red/Yellow top is pretty good.

 

Battery life is usually based upon calender time in normal service. Why not be pro-active and replace it in the near future. 4 to 5 years is normal life. Why risk getting stuck somewhere?? FYI, Interstate is not a battery manufacturer, but a battery marketing Co. Their batteries I believe are made for them by Johnson Controls. they are OK but by far not the best. I would go with an OEM.

 

I recently replaced my battery with an Optima Red top. I posted a pic on this forum.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/foru...165528&posts=4


I noticed that the starter was sounding slight slower and then I tried the headlight trick. I left the headlights on for about 5 minutes, the car would no longer crank over. I checked the battery water and charged the battery overnight with a 10 amp charger. The car would start, but if I tried the headlight trick again, it would no longer turn over. I know, it is not very scientific, but just the load of the lights was enough to not start the car.

 

I replaced mine last year with an Interstate battery. The specs were slightly higher than the OEM battery and they cost a bit less.

 

yeah, definatly change it if you already haven't. Mine died about a year ago when I was out and about, just took 3 hours of my time waiting for the MB service tech to show up and replace.

Could have spent that time doing surfing!

 

My interstate has been running great and I've changed it a year ago. Since then I've totally discharged the battery by leaving the interior light on for a week while away on a trip. And last night outside in 30 degree weather I tried to start my diesel after replacing the fuel filter and it was able to crank a long time before it didn't have enough juice to keep cranking. Don't forget 21:1 compression and cranking for 30 seconds straight....

Although LightMan did also post about a battery and many recommended to get an OEM due to the venting capabilty. There is a tube that runs to the floor that connects to a specific spot on the battery to help vent the hydrogen gas that supposedly forms... My Interstate doesn't have that vent and I'm not worried. But when I get another battery I'll try to get one with the vent for safe measure.