battery choice

[Buntsc]

Anybody have advice on battery choice? It's time for a new one, currently have a Bosch S4. I don't use the car every day or even sometimes every week. I was going to go with a Bosch S5 this time; I noticed Halfords offer a S5 HBS 010 which has the same dimensions as the S4 278 x 170 x 170.
It's a little more expensive than the S5 096 which Europarts and others are offering. The 096 is 77AH as opposed to 74AH for the 010. However the dimensions are 278 x 170 x 190 so it is very slightly taller. I guess this will fit OK as it seems to be the recommended type but has anyone got some wise words as I don't want to buying the wrong one.

Thanks :?:

 

[jonttt]

I've fitted the S6 AGM as my car is occasional use. Fits fine. A taller one would only affect the boot cover sitting correctly?

Costco is usually a good choice for bosche they do the S5 but not sure about S6 which I got off eBay. Varta equivalents are good as well.

 

[orangecurry]

Varta and Bosch are now the same battery/company.

I opted for a halfords Calcium in summer 2008. It's still holding charge over long periods.

 

[Pickled Piper]

I bought a Bosch S5 recently. Cheapest place I found was through Amazon from Eurocarparts. It was cheaper than going straight to Eurocarparts, even with a discount code.

Just under £79.94 delivered, with a 5 year gaurantee.

pp

 

[wfarrell]

+1 for Bosch S5 "blue top" via ECP / amazon

 

[Lig]

Hi Buntsc,

I just got one of these which i think is the same as the S5? Works a treat and a great price.

http://www.tayna.co.uk/E44-Varta-Silver-Car-Battery-577400078-P7726.html

Cheers,
Lig.

 

[Buntsc]

Thanks for all the info people.

I narrowed it down to the Bosch S5 or the Varta E44 and in the end went for the Varta.I trickle charged the original Bosch S4 which had gone flat as it still looks brand new. I am sure this battery is at least 5 years old but it holds a charge so I will keep it as back up.
I guess this is just the slow result of infrequent use and short journeys so maybe I will try to take the car out for a long run every couple of weeks.

Happy motoring

 

[GT4]

+1 for Bosch S5 "blue top" via ECP / amazon

Blue = S4

If you do need a battery, and you have no need of OPC extended vehicle warranty, get a Bosch or Varta (which is a parallel branding)

This is the biggest you can fit:

315*175*175 mm
85 Ah and 800 CCA
FIVE year warrany

Varta Silver 585 200 080 (short code F18)
=
Bosch Silver 0092 S5 010 (short code S5 010)

http://www.eurocarparts.com
(use discount code MBCLUB25 for 25% off)

http://www.carparts911.co.uk/
(911UK discount code 911uk0512 for 5% off)

Also check out eBay/Amazon.


Bosch numerically and colour code their battery technology:

Black S3 = 3 year warranty
Blue S4 = 4 year warranty
Silver S5 = 5 year warranty

 

[dapper]

I plumped for the Silver top (so S5) Bosch, I figured it was worth going up to best i could get for up to a hundred quid. Lets face it thats peanuts compared to other parts costs that these cars can attract, and when considering how many 'issues' can arise that can be low battery power related!

 

[Pickled Piper]

I plumped for the Silver top (so S5) Bosch, I figured it was worth going up to best i could get for up to a hundred quid. Lets face it thats peanuts compared to other parts costs that these cars can attract, and when considering how many 'issues' can arise that can be low battery power related!

The S5 was also the lightest IIRC. Without getting in to silly money racing batteries.

pp

 

[jonttt]

Black S3 = 3 year warranty
Blue S4 = 4 year warranty
Silver S5 = 5 year warranty

You forgot the S6 :dont know:

 

[GT4]

Black S3 = 3 year warranty
Blue S4 = 4 year warranty
Silver S5 = 5 year warranty

You forgot the S6 :dont know:

No, I didn't.

The S6 is of an alternative design technolgy (it is not the same battery line)

It uses much more expensive premium AGM Technology (Absorbent Glass Mat)

However, although it is the highest technology standard automotive battery Bosch sell (or perhaps beause of it?), the S6 only has a warranty of THREE years.

Therefore it doesn't fit into the naming convention either,

 

[wfarrell]

...what about the S7 ?

 

[GT4]

Don't float my boat.

I have a soft spot for the (early) S5 coupes though.

I always thought the rear haunches were somehow reminiscent of the Bentley coupe.

 

[richbrowne]

Hi
My 993S2 battery has given up on me so I'm now looking for the best battery to replace the existing Unipart version.

I see the max size of 315x175x175 quoted here. Would that really fit in the front of the 993? Looks a bit too big with the spare wheel etc?

Also, is the above the size of the Bosch S5?

Thanks very much for your help guys. Need to turn this around ASAP.