Battery Recommendation?

[renold458]

So this winter in RI has not been kind to my poor battery so it'll be soon till I need to get a new one. I don't want to go with anything super high end but I want something that'll hold its own when the going gets tough. I've never really shopped around for a battery before so this new to me so I ask for any varying opinions. AAA wanted to charge me 180 for their battery for my car so I looked around a bit first, I've mostly heard things about Optima batteries, but I have no idea about fitment and installation (for any battery really). If it helps I do plan on installing better audio equipment and do live in a state that can see some pretty cold weather. Thanks for the help!

[pinalloy.com]

What is your budget

[Luxus Panzer]

1.8t or 3.0

Put the 3.0 size bettery in either way ;)

[old guy]

Actually an OEM battery is a pretty good choice for both performance and cost. Read post #4 and #6. Clicky click®

[Seerlah]

Optima sucks. Had my redtop replaced 3 times under warranty, till it crapped the bed out of warranty a few monghs ago. Redtops hate cold weather and what did my battery in each and every time. Yellowtop would have been the way to go, but Optima by itself left a very bad taste in my mouth.

Many seem to like Die Hard batteries. I was contemplating the Die Hard Platinum route. But as for the replacement I chose, cheap Walmart one with a 5 year warranty. After a while you just stop caring (aka no longer give a f*ck) and only care for warranty. I look at it like $100 for 5 years. Deal...I'm sold!

[SJorge3442]

I have an Advance Auto brand battery right now. Its a Group 49a (?) and I can't get it to charge above 12.2v . I had an argument with the counter person yesterday when I was picking up an online order of spark plugs and I walked out, otherwise I would have had them see if they would replace my battery. I think it has a few dead cells or something, cause there is no reason for it to only reach 12.2v otherwise. Alternator is good on my end too.

[tHatOne guY]

I'd recommend the Optima RedTop as I had one last 7 years... however I am in Arizona so not really cold here in Phx but the summer is blistering hot for 3 months. I have heard ever since Optima moved it's manufacturing to Mexico quality has taken a nose dive.

If not Optima brand, go with something constructed of Absorbed Glass Mat especially for use in the cold.

[maurizio]

OEM

[chris@fifteen52]

Interstate batteries are the best.

[y0itzflip]

so yellow tops aren't recommended? I want to replace mine soon and that's what I was leaning towards.

[renold458]

What is your budget

I guess around the price of that AAA one, just unsure if those are good. I only know they have a 6 year warranty and that's it.

1.8t or 3.0

Put the 3.0 size bettery in either way ;)

Actually an OEM battery is a pretty good choice for both performance and cost. Read post #4 and #6. Clicky click®

Old Guy coming in strong as always. Think it'll handle a couple of upgrades like an amp and a sub? Realistically even then that's not seriously important, I just don't want to be stuck in the cold again! Nice write ups on that though so I'll contact the Audi dealer in my area and I'll inquire about that battery.

For everyone else as I don't want to make this post super long, thanks for the input! So stay away from Advanced and "maybe" the RedTops. So far I am looking at the DieHard, YellowTop, anything AGM (Thanks one guy), Interstate, and of course OEM.

[jesse500]

Costco

[renold458]

Costco

I've heard of those! There's just not a Costco near me :/ closest being an hour drive away. Are they that worth it?

[old guy]

It's not all that unusual for an OEM battery to go 8 or more years. be sure to check prices at your nearest VW dealership as well as the Audi dealership. It may be a bit cheaper at the VW dealer. Then weigh the cost/benefit between another OEM and an aftermarket that probably won't last as long as the OEM.

[renold458]

If I called a VW dealership do I still ask for a B6 battery for my 1.8T (or 3.0 as Panzer recommended)?

[old guy]

If I called a VW dealership do I still ask for a B6 battery for my 1.8T (or 3.0 as Panzer recommended)?

I would be surprised if there was a different battery between the 1.8T and 3.0. doesn't hurt to ask, but the OEM battery that came in the 1.8T is a very good battery. I paid $130 for mine from VW.

12V 80 Ah
640A EN/SAE 380A DIN
000 915 105 DH

[renold458]

Thanks bud Ill give em a call tomorrow

[Willënskraft]

It's not all that unusual for an OEM battery to go 8 or more years. be sure to check prices at your nearest VW dealership as well as the Audi dealership. It may be a bit cheaper at the VW dealer. Then weigh the cost/benefit between another OEM and an aftermarket that probably won't last as long as the OEM.

Still have mine from the factory, 14 years and going .

[old guy]

Still have mine from the factory, 14 years and going .

That's exactly what I'm talking about!! OEM is a damn good unit

[ADCS]

OEM battery.
Make sure you check the fluid level periodically and it will last 10 years no problem. You can top it up with distilled water.

[renold458]

OEM battery.
Make sure you check the fluid level periodically and it will last 10 years no problem. You can top it up with distilled water.

There's fluid in the battery? Disregard my ignorance but that's interesting to know. That'll explain that tube thing coming out of it, huh?

[old guy]

The tube coming out of the battery is a vent. It allows the battery to off gas when the battery gets heated up.

[Seerlah]

You have dry and wet cell batteries. Wet cell batteries have what people just refer to as battery acid. But is is really some type of sulfuric acid that can be topped off with distilled water. On items like battery charged fork lifts, they require the cells to be refilled periodically.

[jacobsen]

Edit

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[jacobsen]

I take it back, I actually have an OEM battery part number 000 915 105dh Volkswagen original.

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[BARRY]

exide battery from home depot

[ReinS]

Varta if possible. I have two Varta batteries 11+ years old. One still works like a charm, but another on car got lazy (from 18 week 2004). On car is Varta from audi dealer 72Ah 640A. Today fitted new Varta 74Ah 680A E11 Blue dynamic on car. Bought not from dealer of course. Hope it lasts long. Also depends how long you wanna keep that car and a climate. I have only great experiences with Varta.

[diagnosticator]

You have dry and wet cell batteries. Wet cell batteries have what people just refer to as battery acid. But is is really some type of sulfuric acid that can be topped off with distilled water. On items like battery charged fork lifts, they require the cells to be refilled periodically.

All "flooded Cell" lead acid batteries use sulphuric acid and distilled water electrolyte. There are also "sealed" lead acid batteries that are not flooded cell, instead the cell is comprised of lead plates separated by porous spacer plates saturated with sulphuric acid paste or gelled sulphuric acid electrolyte. ("Gel Cell") Another type of sealed lead acid battery is the AGM, "Absorbed Glass Mat" cell. This type of sealed battery uses lead plates separated by fiberglass sheets that are saturated with a thick viscous sulphuric acid electrolyte.

Maintenance free car batteries are still vented, and eventually need the electrolyte level in the cells restored to be above the cell plates, otherwise the battery will not be able to provide full 2.2 volts per cell of a healthy fully charged battery. Maintenance free batteries have a cell top cap that is common to three or more cells that can be removed to refill the cells with make up distilled water, the same as non maintenance free batteries. Low electrolyte levels in maintenance free batteries is the main cause for battery failure of this battery type. If the battery cells are maintained fully filled with electrolyte, the useful lifetime of the battery will be extended a long time compared to the same battery without any electrolyte top up maintenance.

[renold458]

Awesome write up, nice info to know. Well I settled on the OEM battery as recommended by Old Guy, 153 even after taxes which is still cheaper than the AAA one and it's made for my car so can't beat that. This thing is a monster of a battery compared to what I have in the car now. Can't wait to put it in and see the difference! Are there any tutorials or DIYs on how to install it? There's paperwork that tells me how to do it with the battery but I like what people come up with on the forum.

[diagnosticator]

The OEM battery is a BCI group 94R size.

[CyberPMG]

The OEM battery is a good one. Good price too.

Skip any Optima battery. They used to be very good when they were built in the USA. They moved manufacturing out of country about 3-5 years ago, and the quality of those batteries have gone down a lot.

I've been happy with the Duralast AGM battery that I've had in my car for the past year (replacing a failed Optima battery).

[AutoMax]

I would be surprised if there was a different battery between the 1.8T and 3.0. doesn't hurt to ask, but the OEM battery that came in the 1.8T is a very good battery. I paid $130 for mine from VW.

12V 80 Ah
640A EN/SAE 380A DIN
000 915 105 DH

Damn, i paid twice as much for the Bosch i have.

Bosch AGM H7/L4/94R


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[diagnosticator]

There's fluid in the battery? Disregard my ignorance but that's interesting to know. That'll explain that tube thing coming out of it, huh?

Yes, the battery is a traditional flooded cell type battery. Even though maintenance free, the electrolyte in the cells still should be topped up with distilled water if the levels are low in the cells.

[daniel B6 1.8t]

Anyone tried northstar?