Re: battery questioning

[Linus Toy <linust@mindspring.com>]

From: David Coleman <dcoleman@blackrock.com>
>
>More of a general point since i'm probably too late to save the missus
>stuck on the road...
>About a year ago, i replace the *original* autobahn audi battery in my
>1986 (sic) 4kq.  I replaced it with a die-easy, and replaced it again
>two months later.  And once more for good measure a couple months
>further down the road.  Sears card convenient, yes.  three trips there,
>no.  recommend factory battery, although likely big $$.

i don't think the Autobahn batteries sold in VAG dealerships in the US are
the original Varta batteries these cars come with--why ship these hefty
things across the ocean when comparable quality batteries can be source in
N. America?  

that said, I DID replace the original battery in my '87 4kcsq with a
dealer-supplied, Autobahn labeled battery--it had the vent tube (not really
critical on the 4kcsq) and this was before I learned about (and trusted)
Interstate batteries.  The kicker:  the dealer supplied battery was only a
bit more expensive than the Interstate MegaTron I put into my 200q years
later--I seem to recall paying about $70 for the dealer battery and about
$60+ for my MegaTron.  

agree with you about the sears battery--but if you liked their old ones a
few years back, (Johnson Controls) then check out the Everready or Kirkland
batteries at Costco--also made by JC.  

--ldt