Battery for the B6*

[JEENYUS]

Simple to the point, I don't want to spend the asking price of 170.00 - 200.00 for a new battery. I tried to call COSTCO and look for anything I could use... nothing. Now I am at a loss as I cannot seem to find anything under the asking price of 170.00. I've checked the Audi dealer, the VW dealer, the interwebz, COSTCO and still nothing coming up that I could deem as useful.

I figured it's time to bring this issue more into the limelight. I would like to get my car up and running again and a battery is the first matter that needs attention.

What/Where is the cheapest battery?

GO!

[a4darkness]

Deka from Napa, ran me $115

[customa4]

You can probably order one online at Advanced Auto and pick it up in store. I haven't checked in some time but the code TRT30 is 30% off, check it out.

[SJorge3442]

In for the results. I need a battery soon.

[customa4]

Item DescriptionQTYDelivery OptionEst. ArrivalPriceTotal Battery-Gold Autocraft AutoCraft Gold Battery-Gold Autocraft
Part No: T6
Warranty: 3 YR FREE REPLACEMENT
Exact Fit for your 2002 Audi A4 Quattro
x Remove Update Pick Up At
Select store Ship to Home
Item not available
for delivery In Stock
for pick up
$157.99
Core Charges: $18.00
Add'l Discount: -$47.40
$128.59
Product Subtotal:$128.59 Total Savings: ($47.40) Applied Promotion: TRT30
30% Off Your Order. $50 Maximum Savings. Online only. x Remove
Enter Your Promo Code Apply
If you have a promotion code, enter it here and click apply.
Total:$128.59(excludes applicable taxes and environmental fees)
Continue Shopping Secure Checkout
or

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$50 maximum savings.


This was the check out page on a $158 battery. There's an $18 core fee so when you give them the old battery you will get another 18 back.

[JEENYUS]

there isn't anything cheaper? 128.00 is better, but it's nothing great. It's a fuckin' battery and shouldn't cost more than 80 dollars.

[87supraman]

My group 94R was about $100, a couple years ago from Walmart. Still holding strong, last night was -14° and it cranked right up.
H7 is also 94R for research purposes.

[Charles.waite]

I bought my Optima RedTop on Amazon for $145 shipped.

[87supraman]

^^ I had extremely good luck with optima yellow top. Deployed for a 14 months, car was parked the entire time, never started (battery disconnected). Cranked right up. It was a great feeling to be first in line leaving the motor pool.

[PreciseD]

The batteries are so expensive for 2 reasons.

1) They are vented outside of the vehicle

2) They need a CCA rating of 650 or more (750 to 800 is better)


My 7 series battery is over $250 bucks so $128 isn't that bad.

I run Bosch Batteries in my cars now and they seem to work great and have a good warranty.

I won't by optimum since they moved manufacturing to Mexico and have had Quality Issues ever since.

[NathanGrayW]

I've got this one from Walmart Click

With a 3 year warranty(5 years pro-rated)... Can't really go wrong.

[DiertyEuroSpec]

I've got this one from Walmart Click

With a 3 year warranty(5 years pro-rated)... Can't really go wrong.

Wondering about these as well. I put one of these in my GF's car and will see how well it holds up I guess. I am still having great luck with a replacement Bosch which was put in before I even purchased the car some 4+ years ago. Knock on wood

[Charles.waite]

This thread totally jinxed me.

Walked out to my car to get some lunch, and the ****** was dead. Like dead dead. Like it couldn't even unlock the doors with the remote. I accidentally left my parking lights on......

Apparently freezing temps + leaving lights on + possibly dying alternator = no bueno.

[PreciseD]

Wondering about these as well. I put one of these in my GF's car and will see how well it holds up I guess. I am still having great luck with a replacement Bosch which was put in before I even purchased the car some 4+ years ago. Knock on wood

The Walmart one appears to not have a vent. I wouldn't use it.

[Charles.waite]

The Walmart one appears to not have a vent. I wouldn't use it.

The vent is irrelevant. If the battery doesn't need a vent it won't have a vent. My optima isn't vented because it's gel based not water.

[a4darkness]

You're not vented either but we still love you Chuckles.

[NathanGrayW]

Sorry for the phone picture with a flashlight xD
It does have vent actually. Although the stock vent tube doesn't fit. I've been meaning to make an adapter of some sort... But it's been pretty low on my to-do list as of late.

[Charles.waite]

I lied, optimas are actually AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries. They're very different from traditional Lead Acid or Gel batteries and don't require venting.

[Pr1ce]

Just bought one Tuesday for $93. Everywhere else the cheapest was 150 and up. I'd take that optima tho off amazon. Try a battery warehouse. In orlando we have "royal battery" aka battery only distributor. Look for those :)

[chris@fifteen52]

Either go to an Interstate shop or find a dealer. Best warranty around and I think still the only virgin batteries around. They last forever.

[Charles.waite]

I bought the Optima RedTop 35 Battery. In case anyone cares. I swear Im not pimping Optima, but I'm very happy with the battery. Its a bit pricier than when I bought it, but still worth it.

And FWIW, DO NOT throw out the brakets like I did. You need one for the battery hold down to properly secure the battery. I didn't realize this until years later. I contacted Optima and they offered to send me the brackets free of charge. Top notch customer service in my book. Obviously not an expensive part, but they shipped it to me for free, no questions asked.

[Pr1ce]

I bought the Optima RedTop 35 Battery. In case anyone cares. I swear Im not pimping Optima, but I'm very happy with the battery. Its a bit pricier than when I bought it, but still worth it.

And FWIW, DO NOT throw out the brakets like I did. You need one for the battery hold down to properly secure the battery. I didn't realize this until years later. I contacted Optima and they offered to send me the brackets free of charge. Top notch customer service in my book. Obviously not an expensive part, but they shipped it to me for free, no questions asked.

Pimpin optima for sure... Or sponsored which is it? Haha jk

Optima definitely have risen in price the last couple years. I don't foresee the OP going optima though.

[DiertyEuroSpec]

Ouch $160 for the red top... I thought these were more around the $140 mark, especially online at amazon... I guess prices are on the rise.

[PreciseD]

I lied, optimas are actually AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries. They're very different from traditional Lead Acid or Gel batteries and don't require venting.

That's false. My BMW battery is AGM and still has a vent. Just because it's "sealed" doesn't mean it won't expel gas.

It is required to vent all batteries that are enclosed within the vehicle. Since the battery placement is enclosed within the cabin filter area it should be vented.

They didn't just place a vent for no reason.

[ionicswing]

I have a Interstate battery, that has done very very well!!

I tested it by accident one time. After having slept over at a friend of a friends house, and I might add after a night of drinking(st patty's) I began to take my date home. at the very beginning of this 50 mile trip, my "power steering pump" went out and i continued to muscle it on out. dropped her off then went home, another 30 miles back the other direction. Got home slept more. looked at it later on that day. Wasn't the power steering pump!! the serpentine belt tensioner disintegrated!! so that whole time the battery light was on the dash, it just didn't dawn on me what was really going on. I might add that it was raining, headlights were on, and music was being played at a decent level. So moral of the story, I was stupid, but the battery was pretty damn good!

[00passat]

I only run interstate batteries, At work I see so many vehicles with cheap battery's that fail very soon and leak acid like crazy.

[MMMB00ST_A4]

OEM battery. 12 years and counting...

[PreciseD]

I only run interstate batteries, At work I see so many vehicles with cheap battery's that fail very soon and leak acid like crazy.

I had the interstate and it lasted 5 years (3 of which the car sat in the driveway).

It only died because it froze during last years polar vortex. I would have replaced with the same but they didn't have it in stock and the warranty didn't cover freezing.

[customa4]

Last time I called the dealer they offered me an Interstate battery. They wanted around $200 and that's where the conversation ended. I picked up a Bosch battery from PepBoys for maybe $125-130 I think.

[ShogunR32]

I have been using a slightly smaller group 48 Bosch battery for a littl eover a year. No issues and it was only $100 at pep boys with warranty.

[customa4]

Maybe I lied? Haha I don't remember exact price but definitely over $100 just not sure by how much. It's been a couple years.

[A4 Quattro]

I picked up a new battery at Cutrubus Audi/VW in Layton less than a week ago for $138 I do believe. Two year warranty + three year prorate. Not the best warranty around, but for a dealer battery, that was a damn good price. I was expecting a price tag north of $200 at the dealer lol, so I'm glad I checked.

[imnuts]

Die Hard Gold, AGM group 94 battery. From what I've read, it's one of the best batteries available for the size, and it starts the car no problem, regardless of temperature. Since installing it earlier this year, it has seen everything from 0-100F and was good every time.

Sent from my Moto X

[DiertyEuroSpec]

Die Hard Gold, AGM group 94 battery. From what I've read, it's one of the best batteries available for the size, and it starts the car no problem, regardless of temperature. Since installing it earlier this year, it has seen everything from 0-100F and was good every time.

Sent from my Moto X

Same as Wal-mart batteries. Made by same mfg. Johnson Controls of USA.

[SlickFix]

OEM battery. 12 years and counting...

Wow, that's awesome, congrats!

Up here in the frozen tundra, though, you'd be a fool to try to nurse any battery for 12 years. I replace mine every 5 years, whether it still tests out good or not.

[road_tripper]

I have an autozone 49-DL; 850 CCA 1000 CA and 155min reserve.

bought in Jan 2010, still going strong; it has spent a few winters in Calgary and summers in las vegas.

just have to check the electrolyte levels and fill with distilled water.

[MacFady]

...AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries. They're very different from traditional Lead Acid or Gel batteries and don't require venting.

I just replaced my OEM battery last night (9 yrs old) with an AGM battery, it is vented in the OEM location.

To the post above saying the OEM vent tube wont fit, I thought the same at first and tried to make an adapter briefly before just jamming it in there, the end of my tube was actually somewhat barbed when I looked closely and after a good push slid right in securely.

On a side note, between the location, weight, hold down bracket, and strut tower brace (for lack of a better word) this was the most annoying battery change I've done on any vehicle.

[SJorge3442]

I just replaced my OEM battery last night (9 yrs old) with an AGM battery, it is vented in the OEM location. To the post above saying the OEM vent tube wont fit, I thought the same at first and tried to make an adapter briefly before just jamming it in there, the end of my tube was actually somewhat barbed when I looked closely and after a good push slid right in securely.

On a side note, between the location, weight, hold down bracket, and strut tower brace (for lack of a better word) this was the most annoying battery change I've done on any vehicle.

Yeah I can see the brace being an issue. I really need to get a new battery before its too late.

How's this Bosch? http://www.pepboys.com/product/detai...nlyStore=false

[MacFady]

Yeah I can see the brace being an issue.

I didn't actually have to remove it, just undid the 4 bolts (6mm Hex I believe) so it could be adjusted enough to slide out the OEM battery. The bolts are just awkward given the A/C lines on the passanger side and the brake fluid reservoir on the drivers side.

[PreciseD]

Yeah I can see the brace being an issue. I really need to get a new battery before its too late.

How's this Bosch? http://www.pepboys.com/product/detai...nlyStore=false

That's what I run and its great.