Replacing the main battery in 2024
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 473
Likes: 241
From: New Hampshire
ML 63 AMG
Replacing the main battery in 2024
So the main battery in my ML63 isn’t doing too well. Hot starts are very sluggish. I’ve tried pulling the battery and doing a full clean up on the terminals, but I think the battery is just tired. I’ve read through the forums and it seems like most just buy a new OEM MB battery but my local mechanic works on a few M156 cars and he says you don’t need to do that, just have to learn the battery to the car with your scan tool (which I have). Just curious what the rest of you are doing here in 2024. If you’re not doing OEM, what battery are you using? Thanks! 
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 214
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From: Chicago/Serbia
2017 GLS 450,Bmw Z4 35i
Varta 95ah agm the most expensive aftermarket i could find,i do have a problem if dont drive the car enough or only do super short trips it cranks and doesnt start,now i charge it every month month and a half when the weather is nice and i drive the bmw.
Removing 4 e8 or e10 bolts that hold the seat made the battery replacement so much easier.
He was telling you to maybe register the battery so the car doesnt overcharge it or undercharge it?
Removing 4 e8 or e10 bolts that hold the seat made the battery replacement so much easier.
He was telling you to maybe register the battery so the car doesnt overcharge it or undercharge it?
Last edited by serb; Nov 1, 2024 at 11:12 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
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From: Colorado
G550
Why the reluctance to simply buy a new battery? If your existing one is 5+ years old and you're experiencing problems, just replace it. There's nothing unique about an MB OE battery except the label on it. There are plenty of aftermarket brands in the same physical size and amp-hr rating that are compatible. Most car batteries are made by three manufacturers and branded under dozens of private labels. Any auto store can test your current battery and sell you a compatible replacement for less than $250.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 473
Likes: 241
From: New Hampshire
ML 63 AMG
Originally Posted by streborx;[url=tel:9058697
9058697[/url]]Why the reluctance to simply buy a new battery? If your existing one is 5+ years old and you're experiencing problems, just replace it. There's nothing unique about an MB OE battery except the label on it. There are plenty of aftermarket brands in the same physical size and amp-hr rating that are compatible. Most car batteries are made by three manufacturers and branded under dozens of private labels. Any auto store can test your current battery and sell you a compatible replacement for less than $250.
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,158
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From: Colorado
G550
My MB OE battery died at 42 months on a cold winter day. I replaced it with an Autozone Duralast Platinum that's performed just fine for the past 21 months. Some MB batteries are located in hard to access places, such as under the driver's seat. Mine is under the floor in the cargo area, and took 30 minutes to changeout. Some owners have no idea where their battery is or what to buy, so they rely on the dealer.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 473
Likes: 241
From: New Hampshire
ML 63 AMG
Originally Posted by streborx;[url=tel:9058705
9058705[/url]]My MB OE battery died at 42 months on a cold winter day. I replaced it with an Autozone Duralast Platinum that's performed just fine for the past 21 months. Some MB batteries are located in hard to access places, such as under the driver's seat. Mine is under the floor in the cargo area, and took 30 minutes to changeout. Some owners have no idea where their battery is or what to buy, so they rely on the dealer.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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2021 GLS580 | 2011 ML350 BlueTec | 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
No need for OEM, I've put two in our 2011 thus far and they were certainly not OEM. The car has no way to know if its OEM or aftermarket it only sees the battery's voltage. I've also never reset anything. Just replace and go.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 473
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From: New Hampshire
ML 63 AMG
Just ordered up this 900 CCA, 36 month warranty, Group 49 AGM battery off Amazon. One of the rare occasions they were cheaper than RockAuto. Great deal if anyone needs a battery:
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 541
Likes: 232
2021 GLS580 | 2011 ML350 BlueTec | 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
Just ordered up this 900 CCA, 36 month warranty, Group 49 AGM battery off Amazon. One of the rare occasions they were cheaper than RockAuto. Great deal if anyone needs a battery:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,158
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From: Colorado
G550
Varta is made by Clarios, formerly Johnson Controls, one of the 3 major world manufacturers of automotive batteries. Clarios also makes Diehard and Optima brands. I have a 13 year old Optima redtop in my Jeep. I had an Optima yellowtop in my Lexus that died 2 weeks prior to its 3 year warranty expiration, but I got a free replacement. Batteries are a crap-shoot -- all you can be sure about is that a battery is fine until the day it's not!
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Joined: Apr 2011
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2021 GLS580 | 2011 ML350 BlueTec | 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
As noted above, there are only really three battery manufacturers. You got/get exceptionally long life out of yours. My OE and first replacement were 6 years which seems to be average for batteries in our vehicles and climate. Both would have likely continued to work for another year or so but I replaced them to prevent an untimely no-start condition. In fact I put the replacement into service for my backup sump pump. Will see how long it lasts as that is essentially a standby device with a float charger.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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Former R230, W220 and W221 owner
I replaced the battery on my 2010 ML350 with an interstate battery from Costco. $170.
Sidenote- Installed it myself- boy was that a challenge. I recommend two people. Use a long bar to lift the battery or a huge screwdriver to push/hold the battery up in an angle and have the 2nd person lift and pull it up.
Sidenote- Installed it myself- boy was that a challenge. I recommend two people. Use a long bar to lift the battery or a huge screwdriver to push/hold the battery up in an angle and have the 2nd person lift and pull it up.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 473
Likes: 241
From: New Hampshire
ML 63 AMG
Originally Posted by imtheking;[url=tel:9061385
9061385[/url]]I replaced the battery on my 2010 ML350 with an interstate battery from Costco. $170.
Sidenote- Installed it myself- boy was that a challenge. I recommend two people. Use a long bar to lift the battery or a huge screwdriver to push/hold the battery up in an angle and have the 2nd person lift and pull it up.
Sidenote- Installed it myself- boy was that a challenge. I recommend two people. Use a long bar to lift the battery or a huge screwdriver to push/hold the battery up in an angle and have the 2nd person lift and pull it up.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,086
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From: Melbourne, Australia
2010 ML550 VIN WDC1641722A564750, 2010 B180
When mine died I went to a service thats operated for 70 years and just changes batteries out for new ones. My dad used them since the 1950s and so have I all my life. They sold me a battery, but refused to change it out. When I did it myself, I found out why. At least we don't have Audi's that dealers charge $700 plus the battery to remove the entire front seat!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 473
Likes: 241
From: New Hampshire
ML 63 AMG
So new battery is in, and @jkaetz was right on, nothing special needed at all. I plugged in my scanner thinking I’d need to reset BMS or something, but nope. Hook up the cables and drive away. Thanks to everyone who chimed in, appreciate the help. 👍
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 473
Likes: 241
From: New Hampshire
ML 63 AMG
Originally Posted by serb;[url=tel:9063791
9063791[/url]]you should register new battery so the charging system readjusts optimally and doesnt overcharge,i did it through icarsoft device
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Former R230, W220 and W221 owner
I eventually lifted the battery up and had a friend use a long heavy duty screwdriver to continue holding it up an at angle so I grab it and pull it out.
Now that I think about it, I should have also changed the aux battery. I have no energy to do this again.
Last edited by imtheking; Nov 13, 2024 at 10:50 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,158
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From: Colorado
G550
Yea, and it was really hot outside. Not only was I sweating profusely, I cut my hands in a bunch of spots trying to wiggle the battery out because it kept slipping and getting stuck etc.....arms and back were killing me.
I eventually lifted the battery up and had a friend use a long heavy duty screwdriver to continue holding it up an at angle so I grab it and pull it out.
Now that I think about it, I should have also changed the aux battery. I have no energy to do this again.
I eventually lifted the battery up and had a friend use a long heavy duty screwdriver to continue holding it up an at angle so I grab it and pull it out.
Now that I think about it, I should have also changed the aux battery. I have no energy to do this again.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,191
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
It's been mentioned a couple times already, but if you posted in the correct forum you might see more.
Last edited by lkchris; Nov 14, 2024 at 07:00 PM.
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From: CA
11 ML550, 95 Supra TT, 14 Audi S4
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 45
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From: Calgary, AB
2008 ML550, RotorWay JetExec
The original battery in my 2008 ML 550 just became unreliable - after 17 years. How so long - every winter for about 4 weeks I use a device called a battery minder, which trickle charges and desulphates. I replaced it with a mid-line NAPA AGM battery with the same Amp-Hour capacity and CCA specs. So far it is running just fine.
I did the replacement myself and found the most difficult part was getting the back end of the old battery so its "bottom" was up above the back of the tray. This was not hard, using some elementary physics. I put a piece of 2x6 on its side laterally about 5" behind the back of the tray. Then I hooked a pry bar under the rear lifting handle of the old battery. The 2x6 was used as the fulcrum to lift the back end of the battery so, as mentioned, the bottom was out of the tray. From there, lifting it out was easy.
I did the replacement myself and found the most difficult part was getting the back end of the old battery so its "bottom" was up above the back of the tray. This was not hard, using some elementary physics. I put a piece of 2x6 on its side laterally about 5" behind the back of the tray. Then I hooked a pry bar under the rear lifting handle of the old battery. The 2x6 was used as the fulcrum to lift the back end of the battery so, as mentioned, the bottom was out of the tray. From there, lifting it out was easy.
Last edited by RussG; Jan 20, 2025 at 09:11 PM.
