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Which car battery is best?

Car is a 52-plate Nissan Maxima QX (A33) 3.0SE Plus Auto that we intend to keep until it dies a natural death so if the higher priced battery is better I'll go for that because it's not a 'bung a cheapie on and sell the car' situation.

Just looking at the website of a shop local to me and it comes up with a choice of four batteries for our car:

Exide Premium 096 @ £89.95 Varta Blue Dynamic 096 @ £89.99 Varta Silver Dynamic 096 @ £99.99 Varta AGM 096 @ £139.99

I haven't a clue what an "AGM" battery is, other than it's a lot more expensive!!

Thing is, our financial situation may soon take a turn for the worse so if the more expensive battery is worth the extra and will last longer, I'd rather buy that now while we can afford it rather than perhaps making a false economy in going for a cheaper one that will need replacing sooner when we may not be able to afford it. So, what do the team recommend?

TIA

Reply to
Fred
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Very difficult. Does anyone still do a battery with a lifetime warranty?

I got a 'no name' one from a local accessory shop for the SD1 - more a case of getting one to fit the space than anything else. Some that allegedly would were too high for the clamp. And it's now 9 years old. Despite being run flat a few times due to non use of the car.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

I've never felt tempted to get a fancy battery for stuff this age or older, and never had a bad experience. In fact I don't think I have ever put a second battery on a car, even the one I just scrapped after 8 years.

You'll probably get a fiver for the old one at a proper scrap metal dealer (just got £5-75 for a *big* one) so don't just give it away.

Reply to
Newshound

yuasa if possible or bosch as a very good second choice

Reply to
Mrcheerful

I've had a bad and good experience with a cheap 3 year warranty battery. Drove home, checked levels and found one cell was half empty. Drove car back, they topped it up. Needless to say after starting the car twice with a half empty cell the damage was done. Cell died before

3 years was up. The warranty replacement lasted another 5-6 years, so I got over 8 years use for my money.
Reply to
Peter Hill

Thanks everyone.

Reply to
Fred

Do these offer a longer and or better warranty than others - given the premium price? If not, why not?

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

Presumably because they are a premium product, and consequently less likely to fail?

Chris

Reply to
Chris Whelan

Then it would cost nothing to give a longer warranty.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

They do.

For example, Halfords standard batteries have a 2 year warranty, and their premium range a 3 year one.

Yuasa Elite have a 4 year warranty. Bosch S4 have a 4 year warranty. Bosch S6 AGM have a 6 year warranty.

Whether the warranty is "better" is clearly subjective.

Chris

Reply to
Chris Whelan

the yuasa on the ls400 lasted 14 years, which is incredible, it did have to be nursed for the last 18 months :) bit like an old human!

Reply to
Mrcheerful

On Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:09:58 +0100, Fred dribbled:

How much????

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I and a few friends have used these people over the years.

Nissan Maxima batteries with 3 year warranty here

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Including VAT and free delivery...

Reply to
Mike P

Blimey. £135 for my auto stop/start Mini.

Rob

Reply to
Rob

On Sat, 03 Sep 2011 10:39:15 +0100, Rob dribbled:

I suspect that it has some sort of amazingly high-output battery for that purpose. I wonder how much a dealer/Halfords would charge for one...?

Reply to
Mike P

the prius main battery is several thousand, when they are changed the technician has to don a hazmat suit.

Reply to
Mrcheerful

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