Battery Replacement suggestions - After almost 12 years for OEM Varta!

[Elmura]

I recall lots of backlash for VW claiming they're not reliable and super expensive to fix. Granted, compared to Honda, Toyota, Lexus and other superior Japanese cars, they're not as reliable or as cheap to maintain or repair.
But I've got 190,000km on our 2011 MY12 Passat CC V6 AWD. Still drives great and still powerful.
After almost 12 years, the OEM battery gave up. Looking into it - Varta 5K0 915 105K was not an easy to find replacement.
I took some measurements whilst in the boot, still connected (so wasn't exact) but it gave me some idea of what to look for.

Originally, I thought it must be an AGM battery considering the amazing life - it is not. Finding an equivalent was no easy task so I have listed the best alternatives in terms of value for money.

1. SuperCharge DIN85LH (MF88H) Battery – 900CCA - Great value for money as a direct, like for like match. 3 year warranty. Pricing varies from ~$300-$390
2. SuperCharge MF77H (DIN75LH) Battery – 780CCA. Cheaper again but not an exact size or spec match. 40 Month warranty. Pricing around $250-$310. This is shorter length and is the one I chose. It's a couple kg lighter as well.

To make it fit tight in the mounting bracket, I cut a piece of 35mm scrap wood and wedged it between the bottom plate and the battery before tightening the bracket down.

I'm sure we won't get 11.5 years out of it but I'm not sure how much longer I'll keep the car.

PS - If choosing another brand, ensure positive terminal is on the right side, and aim for dimensions 300-353mm Long x 175mm wide for mounting securely. Height is a matter of capacity. You can even go the cheaper MF77 which has 175mm height vs 190mm that the MF77H has along with a slight reduction in capacity and CCA

[Hillbilly]

PS - If choosing another brand, ensure positive terminal is on the right side, and aim for dimensions 300-353mm Long x 175mm wide for mounting securely. Height is a matter of capacity. You can even go the cheaper MF77 which has 175mm height vs 190mm that the MF77H has along with a slight reduction in capacity and CCA

Batteries are "handed" as defined by the L or R in its description as per here
How to choose the right 12V battery for your car? | WapCar

Height can be a problem if its too high and terminals touch the bonnet ( seen that happen) quite spectacular.

[MIG]

I got the same out of the OEM Varta in my Passat, 12 years; it was starting to slow crank on cold mornings but never left me stranded.

I ended up replacing it with a G14 Varta DIN95, drop-in replacement AGM and updated the coding in the battery management to AGM.
It cranks over way faster now; 42-month warranty on non-stop-start cars too.