I bought a new 1980 300D when they came out, and it would not start worth a darn below 0f. I just let it run all night. The batteries that came with the cars when purchased just were not as good as today's batteries.

I just bought a new Interstate Battery (for my 1983 240D)that I want to highlight. It is called the MEGA-TRON PLUS 93 (Interstate Product ID MTP-93), and it is a mega-tron. When first installed, I turned the key, and my warning buzzer about blew me into the back seat. It was probably 3 times louder. The battery has 1000 amps and 850 cold cranking amps. If there is a better one, let me know.

Firestone sells the battery for about $129 + installation (Chicago area). They sell it as the MT-93 on their books (don't know what cars it fits, but check before you buy). Here is the link with info:

http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_eStore/Content.aspx?dsNav=Arpp~12,A~Part+Number,N~21-2147384761-4294490516-4294492617-2147384903,Nr~AND(P_unique_id%3aMTP-93%7cMercedes-Benz_240D%7c1983_Standard+Battery_L4%2f2.4L)

will not start
will not turn over

Any new battery will always give the owner supreme confidence that he made the correct decision. It's sort of like a new car..........nobody walks out of the showroom and states "Wow, my 20 year old M/B is better than that car."

That being said, there is nothing magical about Interstate. They don't make any batteries. They do a fantastic job of marketing, however, and they convince the public that their battery is better than others. It isn't. It just costs more. There was a fellow on here that actually worked for Interstate and he walked away silently when we noted that they don't make batteries. Even the employees are clueless.

The Autozone Duralast with an 84 month battery is just as good and you can probably get it for about $100.

What's the current warranty on the Interstate? At one time it was a prorated 84 months, but might not be as high anymore.

If a battery lasts seven years on a diesel, it's done it's job for you.

Got a group 49 at Autozone for $84 a couple of weeks ago.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Terrific price.

A year ago, the new battery for the SD was over $100. here. Got eight years from the first one.........cannot complain.

There have been a lot of changes in battery warranty policies in the last couple of years. Pro-rata warranties have largely been eliminated. When I needed a battery last year, Advance was the only source that still offered a prorated warranty.

If buying from Advance, discount code A124 will slice $40 off a diesel battery. Order online, pick up at store.

I just took a look at that and, unfortunately, it's correct.

So much for Autozone............they just lost me as a customer. If the battery goes three years, you're toast.

The napa legend costing 140 is pretty good, it claims 1080 CA and 185 RC - which is very impressive, Recently helped a guy install it in his BMW E39.

The pep boys Bosch is 1000 CA and 120 RC (?) IMO its pretty strange.

The advance autoparts autocraft gold is very good too - cheap to boot. Interstate are good but a great deal higher in price. - compared to the Advance auto one its nearly double in retail.

Interstate Battery Systems of Houston is selling grp 93 blem items for 60 bucks a pop with 3 months warranty - I have used one of it in an altima and its pretty good, but a recent purchase by my FIL for his van made him go 4 times in a month to get a replacement. The last he got pretty much looked like a new one.


For your diesel get the closest to the factory specs which speaks of both CA and RC, and if anything goes beyond 5 years in service, you are at point zero in loss - as you got the max life out of it.

__________________
2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

Five years is not the maximum life of a battery. And I won't even ask what "point zero in loss" means.

There are only 2 or 3 compaines in the U.S. that actually manufacter automotive battieries, Exide, Delphi and Johnson Controls, the rest have good marketing plans.

__________________
'85 F250 6.9L diesel 2wd XL XC LB Centurion, Gone
'95 Mercedes E 300 Diesel W124.131 with a OM606.910 and just over 200k on the clock, needs top end engine work and a transmission.
2000 S500 W220 with a 5.0L V8 gas power.

I have noticed in my last 20 or so years working on trucks most batteries only last 3 to 5 years, and thats if the truck has a good charging system.

__________________
'85 F250 6.9L diesel 2wd XL XC LB Centurion, Gone
'95 Mercedes E 300 Diesel W124.131 with a OM606.910 and just over 200k on the clock, needs top end engine work and a transmission.
2000 S500 W220 with a 5.0L V8 gas power.

That doesn't necessarily mean that they are all made to the same standard or specifications.

__________________
2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

My Interstate battery has a 2-1/2 year free replacement and 6 years prorated.

The Duralast at Autozone, online, for $129 has a 2 year warranty, period, and unless you want to spend more ($169.99), the best one was 5 years prorated.

My 240D doesn't turn over, it just starts instantly; not much wear and tear on the battery.

lol

Rick in Chicago

Starting quickly is good; starting instantly is impossible.

Brian, I like my 30 year old 240D better than that car in the showroom. I am getting well over 500 miles per tank on the road and over 400 driving it a mile here and there. Insurance $125 per year, $600 in fuel last year, and zero maintenance for 2012.

And to all, don't confuse Cranking Amps (CA) with Cold Cranking Amps (CCA).

And, when you learn not to speak in a demeaning fashion, then you can quote Mark Twain.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Tell that to my car.