Where's the best place to buy a new car battery?

panama

My car is a 2 litre Saab and it has a GM model '12V 60Ah 580A' battery which needs replacing.

Does anyone know where I'd get a reasonably priced new replacement battery?

And what makes should I be looking out for?

Never had to change one before so dunno what the best makes are.

I'm based in Dublin southside so if anyone has any recommendations that's be great.

Gate Automation

halfords.ie

Stheno

Gate Automation wrote: »

halfords.ie

Jesus no, I bought a new battery last week, priced one in Halfords at €126 as the cheapest, went to my local motor factors, gave them the model of my car, and a battery with a 2 year guarantee was €66

I've had this experience several times with halfords and batteries, they appear to be massively overpriced on batteries.

OP where are you based?

Nissan doctor

Any of the Atlas Autoservice or Advance pitstop type places will supply them. They don't charge for fitting either unlike Halfords.

Stheno

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Any of the Atlas Autoservice or Advance pitstop type places will supply them. They don't charge for fitting either unlike Halfords.

Never knew that, thanks

Am looking forward to fitting mine this weekend, but still useful to know.

panama

Stheno wrote: »

Gate Automation wrote: »

halfords.ie

Jesus no, I bought a new battery last week, priced one in Halfords at €126 as the cheapest, went to my local motor factors, gave them the model of my car, and a battery with a 2 year guarantee was €66

I've had this experience several times with halfords and batteries, they appear to be massively overpriced on batteries.

OP where are you based?

Hi thanks, I'm in the Rathmines area. Haven't serviced my car here so don't know of anyone offhand so any ideas would be great thanks.

CreepingDeath

Advance pitstop will rip you off.

Think I was quoted something like €150 from them for a battery for a Honda Civic.

I got a battery for €60 in Tallaght Motor Factors and fitted it myself.
The lads there would more than likely go out to your car and see which battery you need. Although I doubt they'd fit it for you.
There is a garage literally next door to them which might, if you throw them a few quid...

Tallaght Auto Parts

If you're fitting a battery yourself you may want to just check the web for any specific fitting instructions for your car.

Eg. with mine, you had to ensure the key was out of the ignition when changing the battery as it could wipe the immobiliser settings / lock you out.
Which would result in an expensive tow to your Saab dealer.

And also, your radio / gps security code may be asked for after fitting the new battery. ( I didn't need this ). But a Saab dealer will probably provide this to you for a fee if you don't know it.

If you want a decent garage you can trust near Rathmines, I used to go to Sandford Motors on the Clonskeagh Road. Decent old-style mechanics.

Sandford Motors Link

regards,
CD

panama

I got sorted, thanks!

Nissan doctor

CreepingDeath wrote: »

Advance pitstop will rip you off.

Think I was quoted something like €150 from them for a battery for a Honda Civic.

I got a battery for €60 in Tallaght Motor Factors and fitted it myself.
The lads there would more than likely go out to your car and see which battery you need. Although I doubt they'd fit it for you.
There is a garage literally next door to them which might, if you throw them a few quid...

Tallaght Auto Parts

If you're fitting a battery yourself you may want to just check the web for any specific fitting instructions for your car.

Eg. with mine, you had to ensure the key was out of the ignition when changing the battery as it could wipe the immobiliser settings / lock you out.
Which would result in an expensive tow to your Saab dealer.

And also, your radio / gps security code may be asked for after fitting the new battery. ( I didn't need this ). But a Saab dealer will probably provide this to you for a fee if you don't know it.

If you want a decent garage you can trust near Rathmines, I used to go to Sandford Motors on the Clonskeagh Road. Decent old-style mechanics.

Sandford Motors Link

regards,
CD

I'd love to know where that price came from alright. I can't think of any battery for any car that would cost near that much.

Paudie23

only battery out there that could/should fetch that price for that application 'might' be an AGM varta battery.thats serious technology but expensive.maybe not even that much though.depends on the sellers margin or greed.

charlieharper

Your best bet is your local motor factor, just match up the amps and the a/h's. Don't go to Halford's or local tyre centre's or pitstop's as there all rip-off merchants.

Nissan doctor

I think people are doing the same in this thread as most threads about servicing, tyres or whatever.

Saying you can get 'a' battery in a motorfactors cheaper then 'a' battery in advance or whoever.

Its unlikely that people are comparing like for like, batteries, like most other car components, come in premium brands and cheap brands.

So if you are getting maybe an exide battery for €50 in the motorfactors and the exact same battery in a tyre/service chain for €80, then they are a rip off. But if, is is usually the case, the one from a motorfactors is some cheap no name brand then its not like for like.

Paudie23

great point ND but some places fire the margin on the label.Halfords are Varta made which are very good depending on the spec.there are different grades, same with Bosch.5 star premium are great and demand a high price however their (blue) 3 star technology is much weaker.think Advance sell Varta 3rd grade, same story.they deliver exactly whats on the tin.certain motorfactors sell batteries that match and beat their specs at a lower price.Ampc, or in certain parts of the country Hoppecka will deliver more than is needed.then again other motorfactors skimp on the lead content and these batteries will fail