BATTERIES: OEM or aftermarket?
 

Ok folks... I've been wrenching a long time and it's never crossed my mind to ask if a car battery should be replaced with OEM only, but this car (recent addition to my fleet) has so many electronics and a dedicated consumers unit, that I thought there MIGHT be a reason one way or the other to use a certain battery. Anyone got anything for me?

Drop in a high quality (read: Not the cheapest crap you can find at the gas station) battery and be done.. Do the same with the auxiliary battery in the engine compartment if it is old, and you'll be way ahead of most electrical glitches these cars show (with crappy batteries). When I bought my Benz (3?) years ago it had a new battery in it from the used car dealer. It was a junk battery from the day it was made, and I replaced it within a year with a Duracell. The Aux battery was the original one, according to the date on it. Replaced it as well (forgot what brand) and I've had no issues since. It's nice to have the consumer conveniences still working on sub zero days.

AGM vs Lead Acid is a whole 'nuther can of discussion.

When the engine is on the electronics run off the alternator... so battery just becomes a load to alternator to get charged...

Now with that (DUMB) ECO mode thing that kills the engine at stops.... then you need good battery to ensure voltage is high enough for all them computers and also start engine when you take foot off brake.

I do not use ECO so not worried about that issue...

SO anyold decent AGM battery is fine
AGM is like Ultima but most autoparts stores have their own version of AGM ... think DIEHARD PLatinum.

Go with OEM on this one, or a quality AGM from somewhere else.

+1 good quality AGM and I would personally go OEM on the SBC battery because... brakes.

You do realize that MB doesn't actually make batteries and that there's only a few companies in the US that make batteries right?

Right now I'd go with a Pepboys AGM battery, They have the Champion for $157 or the Bosch for $176 and they come with a 4 year warranty. Probably slightly cheaper at Advance Auto or Autozone but they only come with a 3 year warranty. MB's standard warranty on parts is 2 years.

Also you might want to throw it on a charger once in a while. I never bothered, but the battery died once and after charging it up, it displayed a higher voltage for a few weeks than it normally did. Alternator may not fully charge the battery and a fully charged battery lasts longer than one that's partially charged.

Do you think the original main battery was made in Germany? I paid 170 something at the dealer, but if it's not imported it may not be a ten year battery like the first one.

I went with a duralast from Autozone. Good warranty and perfect drop-in size.

I think mine was a Varta battery which is owned by Johnson Controls, they're one of the main producers of batteries although I think they just sold their battery division so who knows if things will be better or worse.

Go with OEM MB batteries. I got mine at https://www.mbpartsprime.com/ and it arrived fast and conveniently to my door. I'm very happy with the online deal I got.

are the only AGM batteries offered from our cars OEM? the big battery in our trunk is an AGM right?

i do have to say that the OEM Mercedes battery lasts a very long time.

Pepboys, Advance Auto, Autozone are all AGM batteries. Other places like Sam's club or Walmart might not be AGM. They're usually a little cheaper but AGM is supposed to last longer.

thank you. was curious since i just had AAA replace my battery and didn't know what they put in. after calling them they mentioned they use Interstate batteries so this is what was installed. FYI...AAA installs batteries to your car if the battery has gone flat. The price they offer is cheaper than retail.

Battery results for 2007/Mercedes-Benz/E63 AMG/V8/6.3L/Standard (2) (1)

PREMIUM
MTX-49 H8
https://www.interstatebatteries.com/...F6C8F71A328794
36 month free replacement warranty and long life performance
900 Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)

Group Size H8

Interstate’s MTX absorbed glass-mat (AGM) battery will meet or exceed your car’s starting requirements while delivering premium battery performance to power all your accessories and plug ins.

Suggested Retail Price
$202.95

I will simply say this, does a AGM battery last 11 yrs? My OEM battery did, just replaced it this year. :y
Now if you can get 11 yrs out of an AGM, then I would say buy it. But if not, stick to OEM.

You do realize that Pepboys sells the Champion 900CCA AGM for $157.49 and it comes with a 4 year warranty right?

https://www.pepboys.com/champion-agm...roduct/2071679

Of course that doesn't include installation.

Mine is at 11 years too and it's still OEM. There's no reason to stick to OEM because MB doesn't make batteries. There's actually very few companies that make batteries. Johnson Controls and East Penn are probably the two largest and they slap their name on a bunch of different brand batteries. MB only gives you a 2 year warranty. The 4 years on a battery from Pepboys probably only matters if you're in a hot state like Texas where the heat will fry the battery, but in colder states, it probably doesn't matter.

battery life is blackjack...

somtimes ya win and somtimes ya lose...
too many variables to say one lasts longer or buy another MB battery and get the same life...

Pure luck....
Temp, drains, charging all kill batteries.... and they do not last forever as they are always getting weaker....

:thankyou: Point well taken. Well whom ever made my battery, made it to last.
As a typical no maintenance battery just doesn't last for 11 years, and my Mercedes branded battery did. :zoom:

Ha Ha, that got me laughing. Just to clarify, both OEM batteries are AGM. Interstate does make one for the higher amp load cars like ours but you have to special order it. The advantages of an AGM are no corrosion around the battery box, longer life, higher amp load for times like when the car is on but not running, and you don't get acid all over when some nut smashes into you. If you're the nut, both batteries are pretty well protected in a crash.

Car manufacturers hardly make half the components of the car. The M272/3 issue is a great example. They used several different suppliers for the cog and one got the metallurgy wrong. With oem parts you are at least guaranteed the correct product, the correct variation of said product and from likely the most reliable manufacturer... most of the time, obviously not in the case above. Sometimes it is well known where it comes from, other times not so much and you pay $$ for it.

Out of curiosity (my car is only 5 yrs old) I looked for a battery for ML 350 Bluetec and the cheapest I've seen is sold by Walmart $119.99

Last time I checked Walmart doesn't sell AGM batteries. Those other prices mentioned are AGM batteries which was OEM. Those Walmart batteries are just regular lead acid batteries. You could use it, but it probably won't last as long. I rather pay a little more to have one last a bit longer and not have to worry about it again. I suppose I should just get a new battery as I probably won't have the car in 11 years, but I'm kinda curious how long the battery is going to last. I just keep an eye on it. On the W211, you can see the voltage of the battery by pressing the reset button 3 times when the car is not running but switched on and is at the temperature display.

I see, I didn't know that has to be AGM...the system showed me as compatible for my car the $119.99 one.

Anyway, it looks like they carry an AGM type to for $30 more.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart...up-h8/40647529

Yeah, that one is out of stock and I never see it in stock at the local stores.

Not bad if you ever find it, 5 year warranty which is better than most stores.