Anyone bought a new Fabia vRS battery recently?

Just interested in ball park idea of current prices.

Mines starting to spin a bit less vigorously on colder mornings, despite some recent 250 mile treks (original factory fitted battery so getting on for 5 years old now). Thinking about a new one before the real cold sets in and it gives up the ghost.

Halfrauds seem to be 91 to 109:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/GenericProductGuidedSalesCmd?action=getProducts&storeId=10001&categoryId=165762&catalogId=10151&langId=-1&vrn=&rememberMe=1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10151&categoryId=165762&langId=-1&engineInd=1&makeName=40&modelName=4006&dvlaYear=47&subset=4006280&findPartsMMYS.x=58&findPartsMMYS.y=7

I bought a heavy duty battery from Halfords, I mean really heavy duty. It was £99 while the 'standard' battery was £86. The one I got is a 4 year warranty job, calcium, 680A 74Ah. If you want the cheapest battery, they are about £56 from factor

I think you will get a better deal at a Motor Factors,and get a 'good' make at the same time- Exide,Varta. (a lot of batteries with different makers names are made by these two Companies).

A good Motor Factors will be able to tell you who is the original maker.

I paid £90 for a 780Ah Bosch Silver with a 5 year warranty from halfords for an Octy II, although that was with a discount.

Bosch/Varta are the same batteries (from what I've been told) so if you can get a Varta Blue or Silver for less than that price you're doing well and I'd go for it.

I have heard good things about the halfrods own calcium batteries also, so if you're stuck with that as your only choice, then you should be just fine there too.

With a car battery, weight really does mean a lot, because the heavier it is, the more lead there is in it.

I'm in the same boat.

My fabia is 5 years old now and I think still on the original battery.

It struggled to start today in 3.5 degrees.

it may not be quite on its way out but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

what sort of spec do I need?

I have a Bosch Silver too (A4?) I'm pretty sure I got it for 75 quid fitted, although that was tacked onto some other work, so would probably have been more if I hadn't gone in for the other work as well. Having replaced my wife's myself, I'd say it was 15 quid well-spent on the fitting: it's a nightmare because the battery's clamped at the bottom, and the "impossi-bolt" that clamps it is accessed down the gap between the headlamp and the battery box, and needs about a foot of extension on the ratchet. I've heard people of taking their headlamps out to change the battery, and TBH, I can see why!!!

Taking it off is easy with a standard extension, putting it back on is a pain in the ***... especially if you drop the clamp!

If you have a Costco account. I bought and Bosch Silver S5 battery £48. Bargin

I've always sworn by Hoppecke batteries myself...

German and swedish near me stock them and not only are they usually GREEN!!

But they also come with a 3 year warranty too. Most I ever spent on one was about £60.

That was a big ole thing for my saab 9000. Had one on my golf. Had one on my Bora.

Never even had to charge one. Truly fit and forget in my experience...

When I replace mine fairly soon, I know what I'll be buying.

www.national.co.uk sell Varta ones and they have 10% discount for ordering on-line. The prices without discount are £76 Varta Black, 86£ Blue, £97 Silver

Removing the battery clamp ,and refitting is quite fiddly.I used a telescopic magnetic tool to retrieve the bolt,and the plate.I then use the tool again to put the the bolt ,and plate back in the correct position,before tightening. If you are not careful,the bolt and/or plate slip down under the headlamp,or battery box .