Car battery brands?

[DevonPaul]

I foolishly left the car stood for a month with the battery not isolated.

On my return it was at 10V. I charged it for 4 hours, the car started and ran OK, but after another 3 weeks (this time with the battery isolated) it wouldn't even turn over - just clicks from the solenoid.

The battery is a LION brand fitted 4 years ago when I got the car, and has been flattened a couple of times, so no surprise it isn't happy.

Looking at the options, there is a Genuine one at around £300(!), but back in the real world there are a range from Yuasa and Varta (and Halfords)

Halfords standard Lead Acid has similar specs to the LION at £65.
Yuasa 1096 is a similar price.

I'm thinking the V8 needs a bit more encouragement than a transit or a Seat (albeit they are diesels) so was looking at..

Yuasa 3096 is about £70
Varta Blue about £75
Varta Silver £80
Yuasa 5096 is about £95.
Also the Yuasa black lifetime for about £150

Then there are the stop/start batteries, and the calcium ones (the latter which I gather need a higher charging voltage and might upset some delicate electrics?)

Does anyone have any comments about any to avoid?

thanks

Paul

 

[casadalloro]

Think i have Yuasa...its fine but when in the garage its on a trickle charger....

Only need stop start if car has it..they are really tempremental... wifes Mito it never kicks in..and stop/start bats really expensive....
Also NEVER jump start a stop start car. Youll fry the stop start system.....

 

[CatmanV2]

Bosch Silver S5. From Ebay for <£100. Will do you proud.

C

 

[mjheathcote]

Bosch Silver S5. From Ebay for <£100. Will do you proud.

C

Yes, I had an S5 in my Elise, I have an S5 in my Stag, and also the Maser.
Excellent batteries.

LION is a cheapo brand, I know, I bought a pair to replace the batteries that got nicked from our pickup truck last week, and didn't want to spend anymore in case they got nicked again!!

 

[CatmanV2]

Yes, I had an S5 in my Elise, I have an S5 in my Stag, and also the Maser.
Excellent batteries.

LION is a cheapo brand, I know, I bought a pair to replace the batteries that got nicked from our pickup truck last week, and didn't want to spend anymore in case they got nicked again!!

4200 and again in the GT

C

 

[Wack61]

If you have a costco membership they're only sell bosch which is enough for me as everything I've ever bought from Costco has been fine

 

[CatmanV2]

If you have a costco membership they're only sell bosch which is enough for me as everything I've ever bought from Costco has been fine

Indeed. I should consider renewing my membership

C

 

[outrun]

Bosch or OEM. You can often get a discount on Bosch if you buy from Eurocarparts on Ebay via click/collect. For some reason, it's cheaper that way than just going in to a branch.

 

[Wack61]

Indeed. I should consider renewing my membership

C

A number of them have petrol stations at 6-8ppl cheaper , I use £100 of diesel a week , luckily there's one just off the m6 southbound so easy to nip in to

 

[cheshiremaserati]

I can recommend Bosch or Varta (which is owned by Bosch). Make sure you fit one of the physical dimensions in the space available. Avoid calcium battery.

Go for not just Amp Hour but importantly Cold Cramping Amps (CCA). The higher the CCA the better.

The S5 has a 5 year warranty. The S4 has 4 years

The battery terminal will list the week and year of manufacture as 3416 (week 34 2016) so you can see how old the stock is.

I don't know where a S5 can be had for <£100. From time to time Euro Car Parts will gave a sale price on Bosch batteries at £110.
Standard price is £150 or thereabouts.

Check price on Car Parts for Less (web arm of Euro Car Parts trading only on the web) as well as the ECP web site forvweb and store customers.

I have the GS on trickle charge all the time to keep the battery topped up. A couple of deep discharges and cold weather can kill it.
Also the Turbo (even though I fitted a new Bosch S5 last autumn). These cars really need a life support system provided by a good trickle charger.

 

[CatmanV2]

A number of them have petrol stations at 6-8ppl cheaper , I use £100 of diesel a week , luckily there's one just off the m6 southbound so easy to nip in to

Yeah. 20 mile drive to our nearest one which mostly wipes out any savings

C

 

[RobinL]

Try looking at Tayna UK (I have no commercial interest) I have used them before for mail order and they are spot on - great advice and a huge range of compatible brands - enter manufacturer and model and you get the list! www.tayna.co.uk

 

[Tufan]

Varta is owned by Johnson Controls and probably worth checking.

 

[cheshiremaserati]

As far as I know Bosch owns Varta unless they are both owned by Johnson Controls.

 

[DevonPaul]

Thanks all,

nearest Costco is about 80 miles North I think in Bristol.

Bosch S5 096 from Eurocarparts on their main site is is £174, but with the special discount code it comes down to £122.

On their Ebay shop it says lists at £146 but is on offer at £95.

Oddly it says it does not fit a GS, but I thought a 096 was the correct battery?

Palu

 

[cheshiremaserati]

It may be suitable from Amp Hour and CCA.
But check the physical dimensions of your GS battery. I have a Bosch S5 fitted in the Turbo. When I see the battery size and the space in the boot for the GS battery, the GS one looks smaller as does the overall space for the battery. I think the S5 is 175mm wide from memory. The current GS battery appears smaller at circa 155mm.

 

[conaero]

I had to put a new battery in mine when I bought it three years ago. I picked up a cheap one from a place round the corner and did the same in my Spyder and after 3 years it's just starting to show signs of slowing down but it will do another year.

Realistically 3 years is all you can expect from a battery so I would just but another cheap one in.

 

[Tufan]

As far as I know Bosch owns Varta unless they are both owned by Johnson Controls.

2 different companies. Johnson Control is the largest car battery producer as they claim. I know the fact because I know the GM of Varta car batteries in Turkey. Here some links.

http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/batteries/lead-acid-batteries/battery-brands

https://www.tayna.co.uk/Varta-Batteries

And what is recommended for GS:
https://www.varta-automotive.com/en...078|570+901+076|&rec_etn=577+400+078|&ss_etn=

I currently have Bosch S4 and also will have to make a decision soon. Didn't know the original battery was smaller because it was a real though job to take out to check last time.

 

[CatmanV2]

I put an S5 in my 4200 with no real issues.

C

 

[rockits]

I use Bosch Silver S5's in most cars I have changed batteries in of late. Always work fine, 5 year warranty and if bought well not silly dear.