Battery died - is a new VAG Battery worth it?

**No457 Snowy** · 07-09-2011, 10:44 AM

My Mk4 GtI battery just died, not bad since it's the original from when I bought the car new in 2004. Should I just get a good quality replacement from somewhere like the Battery Factory or is it worth going for an original VAG Battery? 7 years of Canberra's cold winter ain't a bad run I guess probably the best run from a battery I've had.

I haven't price the VW replacement but I can only guess it'll be $$$, but I don't mind that if it outlasts 2 cheaper ones.

Snowy

**balkanac** · 07-09-2011, 06:48 PM

i dont think that vw batteries are any better than a good quality battery that you can buy anywhere. Just make sure that its the right battery for your car and it should be fine

**Transporter** · 07-09-2011, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by No457 Snowy

My Mk4 GtI battery just died, not bad since it's the original from when I bought the car new in 2004. Should I just get a good quality replacement from somewhere like the Battery Factory or is it worth going for an original VAG Battery? 7 years of Canberra's cold winter ain't a bad run I guess probably the best run from a battery I've had.

I haven't price the VW replacement but I can only guess it'll be $$$, but I don't mind that if it outlasts 2 cheaper ones.

Snowy

The Battery World stocks Varta batteries, if you want to get the same one. Expect to pay from $250 to $300. Otherwise Yuassa or Exide would be my pick.

**No457 Snowy** · 07-09-2011, 07:54 PM

Thanks fellas, No worries I just wanted to see what some others had used as replacement and whether they were happy with them. Varta, Exide or Yuassa sound like good suggestions.

Snowy

**whiteVR6** · 07-09-2011, 08:02 PM

A genuine battery is only around $240 and they are better than other batteries of the same spec.

**Manaz** · 07-09-2011, 08:17 PM

I personally like the Optima gel-cell batteries - but I don't think they make one that fits perfectly for a Mk4

**djorkboy** · 07-09-2011, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by whiteVR6

A genuine battery is only around $240 and they are better than other batteries of the same spec.

What is better about them? Mine was replaced recently with one from the NRMA for around the same price, what would be different about a VAG one?

**VW Convert** · 08-09-2011, 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by djorkboy

What is better about them? Mine was replaced recently with one from the NRMA for around the same price, what would be different about a VAG one?

I would have thought the OP's experience of a battery life of 7 years in a place with cold winters like Canberra is pretty good testament to the quality of the OE battery. Batteries these days tend not to last more than 3-4 years, 7 years is not a bad run if you ask me.

**No457 Snowy** · 08-09-2011, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by VW Convert

I would have thought the OP's experience of a battery life of 7 years in a place with cold winters like Canberra is pretty good testament to the quality of the OE battery. Batteries these days tend not to last more than 3-4 years, 7 years is not a bad run if you ask me.

That's what I suspected as well, the batteries I have had in my other car(s) haven't lasted this long, does anyone else still have their original in their MK4?

Snowy