Car battery - heavy duty or non heavy duty?

Kingy · 16 Nov 2008 at 11:37

Hi guys, very quick one...

My Dad's old 530d needs a new battery, and I've been quoted £80 for a new one with a 2 year warranty or £120 for a heavy duty one (30% more power apparently) with a 3 year warranty.

Apparently the cheaper one starts the car, so why would I need the heavy duty one.

Which would you buy and why?

jamoor · 16 Nov 2008 at 11:54

i bought one from halfrauds for 50 quid and it does the job.

moss · 16 Nov 2008 at 11:58

jamoor said:
i bought one from halfrauds for 50 quid and it does the job.

When did you buy that, battery prices increased near 100% within the last year or so. £50 would only get you a fairly small battery now, no where near powerful enough for a 530D.

jamoor · 16 Nov 2008 at 11:58

moss said:
When did you buy that, battery prices increased near 100% within the last year or so. £50 would only get you a fairly small battery now, no where near powerful enough for a 530D.

I bought it this year, April maybe?

I bought it from looking at their little booklet instore.

Dandle · 16 Nov 2008 at 12:08

Diesel cars always use heavy duty batteries. The higher compression means they have heavier starter motor which require more cranking amps.

I've always fitted heavy duty batteries to my cars.

Guv · 16 Nov 2008 at 13:07

I'd get a heavy duty battery if I was planning on keeping the car. It'll have more cranking amps which also means it'll be harder to drain the battery by running electrical items with the engine off.

I paid ~£95 IIRC for a decent battery from Halfords.

barnettgs · 16 Nov 2008 at 13:32

Recently paid £96 for a heavy duty battery from Ford dealer. 3 years warranty.

Kingy · 16 Nov 2008 at 14:42

Cheers guys, hopefully he won't be keeping the car long, but I got the heavy duty one anyway... Turned out to only be £95 after all...

I got the AA out to get it going, and he reckoned it wasn't keeping a charge because it had been sat for so long, but having been to the pub for lunch, it started again fine on the old battery, so we'll see how it goes... If it's ok then I might even take the new one back...

Sod's law clearly states that it won't start at 5am tomorrow... my pennance for binning my 330 I guess...