MX5 batteries

[Old Dude]

Thanks for the info Steve, another good excuse to take an hour to get the paper.
Cheers
Dale

[Mr Morlock]

thanks SMMAX- that is very informative and for those wanting to keep their cars the advice is clear.

[MazDaz66]

I have just rang SuperCharge in Perth.
$95
You can't beat that for valve, apart from the information and opinions contained herein.


my 2c worth:
I would rather pay $95 and have my car back on the road, than pay a gazilion badgilion bucks for a battery that may or may not be better/lighter/faster/stronger.
We can't all afford to pay for over priced OEM parts such as batteries, which are just a generic part.
Each to his/her own.

p.s. I'm off to grab one asap.

[Mr Morlock]

there is plenty of info on MX5 batteries and as Benny says go and buy the right battery for an MX5. Standard batteries only last 3-4 years whereas "ours" last 10 yrs or more. The right battery is not about buying OEM - it is about the right product for the job ie the type designed for the car.

[chrislevingston]

I have just rang SuperCharge in Perth.
$95

My Battery World one has died after a little over 2 years, and Supercharge Adelaide just quoted me $198 (said it was trade price), plus another $6 for clips.

Ouch

Open to suggestions.....

[GP]

Was that for the new GT12-35HR AGM battery?

[chrislevingston]

Yep.

Worth it?

Chris

[GP]

Well I paid $130 Trade, $198 sounds like a huge markup. I would say it's still worth it as it's perfectly safe for your boot and mines working fine. BTW the Terminals came with it for free

[chrislevingston]

Thanks, Graham.

When did you buy yours?

I would rather pay what you did

Chris

[GP]

I've only had it in for a few weeks. The battery is slightly smaller so it fits fine with a bit of packing. The terminals however are on the opposite sides so the battery has to be reversed and your cables have to reach an extra 60mm or so. Mine had enough slack in the cables for this but something for you to check

[chrislevingston]

Thanks for that - Chris

[MavMX5]

My Battery World one has died after a little over 2 years

I've purchased 2 batteries from Battery World (Collingwood) and they have both failed. I seriously question the "newness" of some of the items they sell. Their after sales service is also poor. Some places understand that when they sell a defective product it presents an opportunity to strengthen relations with a client. These guys, however, seem to be intent on fobbing and coming up with any excuse to avoid their obligations.

Anyway, after extensive research I decided to get the Fullriver SPV35 (AGM).

Very happy with it thus far (5 months). Feels exactly like the MX5 original. If anyone wants the name of the place (in Melb) that had the best price and did a very good job of installing it, PM me.

[two40]

which battery is recommended for the mx5? according to supercharge site the MF40B20DF is suitable for the mx5, but people in this thread are using the MF43? any reason for this.

Do what I do; ignore part numbers initially, measure the dimensions of your current battery, visit your local stockist of the battery you want, measure it for fitment.

But that would be too logical.

Just to add my 2c. Had to replace my battery (2004 SE) and I wanted to use the tray. Measurements suggested a Supercharge MF40B20DF which is what I picked up for $129. The battery comes with 3 years warranty and weighs a touch over 10kg. I didn't shop around as I couldn't be stuffed wasting my weekend. The battery fit the tray well except it was a big high but this wasn't a surprise. Using the stock battery, the clamp was positioned on the middle of 3 holes. With the replacement I am using the top hole and had to purchase a longer bolt to secure it. For reference, the bolt required is an M8 x 1.25 x 60. The wooden tray still fits on top of the battery but there is a noticeable slope and you loose a small amount of space as a result. Nothing of concern.

[GP]

Measurements suggested a Supercharge MF40B20DF which is what I picked up for $129.

Hope your boot doesn't rust out

[xmx106]

Here is one to curl your hair.
Massy ignition plus LM20C, $68.95 from Big W.
Its a sealed led acid battery, just a little bit bigger in size, terminals in the right place though.
I fitted one of these into my 1990 NA, it needed a mod to the battery clamp because its higher and the little side retainer bracket had to come out. I sat the battery on a rubber mat, to give it some traction. Its all hidden by the standard trim cover anyway.
The battery is sealed but has a small spring loaded valve vent on the top at one side to relieve pressure if it builds up, I cut down a garden reticulation fitting and siliconed it on to the battery over the vent, then piped it out to the standard vent connection. So far this battery has been in this car for 16 months without any trouble and its not my daily drive, I also fitted a battery terminal isolator, you know the one with the green screw knob. I have never needed to put the charger on it and it sits for a month sometimes without moving, battery isolated, then starts with gusto as required.
I have had the very same battery in my 1988 mazda 929 and it went for 5 years, before it gave up and it was cranking a 3 liter V6.
Nothing wrong with cheap batteries, sometimes they are exactly the same as some of the more expensive batteries, never pay more for a 3 year warrantly, a bad battery will show up in the first few months, the warrantly is hard to recover and it is on a sliding scale, so its always going to take more money out of your pocket.
Thats my experience with batteries.