Most auto batteries are made by only a couple manufacturers then rebadged. I believe Costco are Johnson Controls batteries, as are many others - wal-mart, maybe Napa? Interstate batteries are made by Exide, which is another big manufacturer. East Penn is the third. Researched this recently and locally for the price, it was Costco for me when I put a new battery in the truck I just sold. I also have a "Duracell" (East Penn) AGM battery that is about ten years old and has moved around to a variety of boats and vehicles and is still kicking.

Anyway, the point is that for a lead acid battery, you really only have three choices: Johnson Controls, Exide, or East penn; all rebadged as whatever. Probably can't go wrong with any of them so just look for the best deal on the big group 49 (?) battery. Not sure if you've looked into AGM batteries or if it would be worthwhile.

 

Platinum Varta but not from the stealer

 

Thanks very much, I heard several posts that praised this battery, but not sure if this is sold around here. It's queens, NY.
My nearest dealer, bayside VW, is known to be real poor in terms of reputation, so I was going to go to Costco...which leads to interstate battery if I click their link to battery. Sounds like this is what VW battery is made of???

 

Varta is German and OEM for these vehicles. There would be other threads around the subject on other manufacturers who supply to VW from memory on this site.


Forgive my ignorance but are there not battery specialist companies in the States ?

 

I found the dealer batteries last 5-6 years easily. With this type of installation paying a bit more for a decent battery makes sense.

 

I finally went with the dealer for that very reason- besides, NAPA wanted considerably MORE for the equivalent battery! Counter guy said that happens occasionally with NAPA parts, he also cited some ford suspension parts as cheaper at the dealer.

 

There are just a few battery manufacturers that only make a few lines. You can easily tell the construction quality by the number of months replacement warranty. The lower the warranty, the lower the quality.

We don't have a Costco nearby.

I did get a fair price quote at the VW dealer this last spring. It is worth a phone call to ask what the carry out price would be.

Sams Club was close and had a battery with good specs at a good price with a good warranty.

Home Depot also is a place that carries Exide Name Brand Auto Batteries that you would not normally think to check. Warranty thru the 800 Exide Phone Number if you go that route.

Plus the auto stores.

 

There are just a few battery manufacturers that only make a few lines. You can easily tell the construction quality by the number of months replacement warranty. The lower the warranty, the lower the quality.

In the UK, the warranty & price are inter-connected but the battery is often identical apart from the label.

 

This is what I went with from oreilly auto. 95R AGM and 950 CCA. Got a $25 gift card with purchase. Had the VW Audi logo on it. Matched the size perfectly.
Installed myself in about 35-40 min.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...um-group-size-95r-top-post-battery/95rplt/4742705/2013/volkswagen/touareg?pos=5

 

So... I went to Advanced auto parts to get the battery.
Got autocraft platinum H7-AGM (core cranking 850 at 0F). Got this one since I remembered I have advanced auto parts gift card worth of $130. 3 year replacement.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...attery-group-size-h7-850-cca-h7-agm/10210826-P?navigationPath=L1*14920|L2*15000

And tried to replace the battery. What happened was
1. managed to break one seat mounting bolt (black one, N90936901)
2. one bolt on the bracket is too rusty (looking for part no for this)
3. The broken battery (from dealer) obviously fits and has maybe 1 inch gap in the end. Autocraft platinum is about 1 inch shorter, so I have about 2 inches gap. The broken battery has less capacity.
4. There was no vent tube on either new battery or the existing battery
5. Works fine so far, but I couldn't reassemble the seat yet since I wanted to replace two bolts (1 and 2)

So I can see that VW service doesn't care about the vent tube. Should I install one? And for 3, since it is bit smaller and has about 2 inches, so I put some stuffs to make sure the battery doesn't move (although there are two hold outs to hold the battery, I am bit skeptical; it can move)

 

You need a vent tube for a battery that’s kept inside of the cabin of the vehicle

 

Thanks. Where would I get such vent tube?

 

Would this work?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/battery-vent-kit/61211376693kt/

 

What year and what model is your car?

 

It's 2005 touareg V6

 

A phone call to the dealer will give all of the information you need, regarding vent tubes and any other question about your vehicle.

 

Thanks
But my neighborhood dealer has pretty bad rep, so I don't want to call them up haha, or I am scared to call them up.

Anyways, I bought this
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AIJ34M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And solved vent problem. The grommet works with the battery from advanced auto parts.

Given that dealer replaced battery had no vent tubing, I was willing to give up on the vent, but this worked pretty ok.

 

That kit looks good. All you need is a small tube to vent the battery to the outside. Be sure if you have vent holes on both ends of the battery that you plug the unused vent. Both batteries I have purchased had the plugs and a small amount of hose that came with the battery, but I guess that may vary.

 

I know this may sound strange, but for my money I go to Sears and get DieHard batteries. When I was at Ford in Dearborn, engineering tested eveybody's batteries and the DieHard seemed to last longest and keep charge. The Glass (AGM) cell batteries look to be the next level of improvement. You might go to sears.com and take a look.

PS My 2005 Touareg has one now.

 

I always go with AutoZone. Battery works great until it doesn't (usually less than 3 years) and then they give me a brand new one that will probably quit working in about 3 years.
It does take me about 30-45 minutes to change it but I have not paid anything for a new battery since the first AutoZone (DuraLast) that I bought in 2008 for my 2004 Touareg.
Just a thought. Your mileage may vary.