Battery recommendations

[edyvw]

All Interstate is is a label and a distribution network.
They just buy batteries from a plethora of vendors and market them.
Nothing necessarily wrong with that, but they have never manufactured battery #1.

Mechanics I know prefer them over, what one calls, “NeverStart.”

 

[Tdbo]

Mechanics I know prefer them over, what one calls, “NeverStart.”

Of course they do. They were developed to fit into a garage business model.

 

[edyvw]

Of course they do. They were developed to fit into a garage business model.

Idk, my in laws had WM failed in a year in garaged Honda. Interstate AGM is pushing strong 4yrs in Tiguan in that oven under the hood. Not expecting for sure that it will last like OE in VW or BMW.

 

[Tdbo]

Idk, my in laws had WM failed in a year in garaged Honda. Interstate AGM is pushing strong 4yrs in Tiguan in that oven under the hood. Not expecting for sure that it will last like OE in VW or BMW.

Your in laws got a good one.
The fact that it is a Interstate does not differentiate it from virtually any other battery produced by the manufacturer that Interstate sourced it from.
The fact that it is an Interstate is merely determined by a sticker.

 

[edyvw]

Your in laws got a good one.
The fact that it is a Interstate does not differentiate it from virtually any other battery produced by the manufacturer that Interstate sourced it from.
The fact that it is an Interstate is merely determined by a sticker.

I know all that. However, manufacturers will deliver batteries that buyer specifies.Batter in my BMW is original one, mare by Varta or who knows. But generally in European vehicles batteries last loooong time. It is probably same manufacturer that makes batteries that in some vehicles last 2-3 years.
My in laws bought “NeverStart” not Interstate. Interstate is in my Tiguan, and so far so good. I might get it for BMW too as price difference between BMW OE AGM battery and Interstate is more than $250.

 

[AdmiralYoda]

Wife's 2016 Mazda CX-5 recently needed a battery. The good ones from Autozone and Advance Auto were close to $250. I bought an Interstate from BJ's Wholesale for $120. Working great so far.

 

[Marcozi]

OP: What brand is the 7 year old original?

I believe it’s a Varta.

 

[f355spider]

I know all that. However, manufacturers will deliver batteries that buyer specifies.Batter in my BMW is original one, mare by Varta or who knows. But generally in European vehicles batteries last loooong time. It is probably same manufacturer that makes batteries that in some vehicles last 2-3 years.
My in laws bought “NeverStart” not Interstate. Interstate is in my Tiguan, and so far so good. I might get it for BMW too as price difference between BMW OE AGM battery and Interstate is more than $250.

Varta is owned by Clarios and many brands distribute the German made AGM from Varta under various labels...Walmart, AC Delco and Interstate. These same three brands can also source AGMs from USA, Korea, Mexico and China recently. Its luck of the draw and you have to inspect what the label says before you buy as to which of five countries it may come from.

 

[edyvw]

Varta is owned by Clarios and many brands distribute the German made AGM from Varta under various labels...Walmart, AC Delco and Interstate. These same three brands can also source AGMs from USA, Korea, Mexico and China recently. Its luck of the draw and you have to inspect what the label says before you buy as to which of five countries it may come from.

Manufacturers have their set if demands for batteries like they have for suspension, belts etc.
Bmw sourced batteries are known to last long time. Much longer than aftermarket ones.

 

[f355spider]

Manufacturers have their set if demands for batteries like they have for suspension, belts etc.
Bmw sourced batteries are known to last long time. Much longer than aftermarket ones.

So far, I have found no difference in performance of the BMW AGMs (made by Varta) and the aftermarket Varta AGMs private labeled under various names. Other than case color, they seem to be identical in construction. Both seem to last a very long time.

I have definitely seen differences in oem/oes BMW parts, but the performance and longevity differences are directly attributed to different manufacturing plants and countires. For example I had terrible luck with Behr aftermarket expansion tanks (made in China) constantly showing "low coolant" unless overfilled. After three tries I bought an OEM Behr made in Germany, no issues. Hengst is now offering engine air filters made in China for the aftermarket....but their BMW labeled ones are still made in Germany.

But the Varta batteries are all from Germany and presumably from the same plant.

When I worked for Duracell decades ago, we asked if the private labeled batteries Duracell made for Costco, Safeway, True Value were any different, and Duracell said no, it would actually cost them more to make special variants just for private label. Most retailers discovered how cheap it was to source in China, Indonesia, and Korea, so Duracell only provides to Costco anymore.

 

[edyvw]

So far, I have found no difference in performance of the BMW AGMs (made by Varta) and the aftermarket Varta AGMs private labeled under various names. Other than case color, they seem to be identical in construction. Both seem to last a very long time.

I have definitely seen differences in oem/oes BMW parts, but the performance and longevity differences are directly attributed to different manufacturing plants and countires. For example I had terrible luck with Behr aftermarket expansion tanks (made in China) constantly showing "low coolant" unless overfilled. After three tries I bought an OEM Behr made in Germany, no issues. Hengst is now offering engine air filters made in China for the aftermarket....but their BMW labeled ones are still made in Germany.

But the Varta batteries are all from Germany and presumably from the same plant.

When I worked for Duracell decades ago, we asked if the private labeled batteries Duracell made for Costco, Safeway, True Value were any different, and Duracell said no, it would actually cost them more to make special variants just for private label. Most retailers discovered how cheap it was to source in China, Indonesia, and Korea, so Duracell only provides to Costco anymore.

The one I had was Made in Austria. Could be Varta or Bosch.
The battery I replaced wasn’t AGM, it was flooded.

 

[rekit]

So far, I have found no difference in performance of the BMW AGMs (made by Varta) and the aftermarket Varta AGMs private labeled under various names. Other than case color, they seem to be identical in construction. Both seem to last a very long time.

I have definitely seen differences in oem/oes BMW parts, but the performance and longevity differences are directly attributed to different manufacturing plants and countires. For example I had terrible luck with Behr aftermarket expansion tanks (made in China) constantly showing "low coolant" unless overfilled. After three tries I bought an OEM Behr made in Germany, no issues. Hengst is now offering engine air filters made in China for the aftermarket....but their BMW labeled ones are still made in Germany.

But the Varta batteries are all from Germany and presumably from the same plant.

When I worked for Duracell decades ago, we asked if the private labeled batteries Duracell made for Costco, Safeway, True Value were any different, and Duracell said no, it would actually cost them more to make special variants just for private label. Most retailers discovered how cheap it was to source in China, Indonesia, and Korea, so Duracell only provides to Costco anymore.

Do the Costaleaks leak like the Duraleaks?

 

[f355spider]

Do the Costaleaks leak like the Duraleaks?

No idea, the only battery that has consistently leaked for me (three in a row) are Optima Red Top AGMs.
Never had a Costco/Interstate leak, but I quit buying them since the change to three year pro-rated warranty. The industry's weakest.