Anyone know about Bosch batteries? Are these the same?

[MitchT]

I need a new battery for my car. I currently have this one ...



I want the same again and have located a couple of local suppliers, however, the ones they have are pictured as follows ...



These are the same in that they are 'S4 004', but different in that they don't say 'Silver' on them. Have Bosch changed the labeling or are these two different types of battery?

[Ean218]

Part numbers look the same.

[Defcon5]

They are identical, just different labels

[TooMany2cvs]

004 is the fitment. If you get an 004 battery - no matter the manufacturer or position within their range - it's the "right battery".

S4 is the position within Bosch's range - mid-range.
http://uk.bosch-automotive.com/en/parts_and_access...
Basically, how long a warranty do you want on it?

[MitchT]

Thanks for the replies. I wondered if the 'Silver' and the four stars on my current one were indicative of some superior level of quality. If it's simply labeling that's been superseded then that's fine. I do wish companies wouldn't mess about with their labeling though as people like me who don't know what they're doing just end up confused!

[silver1011]

Bosch batteries are made by Varta.

Save yourself the best part of £20 and buy the Varta instead.

The Bosch S5 is the Varta E44 with very expensive stickers.

[Hainey]

silver1011 said:

Bosch batteries are made by Varta.

Save yourself the best part of £20 and buy the Varta instead.

The Bosch S5 is the Varta E44 with very expensive stickers.

I didn't know that, thanks

[Funkstar De Luxe]

Hainey said:

I didn't know that, thanks

Whoa, be careful here. Just because Vitara manufactures them does not mean they are the same. Manufacturers have different products for each customer.

[MitchT]

My local supplier is currently doing a hefty discount on the Bosch one anyway

[Ozzie Osmond]

Those are both S4 range from Bosch,

"The S4 is an all-around battery focused on mid-size car segment with average number of electrical consumers."

https://www.boschautoparts.com/en/auto/passenger-b...

People who tell you batteries which look the same are the same are talking cobblers. The shape of the battery case tells you little about the quality of the plates or even their physical size. Many cheap batteries simply skimp on the amount of lead they contain.

[addz86]

Don't bother with a Bosch and but Yuasa instead, Bosch are crap I had nothing but trouble with them when we sold them

[Ozzie Osmond]

I've just replaced a pair of Bosch batteries at 10 years old as a precautionary measure - purely because of their age and the fact colder weather is coming. Both still worked fine at time of replacement.

[MitchT]

Mine's pushing nine years old and has only gone flat because I don't make much use of the car. I'm changing it as it seems sensible at this age. Based on my own experience I can't say a bad word about Bosch.

[Cold]

They both appear to be 540A and 60Ah, so bung it in and switch the car on.

[MitchT]

Yep, all the numbers match. I just wondered if 'Silver' was some kind of premium spec or if they'd just changed the labels.