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R36 - Time to look for a new battery

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  • #1

    R36 - Time to look for a new battery

    Hi guys

    Original battery is giving in I believe, dropping under 12v and tripping the parking mode in my car after turning off the ignition. (Don't think this is normal - I'm no mechanic myself...)

    I also purchased a CTEK MXS 5.0 yesterday for ~$100 off eBay with the 15% eBay Plus discount for the sake of it as I'll be going on a family trip in 2 weeks, not sure if it'll help or not after a recondition.

    Just wanting to see what people are running in their R36 at the moment, and any recommendations of places I can purchase a new battery around Sydney?

    Thanks.
    Tags: battery, ebay, r36, trip, weeks
  • #2
    Going under 12v doesn't on it's own indicate a failing battery. Possibly just that it is being depleted.
    Go to your nearest Battery World and they will test it quickly.
    If you are going to replace it I would recommend an AGM like the factory one that you have as it will last unlike a cheap flooded lead acid which can die after a few years.
    2011 Skoda Octavia vRS TDI DSG wagon|Revo Stage 1|Race Blue|Leather|Dynamic Xenons w 6000K|9w7 BT|THA475 Amp+active sub|Whiteline ALK|RVC|
    2009 R36 wagon|Biscay Blue|RVC|Tailgate|ECU and DSG tune|LED DRL/Indicators|3D colour cluster|Quad LED tail rings|Climatronics upgrade|Dynaudio retrofit|B7 RLine Flat Steering Wheel|3AA CCM|TPMS Direct|B7 Adaptive Cruise with Front Assist|Discover Media retrofit|PLA 2.0|Lane Assist|BCM retrofit|High Beam Assist|DQ500

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    • #3
      I replaced my original battery last year with a Varta AGM G14 battery from an Ebay reseller. Not cheap at $500, but I essentially wanted an OEM replacement so was prepared to pay the price.
      Biscay Blue MY10.5 Passat R36 Wagon
      Options: Sunroof, RNS510 Sat Nav, Dynaudio, Power Tailgate, ACC, RVC, BT 9w7, Tint and Factory Towbar.
      Atlantic Blue MY19.5 Golf GTI
      Options: Luxury Package and Sound & Style Package.

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      • #4
        Had NRMA drop by , and apparently the battery dropped to around 8volts when cranking. Not too sure if thats thorough enough?
        Option of $425 for their AGM, alternatively can look at purchasing a Varta G14 for a bit over $500.
        Thoughts?

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        • #5
          Yep 8v is too low.
          $425 for an AGM is pretty good value.
          2011 Skoda Octavia vRS TDI DSG wagon|Revo Stage 1|Race Blue|Leather|Dynamic Xenons w 6000K|9w7 BT|THA475 Amp+active sub|Whiteline ALK|RVC|
          2009 R36 wagon|Biscay Blue|RVC|Tailgate|ECU and DSG tune|LED DRL/Indicators|3D colour cluster|Quad LED tail rings|Climatronics upgrade|Dynaudio retrofit|B7 RLine Flat Steering Wheel|3AA CCM|TPMS Direct|B7 Adaptive Cruise with Front Assist|Discover Media retrofit|PLA 2.0|Lane Assist|BCM retrofit|High Beam Assist|DQ500

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          • #6
            Yeah seemed like a reasonable deal, just unsure about the quality of their batteries though. Slightly leaning towards a Varta.

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            • #7
              Id say go Varta!
              2018 BMW 125i M Sport |AlpineWhite|719M JetBlack|BlackLeather |ComfortPackage|Sunroof|WirelessCharging
              2010 MY10 R36 Wagon | Biscay Blue | Power Tailgate | RNS510 | MDI | RVC | 51,000 km |Garage Open Button | Dead Pedal Mod | OE Fit DRL | VCDS | Sprint Booster | H&R Rear Sway Bar | Alcantara Steering Wheel | Dual Reverse Light | 19" Bentley Wheels (BBS Forged Split) | Michelin PS 4S
              2005 MY05 AH Astra HatchBlack | Facelifted SRi Looking | OpeliZed | Whiteline RSB | Eibach ProKit

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              • #8
                I would say go with the Varta as the OEM one is, and mine is still going after 10 years.
                However I've now had 2 Varta flooded lead acid batteries both fail just outside of their 2 year warranty.
                So now I'm not so convinced that the retail Varta and German OEM Varta are comparable.
                If it's AGM from a known manufacturer I would say you'll be Ok.
                2011 Skoda Octavia vRS TDI DSG wagon|Revo Stage 1|Race Blue|Leather|Dynamic Xenons w 6000K|9w7 BT|THA475 Amp+active sub|Whiteline ALK|RVC|
                2009 R36 wagon|Biscay Blue|RVC|Tailgate|ECU and DSG tune|LED DRL/Indicators|3D colour cluster|Quad LED tail rings|Climatronics upgrade|Dynaudio retrofit|B7 RLine Flat Steering Wheel|3AA CCM|TPMS Direct|B7 Adaptive Cruise with Front Assist|Discover Media retrofit|PLA 2.0|Lane Assist|BCM retrofit|High Beam Assist|DQ500

                Comment

                • #9
                  Thanks guys ended up buying a Varta G14 last night on eBay - took advantage of the 10% discount + cash rewards so it ended up costing ~$90 more than NRMA.

                  Delivery was made today (kudos to Trackwarrior for sorting it out so quickly). Also bought a CTEK MXS5.0, would it be recommended to run a charge on the new battery with it prior installation?

                  Julian the battery is made in Germany, would this still be the "retail" Varta's you're referring to?

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    If it's AGM you'll be fine.
                    The Vartas that I've had fail were flooded lead acid.
                    I wouldn't recommend anything but AGM in anything other than a cheap runabout.
                    2011 Skoda Octavia vRS TDI DSG wagon|Revo Stage 1|Race Blue|Leather|Dynamic Xenons w 6000K|9w7 BT|THA475 Amp+active sub|Whiteline ALK|RVC|
                    2009 R36 wagon|Biscay Blue|RVC|Tailgate|ECU and DSG tune|LED DRL/Indicators|3D colour cluster|Quad LED tail rings|Climatronics upgrade|Dynaudio retrofit|B7 RLine Flat Steering Wheel|3AA CCM|TPMS Direct|B7 Adaptive Cruise with Front Assist|Discover Media retrofit|PLA 2.0|Lane Assist|BCM retrofit|High Beam Assist|DQ500

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Originally posted by pandas View Post
                      Thanks guys ended up buying a Varta G14 last night on eBay - took advantage of the 10% discount + cash rewards so it ended up costing ~$90 more than NRMA.

                      Delivery was made today (kudos to Trackwarrior for sorting it out so quickly). Also bought a CTEK MXS5.0, would it be recommended to run a charge on the new battery with it prior installation?

                      Julian the battery is made in Germany, would this still be the "retail" Varta's you're referring to?
                      I used Trackwarrior too! My delivery was anything but straight forward but it wasn't the resellers fault - more the incompetence of the national distributor. Actually Trackwarrior gave me a discount for my trouble, which was appreciated.

                      You can read about my trials and tribulations here: R36 MFD Error

                      I just secured the new battery in position, connected it up and haven't touched it since.
                      Biscay Blue MY10.5 Passat R36 Wagon
                      Options: Sunroof, RNS510 Sat Nav, Dynaudio, Power Tailgate, ACC, RVC, BT 9w7, Tint and Factory Towbar.
                      Atlantic Blue MY19.5 Golf GTI
                      Options: Luxury Package and Sound & Style Package.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Must have been a massive fail from the distrub. I emailed them in the morning and got a call by noon telling me it’ll be here in 2 hours time. Mind you I didn’t place the order till 12am.

                        Battery change was easy, a bit tight around the neg and the sparks scared the **** out of me

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                        • #13
                          It really must be that time of the year. With the colder weather (even here in Brisbane) I'm noticing a definite slow initial crank before the engine kicks over.

                          I've also had two DCC DCT codes 00145 and 00143 in the last month. I think when I dive right for the engine start when inserting the key, the low voltage causes the damper diagnostic to fail (found a notice about an Audi DCT for DCC being caused by low voltage on ignition and related firmware fix to prevent false errors). Enabling the ignition and waiting a few seconds before starting the motor has so far not resulted in another error).

                          TL;DR
                          I need new battery too. Any links to a quality AGM battery?
                          .:R36 MY10.5::Wagon::Biscay Blue::Adaptive Dampers::Sunroof::Wheels:.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Varta AGM - G14 | eBay

                            Don't forget to use the 10% coupon + cashrewards.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Trackwarrior is great, I got mine from them as well with superb customer service. The guys did say to check out their own website as well. You could ring up and see if they would price match ebay

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