95 C4 993

From everything tested, it appears my Optimal red battery took a crap on me. Costco no longer carries it so they are giving me a full refund---had it for about 7 months.

Could probably do a search but thinking Interstate is my next move. Weight doesnt concern me at all---just want a decent, reliable battery.

nile13

Interstater. Moreover, if you go to Interstate distributor (there's usually one or two per city, but it has to be a distributor - Interstate trucks, interstate written on the building, etc) you can buy a "blem" for about $30. You get a fresh new battery with some cosmetic blemish and 2 year warranty. Blemishes are mostly missing stickers.

Find them and call them before going there. See if they have a Group 91 battery, I believe that's what a 993 takes.

matt777

I just bought an Interstate battery to replace my 10 year old Interstate that was still working fine even after being run flat a couple of times recently. IIRC it was $155 Cdn so should be cheaper down there. I also got their vent kit (tube and a plastic fitting) because mine was MIA.

IXLR8

Costco up here hasn't carried them for a while. According to one of their buyers who happened to be over at a friend's place while we were wrenching, they had too many issues with them.


A reliable battery is one from a quality manufacturer and one that you can maintain....the latter is the key to long battery life. I get far less than half the life out of those so-called maintenance free sealed batteries.

matt777

Interestingly enough it seems there only a few battery mfg's. One of them is Johnson Controls who makes the Optima, Diehard and I believe other private brands such as Interstate batteries. I'm guessing that the quality standard can be specified by the purchaser to meet their desired price point. At least I'm trusting that you get what you pay for

http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/conte...solutions.html

95 C4 993

Great recommendation!!! Found one for $32.00 locally---now just gotta find a old battery from someone to trade in to avoid the $18.00 core charge.

IXLR8

Not the most current list, but it'll give you an idea how many are out there and who makes what.

nile13

Craigslist might be helpful in that.

95 C4 993

I called Costco and they are giving me a core back with the Optima return.

TheOtherEric

If you want reliable, stay far far away from Optima. I've been thru several in my two 993s, and they only seem to last maybe 2 years max. I've tried Red, Yellow, float charging.... bah. Simply garbage.

matt777

East Penn was another battery recommended by some here at Rennlist. I've never owned one.

Van Larson

Your results obviously vary but I have had red tops installed in nearly all my previous 911s and daily drivers as well and have never experienced a failure even tho some completely discharged several times. In fact, there is a 10 year old red top in my daughter's 02 WRX which has sat outside during many Chicago winter nights and it has never failed to start the car. I prefer to avoid any gas or liquid discharge as well

IXLR8

I'll let you know if it lasts as long as the original Panasonic battery in my daily driver.

I doubt it though. The P-car isn't driven daily and I only put a maintainer on it if I don't use it for a week or more.

As for some these sealed batteries not lasting, it might be a matter of them being overcharged (especially in the hot deep south) which is deadly for that type of battery. Thats why I find an in-car voltmeter handy.

95 C4 993

Costco gave me back the entire $148.00 for my Optima (which I bought in May of 2011--about the time they probably discontinued them from what they said), handed me a core battery back, drove to the Interstate Battery Disty, paid $36.00 total for my new "refurb" battery---looks new, my 993 started, so Im happy.

Optima was a beach with the positve post when it came to charging---another thing I did not like about that battery.

Havent had the 993 out in a few months---noticed my rears are almost bald but no worries. I have a brand (almost) new set of Hankook Ventus V12's sitting in the basement from when I picked up a set of Cup II's at a great price a couple of years ago.

Reddy Kilowatt

I've had nothing but good results from Interstate.