S2 new battery recommendations please

[jonk]

Well, the car is going just great at the mo... Tempting fate, I know! However, the battery is not good. Was changed only 6 months ago but it is barely adequate and with cold weather round the corner, I'd like something decent. I'm hoping something more powerful will speed up the starter too.
So... What amp hours/power/makes and specs can people heartily recommend for the S2?

Thanks Jon.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I had a wonderfully expensive Bosch thing fitted when I bought the car. It failed after about a year. Being stuck I had to go to the nearest option, which was the local Halfords. That hasn't broken yet, so perhaps buying cheaper and changing more often is a better option? [8|]

 

[Frenchy]

Jon,
I have just killed the battery on my 220, it has a 4 year warranty but i have no receipt but sometimes the date is stamped on the battery so if it is within the 4 years it will be back off to halfords for a new one please sir !
If yours was only changed within the last 6 months it will have a warranty surely ?
One car is kept up here with power in the garage so it is on a trickle charger, but the other ina garage at my mams with no power !![]
But i am moving in to a new garage with windows so i have just bought myself a solar power trickle charger so hopefully no more problems.

 

[944 man]

Top tip: photocopy the receipt and tape it inside a freezer bag under your battery. This way when it goes tits-up one year into a three year guarantee, but six months after youve lost the receipt; you have proof of purchase on the battery...

 

[jonk]

Lightning replies... Many thanks! Yes, the previous owner fitted the current battery... Unipart. It works ok, but is woefully underpowered for the car. Therefore, it would be fine in a car that needs less juice...!

 

[944 man]

Id go for an economy 065, which will fit in a series two car, but can be a squeeze in a series one car. I usually use an 063 if Im using a full size battery and change after a year or two; which has always been adequate.

 

[Frenchy]

Excellent tip, with this one the previous owner replaced it but he bought of a friend of mine on my advice and i eventually ended up buying it off him(long story) do not think it is 4 years but time flies ?

 

[944 man]

Another top tip... If you have a Halfords battery which fails within the warranty period, then take the 'old' battery in for a 'free battery test'. Only when youre told that its knackered do you reveal the receipt and claim your new battery!

Ive seen this work on a battery that didnt need replacing, according the the youth behind the counter, when my friend took it in. I took the same battery in the following evening for a test and shockingly; it was FUBAR.

 

[Frenchy]

Halfrauds !!
If i find a date stamp and it comes out within date i will be coming out with a new one !!! i will stage a "sit in" if needs be []

 

[bmnelsc]

If you are losing a battery after only a year you probably aren't driving enough....get yourself a battery tender - keeps your battery in good shape so you should get a few years out of them at least.

 

[nick9one1]

I would personally go for this battery. http://www.batterymegastore.co.uk/product/574+012+068/

£74 inc next day delivery compared to Halfords at £97 collected.

Its also better in every way! 4 years warrently instead of halfords 3, more cranking amps (good on the '44) and its calcium, which are much better than lead acid (halfords)

 

[al@broadway]

I bought a Yuasa from Battery MegaStore also, 75Ah, delivery next day and £65. Turns my S2 a treat, four pot 3 litres need a good battery for sure!!

 

[craig2105]

I bought a new Bosch S3 battery (72ah I think) part number 444771005 from Euro car parts a few weeks ago. It spins the starter much faster than the old one, and with their discount code online I took it home for £53.95. They have a Halloween discount offer on at the moment with 25% off if you pend over £50 so you might get a similar price. The code is PUMPKIN25.

Keep the receipt with your service invoices!

Cheers, Craig

 

[nick9one1]

that's a good price.

Although its the CCA/CA (cold cranking amps/cranking amps) that make it turn the starter. Higher=better.
The AH isn't very important for cars as it relates to how long the battery can deliver a specific amount of amps for if not being charged.

 

[jonk]

Many thanks for all this. I am now a thorough car battery nerd having done some research...! The one in the car is a Unipart GBA 3100 with 64a/h and 640 EN or cold cranking amps. That should surely be fine....? It turns over pretty slowly....sounds like it's always half flat. Earths are good, and starter was rebuild last year....
Might just bite the bullet and buy that Varta one. Suppose I can always return it if it doesn't do things any differently.

 

[nick9one1]

My S2 is the same, seems like a common trend.

Most places will check your battery for free, although from what I've heard most also tell you they need replacing when they don't!

 

[Chrishazle]

Last time I had to buy a battery for my 968 I went to Lucas Electrical, got good advice and a good battery. Kept it on a battery conditioner whenever the car was garaged (which was a lot!), never had a problem, car always spun up and started first time even when she'd been parked for 10 weeks - and battery was still going strong when I sold the car almost 9 years later!

 

[GlennS]

My S2 has a Bosch S5 007. 74Ah and 750A of cold cranking goodness. Does the job nicely.

 

[Copperman05]

Ive noticed the critical thing for getting a dead battery with these cars is not letting the battery get completely flat for even a short period of time during the cold weather.

Batteries and cold dont mix well, cold flat batteries die very quickly and will never be the same after. My advice is the get a trickle charger and keep the battery charged up when not used much over the winter months. I even take my battery out completely when it gets to -5 or so and leave it on charge inside.

Not had a problem with the battery since the last one was changed 3 years ago.

Edd

 

[jonk]

My S2 is pretty much a daily driver... But, fairly short journeys apart from the occasional big run. That Bosch S5 job looks good... Can get much cheaper online than through Halfords too. Rear heated window, lights and heater blower will use power and I think a higher rated battery with more starting power is what I need. It really sounds like a flat leyland truck first thing when its been standing overnight.
Many thanks for all suggestions.