MB vs Aftermarket Battery?
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Joined: May 2019
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Glk 250 2015
MB vs Aftermarket Battery?
Hi Folks,
My battery is losing it's peppiness. I contacted MB and their price for a new one seems really high. ($850 Can) with installation. At Canadian Tire, which is our big all purpose hardware chain, the price is ($350 Can) with installation. Is it okay to get an aftermarket battery rather than a really expensive MB battery? Would an aftermarket battery mess with the computer system or anything like that?
Any thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks!
Chad
2015 GLK 250
My battery is losing it's peppiness. I contacted MB and their price for a new one seems really high. ($850 Can) with installation. At Canadian Tire, which is our big all purpose hardware chain, the price is ($350 Can) with installation. Is it okay to get an aftermarket battery rather than a really expensive MB battery? Would an aftermarket battery mess with the computer system or anything like that?
Any thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks!
Chad
2015 GLK 250
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
1.) Mercedes doesn't make their own batteries.
2.) An AGM type battery is the thing to get.
3.) Any name brand AGM battery of the same group will be fine.
4.) If you're strong enough, and have basic mechanical ability, you can change it yourself.
I bought an Odyssey battery from FCP Euro for about $250 USD and installed it myself. Took about 20 minutes. Lifetime warranty from FCP.
2.) An AGM type battery is the thing to get.
3.) Any name brand AGM battery of the same group will be fine.
4.) If you're strong enough, and have basic mechanical ability, you can change it yourself.
I bought an Odyssey battery from FCP Euro for about $250 USD and installed it myself. Took about 20 minutes. Lifetime warranty from FCP.
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From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
Can you expand on the meaning of "peppiness"?
Side-note:
I bought a new Auxiliary battery from the local auto parts store (it's a US nationwide chain), with lifetime warranty.
We still have the original main battery in our 2014 GLK350 base. I'll buy again from the local auto parts when the main battery dies.
I have a BatteryMINDer Plus trickle charger that I rotate between all vehicles every 3-4 weeks - good for extending the life of a battery and to test its health.
Side-note:
I bought a new Auxiliary battery from the local auto parts store (it's a US nationwide chain), with lifetime warranty.
We still have the original main battery in our 2014 GLK350 base. I'll buy again from the local auto parts when the main battery dies.
I have a BatteryMINDer Plus trickle charger that I rotate between all vehicles every 3-4 weeks - good for extending the life of a battery and to test its health.
Last edited by calder-cay; Jan 22, 2024 at 07:00 PM.
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From: Lac Ste. Marie, Quebec
2006 Alfa Romeo Brera, 2010 GLK350, 2018 BMW 640i GT, 1997 Subaru SVX, 2012 Moto Guzzi Norge GT8V
The Canadian Tire battery will be fine. They'll keep the old one and refund the $20 core charge. AGM 94R for $327.99.
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2015 GLK 250 Bluetec
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Glk 250 2015
Hey Calder-Cay,
Great point about the peppiness. I should have mentioned a few other things too.
5 days ago on a very cold morning it took about 5-6 seconds to turn over.
When it did a warning came up about the run flat tires and it said it was now inoperable.
I started it again and the traction control indicator came up with the engine light. The car was running but I couldn't get out of the park gear.
I started it again and I had control of the gears but the engine light was still up.
I used my OBD tool and I got a U0416 code (invalid data received from vehicle dynamics control module) then I erased the code.
I figured I got that from the weak battery start up.
So that's why I'm looking for a Battery.
For 5 days the car has had no more warnings or engine light. Still a little sluggish starting though.
Do you think it might be more than the battery?
Chad
Great point about the peppiness. I should have mentioned a few other things too.
5 days ago on a very cold morning it took about 5-6 seconds to turn over.
When it did a warning came up about the run flat tires and it said it was now inoperable.
I started it again and the traction control indicator came up with the engine light. The car was running but I couldn't get out of the park gear.
I started it again and I had control of the gears but the engine light was still up.
I used my OBD tool and I got a U0416 code (invalid data received from vehicle dynamics control module) then I erased the code.
I figured I got that from the weak battery start up.
So that's why I'm looking for a Battery.
For 5 days the car has had no more warnings or engine light. Still a little sluggish starting though.
Do you think it might be more than the battery?
Chad
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An auto parts store can load test a battery. Chances are, it will fail! I could tell past batteries were getting weak when the glow plugs took a few seconds to start the engine. With a strong battery, starting is almost instant, even in freezing weather. Make sure you get the right size battery for your GLK250, it is known as H7 or BCI Group 94R. Sometimes a battery shop will try to sell you a smaller battery, which are ok for gas engines but not as good for a diesel. I've had good luck with my Odyssey H7 battery, but I see there is also an Optima H7 Yellowtop now.
Last edited by Discod; Jan 22, 2024 at 07:57 PM.
Thread Starter
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Glk 250 2015
Thanks Discod! That gives me a great subjective sense of the state of my battery. It's 9 years old and on it's way. I also like the heads up about H7 or BCI Group 94R. I know what toi look out for now.
Thanks man!
Chad
Thanks man!
Chad
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
My 2014 has had (at least) three batteries, including the Odyssey. The first was MB as was the (newer) one that was in it when I bought it. The Odyssey went in at the 8 year mark (two years ago.)
Last edited by John CC; Jan 23, 2024 at 06:49 PM.
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2015 GLK 250 Bluetec
Shipping a battery to Canada would likely be very expensive. They only have free shipping in the US.
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From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
If you didn’t get a battery yet call FCP euro. They have what Is rated the Best battery and they offer lifetime warranty
Even though some suppliers might not charge shipping, it's a PITA to wait on shipping (for a battery), and if something goes rwong with the new battery, NOW you gotta wait AGAIN for the new battery, and have the ship the orig back.
I'd rather drive up to my local (nationwide) auto parts, and have the new battery RIGHT THEN and there.
I did this with the Aux battery. Drove up, bought the battery - I actually installed it in the parking lot in under 10 minutes, and on the road.
Have done a "battery gone bad" swap with the Jeep ... simply drove up where I bought it, and swapped it for a new one, and 30 minutes later, back on the road.
And let's say you're on a road trip and the battery goes kaput ... if using a nationwide local supplier, you'll have a less dramatic battery swap vs an online store.
And yes, my local parts store offers "lifetime" warranty on the batteries I buy, just like FCPEuro, without the shipping headache.
Last edited by calder-cay; Jan 26, 2024 at 05:09 PM.
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
What local nation wide auto parts store gives a lifetime warranty on batteries? When I was shopping for the GLK (fortunately, not urgent...) I sure didn't encounter anyone with an offer like that!
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
I just stumbled on some info from 2020 stating that Canadian Tire had just switched suppliers for their AGM Motomaster batteries. The new supplier was East Penn. If that is still the case, they make top shelf batteries.
