Battery Recommendations (and where to buy) with Vent Hoze (Size 41)

[mboucher70@hotmail.com]

I'm looking for a new battery for my Audi 100, 1990.  Its supposed to have a size 41 with the vent hose. The previous owner seemed to have put a size 49 without the vent hose in it, and it hasn't caused any corrosion under the seat.  But since its getting weak (a few 'interior light left on overnight' over the years) and needs replacing, I should probably replace it with a size 41 since the vent hose is still there waiting to be attached.

Consumers reports have, over the years, pointed out that Costco and Wal-Mart store brands can be quite good.  People have even recommended (on Audifans) that Costo or Sams Club etc are good places to get their size 41's.  Problem is that here in Canada, neither Wal-Mart nor Costco seem to have any size 41's.  They've got 49's which would be a drop in replacement except for the vent hose.

Any suggestions or recommendations on brands of batteries for a winter climate, and where to buy them in Canada?  I know that Sears sells size 49 here, but the Sears brands (DieHard or Weathehandler) are not rated very highly by Consumer Reports.

I subscribe to Consumer Reports online and they recently (11/05) updated their battery ratings, and rated the Wal-Mart "Everstart" as among the top 3 in almost every rated size.  But neither size 41 nor 49 were rated.  Moreover, "Everstart" isn't sold at Wal-Mart in Canada.  For what its worth, here are the overall conclusions from the latest CR battery tests:

Best for cold climates:
 1 NAPA $80 (65)
 4 ACDelco $90 (65)
13 ACDelco $90 (75)
22 EverStart $40 (24/24F), CR Best Buy
24 EverStart $60 (34/78), CR Best Buy
32 NAPA $60 (35)
34 Autocraft $50 (35)


Thanks

Charles