Best Battery?

[tigertiger]

The battery is on its way out so I'm looking for a replacement.

Best Options appear to be (in order of cost)

1) Optima, 730cc,45Ah,229x162x195mm,~£100 delivered

2) Delphi,640cc,70Ah, 277x175x175mm,~£79 delivered

3) Varta,570cc,70Ah, 260x173x225mm, ~£72 (local)

4) Numax ,550cc,50Ah,266x175x220mm, ~53.5 delivered

Going to climb into the footwell tonight to see if they will fit.


Does anyone have any experience of these or any better units? I intend to keep my car for a few years yet so don't mind paying a bit more for better performance..

[Cider Andy]

If you drive your car regularly and the charging system is always in good order any battery should last for years: personally I wouldn't worry about the price. The last battery I bought (a heavy duty unit for a 2-litre Mondeo) was still going strong four years (and 99,000 miles) later when I sold the car. It cost me £25 (albeit it was purchased from a motor factor at cost).

[chris-tvr]

i read a test in a classic car magazine the other day which reckoned the optima was the best buy from those tested, i think it might have been practical classics last month
chris

[Ribol]

Just get any 072 battery, the more expensive ones are no better.

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Cider Andy said:

If you drive your car regularly and the charging system is always in good order any battery should last for years: personally I wouldn't worry about the price. The last battery I bought (a heavy duty unit for a 2-litre Mondeo) was still going strong four years (and 99,000 miles) later when I sold the car. It cost me £25 (albeit it was purchased from a motor factor at cost).

Funny, I`ve got a 2-litre mondeo one in mine too, I work for ford so it only cost me £20. my original one lasted 5 years so can`t complain! Halfords wanted £80 for an 072 battery.

[richb]

That Optima one seems weak at 45ah.

[tigertiger]

Plumped for the Varta 570-138-057 Asia Dynamic on Offord's recommendation (size 069)

Paid Halford's prices it would appear but I need it today as the Chim barely started this morning.

[tigertiger]

Fitted the new battery this evening - what a difference. Only took 35mins too including cleaning up the clamps and the 100A fuse.

Have read the bible I thought it was going to be a bit of a struggle but it's quite straightforward really.

The old battery was the original making it 6 years old - is this some kind of record?