Battery died - is a new VAG Battery worth it?

[cube_3]

I recently replaced the original battery in my MY03 GTI. $190 fitted from RAC. It hadn't even died completely but was definitely on the way out...could feel/hear the car loading up everytime I started it.

Hey Cube_3 - the RAC part # was 5500. I think it matches up to the DIN53 code or similar which other manufacturers/shops were quoting, from memory.

Cheers Geoff. Do you know what make of battery they fitted?

[geoff_gti]

It's RAC branded, couldn't see any other obvious labels while the guy was installing it such as Century etc. When I asked them about the DIN53 code (when I made the booking on the phone) they said they didn't know what it matched up to as it was their own battery range. When I looked online at Battery World etc they all had the DIN codes so I assume it's the equivalent.

[rikard1]

my battery lasted 10 years! ..i was going to go with a century battery for $140 but i got a oem for less so ill be happy if it lasts 7-8 years.

[JustCruisn]

Mine died today too. I turned off the engine but left the key turned. Lights radio and fan running for about 10min. RACQ tested and said dead cell replace battery. RACQ battery was $195. I opted to have it started and went to Battery World paid $144 after trade for old.
I'm on holidays so when I get back home I'll dig out the old receipt and see how long it lasted.

[governor22]

The battery in my old Golf (03 model) lasted for 7 years. The NRMA guy couldn't believe it.

Just recently replaced the battery (not original) in my Bora with NRMA one. $210 and 3yr warranty. Do the OEM, Varta etc ones come with good warranty?

[No457 Snowy]

Like an idiot actually didn't ask about the warranty, I "assumed" as a VW OEM part it would be 2 years. but that could be wrong.

Snowy

[JustCruisn]

Most batteries have 2 years.
Some heavy duty labeled ones give 3 years.
Often the warranty is pro-rata, so death in the 3rd year will only result in 1/3 discount on a new one.

I did check my receipts and found my previous battery was installed June 2008. So I got 3 years 3 months from it. It was Century brand.

[jessv3]

I replaced the battery in my 06 Gti about 6 months ago, it started to feel like the battery was struggling on starts up. It was about 220 for a non oem battery, its a big sucker in the mkv though ,im guessing the come home head lights drain a bit of power!

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[mikk]

i used to work in a battery shop, so i'm pretty versed on taking care of batteries and what they can handle...

anyway i'd highly reccommend century or yuasa (same company). i've seen 5-7+ years from them and that's with reasonable treatment, not being babied all the time. wait until super cheap auto has a 15 or 20% off day and reap the benefits.

you can usually stretch a dying battery a little longer by adding some distilled water to each cell while you wait for a sale.

i tried 2 of the exides recently with 2yr warranty and one died at 2yr 3months and the other at 2yr 5 months. kmart often has 20% off sales on these, but maybe go for the one with 3yr warranty.

the varta batteries are certainly impressive too, but they cost a little more that the others. the century yuasa batteries seem to fall right into the price/performance sweet spot.

[GTIputih]

I should read this thread before... my battery just died after 10yrs.
Replaced it with racv one and paid 240. Lets find out how long thisnone will last

[staticmk4]

My OE battery died last yr Christmas (03 GTI) and the previous owners replaced it with a NRMA one. No problems with it at all

[Transporter]

I should read this thread before... my battery just died after 10yrs.
Replaced it with racv one and paid 240. Lets find out how long thisnone will last

If you're very lucky you could get 4 years out of it. Just make sure it doesn't leak acid around the terminals.

[dylan8]

10 years is awesome. Thought 5 years was pretty much the max they did

[Transporter]

I've seen sone GS Yuasa batteries lasting 8-10 years. Got 8 years out of the Varta in my T5 with a lot of short trips and many start ups. The Vartas are top notch batteries. I've seen some VAG cars coming now with the Exide batteries.

[Bernoulli]

Had mine replaced last month, was shocked to find an OEM battery inside when it finally died. Either the battery lasted 12 years or the previous owner/s had it replaced with another OEM one.

The NRMA battery guy said if it was indeed 12 years old, it would have been the longest lasting battery he's seen.