9 hours ago, Bap33 said:

Hi,

Summary of the discussion with website customer support, it's... Awesome...
I don't write again the problem description.

_ Sorry sir, yes indeed this is not what you ordered, but it is an equivalent product. We have made an exchange because the product you ordered is out of stock with our supplier.
_ Sorry, but when did you ask for my agreement for this substitution 🤨? Furthermore, your site states that installation on my vehicle is not guaranteed, so I feel skeptical.
_ So you want to organize a return?
_ Yes please.
_ Very well, it's organized, I've just sent you the return paper. You'll be refunded soon and you can reorder.
_ OK, thank you for the refund, but what guarantee can I have that I won't face the same problem 🤨?
_ Yes, I understand sir, but in this case you can still mount it on your car, this is a very good product and the characteristics are the same.
_ Oh, wait wait wait, I have no problem with Varta brand, but I repeat that according to your website, the compatibility with my car is not guaranteed 😠. So if I install it anyway and have problems, what do you think that will happen? You're going to refer me to what's mentioned on your website and you're going to tell me that I should not have mounted it and therefore it will be my own fault... Am I wrong?
_ Yes, I understand sir, you're probably right. So you prefer to remain on the return of the product?
_ Yes right. And what about the 10% promo code I used when I ordered 🤨? Because now it's no longer valid. I can therefore no longer benefit from it to reorder and have the same price.
_ Wait, let me find out...
...
_ So sir, I can send you a €10 reduction voucher.
_ Um... I had a 10% promo code, not €10. It's not quite the same thing 😬... I'm being fooled here... I'm not really happy.
_ Yes, I understand sir. But I can't do more. I'm sending it to you anyway.
_ Well... I don't have much choice there...😬
_ I have just sent you the discount voucher by email. In the meantime, I've been checking, the Bosch battery is available again from our supplier. You can order it.
_ Oh? Alright. Is it still the same price?
_ It is €220.
_  What 😳 ?! Wait, let's recap. I ordered a Bosch battery for €125 (reduction deducted). Without warning me, your colleagues sent me a Varta whose compatibility with my vehicle is not guaranteed. So I have to send it back to you. I lost my 10% promo code, you are only offering me €10 off as compensation. And now I will be able to order the battery I wanted for €210 after deducting the €10 you offer as compensation? So I'm going to pay €85 more for the exact battery I wanted 😤😡!?! Is that what you call customer satisfaction?! I really have the unpleasant feeling of being fooled! I'll be polite because it's not your fault personally, but I'm really not happy with these practices.

 

Anyway, back to square one...
In the meantime I found a compatible Varta this time (A7 reference), for €144 on another website or the Bosch in a local store for €151.

 

What a loss of energy...

 

Sorry for this looong post. 😁

 

 

You do realise Bosch and Varta batteries are the same and made in the same factory don't you?

7 hours ago, Graham Butcher said:

@Bap33 I enjoyed you're jockeying with the customer services Dept and it is an unfamiliar tale, I have heard similar before and this practise is becoming the norm these days I'm afraid to say.

 

That being said, I don't know why you just keep the Varta battery that they sent you, it should have the same overall physical dimensions, the battery terminals should be in the same locations and be of the right type, i.e., square tabs and not round posts, the battery voltage is still going to be 12V, the type is still an AGM and the cranking capacity is still 760 amps. The differences is going to be more to do with the warranty, are they both subject to the warranty periods etc?

 

If yes, then I'd remove old battery and just do a visual check to make sure that the dimensions are same, if so fit the battery and keep the extra savings in your pocket.

 

 

As explained above, they have the same characteristics, but the website states that Varta's compliance is not guaranteed. 

Meanwhile I've read an article saying that EFB technology can make some troubles sometimes. As I feel unlucky currently, I don't want to take the risk... 'cause if I nevertheless install the Varta one and have troubles, they'll argue for sure that their website clearly states the compliance is not guaranteed.

 

Otherwise, I would have installed it. As said above. I have no problem with Varta. I've installed one on my wife's Audi Q3 2 years ago. 

And I've ordered another one yesterday evening for my Mk3, but a complying one this time.

 

7 minutes ago, skomaz said:

 

You do realise Bosch and Varta batteries are the same and made in the same factory don't you?

You do realize that the new Superb Mk4 and new VW Passat will be the same with many components and even body works parts built in the same factories, don't you? But why buying one rather than the other... 😜

Please read my initial post above... The problem is not the brand, but being sure the battery fully suits my car.  

 

1 hour ago, Bap33 said:

 

 

As explained above, they have the same characteristics, but the website states that Varta's compliance is not guaranteed. 

Meanwhile I've read an article saying that EFB technology can make some troubles sometimes. As I feel unlucky currently, I don't want to take the risk... 'cause if I nevertheless install the Varta one and have troubles, they'll argue for sure that their website clearly states the compliance is not guaranteed.

 

Otherwise, I would have installed it. As said above. I have no problem with Varta. I've installed one on my wife's Audi Q3 2 years ago. 

And I've ordered another one yesterday evening for my Mk3, but a complying one this time.

 

You do realize that the new Superb Mk4 and new VW Passat will be the same with many components and even body works parts built in the same factories, don't you? But why buying one rather than the other... 😜

Please read my initial post above... The problem is not the brand, but being sure the battery fully suits my car.  

 

 

The battery is simply a 'dumb' component that supplies 12v.  Your comparison is irrelevant as it's like comparing apples and oranges.

 

It's your car so your decision but your concern is unwarranted and, in my opinion, rather strange.

21 minutes ago, skomaz said:

 

The battery is simply a 'dumb' component that supplies 12v.  Your comparison is irrelevant as it's like comparing apples and oranges.

 

It's your car so your decision but your concern is unwarranted and, in my opinion, rather strange.

Totally agree, as long as the Ah is 760A as claimed and the technology of both batteries is AGM, then it is OK. Now if it were a safety critical part I could understand the concern. 

10 hours ago, Graham Butcher said:

@Bap33 I enjoyed you're jockeying with the customer services Dept and it is an unfamiliar tale, I have heard similar before and this practise is becoming the norm these days I'm afraid to say.

 

That being said, I don't know why you just keep the Varta battery that they sent you, it should have the same overall physical dimensions, the battery terminals should be in the same locations and be of the right type, i.e., square tabs and not round posts, the battery voltage is still going to be 12V, the type is still an AGM and the cranking capacity is still 760 amps. The differences is going to be more to do with the warranty, are they both subject to the warranty periods etc?

 

If yes, then I'd remove old battery and just do a visual check to make sure that the dimensions are same, if so fit the battery and keep the extra savings in your pocket.

 

 

The Varta N70 does not list as an AGM from what i can find

The 096 Varta battery is E39 or newly labelled A7

3 hours ago, skomaz said:

 

You do realise Bosch and Varta batteries are the same and made in the same factory don't you?

 

 

The Bosch S5 A08  is an AGM battery the Varta N70 is not the same The 096 AGM Varta battery is E39 or newly labelled A7

 

They have not supplied an "equivalent" battery to the one ordered

1 hour ago, Stonekeeper said:

 

 

The Bosch S5 A08  is an AGM battery the Varta N70 is not the same The 096 AGM Varta battery is E39 or newly labelled A7

 

They have not supplied an "equivalent" battery to the one ordered

Thanks. I thought my English was not good enough. But finally someone who understands my point. 
 

Indeed, this article let me think AGM is a better solution than EFB for my Mk3

https://batteryworld.varta-automotive.com/en-gb/efb-or-agm-which-battery-do-i-need

Note: It’s a Varta to Varta comparison. No Bosch story.

 

@Graham Butcher and @skomaz

Have a look to spare parts websites and check how often EFB batteries suiting your Mk3 (based on nameplates) are proposed compared to AGM ones… I´ve looked at almost 8 or 10 french websites. No EFB was proposed for my car.

 

Thus I’m convinced I´ve made the safest choice for me and my Mk3. Feel free to do differently if you think it’s a better option for you.

 

 

Edited 5 December, 20232 yr by Bap33

48 minutes ago, Bap33 said:

Thanks. I thought my English was not good enough. But finally someone who understands my point. 
 

Indeed, this article let me think AGM is a better solution than EFB for my Mk3

https://batteryworld.varta-automotive.com/en-gb/efb-or-agm-which-battery-do-i-need

Note: It’s a Varta to Varta comparison. No Bosch story.

 

@Graham Butcher and @skomaz

Have a look to spare parts websites and check how often EFB batteries suiting your Mk3 (based on nameplates) are proposed compared to AGM ones… I´ve looked at almost 8 or 10 french websites. No EFB was proposed for my car.

 

Thus I’m convinced I´ve made the safest choice for me and my Mk3. Feel free to do differently if you think it’s a better option for you.

 

 

So is your battery a AGM or a EFB? What was the original battery fitted by the factory, that is the real question. If it was AGM then fitting a EFB might not be a good option as I suspect the charging characteristics will be different. For the record, I said AGM not EFB as that is what I believed you said your old battery was. 

 

Using the parts websites is as not as good as following the makers specified parts list, your dealer should be able to confirm the correct battery your car from the VIN for your car. 

1 hour ago, Bap33 said:

Thanks. I thought my English was not good enough. But finally someone who understands my point. 
 

Indeed, this article let me think AGM is a better solution than EFB for my Mk3

https://batteryworld.varta-automotive.com/en-gb/efb-or-agm-which-battery-do-i-need

Note: It’s a Varta to Varta comparison. No Bosch story.

 

@Graham Butcher and @skomaz

Have a look to spare parts websites and check how often EFB batteries suiting your Mk3 (based on nameplates) are proposed compared to AGM ones… I´ve looked at almost 8 or 10 french websites. No EFB was proposed for my car.

 

Thus I’m convinced I´ve made the safest choice for me and my Mk3. Feel free to do differently if you think it’s a better option for you.

 

 

 

Noted and up to you - I wouldn't put and AGM battery on instead of a EFB - I've used AGM batteries before on other vehicles designed for AGM batteries and not had a positive experience.

 

But your choice - I'll dip out now.

On 03/12/2023 at 15:58, Bap33 said:

I was about to change my battery. I had ordered a Bosch S5 A08 (70Ah - 760A, a bit stronger than the original one), but recieved a Varta N70 (also 70Ah - 760A)... 🙄 
The size are the same, they are both AGM technology, but for the Varta, the website where I ordered my battery states: Mounting on your car is not guaranteed...
  
I'm fed up with such a lack of professionalism.

I've now 2 options:
1) I don't pay attention to the website statement saying that compliance is not guaranteed. And I nevertheless install it, a bit "forced" to do so...
2) I ship it back and open a claim, but I lose roughly 1 week to get the right one and it's a mess to organize the back shipping. Additionally, I'lle have another €140 out, while awaiting for reimbursment
  
Any advice? What seems to you the most clever solution?
TIA.

I just went back and checked on your original post and you did indeed state that both batteries are AGM, so this is where the confusion was introduced, I never checked the Varta details for the N70 as you clearly said that both the Bosch and the Varta were AGM. 

 

AGM batteries are designed to give you 3 times the life of a normal battery and the EFB is only designed to give you 2 times the life, so the AGM is the better option.

 

On 03/12/2023 at 16:10, Stonekeeper said:

 

This is the Varta battery that Varta would sell you for AGM

 

Silver Dynamic AGM 570 901 076

 

https://www.varta-automotive.com/en-gb/products/varta-silver-dynamic-agm/570-901-076

 

Yours is EFB which is not AGM

 

I would ask why have they sent you the wrong battery

 

 

On then19th October, my 2016 OEM MOLL EFB battery was replaced with an RAC branded Varta Silver Dynamic AGM 570 901 076. 

6 hours ago, skomaz said:

 

Noted and up to you - I wouldn't put and AGM battery on instead of a EFB - I've used AGM batteries before on other vehicles designed for AGM batteries and not had a positive experience.

 

But your choice - I'll dip out now.

My 2013 Superb L&K 170TDI came with a AGM battery from factory and lasted 7 years before being replaced.

I had one that lasted about 11 years then two in quick succession that died after a year.  I went back to a standard battery.

 

Probably my fault as they got to a low state of charge that effectively killed them as they then wouldn't hold a charge for more than a few days.

 

No such problems with a standard one at half the price.

6 hours ago, Graham Butcher said:

I just went back and checked on your original post and you did indeed state that both batteries are AGM, so this is where the confusion was introduced, I never checked the Varta details for the N70 as you clearly said that both the Bosch and the Varta were AGM. 

 

AGM batteries are designed to give you 3 times the life of a normal battery and the EFB is only designed to give you 2 times the life, so the AGM is the better option.

At the beginning I thought, they were both AGM. But when I better looked at the one I recieved, I noticed it was not an AGM but an EFB. But it was to late to edit my post.

Sorry for the confusion. 

12 minutes ago, Bap33 said:

At the beginning I thought, they were both AGM. But when I better looked at the one I recieved, I noticed it was not an AGM but an EFB. But it was to late to edit my post.

Sorry for the confusion. 

By the way, your English is much better than my French 👍

😊 Thanks!

On 04/12/2023 at 23:06, Bap33 said:

Hi,

Summary of the discussion with website customer support, it's... Awesome...
I don't write again the problem description.

_ Sorry sir, yes indeed this is not what you ordered, but it is an equivalent product. We have made an exchange because the product you ordered is out of stock with our supplier.

 

Oscaro?

 

They do that pretty much everytime you order branded parts, they send out pattern parts with a **** & bull story, I have my doubts as to whether they actually have available a fraction of what they try to sell, I have even known them send out completely different parts for different vehicle.

 

Most of the other websites are all different flavours of Auto-doc, there are literally hundreds of different sites all with exactly the same menu structure, parts search etc and all showing the same results with a small variation in price. I have never been sent the wrong parts by any of them though.

Caock and bull!

Yes Oscaro indeed. First time they've done such a mess with an order. I've also tested Auto-doc. But also one bad experience.

Finally, I don't know much trusted spare parts websites in France... 😐

On 26/06/2023 at 00:03, Graham Butcher said:

Yup, but at my age, I don't want to move any more, I can't be doing with all that stress and hard work, anyway, what is a nice area today could, tomorrow turn out just as bad as what we have today if the wrong people move in, so just have to keep on about the tree for me and hope that one of the authorities will eventually own up to it and remove it. It is an accident just waiting to happen as it is taller than the house and when we get gales, branches break off, the rest of the year we get pooping, leaves falling clogging all the bonnet vents and wipers and then in the spring we get all the bloody catkins dropping everywhere and getting trapped under the wipers blades 🤬 

Would the tree be such a loss?

This time of year is perfect for some subtle intervention...

 

Check out this natural problem that can be duplicated:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/trees/ring-barking

On 01/07/2023 at 05:16, JR RS said:

Lol, I was thinking the Matrix.....red pill or blue pill!!!

 

Anyways, I've attached a how to guide I just created.

Firmware Update Guide v1.0.pdf 6.43 MB · 198 downloads

Thanks for this ...

I remember snorting with laughter when Neo was offered a blue pill.

Jim Paints It also had a great take on the Red/Blue decision...

Dear, I would like to change all the interior halogen bulbs for led ones, e.g reading lights, globe box, etc...

 

is there any tutorial, or YouTube video for this? I checked and haven't found anything for Superb mk3...

13 hours ago, Bap33 said:

Yes Oscaro indeed. First time they've done such a mess with an order. I've also tested Auto-doc. But also one bad experience.

Finally, I don't know much trusted spare parts websites in France... 😐

 

For future battery needs I recommend batteriemegastore.fr

 

Very good company, competitive prices and fast delivery, oddly sometimes its cheaper to buy from then through Amazon.fr or Ebay.fr

On 16/11/2023 at 22:55, Danoid said:

I tried a 6mm and that was too big, 5.5mm too small hmm

Well, I had to re-adjust my lights again today, and it is definitely a 6mm Allen key that fits my adjustment screw. My dealer had to remove the front bumper today to fix my front parking sensors as the clips were all broken, and I mentioned to them about that I discovered my headlights were slightly different colours which he confirmed. My N/S has a brand-new headlamp unit fitted which the dealer who sold me the car fitted before I took delivery of it as the DRL had snapped in half.

 

My dealer suggested that I don't bother replacing the bulb(s) unless I was really bothered and a perfectionist, as the OEM bulbs were so expensive. He showed me the exploded view of the headlamp unit on his computer and the price of the bulb alone was £264 each, so I think I'll be leaving it alone for the time being unless it fails altogether.

Edited 8 December, 20232 yr by Graham Butcher

10 hours ago, Graham Butcher said:

the price of the bulb alone was £264 each, so I think I'll be leaving it alone for the time being unless it fails altogether.

Non OE units are far cheaper at £150 per pair and, of course, are made by the OE suppliers.