Hi everyone. I have just had a quote for a new battery of £160. As (in his words) it’s a special gel battery. My original battery dimensions are L.235mm W 135 H 170. And it has 2 breather tubes , one on either side.
This seems to be are rare size. Or is it ?
But my question is can anyone tell me if there a replacement battery at a more reasonable price? And where I could purchase one?
Also, does it have to be a gel battery?
Many thanks.
Gary.
Ps. My car is mx5 mk2 1.6 icon 2005
Cheers
The reason why a gel battery (Panasonic) is preferred is because it is in the boot. If you search the forum, there are various threads on alternative batteries, including warnings about the issues for batteries that vent straight into the boot.
Alternate battery:
https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/battery-westco-mk1-25-p-635.html
They also do the same battery you were quoted £160 on but for much cheaper, unfortunately out of stock:
https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/battery-genuine-mazda-panasonic-mk1-25-p-3756.html
https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/battery-genuine-mazda-panasonic-mk1-25-p-3756.html
Is the one to go for - do not order the Westco, nothing like as reliable or long lived.
They have 100 due within 2 weeks and I assume you can back order at the offer price. If you can possibly wait, I would call MX5parts for a definite restock date and put on back order at the reduced price - bargain!
I would (and do) get a normal battery (the Bosch ones are pretty good) in an appropriate size and connect the vent pipes up. The gel batteries are a complete waste of money.
Good advice if you want a battery to last 4 - 5 years and car in daily use but absolutely useless advice if you want the battery to last 10+ years and withstand long periods of non use as well as regular charging.
Stating confidently that the Panasonic battery is a complete waste of money without caveat is absurd!
Agreed, a £50-60 Bosch will last 5 years tops (£10-20 per year). The original Panasonic has lasted 18 years (£5-6 per year, based on MX5parts’ price). For owners with only short term ownership intentions, why even buy a Bosch battery. You could probably nab a battery from a scrap yard for a tenner, and a handful of zip ties. Seen plenty of dealers sell on MX5s missing the battery tray, and the battery held in place by bits of plastic. Suppose it works for a while.
Guiltily, I have to admit my 96 has been laid up since September with an “Oldham” branded battery, complete with screw in cell tops, no vent tubes, fitted by a MX5 specialist, after the car had sat in his workshop for 2 months awaiting welding (and the Panasonic giving up the ghost, he obviously wasn’t as careful as me in coaxing life out of these older batteries). Car is stored, boot open, until I get a Panasonic, and consign Oldham to being a jump starter.
Allegedly, the Panasonic battery was originally developed for General Dynamics as a back up source for the instruments on the early F16s. One explanation for their extrordinary lifespan.
Absurd in your version of reality maybe. A Bosch S4 is guaranteed for 4 years and you can buy three of them for the price of the Panasonic.
I will stick to the version of reality that helps people rather than allowing you to mislead them.
Panasonic sells for around £100 delivered and fits properly to the cars with no risk of venting problems or acid in the boot.
The Bosch S4 is lead acid and seems to cost a minimum of £60 delivered. It is the wrong size so will have to be fitted with care and regularly checked to avoid acid spillage and damage.
Enough said!
I was in Halfords erlier today and they had a Yuasa battery for £88 - no idea if it’s gell or not or anything else I only looked it up and it was one of the ones recommended for my NB
thanks for all your replies, very helpful with some good information and links. I think the gel batteries are the safest but I’m sure the lead acid ones with good ventilation are bound to be OK too ?
Was looking at this on below.
Well I’ve decided a battery is a battery. This is narrower and fits perfect . As long as it’s enough staying power and vented
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F301997258117